Proposed MMA rule changes include TKO loss for losing bodily functions

The Unified Rules of MMA could be receiving some tweaks in the near future, according to Paul Gift of Bloody Elbow.

Five recommendations for the Unified Rules of MMA have been proposed by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports addressing issues with instant replay, the implementation of technical decisions, and specifications related to hand wraps and joint coverings.

It is also possible that a fighter can now suffer a TKO if he loses control of his bodily functions during a bout.

That last rule pertains to any situation in which a fighter vomits, urinates, or defecates during a contest. In that case, a referee will be permitted to end the fight and rule that the offending competitor has essentially been TKO'd. Should the incident occur between rounds, a ringside physician will be trusted with this decision.

The ABC Rules and Regulations Committee recently voted on the proposed rules, including a 7-0 result in favor of expanding the use of instant replay. In the event of a foul that leads directly to a match being halted, a referee could review the footage and decide whether there is a winner, if a fighter should be disqualified, if the bout should be ruled a no-contest, or if the judges need to score a technical decision.

At the moment, judges are able to score a fight that ends in an injury or an accidental illegal maneuver as long as two rounds (three in a five-round fight) have been completed. The proposed rule would adjust the requirements so that a technical decision could be scored after one round is in the books, or two rounds in a five-round fight.

The recommendations need to be cleared by ABC president Mike Mazzulli, as well as executive and medical committees before becoming official.