Scott Coker Asks California to Consider Pride-Style Rules for Ki MMA

Scott Coker has asked California regulators to consider a rule change for his new promotion. The former head of Strikeforce and Bellator announced on Tuesday that Ki MMA has made a formal request to the California State Athletic Commission to discuss adding elements of the global MMA rules to the unified rules that govern the sport in the United States.

In a statement posted to Instagram, Coker said he has always believed the sport should keep evolving. The request, as he described it, would bring in parts of the global ruleset while excluding soccer kicks, stomps and what he called linear knee strikes, citing Rule 533. Ki MMA has asked the commission to take up the topic at its stakeholders meeting on December 1.

What would change

According to former fighter Josh Thomson, the key point of the request is allowing knees to the head of a grounded opponent, a technique banned under the current unified rules. It would give fighters another weapon during grappling exchanges on the mat and is used by promotions such as RIZIN in Japan.

If the request is accepted, Ki MMA would differ further from the major North American promotions. Both the UFC and PFL work under some version of the unified rules, depending on where their events take place.

About Ki MMA

Coker announced his return to combat sports in September, launching Ki MMA alongside longtime business partner Rich Chou. The promotion is expected to debut in 2027 with a 32-fighter featherweight grand prix, and its bouts will take place in a ring rather than a cage.

Source: Scott Coker on Instagram: Ki MMA rule change request