Paddy Pimblett Reveals One UFC Rule He Would Change

Paddy Pimblett would like to change one rule in UFC fights. 

The UFC currently doesn’t allow stomps, kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent. While Pimblett (23-3) understands that stomps are illegal, he would prefer that soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent be legalized. “The Baddy” wants fighters to be punished if they shoot a lazy takedown to get some rest.

"Soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent,” Pimblett recently told Tom Aspinall. “… I don't agree with stomping because your head's got nowhere to go, but a soccer kick where someone's sitting in guard and you can move the legs and kick them there, and knees to the head of the grounded opponent, so if someone shoots a sloppy takedown just to get a break, you should be able to knee them in the head."

While knees to the head of a grounded opponent are illegal in the UFC, they are allowed in ONE Championship. Former UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson has always been a strong advocate of legalizing knees to the head of a grounded opponent. Johnson’s wish was fulfilled when he joined ONE Championship. Johnson ironically suffered his only loss in the promotion against Adriano Moraes via a knee to the head while he was grounded. However, “Mighty Mouse” avenged the loss twice to win a trilogy before retiring. 

Paddy Pimblett says he would legalize knees to grounded opponents if he could change one rule 👀🤯

"I don't agree with stomping because your head's got nowhere to go, but a soccer kick where someone's sitting in guard and you can move the legs and kick them there, and knees to… pic.twitter.com/lOhsrsjYI8

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) January 5, 2026