Thiago Santos Opposed Ban on Oblique Kicks
The veteran fighter rejected proposals to outlaw lateral knee strikes in professional MMA competition.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Mixed martial arts fighter Thiago Santos has spoken out against recent proposals to classify oblique kicks as illegal fouls. The discussion follows a suggestion by the California State Athletic Commission to review the legality of lateral knee kicks.
Why it matters
Thiago Santos argues that oblique kicks are defendable techniques that fighters should learn to avoid. He believes regulators should focus their resources on enforcing rules against existing illegal acts like eye pokes and strikes to the back of the head instead of banning new moves.
The 42-year-old fighter Thiago Santos previously missed more than one year of competition following knee injuries sustained in a 5-round bout against Jon Jones.
The players
Thiago Santos
He is a professional mixed martial artist who competed in a 5-round title fight against Jon Jones at UFC 239.
Andy Foster
He serves as an executive for the California State Athletic Commission and initiated the review of lateral knee kicks.
California State Athletic Commission
This regulatory body oversees combat sports within the state and is currently evaluating potential updates to its foul list.
The details
Thiago Santos contends that fighters can successfully evade or block these strikes by adjusting their stance or bending their knees. The current debate was prompted by California State Athletic Commission executive Andy Foster, who suggested adding the technique to the list of prohibited fouls.
Timeline
July 2019: Thiago Santos fought Jon Jones at UFC 239.
September 2026: Andy Foster proposed a review of lateral knee kicks.
Season Trajectory
The debate over whether to add lateral knee kicks to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts marks a significant point of tension between safety regulation and athletic technique. This proposal marks a potential expansion of the existing fouls currently governing professional matches.
The potential reclassification of oblique kicks as fouls would fundamentally alter the defensive strategies utilized by competitors in the cage. If approved, fighters would be forced to abandon a common tactical maneuver, significantly impacting training and in-match striking defense.
The takeaway
The disagreement highlights the ongoing balance between athlete safety and the tactical evolution of combat sports. Athletes and regulators remain divided on whether rule changes effectively reduce injury or unnecessarily limit technical development.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing regulatory updates, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.
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