Is grabbing the wrist legal in UFC?

Question

i know some martial arts teach wrist locks and throws im just wondering if they are allowed in the ufc

Answer 1

No it is listed as foul # 8. in the UFC's list of fouls.  Small joint manipulation isn't allowed because too many fighters would crack the radial ends in the wrists or cause radial nerv damage to one another.  This also hold true in amateur MMA as well.  Small joint manipulation is forbidden in both pro and amateur MMA for several medical reasons.

Answer 2

Well the Kimura lock requires grabbing the wrist to apply it doesn't it?  So obviously yes, but its not done all by itself if that's what you mean.

Answer 3

Unsure, as stated, I think, UFC classify it as small joint maniputlation but the wrist is not that much stronger than the ankle and they allow ankle locks.

Answer 4

Grabbing the wrist is probably legal, since this is necessary for a great many throws (even a basic hip throw) and other maneuvers (kimura and other shoulder locks).

Wrist locks/wrist throws are clearly illegal, as others have pointed out.

Answer 5

Yes. The wrist is not considered a "small joint" so it is legal to perform wristlocks. However they generally don't work, and so don't see much use.

Answer 6

I beleive techniquly that wrist locks would be legal, as they are not considered a small joint.

however my feeling on why they are not utilized is the fighters wrists and hands are heavily taped, to protect them, so a wrist lock is not going to have near the effect as it would if they were no taped.

Yet another example of the difference between sport and reality, unless youa re going to tell an attacker to hold on while you tape your wrists.

Answer 7

yes.. a wrist lock falls under the "small joint manipulation rule"... and they could very easily get a submission or a f'd up hand that will never work properly again, but they are not allowed... the fact is that people need to keep the use of their hands long after they have competed in MMA.... snapping someons wrist for sport is just not worth it... and it is much harder to control it when it is "locked in" and the adrenaline is going... good luck

Answer 8

yea i practice mma my self and i am pretty sure you can

Answer 9

a whole lotta mis-informed people answering.  The wrist is NOT considered a small-joint in the unified rule set.  fingers and toes are what the rules refer to.  Fighters arent allowed to grab the gloves, but they can grab the wrist or hand.   They will only be penalized if they try to dig their fingers underneath the glove to get ahold of it.

Answer 10

Fouls:

8.   Small joint manipulation.

20. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.

I see two problems with wrist holds:

1. It may be considered small joint manipulation (although I'm not certain)

2. Seeing as the gloves fighters wear cover the wrist, you could make a case that a wrist lock (at least some) would involve grabbing the glove.

However, I have never seen anything specifically stating the UFC's opinion on this. So it's just my interpretation, not necessarily the UFC's or NSAC/any other athletic commission's