Some UFC fighters want oblique kick banned, injured Bukauskas disagrees

Modestas Bukauskas hurts his leg after absorbing an oblique kick from Khalil Rountree at UFC Vegas 36. | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

United calls for the banning of the oblique kick arose online after Khalil Rountree damaged Modestas Bukauskas’ leg at UFC Vegas 36.

Khalil Rountree Jr. scored what could be one of the most devastating wins of his career on Saturday at UFC Vegas 36. The 31-year-old light heavyweight competitor ended his fight against Modestas Bukauskas via second-round TKO with a nasty oblique kick.

If you’re the squeamish type, this is the time to look away and skip ahead. Otherwise, here’s the video of it.

Khalil Rountree ended his fight against Modestas Bukauskas with an oblique kick. pic.twitter.com/1iGRcHmeb3

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 4, 2021

Bukauskas, who is now on a three-fight skid after losing to Rountree, graciously accepted the loss despite the potential damage he may have incurred.

“Yo please give my opponent some slack,” Bukauskas wrote in a post-fight Instagram story. “That kick was all good, it was my job to defend it and I didn’t. Let the man enjoy his victory.”

However, that sentiment wasn’t shared by Bukauskas fellow fighters. A few had disparaging words for Rountree, while others want oblique kicks banned from competition altogether.

Lame af

— Joe Schilling (@JoeSchilling187) September 5, 2021

Lamest strike in the game!

— Mike "Biggie" Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) September 4, 2021

I don’t care if I’m unpopular for this but that bullshit kick should be banned.

— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) September 4, 2021

Shit!! That hurt !! I hate those strikes. Those are career threatening ‍♂️ #UFCVegas36

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) September 4, 2021

Agreed,
this strike should be illegal.
It is a career ender.
Who can we talk to about this? @ufc

This in now way is a knock on Rountree. His performance and execution was great to watch.
But this strike should be addressed. https://t.co/KnKI0BBPSr

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) September 5, 2021

For what it’s worth, that’s seemingly a vocal minority. According to a poll of 170 fighters last year, the majority think oblique kicks and knee stomps should remain legal.

Rountree, for his part, also showed class towards Bukauskas after the fight. The win ended his two-fight skid as he improves to a record of 9-5 (with 1 NC).