UFC official responds to calls for a new rule after fighter suffered eight knockdowns

Originally posted on HITC | By Christopher De Santiago | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 10:51 AM ET

UFC’s Abu Dhabi card has reignited the debate over whether the promotion should take a page from boxing’s playbook.

While most of the main card went to decisions, including Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis, there was still plenty of action, especially on the undercard.

One of those moments came when Steven Nguyen knocked down Mohammad Yahya eight times – six officially – setting a new record for knockdowns in a single UFC fight.

Jason Herzog took some heat for not stepping in earlier, especially with Yahya’s left eye completely shut by the end of round two. The fight was eventually stopped between rounds, and Yahya thankfully got a positive health update later on.

Even so, it raises questions about how much punishment should be allowed before a fight is called off.

UFC exec weighs in on 3-knockdown rule after UFC Abu Dhabi

Depending on the organisation, boxing and kickboxing have a three-knockdown rule that automatically ends a fight if someone gets dropped three times in one round. It’s meant to protect fighters from unnecessary damage.

Yahya was dropped six times in a round, eight times overall, and the fight didn’t stop until after round 2 had finished.

After the event, UFC executive Dave Shaw was asked whether the UFC should consider bringing in a similar rule.

“I don’t think so. The record [for knockdowns] was five and I don’t want to make a judgement on that.

“We’ve got one fight that we’re commenting on. We should be looking at a wide body of discussion evidence.

“I think we’ve all seen some pretty incredible fights over the years that are three rounds, that are five rounds that have three, four, five knockdowns. And they’re wildly entertaining.

“Doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s an extensive amount of damage.”

UFC fights that have seen multiple knockdowns

Amanda Nunes once floored Julianna Peña three times in a single round, and Khalil Rountree Jr. delivered four knockdowns across three rounds in his dominant win over Eryk Anders back in 2019. But none of those performances topped the UFC’s all-time mark.

That record was previously held by two fighters. Jeremy ‘Lil Heathen’ Stephens dropped Gilbert Melendez five times at UFC 215 in 2017, using brutal leg kicks to do most of the damage.

Forrest Petz also once matched that total, setting a standard that has rarely been approached.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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