MMA commission to vote on July 24 to potentially alter infamous '12-6 elbows' and 'grounded fighter' rules

One of the most controversial rules in MMA history has been the prohibited use of '12-6' elbows. As soon as UFC 304, that rule could no longer be in effect.

Multiple sources have reported that the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combat Sports — commonly known as ABC — will vote on potentially removing the infamous rule ban on Wednesday, July 24. The association is scheduled for its annual week-long conference beginning on July 22.

Further reports have claimed that the ABC will also examine redefining what determines a grounded fighter with the topic facing scrutiny in recent years. The association will discuss both potential rule changes on July 22 before voting two days later.

As the rules currently state, elbows thrown in a directly downward motion are considered illegal, particularly on a grounded opponent. All other elbows are permitted even if they follow a similar motion as long as they do not originate from a position immediately above where it hits the opponent.

A grounded fighter is stated as one who has any part of his or her body touching the canvas aside from their feet, including hands. The active rules allow fighters to simply lean one hand on the flooring to avoid taking knees or kicks to the head.

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Will MMA commissions overturn Jon Jones' loss to Matt Hamill?

The 12-6 elbow rule has not been as implemented in MMA as much as the grounded opponent rule but is instead responsible for arguably the most infamous fight result in the sport. Jon Jones is often touted as undefeated but by definition has one loss on his record to Matt Hamill in 2009.

Dana White has since claimed that he wants commissions to overturn the loss to give Jones an unblemished record and should the ABC remove the strike as an illegal move, 'Bones' would have an even more legitimate case to being undefeated. However, the ABC did not mention any indication of looking into Jones' defeat and did not appear to intend to overturn the result.

Should the association vote to remove the rule, Jones could choose to appeal the loss under the new rule set but would have no reason to do so. Despite the loss, Jones is unanimously regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time and is the current UFC heavyweight champion.