Although mixed martial arts encompasses a complete system of fighting, the simulation is not entirely based in the real world. This sport exists within the confines of a definitive ruleset where certain moves should obviously be banned. Joe Rogan thinks certain banned moves should be allowed as they fall within the realm of physical combat. Moves like groin strikes, fish-hooking, and eye-gouging should definitely be banned as they are considered ‘dirty moves’. However, certain other moves belong in the grey area, as they’re not exactly ‘dirty’ but can be devastating when executed.

The UFC commentator spoke at length about unbanning certain moves in fighting, on episode #164 of the JRE MMA Show with former UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya. The fighter and fight commentator recalled Anderson Silva’s fight with Yushin Okami at Rumble on the Rock 8, where the former middleweight champion got DQ’d as a result of knocking Okami out with an axe kick from closed guard.

While watching the clip, Joe Rogan said the following, “If you are in a guy’s guard, and that guy can elbow you in the face, punch you in the face – why can’t he kick you in the face? He should be able to lean back, and up kick you. It would make the guard way more effective”. He further put onus on the person in the top position saying, “That [axe kick from guard] should be 100% legal. That’s 100% a good technique, and should be legal. And you should be avoiding that if you’re on top. Top is an advantageous position. Anything the guy can do on the bottom, that is real for like a real fight, should be allowed.”

This was not the only banned move that Israel Adesanya and Joe Rogan discussed. The pair pondered another fan-favorite move that is banned in MMA and should be legalized under certain conditions.

“They’re working!” – Joe Rogan doubles down on the use of ‘soccer kicks’

Different fight promotions have a different set of moves that are allowed or otherwise. For example, 12 to 6 elbow shots to a downed opponent were completely banned in all major fight organizations. However, ONE Championship lifted the ban on the move earlier in July this year. The UFC plans to have 12 to 6 elbow shots unbanned starting in November, as part of the new Unified Rules of MMA.

Soccer kicks to a downed opponent are still banned in the UFC. However, soccer kicks aren’t banned in ONE Championship as long as the downed opponent isn’t backed against the cage. Joe Rogan and Israel Adesanya agreed that soccer kicks to a down opponent should be allowed in the open, as long as the downed opponent isn’t pinned against the cage.

Rogan recalled Roger Huerta’s brutal soccer kick KO at the hands of Zorobabel Moreira in ONE Championship. Acknowledging the brutality of the move, the podcaster said, “It is a legit technique. That’s the point – it [MMA] is the sport of fighting.” Alluding to the use of axe kicks from closed guard, he continued, “And if it’s the sport of fighting, and you can’t upkick a guy when you’re in your guard, because his knees are on the ground – that’s ridiculous.”

In the UFC, there is one loophole for using soccer kicks. Even with the opponent down and backed against the cage, you can throw the kick to the body. It is only illegal if it is to the head of the downed opponent. With the rules recently changing on what a ‘grounded opponent’ is Rogan might see more kicks thrown at downed opponents.

Remember when Khalil Rountree Jr. finished Karl Roberson using a soccer kick to the ribs at UFC Vegas 50? It even earned praise from Conor McGregor who wrote, “A lovely timed soccer kick to the body of a downed opponent. A much under utilised legal strike. Nice to see some fresh innovation again in there instead of the usual garbage we see over and over.”

Should moves like soccer kicks, kicks to grounded opponents and 12 to 6 elbows be allowed in the UFC? And are there any moves you would like the sport to keep banned? Let us know in the comments below.