Daniel Matthews
Updated on: October 7, 2024 10:43 pm GMT
Rich Franklin Advocates for Updated MMA Rules and Judging System
As mixed martial arts (MMA) continues to evolve, UFC Hall of Famer and current ONE Championship executive Rich Franklin is outspoken about the necessity for updated rules within the sport. His comments come as the Association of Boxing Commissions prepares to implement changes to unified MMA rules in November, including a long-controversial adjustment regarding 12-to-6 elbows and a new definition for downed fighters. Franklin, who experienced these rules firsthand during his fighting career, believes that the standards used by many promotions today are significantly outdated.
Change in Elbow Rules
The upcoming changes will deem 12-to-6 downward elbows as legal, a move that Franklin argues is long overdue. He reflected on the origins of this rule, identifying a need to protect fighters from strikes to vulnerable areas like the back of the head, which were a concern decades ago. “Once you had illegal targets established—what you can hit on the back of the head and spine—you’re not capable of hitting those targets,” he noted.
Franklin emphasized that the change reflects a growing understanding of the sport and its athletes’ safety. His experience in ONE Championship, where the organization maintains a different set of rules, has shaped his views significantly. In ONE, the definition of a grounded fighter is much stricter. Franklin explained, “If anything other than the soles of your feet are touching the ground, you’re down. Even if it’s just a finger.” This distinction allows athletes in ONE to execute knees to the head of grounded opponents, which differs from the existing unified rules.
Concerns About Scoring Systems
Beyond rule adjustments, Franklin expressed a more profound concern regarding the 10-point must system used in MMA scoring. This scoring model, which derives from boxing, awards a fighter who wins a round with 10 points and the opponent with 9 or fewer. Franklin criticized its application in MMA, particularly in shorter fights, arguing that losing one round in a three-round fight can drastically alter the outcome. Drawing from personal experiences, he recounted instances where he felt the scoring system did not accurately reflect the fight’s progression. He stated, “I’m not a fan of the 10-point must system, not for MMA, especially, particularly in a three round fight.”
In ONE Championship, a more holistic approach is taken. Rather than scoring fighters round by round, judges evaluate the fight as a whole based on weighted criteria, which includes aggression and effective damage. Franklin stated, “When you look at our scoring system… it pushes the athletes to want to finish the fight.” This approach aims to provide clarity for athletes about how they are being judged, allowing them to tailor their strategies accordingly.
Mikey Musumeci’s Weight Controversy at ONE 168
The debate surrounding judgment and rules in MMA was starkly highlighted at ONE 168, where submission grappling champion Mikey Musumeci faced controversy after failing to make weight. Originally scheduled to fight Kade Ruotolo at 170 lbs, Musumeci was asked to drop down to flyweight (135 lbs) on short notice due to Ruotolo’s injury. This last-minute decision forced Musumeci to lose approximately 35 lbs in just a few days, a task deemed too demanding and ultimately leading to his weight miss.
Despite the standard backlash commonly directed at fighters who miss weight, the jiu-jitsu community largely supported Musumeci, framing this incident as a failure of ONE Championship in managing the situation rather than a personal fault. Musumeci expressed his heartbreak on social media, stating, “I wanted so bad to compete in ONE 168… I tried to make the championship 135 lb weight in about 72 hours, but it was too much on short notice…” His emotional plea resonated with fans, many of whom called for a more compassionate evaluation of the circumstances surrounding his weight cut.
Community Support for Musumeci
Social media reacted strongly to Musumeci’s plight, with various fighters and fans expressing outrage at the promotion’s decision to strip him of the title for a situation that many believe was fundamentally unfair. Musumeci’s supporters emphasized the challenges associated with making such a drastic change in weight class so rapidly. Numerous posts on social media echoed the sentiment that the fighter, known as “Darth Rigatoni,” should not be held accountable for a situation forced upon him by the promotion.
As Musumeci prepares to face Bebeto Oliveira at a catchweight bout, the disparity between the two fighters’ original plans has raised questions within the community about the responsibility of promotions in ensuring fair fighting conditions. Many fans have demanded accountability and suggested that such last-minute challenges be approached with more flexibility in weight classes to avoid similar situations in the future.
ONE Championship Moves Forward
ONE 168 has faced some challenges, but the organization is determined to keep using its special set of rules. They want to make the experience exciting for both fighters and fans. Franklin’s thoughts and Musumeci’s recent experiences show that people are talking a lot about the rules, safety, and how athletes are treated in the sport. The community’s opinions are very important in changing the rules of MMA as it grows. As ONE Championship thinks about these issues, everyone hopes that future events will show a better understanding of what fighters go through.
