The 2024 Elbow Rule Change and Jon Jones’s Disqualification

The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) approved revisions to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts on July 23, 2024. The changes removed the ban on 12-to-6 elbow strikes and revised the definition of a grounded fighter, with a requested implementation date of November 2024. Jon Jones, whose 2009 disqualification against Matt Hamill followed an illegal 12-to-6 elbow, reacted to the change on social media.

What changed

The revised rules removed the specific prohibition on downward elbow strikes. They also narrowed when a fighter is considered grounded for purposes of strikes to the head. The ABC requested that commissions implement the changes in November 2024; adoption and timing depend on the relevant athletic commission.

Jones’ connection to the rule

Jones was disqualified in his 2009 bout with Hamill after using an illegal downward elbow, leaving him with an official loss. The ABC’s rule revision did not change that result. Jones joked online that UFC president Dana White should get the loss removed from the record; the rule change itself does not expunge past results.

Sources

Sources: ABC Unified Rules revision (July 2024); ESPN report on the ABC vote and Jones’ reaction.

Sources: ufc.com; mmafighting.com

Tags

MMA, Combat Sports