Paddy Pimblett was left surprised as Joe Rogan announced to him that he and the rest of the UFC roster would be impacted by a major rule change.

Pimblett, who last fought in July when he returned to winning ways with a dominant victory over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329, was the latest guest on the Joe Rogan Experience.

At one point in the podcast, Rogan discussed oblique kicks and Ian Garry's use of the controversial move in his loss over Shavkat Rakhmonov back in December 2024 at UFC 310.

Joe Rogan leaked significant UFC rule change to Paddy Pimblett

Garry boasted about the oblique bending Shavkat's knee and leaving him on the sidelines for an extended period, with the Kazakh fighter not returning to the Octagon since.

In response to Rogan, Pimblett asked the UFC commentator if he felt that oblique kicks should be made illegal.

Rogan then confirmed that oblique kicks would be banned, saying: "It is going to be made illegal?"

Pimblett interjected and said, "Do you think?" - to which Rogan replied: "I know. I think we're announcing it right now. I don't think people know but it's going to be made illegal".

Pimblett disagreed with the call, stating: "I don't think that should be made illegal" and that it "should be like everything else when you have a fight" when Rogan asked if it is just an additional element of combat that fighters must deal with.

UFC star injured by oblique kicks gives update on injury return

Andy Foster, the California State Athletic Commission Director, spoke about a proposal to ban 'lateral knee kicks' after UFC 331, where Edmen Shahbazyan took issue with opponent Brunno Ferreira 'throwing side kicks at his knee'.

Dana White did not oppose the change and said "we don't disagree". The UFC now appear to be following through.

Jon Jones, one of the UFC greats, used the move on the way to defeating Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson in 2011 in the UFC lightweight title fight at UFC 135.

Jackson called for the move to be made illegal, commenting: "It should be banned and it shows a lot about the fighter’s character that he would throw it. How would he like it if somebody threw it at him and stopped him working for a year? I thought it was an illegal move."

The targeting of a knee on the fighter's straight standing leg can cause significant damage to the ligaments.

While Shavkat beat Garry in his last outing, he suffered ACL and meniscus issues in his knee - eventually undergoing surgery in January 2026.

Daniel Rubenstein, Shavkat's manager, indicated that he would not be ready to return to action until 2027 as he recovered from the injury.

However, in a more promising update, the 19-0 fighter revealed that he has been seeing improvements as he continues training with intensity.

On X, he wrote: "Another week of hard training done. Getting stronger every single day."