Scott Coker Requests New Rules for Ki MMA in California

The promoter seeks commission approval to allow knees to the head of grounded opponents in his new promotion.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Scott Coker Requests New Rules for Ki MMA in California

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Should combat sports promotions allow fighters to use knees to the head of grounded opponents?

Scott Coker has formally asked the California State Athletic Commission to approve a rule change that would allow knees to the head of grounded opponents. The proposed update aims to integrate specific global rules into the promotion's upcoming events.

Why it matters

Allowing knees to the head of grounded opponents would provide fighters with additional tactical options during grappling exchanges. This adjustment would distinguish Ki MMA from major North American promotions like the UFC and PFL.

Ki MMA has proposed a 32-fighter featherweight grand prix tournament. The request specifically seeks to exclude soccer kicks, stomps, and linear knee strikes from the approved techniques.

The players

Scott Coker

He is a prominent mixed martial arts promoter and the co-founder of Ki MMA who previously served as the president of Bellator MMA.

Rich Chou

He is the co-founder of Ki MMA and a veteran executive in the combat sports industry who previously worked alongside Coker at Bellator.

California State Athletic Commission

This is the state regulatory body responsible for overseeing and licensing all professional combat sports events held in California.

The details

The request seeks to allow knees to the head of a grounded fighter during grappling, while continuing to prohibit soccer kicks, stomps, and linear knee strikes. These bouts are planned to occur in a ring rather than a cage, reflecting a shift in competition standards.

September 2026: Scott Coker and Rich Chou launched the Ki MMA promotion.
October 20, 2026: Scott Coker formally announced the request to the state commission.
December 1, 2026: The California State Athletic Commission will hold a stakeholder meeting to discuss the proposal.

Season Trajectory

The proposal follows a pattern set by the RIZIN promotion's ruleset by seeking to import specific Japanese-style combat regulations to the United States. This move indicates that Ki MMA intends to carve out a distinct competitive niche that diverges from the standard North American unified rules.

The approval of this rule would fundamentally alter the striking and grappling dynamics for all 32 fighters participating in the upcoming grand prix. Fans of the sport should expect a significantly different tactical flow in Ki MMA matches compared to the standard North American promotions.

The takeaway

This request signals a move to reintroduce specific international rule variations that were historically common in Japanese MMA to the California market. Future events will be shaped by whether regulators prioritize the promotion's desire for tactical variety over the conventional unified rules.

What happens next

The California State Athletic Commission will convene to review and potentially vote on the requested rule modifications at a scheduled meeting on December 1, 2026.