There will be something very special about the UFC 309 card that will have huge implications for the entire sport going forward. And no it isn’t just GOAT contender Jon Jones‘ potential last-ever UFC bout, in which he will take on Stipe Miocic in a legacy-defining fight.

Perhaps even more importantly, two new rules will go into effect, and the Madison Square Garden card will be the first UFC PPV card (UFC Edmonton being the first UFC event) that will be held under these revised rules. But what was the previous rule exactly and what will the new rule mean in fights going forward? Let us take a look.

What is the meaning of a 12-6 Elbow?

A 12-6 elbow is so named because of how a fighter’s elbow moves when throwing it. It is exclusively thrown at downed opponents from the top. A 12-6 elbow involves a fighter lifting their arm up straight, perpendicular to the ground, and hitting them with the elbow from there.

Previously it was thought that the 12-6 elbow was too dangerous, which led to it being banned. In fact, legendary MMA referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy would recall that the only reason this move was banned was because a doctor during the framing of the rules saw videos where people broke ice blocks with 12-6 elbows.

And if a 12-6 elbow could break ice blocks, the logic was, what would it do to a fighter’s skull? Of course, this is not a good way to prevent a particular type of strike since ice blocks could also be broken with a karate chop, but that doesn’t mean it would also break someone’s skull. But thankfully, this rule is now gone.

Are 12-6 Elbows legal now?

Yes. 12-6 elbows are legal now. In fact this rule was changed very recently and went into effect on November 1, 2024. Now fighters can in fact throw 12-6 elbows in all UFC events in accordance with the amended ‘Unified Rules of MMA’, which have been adopted by most MMA promotions.

Along with the 12-6 elbow, another major change was made to the ‘Unified’ rules that changed the definition of a ‘downed opponent’. A fighter cannot hit a downed opponent with kicks or knees. Previously, an opponent was considered down if any part of their body other than their feet was touching the ground.

This rule was liable to exploitation since a fighter could put one palm down and be protected from kicks and knees. Now, after the rule change, a fighter needs to put their knee or elbow down to be considered downed. While both rules are expected to change the contours of the game somewhat, one fighter in particular is really excited about the 12-6 elbow rule change.

Jon Jones wants to use the 12-6 Elbow once again!

The only loss Jon Jones has on his pro MMA record is a disqualification. For what? Why what else but 12-6 elbows? In 2012, Jones fought Mark Hamill on the ‘TUF 10’ finale and dominated the latter and looked close to finishing things on the ground. However, ‘Bones’ unfortunately started throwing 12-6 elbows on a downed Hamill, forcing referee Steve Mazzagatti to step in and disqualify Jones. With 12-6 elbows being legalized, Jones is hoping that his disqualification loss will be overturned.

“Fast forward years, 12-to-6 elbow is legal. It’s very exciting… To get that reversed would be very exciting. But now I’m embracing the 12-to-6 elbow. I train it constantly,” Jones said in a recent interview.

In addition, the UFC heavyweight champ is hoping to get poetic justice by possibly knocking out his potentially last-ever opponent with a 12-6 elbow. And Jones certainly is trying his best to make it happen, having started practicing the move ahead of UFC 309.

“I’m excited to possibly be one of the first athletes to use it in the arena now that it’s legal. And be one of the few athletes to lose to it… I mean if I can get a knockout with a 12-to-6 elbow, that would be really, really sweet,” he added. What do you think about the change in the 12-6 elbow rule?