MMA Ref Herb Dean Reveals Possible Eye Poke Rule Updates

[BigArvin]

Hey, fans and fighters. I'm BigArvin, breaking down a move that could change how MMA fights get called.

Referee Herb Dean of the UFC wants tighter eye poke rules. He wants points to be taken away right away when they make a foul, instead of waiting until someone gets hurt to decide the winner. These changes come after fights like Tom Aspinall's recent no-contest, which finished early because of vision problems.

Some fighters, like Sean Strickland, are all for it because they say it's to keep things fair and protect the players. Others aren't sure because they're afraid that referees might not be able to apply it consistently. Also, because different sports commissions have different rules, these rules probably won't be fully in effect until around the middle of 2024.

The Problem with Eye Pokes Right Now in MMA​

Eye pokes are a common and risky problem in mixed martial arts (MMA). Things have reached a breaking point after a string of high-profile incidents in recent heavyweight fights. The most famous example was Tom Aspinall's fight with Ciryl Gane, which finished in a no-contest because Aspinall accidentally poked Gane in the eye and couldn't continue. Reports said he still couldn't see clearly days later.

The current eye poke rules say that putting your fingers in your opponent's eyes is a foul, but referees haven't always followed them. This lack of consistency has put fighters at risk and harmed the purity of the match. More and more people are calling for this problem, so referees like Herb Dean are talking about harsher punishments and taking action before major injuries happen.

The goal is to set clear rules for how to apply them that protect fighters and keep the competition fair.

Dean Wants to Change Judging Fouls​

Herb Dean, an experienced referee, has laid out a plan to make big changes to how eye poke fouls are judged and punished in mixed martial arts (MMA) fights right away. Instead of waiting for injuries to happen, the suggested rule changes focus on enforcement that happens before they happen.
"We're talking about taking points for eye pokes before they cause any damage," Dean said, stressing that referees don't always enforce the existing foul when fighters poke their opponents' eyes. Under the new rules, referees would take away points right away for these dangerous acts.

This change flips the usual approach, where referees normally penalize fighters only after accidents occur. Most three-round fights end with scores of 29–28, so these point penalties could make big differences in the results, turning wins into draws. Dean says that the safety of the fighters must come before standard ways of officiating.

How Fighters Feel About the Possible Rule Changes​

As word of Herb Dean's suggested rule changes spread through the MMA community, fighters had a range of reactions, from enthusiastic support to cautious skepticism. Dean pointed out Sean Strickland as a great example of a fighter because he already fights with closed hands, which keeps him from poking people in the eyes.

Veterans who are worried about the consistency of MMA judging point out that new rules have been hard to enforce in the past. Fighters who have suffered eye pokes, like Tom Aspinal, strongly back tighter safety rules. Many fighters agree that better safety measures for fighters are long overdue, but some are worried that point deductions could make big differences in the results of fights.

Most people agree that if rules are officially changed, most rivals will change how they do things.

Historical Impact of Eye Pokes on Major UFC Bouts​

Eye pokes have had a huge impact on the outcomes of many high-profile fights and title careers in UFC history. When watching fighters like Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic, you probably winced because of the eye pokes that decided the outcome of their three fights and, in the end, changed both legacies and title reigns.

These events have brought up important questions about match officials and the fair play of sports. The fight between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith showed that even accidental pokes to the eye can change the result of a fight in a big way without getting either fighter disqualified. Recently, Tom Aspinall's fight with Ciryl Gane ended in a disappointing "no-contest," which didn't give fans a fair ending.

These events show why Herb Dean's call for stricter regulation is important. When titles and jobs are on the line, following the rules consistently is important to keep the sport's integrity.

Implementation Timeline and Problems with Rules​

Herb Dean said referees will enforce eye-poke rules more strictly, but several legal issues make this difficult. UFC rules require multiple state sports commissions to approve any official rule changes first, which could delay the process for months.

Combat sports laws still vary across regions. Officials may define illegal strikes differently depending on where fights take place, which could confuse fighters training with different goals in mind.

Referees will need clear instructions on the suggested changes for stopping matches due to eye pokes, and all officials will need training to apply the rules consistently. In the past, mixed martial arts organizations have struggled to enforce rules uniformly across groups and regions. Dean's plan makes sense, but implementing it will be challenging.

According to the planned schedule, officials might not fully put these changes into effect until around mid-2024.

Frequently Asked Questions​

As part of the rule changes, will there be new styles of gloves?​

No, the new rules don't say anything about new glove styles. Previous attempts with modified gloves failed, so officials are now focusing on enforcing stricter punishments and applying the existing rules consistently.

How do doctors check out eye pokes during fights?​

If someone pokes you in the eye, the referee will give you up to five minutes to get better while doctors check your eyes, ask about your symptoms, and decide if you can go back to fighting.

Do all MMA groups follow the same rules when it comes to eye pokes?​

No, different MMA groups have different rules about eye pokes. Most promotions prohibit putting fingers on an opponent's face, but they enforce the rules differently, vary the severity of penalties, and set different recovery times.

Can fighters challenge fight results that stem from eye pokes?​

Eye pokes can change the result of a fight, yes. You'll have to make an official protest to the athletic commission in charge of the event. In mixed martial arts (MMA), appeals are rarely successful.

What kinds of training help fighters stay away from eye poke fouls?​

If you train to keep your hands closed during strikes, practice good defensive positions, do finger control drills, and fight with gloves that encourage closed fists instead of extended fingers, you won't get poked in the eyes.