Mixed martial art is a full contact combat sport that included various fighting moves. The fighting techniques used in MMA have been developed from various martial arts like karate, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and kickboxing etc. Some martial arts have a certain number of illegal fighting techniques that were used during the no holds barred fights. However, many of these illegal moves are banned in the MMA competitions held today. Hand to hand combat sports are widely considered as dangerous sports because of the physical harm associated with it. Most of the illegal moves are banned in order to ensure the safety of fighters. Many MMA organizations across the world have formulated a set of strict rules to ensure safety. Though there are some changes in legal techniques, a universal ban applies to various illegal martial art moves.
Hitting the opponent with knees and elbows is legal in martial arts like Muay Thai. Moreover, kneeing and elbowing are unique to Muay Thai. In many MMA competitions, kneeing an opponent’s head is banned. Head butting is allowed in some martial arts. However, it is considered illegal in MMA due to the dangers in it. Moreover, hitting the opponent in his neck, spine and back head is also banned by most of the MMA organizations.
Hitting the opponent in the eye is widely considered as a desperate move. Hence, eye gouging is banned in MMA. Other moves like fish hooking, spine busting and groin attacks are also banned in MMA. These regulations are formulated to change the universal thought that full contact sports are brutal. After the inception of these rules, MMA is widely followed by various people all over the world.