ONE FC Adopts 'Full PRIDE Rules' In Wake Of Soccer Kick Controversy

In wake of Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski's controversial no-contest ruling last weekend, ONE Fighting Championship has adopted the traditional "PRIDE rules" as they pertain to soccer kicks.

Prior to the rule change, ONE FC employed an "open attack" rule in which the referee must give a fighter the green light to use a soccer kick to a downed opponent. The rule proved to be a controversial one, however, as Arlovski launched two soccer kicks at a downed Sylvia on Saturday without referee Yuji Shimada approving the blow. Subsequently, the fourth meeting between the pair was called to a halt and declared a no-contest.

Earlier on the same card, Phil Baroni used a barrage of soccer kicks to finish Rodrigo Ribeiro in the opening round, while Zorobabel Moreira brutally stopped Roger Huerta with the move some few months ago, causing confusion among many spectators as to how the kick rule worked.

Fans voiced their disfavor of the rule and ONE FC officials answered the call.

"Effective immediately, ONE FC has adopted full PRIDE rules for soccer kicks," the promotion tweeted late Sunday.

As with the now-defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships organization, soccer kicks to a downed opponent will be allowed at all times. The new set of rules come in time for ONE FC 6: "Rise of Kings" on October 6 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.