The United Nations Boxing Commission and Martial Arts Association on Tuesday removed a ban on the 12-6 elbow strike from the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, making the controversial strike acceptable in mixed martial arts.
California Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster told MMA Junkie that the ABC Rules Committee voted unanimously to lift the ban, which has been in place since the Unified Rules of MMA were enacted in 2000.
The 12-6 elbow is defined in the Unified Rules of MMA as “an elbow strike delivered directly above or directly below an opponent who is on the ground.”
Foster said the lifting of the 12-6 elbow ban won't take effect until Nov. 1, at which point each state athletic commission can choose whether to implement it.
Jon Jones famously self-inflicted the only loss of his career when he was disqualified after multiple elbow strikes to beat Matt Hamill 12-6 at the Ultimate Fighter 10 final in December 2009. Jones dominated Hamill until 4 minutes and 14 seconds into the first round, and the bout was all but over when Steve Mazzagatti stepped in to stop the fight.
Jones immediately appealed to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but the commission turned down his appeal. In recent years, Jones has said he wants the result overturned, a sentiment echoed by UFC CEO Dana White and UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
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