MMA headbutt rules

What experts have said about MMA headbutt rules

2 statements · 1 negative · 1 neutral

1. John McCarthyNegativeMay 27, 2026· The Joe Rogan Experience: Protect Our Parks

   Using the head as a striking instrument is a foul under MMA rules.

   “It hit him in the jaw. Okay. It didn't hit him head to head. And you're not allowed to use your head as a striking instrument. It's a foul.”

   Listen at 2:08:51

   Open the episode · JRE MMA Show #179 with Josh Thompson & "Big" John McCarthy
2. John McCarthyNeutralMay 27, 2026· The Joe Rogan Experience: Protect Our Parks

   MMA permits using the head for control but prohibits lifting it to strike.

   “We say you can use your head as a steering instrument, as a third arm. You can press with it. You can do a lot of uncomfortable things with it. You cannot pick it up and bring it back to strike.”

   Listen at 2:09:02

   Open the episode · JRE MMA Show #179 with Josh Thompson & "Big" John McCarthy

Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.