Elbows, the big controversy. My 2 cents...

[goldwave84]

Hi all,
I have been reading a lot about the use of elbows in the UFC, and how many are saying that it should be banned. After thinking long and hard, i feel that the use of elbows are missunderstood. If we look at UFC and Pride FC, we see that Pride bans the use of elbows but allows soccer kicks and stomps. This versus elbows, it is clear that the former can do more long term, permanent dammage as oppose to elbow shots. The main reason why the use of elbows are being put down is, in my eyes, is the blood factor. Anyone not knowing ANYTHING about MMA, or even single martial arts fighting would look apoun this as inhuman, to wound your opponent that way. It looks crude and violent, but in reality, is much less dangerous when compared to other types of hits. Yes, cuts, sometimes deep ones can cause a great deal of blood loss, but that again is because of the adrenaline that makes the blood gush out more than it would normally would, exaggerating the cut.
The use of elbows is a highly skillful art, and not everyone knows how to use it well. If you never trained in muay thai, in a (street) fight, there is almost a zero % chance that you would use it. People who do not understand what combat sports are about, should stop criticizing it, and really look into it.

One last thing, If i fighter complains that elbows should be banned because he lost a fight, then in my opinion he is not worthy of being called a mixed martial artist- only because he allowed himself to be in that position.

Ash

[ko67]

Originally Posted by goldwave84

Hi all,
I have been reading a lot about the use of elbows in the UFC, and how many are saying that it should be banned. After thinking long and hard, i feel that the use of elbows are missunderstood. If we look at UFC and Pride FC, we see that Pride bans the use of elbows but allows soccer kicks and stomps. This versus elbows, it is clear that the former can do more long term, permanent dammage as oppose to elbow shots. The main reason why the use of elbows are being put down is, in my eyes, is the blood factor. Anyone not knowing ANYTHING about MMA, or even single martial arts fighting would look apoun this as inhuman, to wound your opponent that way. It looks crude and violent, but in reality, is much less dangerous when compared to other types of hits. Yes, cuts, sometimes deep ones can cause a great deal of blood loss, but that again is because of the adrenaline that makes the blood gush out more than it would normally would, exaggerating the cut.
The use of elbows is a highly skillful art, and not everyone knows how to use it well. If you never trained in muay thai, in a (street) fight, there is almost a zero % chance that you would use it. People who do not understand what combat sports are about, should stop criticizing it, and really look into it.

One last thing, If i fighter complains that elbows should be banned because he lost a fight, then in my opinion he is not worthy of being called a mixed martial artist- only because he allowed himself to be in that position.

Ash

The issue isn't so much the blood, but that the cut can stop a fight prematurely.

A cut can also keep a fighter out of the ring for monthes depending on how it heals, and many times they heal poorly. Once you develop scar tissue from cuts, they are then more prone to opening up.

In my opinion, elbows are just an easy way to hit a guy when in the clinch, or from a top position on the ground.

It takes no skill to raise up and the drop an elbow.Take them away, and fighters will have to work for something else or get stood up making the fights better.

[Irishdazza]

On a side note...why does the defending fighter in a shoot never elbow the back of the head/neck?

[ko67]

Originally Posted by Irishdazza

On a side note...why does the defending fighter in a shoot never elbow the back of the head/neck?

It's illegal.

[kuri]

I'm not a fan of elbows on the ground either as used by some fighters to deliberately cut. I'd much rather see a fight end via sub or KO.

A standing elbow ala Muay Thai is cool but those "razor sharp elbows" from the guard that Rogan is so fond of leaves me rather disappointed when it ends a fight. Of course one can argue that if the guy on bottom had a more active guard then he should be able to get outta there but that's neither here nor there.

I prefer Pride rules.

[goldwave84]

Pride rules allow stomps and soccer kicks! That can be very dangerous....

[kuri]

Getting your knee bent back the wrong way is dangerous too... I'm sure everyone that enters the ring knows the risks.

I think we are arguing different issues here.

[getgot211]

the percentage of fights that get stopped from cuts is extremely exaggerated.

its a tool and it should be there.

and it takes as much skill as stomping.

[Irishdazza]

Thanks Ko - I had read through the rules and hadn't noticed it explicitly mentioned.

I think they should allow both elbows and stomps....I don't see either as particularly dangerous compared to other techniques used. I can understand the banning of head butts but other strikes seems daft - as long as the target areas are controlled.

[ko67]

I am not concerned with what is "Dangerous". All techniques are potentionally dangerous from an injury standpoint.

The things I am concerned with is premature stoppage (even if it is exaggerated), keeping fighters active in the ring (having a guy stuck in someone elses guard and occasionally dropping elbows is not fun to watch, stand them up), fighters not able to fight for 4-6 weeks (because they need to let a cut heal).

All these from a technique that is a no brainer. This isn't a street fight, it's entertainment. I want to see good fights.

[Chiron]

Hi all, new here but I'm a huge MMA fan. I kinda prefer the Pride rules over allowing elbows on the ground. I prefer rules that encourage KO's or submissions over cuts or ground and pound.