UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones loves 12-6 elbow strikes, despite it being the reason the G.O.A.T. has a loss on his pro-MMA record. Now, with the lift on the ban, a fighter or two is feeling the urge to incapacitate or disrupt guard with it. Gillian Robertson, for example, got some positive encouragement to use it further on Luana Pinheiro at UFC Vegas 100.
Brazil’s Luana Pinheiro vs. Gillian Robertson took place on the main card of UFC Vegas 100. Robertson took the center of the cage and immediately pressured Pinheiro to the periphery. Having wanted to hydrate at atomweight limits, Pinheiro had some early struggles against takedowns and even got warned for grabbing the cage. However, she worked range, with impeccable footwork.
Working from half guard, Robertson hit her with several elbows before the bell. Seeing her success, ESPN MMA post-fight desk analyst and coach/cornerman Din Thomas had some sage advice:
Hit her! Hit her with the…hit her with the Jon Jones! Right there!
Din Thomas during UFC Fight Night 247 Live play-by-play
The 12-6 elbow will be fair game as a ban was lifted on the barred strike by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports in July. UFC Fight Night 246 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was the first event. Meanwhile, Pinheiro at UFC Vegas 100 was the second big collateral.
Coach @DinThomas called for the @JonnyBones 💪
[ #UFCVegas100 | Live on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/iEcclwq6Ym
— UFC (@ufc) November 10, 2024
Pinheiro found some success on her feet and separated with leg kicks in the distance. The Goat Shed MMA Team ‘Savage’ barely managed a takedown in the second frame. But Robertson was again dominant on the mount in R3.
The 🐐 is in the building for #UFCVegas100!
Watch @JonnyBones next weekend at #UFC309
[ Live on ESPN Plus ] pic.twitter.com/iBxpvIlZuQ
— UFC (@ufc) November 10, 2024
Such dominance has recently blown the wind out of Polyana Viana and Michelle Waterson-Gomez. Robertson thus defeated Pinheiro via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28) and some hard-hit elbows. Jones, seated right behind the commentary table, has his own plans about it all.
Jon Jones says he is ‘really looking forward’ to using legal 12-6 elbow at UFC 309
Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) puts his UFC heavyweight title on the line against former champion Stipe Miocic at MSG in New York. He fights in the pay-per-view (PPV 10 p.m. ET) main event at UFC 309 and will thus have another tool at his disposal.
Jones was infamously DQed in the first frame by referee Steve Mazzagatti in December 2009. He used multiple 12-6 “up-down” strikes on downed opponent Matt Hamill. Everything changes at UFC 309 as Jones reveals he’s preparing to unleash now-legal technique on Miocic.
That’s the biggest feeling that I have once I learned that the rule is no more. On the other hand, I accept the move more than ever now, and I’ve been training extensively on different 12-6 elbow attacks…Now, to be able to use that strike – I mean, it’s a very devastating strike. I’m excited to hopefully be one of the first UFC athletes to legally display it at Madison Square Garden.
Jon Jones to MMA columnist Kevin Iole for his YT Channel for UFC 309 pre-fight media availability
In the immediate aftermath of the fight, Jones appealed to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but it decided not to hear his case. In recent years, Jones is now this close to having that zero in his stat. Subsequently, November 16th marks the third ballot date of the now-legal strike after UFC Vegas 100. An all-around “Bones” intends to land a straight up-and-down elbow or two at UFC 309.
