ABC to vote on rule changes: 12-6 elbow allowance, new grounded fighter definition
Big rule changes could be coming to the UFC, PFL, and other ABC-compliant promotions.
Notable changes could be coming to the Unified Rules of MMA early next week.
The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) holds its yearly conference in Louisville, Ky., beginning Monday, with its annual rule vote scheduled for Wednesday.
Two proposed rule changes are on the agenda. MMA Junkie acquired a copy of the proposal Friday from ABC committee members Andy Foster and Mike Mazzulli.
The first proposed change, is the potential removal of the rule prohibiting the linear downward “12-6 elbow.” The second proposal is a change in the language regarding what qualifies as a grounded fighter.
Prohibition of 12-6 elbows has been debated for well over a decade. Initially, the direction of the elbows was thought by some to be more dangerous than an angled elbow. However, that claim has since been widely disputed by many in the MMA community.
The 12-6 elbow rule infamously led to what remains the only loss of UFC great Jon Jones’ career, as he was disqualified from a bout he was winning lopsidedly vs. Matt Hamill.
As for the grounded fighter rule, the ABC has worked to find a balance between clarity and safety pertaining to sequences where a fighter is rising up off the ground, or going to the ground – and when his or her opponent can or cannot kick or knee them during that process.
Currently, the rule deems a fighter “grounded” when one hand and/or any other body part are on the ground. However, a hand down qualifying a fighter as grounded has caused confusion and at times a “game” of hand placement.
The current language is as follows:
“Any part of the body, other sole of the feet touching the fighting area floor. To be grounded, the palm of one hand (a flat palm) must be down, and/or any other body part must be touching the fighting area floor. A single knee, arm, (not fingers) makes the fighter grounded without having to have any other body part in touch with the fighting area floor. At this time, kicks or knees to the head will not be allowed.”
The new language would be as follows:
“A fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or kicked to the head when any part of their body other than their hands or feet is in contact with the canvas (ground).”
If these rules are voted in, commissions will be able to implement them immediately, though the implementation process can sometimes be delayed, depending on state legislation processes.
A discussion session is scheduled for Monday before Wednesday’s vote.
Check out a full copy of the 2024 ABC Annual Conference agenda here.