Edmen Shahbazyan’s UFC 331 confusion puts MMA rules under fresh scrutiny
Edmen Shahbazyan picked up a unanimous decision over Brunno Ferreira at UFC 331, but the middleweight admitted afterward that he had misunderstood the legality of one of his opponent’s kicks.
Edmen Shahbazyan won 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 in Los Angeles on Saturday. Brunno Ferreira repeatedly attacked his lead leg during the fight, including side kicks toward the knee, while referee Mike Beltran also dealt with an eye poke late in the second round.
After the fight, Shahbazyan admitted he had been mistaken about the kick. “I didn't know, like, you can directly hit straight on the knee,” he said, adding that he remembered Jon Jones using the technique before realizing it was legal.
Edmen Shahbazyan didn’t Know Ferreira’s Knee Kicks Were Legal
The distinction is important because Ferreira was using kicks toward Shahbazyan’s knee, rather than striking with his own knee. The current Unified Rules of MMA list numerous fouls, including kneeing or kicking the head of a grounded opponent, but do not list a kick to the knee of a standing opponent as an illegal technique.
Shahbazyan’s comments came as the legality of such kicks received fresh attention following UFC 331. California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster said he wants to discuss making lateral knee kicks a foul. The idea remains a proposal and has not changed the Unified Rules.
That could change how fighters approach a technique that has long been permitted under the current rules.
Foster also discussed a potential rule change in the unified rules that would classify fouls as being incidental, reckless or malicious rather than unintentional and intentional. He believes that will make fighters keep their hands closed and reduce eye pokes.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 20, 2026
MMA Could Also Rethink How Fouls are Classified
Foster also discussed a separate potential change to the way MMA handles fouls. The current framework distinguishes between intentional and unintentional fouls, while Foster wants to explore categories of incidental, reckless or malicious actions.
Foster believes the revised system could give referees more room to distinguish between accidental contact and dangerous behavior. He specifically pointed to fighters extending their fingers toward an opponent’s eyes and suggested reckless actions could lead to point deductions.
For now, both ideas are only under discussion. Shahbazyan may have left UFC 331 knowing a little more about the rules, but the post-fight debate has opened a much bigger conversation about what should remain legal inside the Octagon.
