Why are headbutts illegal in MMA?

**Syphilis** · Posted On: 8/01/2011 6:15pm

So we have

A) Cultural taboo/cheap shot/too savage for TV/America

B) Headbutting causes brain damage to the headbutter

C) Headbutting would add a huge range of strikes to close ranged fighting

So, obviously, B) is a choice; shinkicking a person is going to cause damage to your shin. Maybe there are secret headbuttfu techniques to headbutt in such a way you are virtually taking no shock, and the other person takes all of it ? (headbutt to nose?)

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 8/01/2011 7:36pm

No it is none of your ABC things. It is dumbass sanctioning that went on in the early Zuffa days when they were trying to get MMA sanctioned by the most states possible. Same reason for the utterly retarded 12-6 elbow rule.

**Holy Moment** · Posted On: 8/01/2011 7:46pm

Originally Posted by WhiteShark

No it is none of your ABC things. It is dumbass sanctioning that went on in the early Zuffa days when they were trying to get MMA sanctioned by the most states possible. Same reason for the utterly retarded 12-6 elbow rule.

Yeah. I remember back when the UFC first banned headbutts (Before the unified rules were even written) the announcers talked about how the promoters were trying to appease the politicians who were going after the sport.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 8/01/2011 8:42pm

How much do you think it'd change the game if they were legal? They're legal in lethwei but they've never really been decisive in any of the videos I've seen. Then again, they don't fight on the ground.

**100xobm** · Posted On: 8/02/2011 1:13am

Think about what this means for natural selection into MMA, bigger foreheads every UFC.

This is the future you dream of:

It's just not right. Frankly, MMA is gay enough without having people touching nicole kidman.

***TaeBo_Master*** · Posted On: 8/02/2011 1:27am

Originally Posted by Ke?poFist

Basically because headbutting leads to cutting, as opposed to there being legitimate life and death implications. Cutting = more stoppages = booing crowds = less $$$

This.

Originally Posted by devil

For the same reason nut shots and biting aren't allowed - the UFC wanted MMA to be recognized as a legitimate sport and no sanctioning body is going to play ball if you have guys in there headbutting each other.

This.

Originally Posted by 100xobm

Think about what this means for natural selection into MMA, bigger foreheads every UFC.

This is the future you dream of:

It's just not right. Frankly, MMA is gay enough without having people touching nicole kidman.

And this.

Basically, headbutting was diallowed for two reasons. First, MMA matches are sanctioned by the Boxing Commission. There isn't a separate Commisioner appointed to MMA matches so, bottom line, there are some concessions that MMA has to make in order to be considered a legal, legitimate sport. Also, there is the cutting issue. Headbutts may seems like an opportune strike, but any time one person is hitting another person with their head, both people are going to take some trauma. As such, it isn't generally a game changing technique or ones that fans want to see. Most of what it results in (typically as the result of "accidental" headbutts) are cuts. Cuts makes fights end early, and often end in fan unrest, which is always an issue. When the WWE is your biggest competitor, you do everything you can to show you're above board. As such, the UFC generally acknowledges fights that ended with what the fans consider to be bad judging decisions. (note: acknowledge, not reverse). Over the years, I'd say the bulk of contested decisions have been doctor stoppages due to cuts and the like. No one likes a fight that ends in the 1st round because someone got cut over their eye when it was otherwise a 50/50 fight. The reality is, UFC makes their money from the fans, and the fighters make their money from the UFC. As a result, some decisions are made because it's what Zuffa believes the fans want.

TL;DR version: Sure, headbutts might technically be a legitimate technique in a "street fight", but they don't make a better fight on TV. And they sure as hell aren't a skillful or strategically-superior technique.

**Syphilis** · Posted On: 8/02/2011 4:54am

I'm sad everyone is taking this way too seriously instead of imagining head butt kungfu

**gregaquaman** · Posted On: 8/02/2011 8:16am

Originally Posted by Permalost

How much do you think it'd change the game if they were legal? They're legal in lethwei but they've never really been decisive in any of the videos I've seen. Then again, they don't fight on the ground.

Used to train with a guy who fought MMA with headbutts and his answer was considerably. Ground and pound from the top just wins all the time.