MMA promotions, including the UFC, adhere to the rules of the combat sports athletic commissions, which usually hold jurisdiction over the venue. The situation is different only when the promotion conducts events in foreign nations that don’t have regulatory commissions.
A key MMA rule will be excluded at UFC 315
UFC 315, the upcoming PPV event in Quebec, will be headlined by Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. The co-main event features a Women’s Flyweight championship between Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot.
Per Sportsnet’s MMA reporter, Aaron Bronsteter, fighters won’t be allowed to use a move because of the Quebec athletic commission’s rule. “I’m told that the Quebec athletic commission will be utilizing the unified rules of MMA for UFC 315 with one notable exception… Foot stomps will not be permitted,” Bronsteter wrote on X.
I'm told that the Quebec athletic commission will be utilizing the unified rules of MMA for UFC 315 with one notable exception… Foot stomps will not be permitted.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 9, 2025
The UFC has adhered to the unified rules of MMA since November 2000. The rules determine judging criteria, fouls, prohibited substances, number of rounds per bout, round duration, weight classes, medical requirements, athlete attire, and athlete equipment.
Notably, the framework for the rules was officially accepted by the Association of Boxing Commissions unanimously in 2009.
Per MMA’s unified rules, 31 specific types of fouls could result in warnings, point deductions, and even disqualification losses. However, foot stomping is not included. Per Bronsteter, the move has been banned in Quebec since the regulation was enacted.
They've been banned in Quebec since they have regulated the sport for some reason.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 9, 2025
Foot stomping is not a significant technique, though champions have used it in title fights. One major incident involved Kamaru Usman using it against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251.
Incidentally, the last time the UFC went to Canada was when two new rule changes: (1) Kneeing and/or Kicking the head of a grounded opponent, and (2) Removal of the downward pointing elbow strike (12 to 6) as a foul, in Unified MMA rules, were implemented.
A Flyweight matchup between Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi headlined the fight night event. The last PPV event in Canada was UFC 297, where Dricus du Plessis won the Middleweight title from Sean Strickland in the main event.
6 Canadians fighting at UFC 315
Despite not having a fighter in the main or co-main event, there is Canadian representation at UFC 315. Aiemann Zahabi fights Jose Aldo in a Featherweight matchup in the featured bout of the PVV main card. Kyle Prepolec opens the main card in a Lightweight bout against Benoit Saint-Denis.
Mike Malott, Jasmine Jasudavicius, Marc-André Barriault, and Brad Katona fight on the prelims. Malott is on the featured bout of the prelims in a Welterweight bout against Charles Radtke, the teammate of Muhammad, one half of the PPV headliner.
Jasudavicius will take on Jessica Andrade, a former Strawweight champion and Flyweight title challenger. Barriault’s Middleweight matchup is against Bruno Silva, while Katona is set to open the fight card against Bekzat Almakhan.
Since the event will be held in Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province, Saint-Denis and Flyweight title challenger Manon Fiorot, representing France, are also expected to get crowd support.