Let’s turn your clocks back 25 years to RAW Warzone! Professional wrestling’s boom is in full swing with the attitude era. You tune into the USA Network to Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler’s iconic commentary to witness the most edgy, over-the-top wrestling action. Life is good and you are elated as a fan! Amidst a time when the UFC was struggling against a combination of a political chokehold and its content being termed as “human cockfighting”, the WWF was witnessing The Rock dropping “the most electrifying move in all of sports entertainment” on the likes of Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Undertaker! We are of course talking about the people’s elbow. However, no one imagined that even a move as iconic as this would ever be seen in the realm of MMA. Talk about staged entertainment vs. real violence. Up until now!

At the American Predator Fighting Championship (APFC), the promotion founded by former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, something unexpected unfolded at APFC 16 in Wisconsin last night. During a bantamweight bout between Miguel Sanson and Chris Johnson, a moment sent shockwaves through the MMA community. After taking his opponent to the mat, Sanson delivered the People’s Elbow—a move made legendary by the aforementioned WWE icon known better as Dwayne Johnson.

The moment quickly went viral after Happy Punch shared a clip on X, where the referee failed to step in, captioned: “MMA fighter just finished his opponent with The Rock’s iconic People’s Elbow.” While the move isn’t outright banned in MMA, no fighter had ever pulled it off inside the cage—until last night.

Over the past 30 years, the UFC has been an industry leader with many promotions following its blueprint. However, some choose to defy conventions, pushing boundaries and experimenting in ways that leave audiences stunned. One such organization is a Romania-based MMA promotion that has never been afraid to challenge norms. Known for staging bizarre and controversial matchups, they have a history of sanctioning a male vs. female fight in the past.

If that wasn’t extreme enough, there was even an incident where a referee put a fighter to sleep inside the cage. The promotion made headlines last summer when it orchestrated one of the most shocking mismatches in MMA history—two females taking on a heavyweight male fighter. But it seems that even American promotions aren’t shying away from unconventional moments. The unexpected moment struck a chord with fans, sparking nostalgia, fueling debate, and setting social media ablaze with mixed reactions. Let’s dive into what people are saying.

Fans erupted as an MMA bout concluded with the People’s Elbow

MMA continues to evolve, and one significant moment came last November when the New York Commission lifted the controversial ban on the 12-6 elbow strike, also known as the downward elbow attack. The rule had previously been part of the unified regulations, which had once tarnished UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ career. His sole career loss came from a disqualification after a 12-6 elbow strike in his fight against Matt Hamill. Although the ban has since been lifted, the stain on Jones’ record remains.

Following this change, fans began to hope for the possibility of seeing the Rock’s iconic People’s Elbow in MMA. One fan boldly chimed in, saying, “I back it,” while another enthusiastically commented, “The People’s Elbow!” While WWE and MMA are fundamentally different—WWE being a scripted entertainment show, as UFC CEO Dana White has pointed out—there are undeniable parallels. Former WWE star Brock Lesnar, who transitioned to UFC and made waves in the heavyweight division, echoed this view, winning the 265lbs title back in 2008.

Though WWE’s outcomes are scripted, wrestling still demands considerable skill, with many WWE performers having backgrounds in competitive sports like NCAA wrestling. A fan made this comparison, saying, “From the Octagon to the squared circle! This man just turned MMA into WWE—legendary finish!” Fans are now eagerly calling for bantamweight fighter Miguel Sanson to join the UFC.

One fan tweeted, “@ufc Give this guy a contract ASAP,” while another chimed in with, “Lmao, I’ve seen enough, welcome to the UFC!” The People’s Elbow performed in the cage was a jaw-dropping moment. Though it might seem theatrical in the WWE context, in this MMA environment, it came across as raw and real. With Chris Johnson lying on the canvas, one fan labeled the move, “That’s got to be one of the wildest finishes in MMA history!”

However, not all reactions were positive. Given the inherent dangers of combat sports like MMA and boxing, where fatalities and serious injuries are risks, fans, fighters, and promotions remain vigilant. One fan voiced their concerns, stating, “Such a dirty fighter, what a thug! I speak for everyone when I say he needs to be banned from MMA!” What are your thoughts on Dwayne Johnson’s People’s Elbow being used in MMA? Should it be legalized or do you think the commission should ban it? Share your opinion below.