Thiago Santos Disputes Potential Ban on Oblique Kicks

A growing discussion regarding the regulation of oblique kicks has seen prominent figures call for a potential ban on the strike. Both California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster and UFC CEO Dana White have expressed public support for prohibiting these techniques due to injury concerns. However, the proposal has encountered pushback from an unexpected source: former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos. Santos, who suffered severe knee injuries during his 2019 title bout against Jon Jones—a fight frequently cited when discussing the dangers of the oblique kick—has publicly disagreed with the move to ban the strike. Despite the lasting impact those injuries had on his own career, Santos maintains a different perspective on the necessity of removing the maneuver from professional competition.

Source: MMA Fighting.