The UFC bans certain techniques for one reason: they are too injurious to use on another human being in a competitive setting. For you, in a real assault, with no referee and no rules — these are not fouls. These are your first options.
Read That Again
Too injurious for trained professional fighters in a supervised competition — with a referee, a doctor at ringside, and a tap-out option.
For you, in a real assault, with no referee and no rules, against an attacker who chose you specifically because they believe they have the advantage — these are not dirty tricks. These are the techniques that work when size and strength belong to the other person. Sport bans them to make competition possible. Reality has no such requirement.
At our Longmont martial arts school, this is the first thing we cover in every Women’s Safety class — because it reframes everything that follows.
What the UFC Bans — And What That Means for You
Eyes & Head
UFC bans: Eye gouging / eye pokes
The eyes are one of the most accessible and effective targets on the human body. An eye strike does not require strength. It does not require training to land. It creates immediate pain, involuntary tearing, and temporary vision loss — all of which create the space and time you need to escape.
UFC bans: Headbutts
Close range, no setup required, works from almost any position including on the ground. Exactly the conditions of a real assault.
UFC bans: Strikes to the throat / grabbing the trachea
A throat strike — even a moderate one — causes immediate breathing disruption and significant pain. It does not require a knockout. It requires enough disruption for you to get away.
UFC bans: Strikes to the back of the head and spine
Highly effective targets. In a real assault there is no rule against striking from behind or targeting the spine. Use what’s available.
Close-Range Weapons You Already Have
UFC bans: Biting
You have this weapon with you at all times. No training required. In a choke, a grab, or any position where arms are near your face — this is available. Use it without hesitation.
UFC bans: Fish hooking (fingers into the mouth or nose)
Extremely injurious, extremely difficult to resist, works from close range and from the ground. Ideal for creating the space to escape a grip or a pin.
UFC bans: Hair pulling
Controlling an attacker’s head controls the whole person. Available in almost any position. Do not hesitate.
UFC bans: Clawing, pinching, twisting flesh
The inner thigh, the underside of the arm, the side of the neck — these are sensitive areas that do not require strength to affect. Raking, clawing, and twisting create pain and distraction fast, from any position.
UFC bans: Fingers extended toward the face
Raking the face, targeting the eyes with an open hand — available from guard, from a grab, from almost any position. First option, not last.
Joint Attacks
UFC bans: Small joint manipulation (fingers, toes)
Grabbing and bending individual fingers backward breaks grip, creates immediate pain, and requires almost no strength. If someone is grabbing you, this is your first response. You do not need to be strong. You need to bend one finger the wrong way.
Grounded Attacks
UFC bans: Knees to the head of a grounded opponent
UFC bans: Kicks to the head of a grounded opponent
UFC bans: Stomps
If an attacker goes down — or if you are standing and he is on the ground — these are available and highly effective. In sport, protecting a downed opponent is sportsmanship. In a real assault, it is a liability you cannot afford.
Groin
UFC bans: Groin strikes of any kind
This is banned in every combat sport for obvious reasons. It works. Use it early, use it hard, use it without apology.
Every Technique on This List Has Three Things in Common
- It does not require physical strength to be effective
- It does not require extensive training to land
- It creates immediate, significant pain or disability
Sport removes these techniques to make fair competition possible. A real assault is not a fair competition. The attacker already made sure of that when he chose you.
The Standard Isn’t “Win.” It’s “Escape.”
You do not need to knock your attacker out. You do not need to submit him. You do not need to finish the encounter decisively.
You need to create enough pain, disruption, and chaos that you can get away.
That standard is achievable. These techniques get you there faster than anything sport martial arts will teach you — because sport martial arts spent decades removing them from the toolkit entirely.
Your First Response in Any Assault
Eyes first. Available from any position. No strength required. Creates immediate disruption.
Throat if available. Moderate contact is enough. Disrupts breathing, creates pain, buys time.
Groin always. Every time. Without apology.
Fingers if he’s grabbing. One finger bent the wrong way breaks any grip.
Bite if he’s close. You have this weapon right now.
Get up. Get out. The goal was never to win. It was always to leave.
That is not a complicated system. It requires no belt rank. It requires one decision — made now, before it happens — that you will do these things without hesitation if your safety is at risk.
That decision is what this class is for.
Women’s Safety Series — Free Class
A 90-minute workshop in Longmont covering awareness, pre-attack recognition, and the physical skills that actually work regardless of size or strength. No prior experience required.