Jon Jones reacts to elimination of 12-6 elbow rule, calls on Dana White to get sole 2009 loss "out of the history books"
Jon Jones recently expressed his thoughts on the removal of the 12-6 elbow rule. Jones is understandably pleased with the news and has urged UFC CEO Dana White to work towards overturning his 2009 loss.
The two-time UFC light heavyweight king and reigning heavyweight champion is considered by many to be the greatest fighter of all time. While his career has been marred by controversies outside the octagon, which have seen his wins later changed to no contests, the lone blemish on his record was his disqualification against Matt Hamill.
In just his fourth UFC fight, while executing a barrage of ground-and-pound strikes, Jones landed a few elbows that seemingly violated the 12-6 rule, which was much maligned even at the time. The rule basically entails that elbows with a vertical rise and downward strike with the tip are considered fouls.
The referee paused the fight after the illegal elbow strikes, but Hamill couldn't continue, so Jones was handed a DQ loss.
Check out the Jon Jones vs. Matt Hamill stoppage below:
Executive Officer Andy Foster of the California State Athletic Commission informed MMA Junkie that the ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports Mixed Martial Arts Committee) rules committee had voted in favor of lifting the restriction, which had been in effect since the MMA Unified Rules were established in 2000.
However, Foster stated that the lifting of the 12-6 elbow ban won't happen until Nov. 1, at which point state athletic commissioners may decide to put them into practice.
Jones took to social media in response to the announcement, expressing his joy. He also urged White to get the ball rolling in terms of overturning his 2009 loss to a no contest, which will involve filing a motion with the commission.
"Undefeated then, undefeated now... Dana White we gotta get that loss out of the history books."
Jones is expected to make his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic later this year.
Ariel Helwani doesn't believe Jon Jones' loss will be reversed
Following the removal of the 12-to-6 elbow ban, Jon Jones is looking to reinstate the 0 in his record, nearly 15 years after losing it.
However, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani believes that White can't change the outcome, as the incident happened way back in 2009 under a different ruleset. Helwani addressed the matter on X and gave an explanation of what he thought might happen, writing:
''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''