Soccer kicks are allowed only if the referee checks on the downed opponent and deems him free to be hit with them--that was the rule OneFC had on the books prior to the anticipated fourth bout between former UFC Heavyweight Champions Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia--and that was the blurry rule that resulted in a controversial no-contest and an embarrassment for the promotion. After a more spirited bout than the two had engaged in last, Arlovski finished with a vintage three-punch combination that sent Sylvia sprawling to the mat. At this point Arlovski attacked with soccer kicks, landing two on the shoulder area of Sylvia, before the referee intervened. Arlovski, according to the rules, was to check with the referee to see if the kicks would be allowed and not just go ahead and throw them. Sylvia complained of dizziness (duh) and couldn't continue the bout was ruled a no-contest, despite Arlovski essentially having knocked Sylvia past the point of recovery. [video=youtube;eOtAX6IvJ1U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOtAX6IvJ1U[/video] PRIDE rules are from the defunct Japanese promotion PRIDE from the last two decades. They include kicks and stomps to a grounded opponent but ban elbows in the same position. PRIDE fights were contested in a boxing ring but there is no word yet whether OneFC will adopt that forum.
