I'm all for enforcing the rules so ppl don't grab the cage. Imo one cage grab to prevent a takedown or improve position should warrant an automatic point deduction.
That being said why is it that using/holding the cage to prevent a takedown is so looked down upon while using the cage to get the takedown is not? Why isnt using the cage to get back up looked down upon either?
Imo if youre not gonna allow one then don't allow the others. Or if you are gonna allow the use of the cage in any way then it should be allowed to be used All ways.
Some of you may ask. "How can you prevent the use of the cage for a takedown if most of the time a TD attempt pushes the fighters to the cage?" I think there should be a 20sec clock. The guy attempting the TD has 20sec to complete the TD or they restart in the center of the cage. This would keep things at a level playing field in this regard.
Some of you may say "its fighters job to defend the takedown, he shouldn't rely on the clock to save him." While there is some merit to this by the same logic it is fair to say "it's the fighters job to complete the takedown on his own. He shouldn't rely on the cage to help him get the takedown." I suggest the 20sec clock otherwise there would be endless restarts.
Now, imo the better option would be to allow cage holding. If a fighter is allowed to push and stall someone on the fence to assist in a takedown then allowing the grabbing of the fence is only fair.
PS
The fairest thing is to do a ring instead of a cage. Since the ring allows room for sweeps and subs and it's harder to use as an aid in all regards. But that's another tdd ;) 
its always been stupid. You cant grab the cage. But you can with your feet to hurl your body into an escape!
Oh and you cant grab the cage to stop a takedown but you can use it to pin the person into it and punch them in the head 20 times.
makes zero sense
ring is and always has been the right option
BigEyedFish - its always been stupid. You cant grab the cage. But you can with your feet to hurl your body into an escape!
Oh and you cant grab the cage to stop a takedown but you can use it to pin the person into it and punch them in the head 20 times.
makes zero sense
ring is and always has been the right option
yup its sad that our sports rules are not being revised.
there should be an mms governing body, board or commission that looks over shit like this