How Many Illegal Strikes Are Enough?

Last night in Bellator's lightweight feature between Carey Vanier and Rich Clementi, in the 3rd Round Carey Vanier threw two illegals knees while Rich was touching the Matt with 3 points. These knees are deemed illegal under the unified rules of MMA. There are several things wrong with this situation.
First, the referee didn't know they were illegal knees until Rich Clementi and his cornermen said something about it. Referee incompetence is the last thing we need at any level of MMA. Referee incompetence can be quickly solved with a universal test all MMA officials must take and getting more qualified people to officiate.

Second, how much damage does one have to take with an illegal blow before you take points away? There seems to be different schools of thought. Recently back in March, this exact situation happened in the UFC with Paul Buentello vs. Cheick Kongo. Buentello would put his hand on the Mat each time Cheick would throw knees to deem those blows now illegal. Last night, in Tachi Palace, a fighter had a point taken away for a low blow, the first one. There doesn't seem to be any form of unity across the board with accidental illegal blows so it is left to the referee's discretion. This is an easy fix. Have it written in the rules that if an illegal blow causes a man to bleed then a point is deducted. Groin shots will remain the same because they seem to be unavoidable in MMA since they happen so often. Multiple shots will be punished with a point deduction.

Third, The three point stance itself needs to come under question also. I will have an article on Sunday with my thoughts of why I think knees from a three point stance should be legal.

Fourth, what was with the judging of the Matt Horwich vs. Eric Schambari? I thought Matt Horwich would win, but what referee gave the fight to Horwich? I watched that fight twice last night and couldn't for the life of me give one round to Horwich much less two and the nod over Schambari. Matt Horwich needs to seriously work on his striking, maybe train with Wanderlei Silva or Vitor Belfort?

Happy Hunting