This makes me so happy. I'm the most excited for UFC 3 I've ever been just from seeing your reaction to that question.
One thing that is probably irrelevant and likely be dismissed as an idea that can't be implemented but i'll add anyways, is that I think it would be interesting to think about implementing the current stumbles there are when you switch movement directions. Okay this is tough to explain so i'll try again
You know how when you're moving to a side, and then pull the LS in a different direction and your fighter will kind of stop in place for a quick second before continuing to move and it breaks the flow of the movement? Which to me is a big part of what made UFC 1 & 2 feel clunky in terms of movement, I know you can't confirm if it's removed from the game but let's assume that you hint that the footwork is greatly improved and those stumbles will begone (although I think they should stay in the heavyweight division) and when you'd take damaging strikes to the head, you'd have that stumble effect back.
So it's kind of like a side rocked state that doesn't just activate as a rocked state, but dynamic throughout the fight, the more damage to the head you take, the more you walk wobbly and clunky like in UFC 1 & 2.
But then what if this should be implemented into leg damage instead?
Man thank god I'm not in your shoes GPD, i'd be losing my mind over what are the correct decisions.
I think leg damage should be handled with movement speed penalty like it is now, and head damage should cause the default clunky UFC 1 & 2 footwork.