“UFC on FOX: Shevchenko vs. Pena” will not obey the new rule changes to the unified rules of mixed martial arts.
Confirmed with UFC officials that the Colorado commission will abide by the old set of MMA rules. New 2017 rules have not been adopted yet.
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) January 25, 2017
In 2017, a new series of rules were created for MMA fights. These rules include a fighter with one hand on the ground is now considered a standing opponent, fighters can no longer reach out with extended fingers, you can use your heel to kick the kidneys of an opponent, and you can grab your opponents clavicle.
With MMA being regulated by each individual state in the U.S, some states are taking longer than others to enforce the new rules.
Saturday’s UFC on FOX event is taking place in Denver, Colorado. The UFC’s next UFC Fight Night event on Feb. 4 in Houston, Texas will also not adhere to the new rule changes.
Bantamweight contenders Valentina Shevchenko and Julianna Pena will headline Saturday’s UFC event. Here is a complete list for Saturday’s fight card.
Main Card (FOX 8 p.m. EST)
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Julianna Peña
Donald Cerrone vs. Jorge Masvidal
Andrei Arlovski vs. Francis Ngannou
Alex Caceres vs. Jason Knight
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1 5 p.m. EST)
Nate Marquardt vs. Sam Alvey
Raphael Assunção vs. Aljamain Sterling
Bobby Nash vs. Li Jingliang
Luis Henrique da Silva vs. Jordan Johnson
Eric Spicely vs. Alessio Di Chirico
Marcos Rogério de Lima vs. Jeremy Kimball
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass 4 p.m. EST)
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Eric Shelton
Jason Gonzalez vs. J.C. Cottrell
