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"Fighters are creative," Blatnick observes. "Fighters would hold onto shorts so we made a rule that you can't grab onto clothing. They would grab the fence, so no grabbing onto the fence. People would target cuts and the fingers were free so we had to make a rule that you couldn't pull apart cuts. I think the biggest one was no head butts."
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All of these rules were codified at UFC 13, where UFC's Mixed Martial Arts Council created a Manual of Rules & Procedures which addressed medical safety, judges, referees and bout conduct.
The rules continued to evolve from that point. At UFC 14, gloves became mandatory. At UFC 22 in 1999 the 10 point must system was adopted, along with five minute rounds. Smaller changes continued to be made as well.
Weight divisions also evolved over time. Initially there was only one weight class. At UFC 12, the promotion divided fighters weighing over 200 pounds and fighters weighing under 200 pounds. At UFC 16, the 170 pound division was added. UFC 26 saw the debut of the 155 pound division.
The culmination of this process came in early 2001. Zuffa purchased the UFC, and in April the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board adopted the unified rules of MMA. These rules were modeled after the MMAC rules, and included some cosmetic changes such as a ban on shoes and a ban on throwing the point of the elbow straight down.
UFC adopted the unified rules at UFC 31 on May 4, 2001 along with the current weight classes of 155, 170, 185, 205 and 265 pounds. This began the modern state of MMA regulation.
Beyond his role as a commentator and in the UFC's rule making process, Blatnick became a fan of mixed martial arts. MMA has opened up a world of opportunities for successful wrestlers once they finish their wrestling careers, a development Blatnick is greatly pleased by.
"I loved [MMA] and tried to talk wrestlers into this for years. Now I hear people talking about it all the time," Blatnick notes. "It's something younger wrestlers are very much aware of. It gives an opportunity at a career once they are done with their college and/or Olympic dreams."
Like many older wrestlers, Blatnick wishes MMA had been around when he was finishing his wrestling career.
"There's no question I would have looked into it," Blatnick says. "I liked the fact that it could show that wrestling is a viable entity of its own and a great base to become successful."
Blatnick's background was in Greco-Roman wrestling, and he feels that style is particularly well suited for MMA. Randy Couture, Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland are among the Greco stars that have successfully transitioned into MMA.
"Freestyle athletes have a variety of attacks on the legs, based on the fact that they aren't going to get punched," Blatnick explains. "A Greco guy knows how to do a single leg, and when it comes to the upper body he knows how to clinch effectively. If you have the ability to clinch you not only can get that double leg but you can also throw the upper body or create the angles to throw punches."
While Blatnick left the UFC under Zuffa ownership, he wishes the company well: "I know Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta and think they're great people. They brought MMA to the forefront. I have to give them good grades in running the company, making money and giving fighters names."
Blatnick continues to be involved in both wrestling and MMA. He announces the NCAA wrestling championships and will also provide commentary for the YAMMA MMA event April 11.
Todd Martin has covered mixed martial arts for the Los Angeles Times, Wrestling Observer, SI.com and CBSSports.com. He can be reached at ToddMartin4L@aol.com.
