Soccer kicks are illegal in modern MMA. Kicking a downed opponent in the head while they are on the ground is banned because the strikes can cause catastrophic injuries, including concussions, broken bones, and long-term brain damage. A single well-placed soccer kick can instantly end a fight, making it one of the most dangerous techniques in combat sports. However, early UFC fights allowed them. The sport had almost no rules, and fighters could strike opponents on the ground with kicks, creatin