The new rule changes approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combat Sports (ABC) this past summer will be used at a UFC event for the first time Saturday.
Edmonton Combative Sports Commission executive director Forrest Gavins confirmed Tuesday to MMA Junkie the rules will be in place for UFC Fight Night 246, which takes place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
The new rules, as highlighted in a bulletin published by ABC president Mike Mazzulli, are as follows:
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Kneeing and/or Kicking the head of a grounded opponent:
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). - Removal of the downward pointing elbow strike (12 to 6) as a foul.
The rules were voted in during the Annual ABC Conference in July with a start date of Nov. 1. Given that Saturday’s event is Nov. 2, it marks the first opportunity for them to be put in place.
Each individual commission must vote the new rules into its own bylaws, though many have already laid the ground work to do so – including Nevada who approved them Tuesday during a monthly meeting.
The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) recently posted a informational PSA video for fighters, coaches, promoters, and the general public about what exactly these rule changes mean.
Watch as @RefMikeBeltran, #mma veteran @UrijahFaber, and fighter @SczarPhair demonstrate the recent changes to the @abcboxing's Commission’s Unified Rules of MMA, effective Nov. 1, 2024. pic.twitter.com/mzJckzRIh6
— CSAC (@_CSAC) October 1, 2024
The changes to the grounded opponent rule were made in an effort to clear up any gray areas as to when it’s fair for a fighter to be struck. It also is to eliminate any “games” that may be played by the defensive fighter putting his hand up and down on the canvas to purposely cause confusion and potentially draw a foul.
The 12-to-6 elbow rule has long been one of the most controversial in MMA. Initially thought to be a more dangerous strike than an angled elbow, many experts have since deemed the damage potential to be the same. As a result, the strike will be legalized for the first time since the Unified Rules were implemented in 2001.
Famously, the only loss of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones came by disqualification due to this strike, furthering it as a point of criticism for promotion CEO Dana White, fans, media, and commission members.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.
