A few years back I wrote about how dis-unified the unified rules of MMA are in practice. In short they are very scattered and inconsistent across jurisdictions.
This week I obtained data via an open records request breaking this disparity down specifically for the definition of grounded opponents.
Using the published rules across US State commissions the director of Colorado’s Combative Sports Commissions compared the language in use from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In short there is disparity from what it means to be grounded. From needing 3 points of contact, to having a hand weight bearing, to a flat palm or fist, needing 2 hands or palms to having no definition whatsoever.
The below chart illustrates the level of disparity.
Below is the State by State breakdown from publicly posted rules:
Another interesting bit of information that Colorado compiled was data about knees to the head of grounded fighters. This is relevant because the State recently oversaw an event promoted by ONE Championship whose ‘global’ rules allow these strikes. Colorado’s Director reviewed 1,551 bouts under the ruleset and noted the striked is used in the finishing sequence of only 1.4% of bouts where it is allowed. It is reasonably distributed among weight classes but used more commonly among the lower weight classes and the lease by heavyweights.
Below is the data:
Combat Sports Law 