List Of Illegal & Legal Moves in MMA + Reasons

Attack	What Is It	Legal	Reasons
Knee Kick	Using your feet to attack the upper thigh or knee cap of the opponent.	No	Severe damage to the knee and overall leg of the opponent. Irrecoverable injury.
Upkick From Ground	When a fighter is on the ground with his back touching it and kicks the attacker using one or both foot.	Yes	One of the finest techniques to defend yourself if you’ve fallen down during a fight.
Headbutt	Hitting your opponent using your skull.	No	Can cause severe traumas and serious head injuries.
Knees To Ground Opponent	Using knees to strike the opponent who has fallen down.	Yes, only allowed to hit other parts of the body, but not back of the head.	Knees are used for powerful strikes and hitting the back of the head can cause severe injuries.
Double Hammer Fist	Utilizing fists like a hammer to strike the opponent.	Yes	The gloves used by MMA fighters don’t have padding on the sides. Thus, attacks aren’t that severe.
Back Slam	Throwing the opponent back on their spine or neck.	No	They can cause spinal injuries that are irrecoverable.
Armpit Punch	Using your punch to strike the area between shoulder and arm.	Yes	It does not give immense damage to the opponent.
Leg Punch	Using your punch to strike the leg of your opponent.	Yes	Landing punches on legs can give minimal damage.
Blood Choke	Striker attacks the sides of your neck using his arms to choke your blood.	Yes	It is not as painful and the fighter can tap out at any time before getting unconscious.
Hammer Fist to the back of head	Using fists like a hammer to strike the opponent on the back of their head.	No	Any strike on the back of the head is illegal.
Tackling	Coming flying onto the opponent to strike them down.	Yes	One of the most efficient techniques to take down an opponent.
Upkick	When fighter is laying on his back on the ground and uses feet to strike.	Yes	It is used as a defense mechanism.
Pinching	Using fingers to grab the skin of the opponent sharply.	No	Immense pain and discomfort to the opponent.
Foot stomp / stepping	Downward strike with the heel in a standing position.	Yes, but not hitting the back of the head of a grounded opponent.	Hitting the back of the head is unacceptable as it causes severe traumas.
Grabbing leg	Using hands to grab the leg of an opponent.	Yes	It is often used to stop a strike.
Twisting wrist	Bending the wrist of an opponent by applying pressure with your hands.	Yes	It is widely used to submit an opponent.
Elbow strike	Using elbows to target the opponent.	Yes, but it is illegal to hit in spine and groin.	Elbows can give unimaginable pain if targeted in spine or groin area.
Tickling	Using fingers mildly to create discomfort on the opponent’s body.	Yes	One of the most useless moves in MMA.
Grabbing Throat	Using fingers to grab the trachea of the opponent.	No	Serious throat injuries.
Axe Kick	Hitting the opponent with a stretched leg with an axe like shape.	Yes	No deadly damage to the opponent.
Tap out with feet	Using your feet to signal the referee that you surrender.	Yes	Feet and hands are allowed to physical inform the referee. Even verbal tap out is acceptable.
Jump off the cage	Utilizing feet to jump off the cage and hit the opponent back.	Yes	You can’t grab the fence with your fingers or toes, but can jump off.

1.Knee Kick 

 

 

A knee kick is usually hitting the upper thigh of the opponent which could give immense damage to the opponent. It is currently illegal in MMA, but hitting the front side of the opponent’s knee can result in a warning given by the referee or a deduction of points.

Some states don’t allow this move as it is said to cripple the opponent and can even end their career. However, many states are still looking at recent cases such as the case of Darren Till and many other UFC fighters. 

2. Upkick From Ground 

Kicking your opponent from the ground is usually termed an upkick in MMA. It is legal in UFC and but only if the other opponent is not grounded. Hitting a grounded opponent in the head is not allowed in MMA, striking other parts of the body is still allowed.

Many fighters have won the competition by kicking up from the ground. Fighters usually use both legs to fire upward on the opponent and it can turn out to be a heavy blow to the competitor if you are grounded. It is legal and widely practiced in MMA. 

3. Headbutt 

Hitting the opponent with your head is simply referred to as headbutts. They are completely illegal in MMA due to certain reasons. Headbutts were completely legal in MMA but due to several incidents, it is regarded as one of the most significant illegal moves in MMA. Headbutts can result in severe traumas, and sometimes serious head injuries leading to unimaginable consequences.

Another reason why headbutts are illegal is that they are so swift that referees can’t even keep an eye sometimes. If you headbutt the other fighter in the ring, it will result in instant disqualification. 

4. Knees To Grounded Opponent 

Throwing your knees at an opponent who is fallen down is only legal when you are not hitting the head. Knees to a grounded opponent on the head are completely illegal as they can be traumatizing. A downed opponent can be hit on the body but not on the head. Such actions will either result in the deduction of points or disqualification.

These moves occur in UFC very frequently and referees are always alerted by knees to a grounded competitor. The knees are a strong part of the human body, hitting the opponent with force on the head can result in serious damage. 

5. Double Hammer Fist 

Double Hammer Fist is hitting the opponent with both of your fists. Both hands are used to hammer the fists onto the competitor. It is totally allowed in mixed martial arts as the gloves of the fighters have no padding at the sides.

Hammer fists are not allowed in boxing due to the fact that they have excessive padding and can be extremely serious, using both fists to crush the opponent. No glove padding is the core reason it is practiced in MMA, and fighters love hammering fists at opponents in fights. 

Also Read: 5 Best MMA Gloves For Heavy Bag (7 Criteria When Choosing)

6. Back Slam 

A back slam is considered pulling your opponent from the back and throwing them down with their spine and neck hitting the ground. Back Slam or any other type of suplex is completely banned in MMA. This move is extremely dangerous as the pressure on the neck or spine can result in injury that isn’t recoverable.

MMA does not allow moves that would end the career of the fighter in a single blow. Back slamming in MMA can result in instant disqualification and the opponent will be awarded the victory as well as the bonus, as back slamming is illegal in MMA. 

7. Armpit Punch 

Punching the pressure point between the arm and the shoulder, often known as the armpit is allowed in mixed martial arts. However, punching other pressure points such as the throat, spine, and eyes isn’t really admired in this sport.

An armpit punch can surely give remarkable damage to the opponent and is often considered an effective strike, as it is not a life-threatening move. 

8. Leg Punch 

A leg punch is bending down on your knees and hitting the legs of your opponent. It is allowed in MMA, but it’s considered one of the most useless moves in UFC. When you aim to punch the legs of your opponent, you basically lose your balance and expose yourself to the competitor standing in front of you.

Punching requires transferring your weight into the punch and hitting as hard as possible, but such punches are ineffective. Due to their minimal effect, leg punches are allowed in mixed martial arts. 

9. Blood Choke 

 

 

In a blood choke, the fighter will attack the sides of your neck. It is not as painful as air choking and you might not even realize it until you are about to get unconscious. All arm chokes are allowed only if the fighter does not use their finger or thumb to pressure the neck of the other opponent. Blood choke is one of the most used moves to attain victory in MMA.

However, the use of fingers or thumbs on the neck can result in the deduction of points or disqualification, as it can cause immense discomfort to the other fighter. 

10. Hammer Fist to the back of the head 

Using your fist to attack the back head of the opponent in any portion is not allowed. It is completely illegal to hammer a fist to the back of the head of any opponent. There have been several cases when fighters have been disqualified on this move. It has the potential to cause severe damage to a fighter.

Such moves can damage the cervical vertebrae and the spinal cord, leading to irreparable injury and destroying the career of a fighter. The back of the head is one of the most sensitive places to hit a fighter. 

11. Tackling 

Tackling is often referred to as taking down the opponent with speed as coming flying onto the opponent. It is legal and is often used by lightweight champion Khabib. There have been plenty of matches when Khabib has used a tackling move in the match.

However, it is considered one of the riskiest moves in MMA as you are most vulnerable to getting knocked out if you miss the tackle. There have been a lot of scenes when fighters have missed the tackle and have been knocked down pretty badly. Still, tackling is legal in UFC. 

12. Upkick 

Upkick is a highly effective martial arts move when the fallen fighter is laying on their back and kicks upward with either one or both of his legs when the competitor is coming to attack. Upkicks are legal in mixed martial arts only if the other opponent isn’t grounded. It is not legal to use upkick against a grounded fighter.

It is one of the most efficient techniques used as self-defense in MMA and is considered a significant part of the fighting. Many fighters use this move to protect themselves if they are grounded during a fight. 

13. Pinching 

Using fingers to grip tightly and sharply any part of the opponent’s body is known as pinching. It is illegal in MMA. Pinching and twisting is not allowed in mixed martial arts and is considered shameful act in the fight. Pinching falls under flesh manipulation which is not admired in any fight.

It can distract the opponent in a fight and can result in immense pain too. There are some pressure points in the human body, and pinching those areas can result in unimaginable pain. Such acts may lead to a deduction in points or disqualification. 

14. Foot stomp 

It is a downward strike with the heel of the foot when in a stand-up position. It is legal but hitting the head of the grounded strikers is considered illegal in a fight. Many combat sports usually don’t allow foot stomps, but it is acceptable in UFC.

This move is surely hurtful, but it may not lead to excessive physical damage, as the heels don’t usually give that much amount of damage to the opponent. Knee or foot strikes to the head of a downed opponent are surely not allowed in the competition. 

15. Grabbing leg

Using hands to control the leg of your opponent is allowed in UFC. However, it is illegal to hold onto the shorts or gloves of the competitor in the ring. They can only grab the hand of the opponent but not control it from the material of the glove. Controlling the opponent by grabbing their shorts or gloves can create a lot of discomfort for the other fighter.

It’s only allowed to grab the leg or hand. Many fighters defend themselves by grabbing the leg of the opponent when the other fighter aims to kick hard in the chest. 

Also Read: Is Wing Chun Effective For Self Defense? Vs Boxing &; MMA

16. Twisting wrists 

Twisting wrists or a wristlock is grabbing the hand of the opponent and applying pressure on the wrist by bending or twisting it. It is allowed in mixed martial arts and is also widely used by fighters to build an impact on their opponent.

However, it is very difficult to wristlock your opponent and you would need immense power to control it. Wristlocks may not give any serious damage to the opponent, and this is why it is allowed in UFC. 

17. Elbow strike 

Using elbows to hit the opponent is known as an elbow strike. It is allowed in UFC only if the striker does not hit the opponent in their spine, groin, or even the back of the head with an elbow. Hitting these areas with elbows is strictly prohibited. Using elbows in fights is surely a part of the competition, but using them to strike sensitive areas such as the groin and spine is illegal as it can result in deadly injury to the opponent.

When talking the back of the head, it is considered one of the most sensitive areas in a fight, and strikers are guided to avoid this area in a fight. 

18. Tickling 

Using fingers mildly in a way that may cause discomfort or laughter is known as tickling. It is legal in mixed martial arts but isn’t that effective. Tickling an opponent is surely a rare sight in an MMA match. When the adrenaline is flowing during a fight, the receptors become less sensitive, and they don’t pick up such touches quickly.

Many parts of the body are already numb, and tickling is just a waste of time. As tickling may not give any severe damage to the opponent during a fight, it is considered legal. 

19. Grabbing throat 

Grabbing the trachea of the opponent with your hands is not allowed in mixed martial arts. Only no directed throat strikes are allowed, but grabbing it isn’t allowed in MMA. In an attempt to submit the opponent, it is not allowed to use your fingers or thumbs to gouge into the neck or trachea.

These strikes are not clean and can give the opponent intense damage, leading to unimaginable discomfort. Such strikes are considered foul and can also result in instant disqualification. 

20. Axe Kick

 

An axe kick or we may call it a stretch kick is a strengthened leg with the heel descending onto the opposite fighter like the blade of an axe, and this is the reason it is known as an axe kick. Axe-kicks are legal in UFC and have been widely admired as some of the greatest moves in MMA. Even the former UFC lightweight champion, Jon Jones used it in several fights during his career.

However, an axe kick to the head of a downed opponent is considered illegal same as knee stomping a downed opponent on the back of the head. Many champions have used axe kicks to win several crucial fights in their careers. 

21. Tap out with feet 

Tapping out with your feet is letting the referee know with the movement of your feet that you’re drained and surrendering in a fight. It is completely legal to tap out with your feet in a fight. You also have the option to verbally tap out too. Referees are trained to study your body language, and tapping out by hands or feet is completely understandable.

Sometimes fighters are unable to tap out with their hands if they are locked or are about to get unconscious. Due to these reasons, there’s a free choice to tap out with hands, feet, or verbally. 

22. Jump off the cage 

 

Using your feet to jump off the cage and hit your opponent with a punch or kick is allowed, but grabbing the fence is illegal in MMA. Using your fingers or toes to grab the fence or cage is not allowed in MMA. Fighter can put their hands on the fence and push off of it whenever they want.

However, if they use fingers or toes to grab the fence, they may be charged a fine or their points might get deducted in such conditions.