Exclusive! The move that cost Jon Jones his only defeat becomes legal in the UFC; check out the experts' opinions

Jon Jones was disqualified against Matt Hamill (Photo: Instagram)

After more than two decades of being banned in the Unified Rules of MMA, the vertical elbow, known as 12-6, will be officially allowed in the UFC starting next Saturday, in UFC Edmonton: Moreno vs Albazi. The decision was announced in July this year, but this will be the organization's first event to feature the change.

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In addition to elbow strikes, the rule regarding knees to the head/face has also changed. Now, if an athlete deliberately places their hands or fingers on the ground, without using their elbows or knees for support, they may receive knee strikes.

Finally, the 12 to 6 elbow rule has been eliminated and the grounded opponent rule has been changed.

Andy Foster does it again. pic.twitter.com/uEuY930Mlt

- Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 23, 2024

Despite the change, the changes are subject to the athletic commission where the events will take place. In the case of UFC Edmonton, which will be in Canada, the new rule is already in effect.

expert opinion

Carlão Barreto

The rule change brought many opinions. In an exclusive interview for SUPER FIGHTS, the former fighter and official commentator of UFC Fight Pass, Carlão Barreto, said he had reservations about applying the elbow, because he imagined the injuries that could be caused by the blow.

“Rules are made to preserve the physical integrity of the athlete, so that there is clean conduct during the fight. Speaking of martial arts, this implies rules that are very clear so that there is no doubt and that the show can prevail. So the rules have to be very well understood by the athlete, the coach, the judges and the referees. Speaking specifically about elbow strikes, these are extremely forceful blows. In my humble opinion, the 12-6 elbow strike has great amplitude and impact. I personally don’t like these elbow strikes. I think they will cause more cuts and injuries, especially in a fight,” he said.

However, the jiu-jitsu black belt also recognized that the changes contribute to a transformation in the dynamics of MMA, creating new needs for athletes.

“This elbow brings a new dynamic, especially for athletes of grapple, which will seek falls mainly regarding the double and the single leg. They will now be more unprotected, having to better adapt this takedown entry and staying on the fence, since now the opponent will be able to use the elbow from different angles”, he added.

Similarly, Barreto also sees a change in certain grappling positions with the change in the definition of what an athlete would be 'grounded'.

“It will be a bit difficult to understand at first, because many people use the trick of putting their hands on the ground, for example, to protect themselves. That will end. It will also create more dynamism, because the rules will be clearer and cleaner. Consequently, the attacker will have more attacking possibilities, and the defender will have to be more attentive to their movements, especially when positioning themselves on the ground. MMA is still young. It is rapidly developing in several aspects, and the rules could not be left behind,” he concluded.

Carlão Barreto (right) next to André Azevedo (center) and Rodrigo Minotauro. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Mario yamasaki

For Mario Yamasaki, a professional referee who worked at the UFC between 2001 and 2018, the changes are welcome, as they help the evolution of the sport as a whole. Regarding the inclusion of the 12-6 elbow, he said

“Since the sport is still very new, any change is valid. These changes are researched and tested until all Athletic Commissions accept them. In the beginning, this rule was created because no one knew what MMA was, and they thought that since a karateka could break blocks of ice with his elbow, he would be able to break someone's head. It is much less lethal than an arc elbow, so there was no need for it, only to disqualify fighters. I think this return, this change in the rule is very important, because it is always good for the sport”, said Yamasaki, who also approved the change regarding 'grounded' fighters.

Mario Yamazaki before leading an MMA confrontation. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook Mário Yamasaki

Jon Jones

In a career full of victories and controversies, one of the aspects that is often mentioned when talking about the trajectory of Jon Jones It is his only defeat. Despite never having been defeated by any athlete, the current world heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) has a setback in his professional record, in a fight against Matt Hamill in 2009.

On that occasion, the then young light heavyweight prospect (up to 93 kg) stopped his opponent with strikes from the mount, still in the first round. However, instead of coming out with the victory, the North American was disqualified for applying the '12-6' elbow.

Since then, the fighter himself and even Dana White have publicly spoken of their interest in cancel the result of the fight. Even with the rule change, the defeat remains official on 'Bones' record.

Jon Jones applies vertical elbows to Matt Hamill. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram