The MMA rule Paddy Pimblett wants to see changed

The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts have been amended a few times since their development in 2000. Just last year the ban on 12-to-6 elbows was lifted making the straight up-and-down elbow strike legal against grounded opponents.

UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett would like to see the rules around striking a grounded opponent further eased. Currently, you cannot knee or kick a down opponent in the head, but if Pimblett had his way a fighter would be able to do both.

When asked what rules he'd like to see changed, Pimblett answered, "soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent."

Pimblett's ideal ruleset would mirror the old PRIDE FC rules but without the ability to stomp on the head of a grounded opponent. 

"I just think you should be able to - I don't agree with stomping because your head's got no where to go. But a soccer kick where someone's like sitting in guard and you can move the legs and kick them there," Pimblett said on Tom Aspinall's YouTube channel.

"Knees to the head of a grounded opponent, so someone shoots a sloppy takedown just to get a break. You should be able to knee them in the head like Mark Kerr style."

Pimblett headlines the first UFC event of the year, UFC 324, on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. The No. 5 ranked lightweight contender takes on former interim titleholder Justin Gaethje for the interim strap.