TLDR
- Dana White backs California Athletic Commission’s proposal to ban oblique kicks to the knee in UFC fights
- Jon Jones popularized the controversial strike during his championship reign, defending it as safer than brain damage
- Recent injuries include Brandon Royval’s torn MCL and Shavkat Rakhmonov’s ACL damage that has kept him sidelined
- White also addressed Paulo Costa’s release request, saying the fighter has been offered fights but turned them down
- Light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg remains injured and is targeting an early 2027 return to defend his title
Sources: yardbarker.com | sports.yahoo.com | mmasucka.com
UFC CEO Dana White has announced his support for banning oblique kicks to the knee, a technique made famous by former champion Jon Jones. White made the statement during a press conference for Week 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series.
California State Athletic Commission Chief Andy Foster first proposed the ban during a commission meeting after UFC 331. White praised Foster as “the most powerful guy in the commission” and confirmed the UFC does not disagree with the proposal.
Foster wants to discuss making lateral knee kicks a foul and plans to consult with medical professionals about the change. The commission is also exploring whether certain peptides that heal cuts should be made legal.
Jon Jones Made the Technique Famous
Jon Jones popularized the oblique kick during his time as UFC light heavyweight champion. The former two-division champion used the strike as a primary tool for distance management throughout his career.
Alexander Volkov explains why he thinks Dana White and the UFC “made things right” after his controversial loss to Ciryl Gane in 2024:
"[Dana White] did good for me because you see how the fight with Cyril Gane and Thomas Aspinall went… He saved me from this, from all the bad… pic.twitter.com/nW5uha8YMG
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 23, 2026
In a 2017 interview with VICE Sports, Jones and his coach Mike Winkeljohn defended the controversial technique. “You’re allowed to hit somebody in the head and give them brain damage, but they’re worried about their knee,” Winkeljohn said.
Jones argued that if opponents are trying to give fighters brain damage, it’s a fair trade-off to risk giving them “a little limp for the rest of their lives.” White has previously called Jones the greatest fighter of all time.
Recent Injuries Sparked the Debate
The discussion intensified after several recent incidents involving the strike. During UFC 331, Edmen Shahbazyan complained to referee Mike Beltran about Brunno Ferreira using the technique during their fight.
Shahbazyan won by decision and did not suffer a knee injury, though he received a six-month medical suspension for a fractured foot. His complaints were enough to start discussions within the California commission.
Flyweight champion Joshua Van used the technique heavily against Brandon Royval at UFC 317 in June 2025. After the fight, Royval revealed he suffered a torn MCL that required rehab but not surgery.
The most serious case involves welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov, who suffered meniscus and ACL damage from Ian Garry’s oblique kicks at UFC 310 in December 2024. Rakhmonov has not fully recovered from those injuries.
The undefeated fighter from Kazakhstan, who has 19 wins and 18 finishes, was once considered a future welterweight champion. His injury-related inactivity caused him to drop from the welterweight rankings despite never losing a fight.
In other UFC news, White also addressed Paulo Costa’s request for release from his contract. The Brazilian middleweight has fought only once since mid-to-late July 2025 and recently signed with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn for management.
Costa, who has one fight remaining on his UFC deal, gave the promotion an ultimatum asking for either a three-round fight, more money, or his release. White denied that Costa is being ignored by the promotion.
“He’s been offered fights and turned them down,” White said. “We don’t just say f*** Paulo Costa, and you’re not going to get a fight.”
White compared Costa’s situation to interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who is currently sidelined with an eye injury. “Tom Aspinall’s eyes are messed up. He’s getting offered fights,” White said. “You think Paulo Costa isn’t getting offered fights?”
At light heavyweight, current champion Carlos Ulberg remains sidelined after suffering a knee injury while winning the title against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327. When asked about creating an interim title, White said the UFC is still working on its plans.
“We’ll see what happens,” White said. “As we put stuff together, we will announce what we’re doing.”
Ulberg said he is doing rehab and training while recovering from his injuries. He is targeting a return to defend his title in early 2027.
