The recent back-to-back eye poke incidents at UFC 321 and UFC Vegas 110 have created a massive outcry for change in the unified ruleset. While the PPV fight ended with a no-contest, the Fight Night matchup continued despite the foul act and saw the referee’s original call overturned. Now, veteran referee Herb Dean has claimed that people are working to fix the situation. “Enough people are fed up with the eye poke situation that something is going to be done,” he said in an interview not too long ago.

Similarly, former UFC fighter-turned-analyst Josh Thomson gave a significant scoop regarding the ongoing eye poke debate, stating changes were going to happen surprisingly soon. But there seems to be one issue that is making the Athletic Commission reluctant to a rule overhaul. Here’s what the veteran had to say.

Why doesn’t the commission want a change in rules despite rampant eye pokes in UFC? Insider explains

Poking someone in the eye can render someone permanently blind. However, Josh Thomson, on the Weighing In podcast, claimed that “the commission is very hesitant” to make changes to the rules on a rapid basis.  After talking with CSAC director Andy Foster, he revealed that the MMA officials claimed eye pokes are not very rampant in the sport. That’s because it’s the same fighters who keep repeating this illegal move, and making rapid changes could “end up having an effect on” other fights as well.

“They [the commission] understand that they’re gonna propose these rules, and the UFC would like to see something change. But they wanna make sure that the UFC understands… They’re hoping that it’s a short-term effect for… however long. How long will it take for the fighters to adjust?” Josh Thomson continued on Weighing In. “Because one of the biggest things he [Andy Foster] told me… it was like 95 or 98 percent of all the eye pokes come from like one or two percent of the fighters. It’s the same fighters.”

The problem might be serious, but eye pokes are concentrated in a small group of fighters rather than being widespread. In the case of Ciryl Gane, he has been seen poking his opponents in the past as well. So, for many people, what happened at UFC 321 to Tom Aspinall wasn’t a surprise. Nevertheless, Josh Thomson would outline a potential protocol that could be followed to ensure fighter safety while balancing enforcement. Let’s take a look at that front.

Thomson’s proposed rule change for eye pokes

Josh Thomson’s outlined protocol to address eye pokes is rather simple, and some might argue why that hasn’t been done so far. The veteran believes that if a fighter does the offense once, a warning should do the work. If it’s repeated, then he should be penalized, which is a pretty standard call. Such rules, according to Thomson, would alleviate subjective judgment from referees as well.

“The adjustment should just be simply put: as soon as the ref sees that your hands are open, they give you the hard warning. ‘Hey, watch your hands,” Josh Thomson further stated. “Once the hard warning is given, if you poke someone in the eye, it’s a point. You essentially take it out of the fighter’s hands or the ref’s hands, and say, ‘Hey, no matter what, it’s a point.'”

Josh Thomson is not the only person who’s put forth their suggestions of dealing with eye pokes; others have too. But how long will it take for the changes to come into effect? Some feel they could come as soon as UFC 322. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.