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MATTHEW: The Elbow: An in-depth look at one of MMA’s most controversial and underutilized weapons
Mar 1, 2010 - 8:40:53 PM MATTHEW: The Elbow: An in-depth look at one of MMA’s most controversial and underutilized weapons

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By: Sam Matthew, MMATorch Columnist

The elbow has a long history of involvement in the world of American MMA, and whether you love it or hate it, the controversial tool is here to stay. From its early days in Brazilian Vale Tudo and the messy, no-holds-barred American shootfighting, the elbow has been, and will continue to be, a significant factor in the cage.

Outlawed in all the Asian fight leagues (DREAM, World Victory Sengoku, PRIDE) because of its inherent risk in causing nasty cuts that can prematurely end fights, the American organizations, particularly spearheaded by the UFC, have found ample reason to legalize and even showcase the elbow as an effective weapon.

While the big Japanese promotions have always had a negative stigma about blood in the ring, often stopping fights mid-round to have doctors actually work on cuts to staunch the flow of blood, the American audience seems much less squeamish. Hell, two fighters drenched in each others blood swinging for the fences is how the UFC got started, and it would be a great disservice to abandon that legacy of all-out brutal war.

The most egregious downfall of the elbow strike is the severity of the cut it causes that can force doctor stoppage and even grant victory to a competitor who is obviously losing. The most notable case of this incidence occurring was when David Loiseau, a fighter notorious for training his elbow strikes to open up opponents, was being dominated by the late Evan Tanner but was able to land one slashing elbow that forced a TKO stoppage, and dashed Tanner’s hopes for a title run. This very reason is why the Asian leagues have banned the elbow strike, and I think there is some credence to this practice. Though I am personally opposed to nearly all limitations on fighters, it is an interesting argument to be made against the elbow because of the fact that it can end a fight prematurely and grant victory to an undeserving competitor.

After the recent disqualification loss that Jon Jones received after absolutely dominating Matt Hamill because of a particular elbow strike that was thrown from a ’12 o’clock to 6 o’clock’ position, there has been a lot of recent discussion on whether this is fair. Should all elbows be legal or none at all? Aren’t fights confusing enough without having to force more rules on the competitors to memorize and worry about?

These regulations go to such extremes that even very specific strikes from certain positions can actually result in not just a warning, or point deduction, but a disqualification loss. In this particular case Matt Hamill was already broken, and these illegal ‘12 to 6’ elbows thrown in the heat of the moment actually served to give him a technical victory and rob a much more deserving Jones of his win. I personally feel that it should be more of an all or nothing approach with elbows to allow the fighters to fight without worrying about regulations that could cause a loss.

With some notable exceptions, the elbow seems to be one of the most underrated and underutilized weapons in a fighter’s arsenal. While not usually known for generating enough power to knockout opponents, the elbow has adapted to become lethal in the short range, clinch, and ground positions. Unique to MMA, this weapon can now see its full potential in fights that become grappling matches, especially so in the UFC, an organization whose backbone is a solid wrestling base (no surprise given America’s collegiate history of Greco-Roman wrestling).

With so many top-tier wrestlers in the different divisions whose approach to winning is to simply grind out decision victories by laying on top of their opponents, I am actually surprised by how rarely elbows are utilized on the ground. Kenny Florian is one of the few fighters who seems to have perfected this strike, even from his back. When Din Thomas fought and took Kenny down, he quickly backed right out of the Boston native’s full guard because of nasty, slicing elbows that easily landed.

Anderson Silva just couldn’t finish the seasoned jiu-jitsu vet Travis Lutter, even with a triangle choke locked on tight, and had to actually force the tap with elbows thrown to an unguarded and trapped head. Realizing his choke wouldn’t finish the fight, Silva actually used the maneuver to setup downward-slashing elbows that Lutter couldn’t defend at all.

Recent TUF winner Roy Nelson is known for using his weight to trap opponents in the crucifix position, neutralizing their arms while raining down weak punches to force the TKO stoppage. I actually think Nelson and other wrestlers can generate more power and damage from short elbows that are not covered by any padding than awkward-angle punches in side control.

After Jon Fitch’s recent comments claiming that the full guard is dead as most good wrestlers can neutralize submission attempts, I think even jiu-jitsu masters comfortable from their back would be wise to train the short elbow strike to make the wrestlers have something else to fear when smothering their opponent. As MMA continues to evolve, hopefully the elbow will adapt to the cage and enable the spectators to enjoy a more dynamic approach to striking.

Anderson Silva still boasts one of the most impressive knockout victories ever with a deceptive, sideways uppercut-elbow that finished a tough Tony Fryklund. Jon Jones has showcased one of the most incredible elbows the sport has ever seen by setting up the strike with a fake takedown attempt that made opponent Jake O’Brien briefly sprawl, only to be staggered by Jones’ spinning, overhead elbow that convinced O’Brien he’d had enough standing and allowed Jones to capitalize on a weak shot with a beautiful D’arce/Guillotine choke. As fans we can only look forward to more of these exciting and surprising kinds of finishes with more utilization of elbow strikes by fighters.

(Please feel free to comment below as I am very curious to see what other fans think regarding this controversial strike)