Kizer explains legality of Sotiropoulos’ fightwear
Although Sotiropouos v Stevenson took place in Australia, MMA Fighting spoke with Nevada state athletic commission executive director Keith Kizer,…
Although Sotiropouos v Stevenson took place in Australia, MMA Fighting spoke with Nevada state athletic commission executive director Keith Kizer, who oversaw a previous UFC event in Nov. 2009 during which Sotiropoulos wore the same gear.
“The inspectors look at safety, and the referees look to see if it’s an advantage,” Kizer said.”We had a situation where one guy had ankle sleeves, but it was that material, non-slip rubber, so he wasn’t allowed to wear them,” Kizer said. “Equipment can’t give the opponent any kind of abrasion or pain, or allow the fighter wearing it an advantage to slip out of a submission or get one clinched in.”
“For a time, UFC was thinking that maybe we should allow nothing on the fighter’s legs, but there are some legitimate needs,” Kizer said.
