Ki MMA asks California to allow knees to grounded opponents; Kavanagh joins as ambassador

Scott Coker wants to change one of MMA's most debated rules before his new promotion has held a single fight, and he has just added a well-known name to help build it. Ki MMA has asked California to permit knees to the head of a downed opponent, a strike the Unified Rules ban. Days later, John Kavanagh, the long-time coach of Conor McGregor, joined the company as its first brand ambassador.

The rules request is narrow by design. According to executive Josh Thomson, it borrows elements from the Global MMA Rules but leaves out soccer kicks, head stomps and linear knees. Only the knee to a grounded opponent's head is on the table. Nothing will be decided soon: Ki MMA asked that the topic go on the agenda of the commission's Dec. 1 stakeholder meeting, which is a place for discussion and not a final vote.

Coker presents the knee as a natural extension of ground and pound. The change would set Ki MMA apart from the UFC and PFL and could help it recruit fighters. The strike is already legal in Rizin and ONE Championship, which keep part of the old Pride rules heritage.

Kavanagh's role is about reach. Ki MMA said he will help build the promotion across Europe and other regions ahead of its 2027 debut. Kavanagh told The Ariel Helwani Show that Coker and Rich Chou flew in to meet him at McGregor's last training camp and offered him "a type of ambassador role." He said he will use the network he has built over two decades, especially in Europe, to help sign fighters and find venues. The written announcement gave no contract length, event details or matchmaking duties.

Kavanagh also said Ki MMA is looking at some rule changes and accepted it will be competition for other promotions. He argued fans are underserved and that more shows add to the pie rather than take fans from others. His ties to McGregor, who is recovering from knee surgery and has one UFC fight left on his deal, give the new promotion a recognizable link, though nothing suggests McGregor is involved.

The promotion was announced in September as Coker's return after about two years away. It has a $60 million investment fund and partners including Tony Hawk, Steve Kaplan and Peter Levin. The debut is built around a 32-fighter featherweight Grand Prix, with competitors from four continents fighting for an inaugural 145-pound title, in a ring. No opening date, venue or card has been announced. Watch what the commission says on Dec. 1, since California's answer will shape where and how Ki MMA can use its rules.

 

[MMA-TV Newsroom]

Ki MMA wants California to allow knees to grounded opponents. Should that rule change be allowed, or does it make fights too dangerous?