The GOAT UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is vying to become the undefeated champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship as he recently called for his only loss in the promotion to be overturned. The 37-year-old has a stunning 27-1 record in Mixed Martial Arts with his only defeat coming against Matt Hamill in his 4th UFC appearance on December 5 2009 during the Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. Riding on the three-match winning streak in the promotion, ‘Bones’ was a force to reckon with in the bout but he landed 12-6 elbow strikes on Hamill, prompting referee Steve Mazzagatti to intervene and declare the former UFC star as the winner. However, the rule that handed Jones his only loss is set to be removed. 

The 12-6 elbow rule has been one of the most controversial rules in MMA history, with many great fighters speaking against banning it. And it seems that the authorities have finally heard Jones and many others as it was recently revealed that the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports Committee have voted unanimously to lift the ban on 12-6 elbows. This made Jones happy since now his only penalty and loss will be removed from his record.

He posted about the same on his Instagram to urge Dana White to declare him undefeated, “Undefeated then, undefeated now. @danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books.” The elbow ban existed since 2000 while the lift is effective as of November 1st and it will be up to each state’s athletic commission to execute the changes.

This isn’t the only change that is about to happen as another rule will also undergo a change. The definition of a grounded fighter will be changed in the promotion now as the new rule states, “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).”

Meanwhile, Jon Jones’ post caused a frenzy on social media with many fans and veterans coming in support of the champion and urging the promotion and the UFC CEO to declare ‘Bones’ as undefeated.

Jon Jones gets a shout-out from fans and veterans alike

The 12-6 rule has not come into relevance quite often but it is the reason for the most controversial loss by disqualification of Jones. Jones (27-1) had appealed that the result be changed but was unsuccessful. This incident was so controversial that UFC even made efforts to remove it from the match but could not. Now, after more than 15 years have passed, the rule changed and almost the entire MMA community came in support of the champion. 

The former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley commented under the post, “We never counted it.” While social media star and host Nina Marie Danielle said, “You are undefeated no matter what!” There is hardly any fighter who has been able to defeat Jon Jones, but even the best is not immune to defeat. The rule of 12-6 was illegal, so he lost the match but now things have changed.

If the decision is revoked then Jones will have a record that is undefeated at 28 victories and 0 losses. Reacting to Jones’ caption of, “Undefeated then, undefeated now.. @danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books,” a fan wrote, “Yes.”

One follower declared that they never counted the loss. They said, “We never counted it, bro. You are the best. Warrior of the century.” Meanwhile, Lucas Dias didn’t hesitate in declaring the fighter as the greatest ever by writing,  “The Goat.” However, the UFC does not seem to have noted the rules and did not declare if they would revoke this loss from Jones.

Even so, another fan said, “ Bro, you are the true definition of The Peoples champ! Anyone with an ounce of testosterone will never hate you.” However, Ariel Helwani had a different opinion and said, “Worth noting, Jon Jones can appeal his 2009 loss to Matt Hamill to get it overturned into a no contest (not a win) but it *might* be too late since that was almost 15 years ago.” One fan still has faith and said that UFC might change the stats and said, “True life savage.”

This decision to overturn the loss only lies in Dana White’s hands so what do you think will happen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.