Elbows to a downed opponent's head, statistics

I think they should keep elbows. I think knees should be allowed to...but I don't like soccer kicks or stomps. I want to keep mma as pure as possible but also have it as a mainstream sport. Something's gotta give.

Good post by the way!

[SuperNerd]

The only good argument against elbows, is that they slow down the fight. Fighters dont have to make space on the ground.

[JalacoJones]

The point you are missing is that fighters have to defend against the elbows as if a single one could end the fight by way of cut. Not to mention, how many have not ended a fight, but have changed the outcome of the fight because the fighter was worried about a cut becoming worse, or blood was pouring in their eyes?

Pulling stats from fightfinder to determine the impact of elbows in a fight, is no different than pulling stats from fightfinder to determine who is a better fighter.

[Cuban_Red]

Thanks, interesting reading.

[Jerome_1]

Originally Posted by Jack10Suited

Good point, but it depends on why they don't like them. If you're a guy that doesn't utilize elbows, why should you care if they are taken out? Also, if you are a guy that has a defensive hole that elbows can exploit, of course you would want them out. I mean, Trigg probably wouldn't mind having the RNC banned, but that doesn't mean there is no place for it in the sport.

I'm not saying that's the case with the guys you talked to, I'm just throwing it out there as something to think about when polling fighters. When deciding about what to have in order to have an entertaining show, you have to consider more than the fighter's wants. You also have to think about what fans want to see as well as, maybe most importantly, what will allow you to still be sanctioned.

It would be interesting if someone conducted a poll with fighters opinions on the subject.

So far, i haven't heard a single fighter support the use of elbows, there may be fighters who can utilize them better than others. Those fighters also realise that they can be the recipient of elbows.

I'm not sure about the medicial statistics regarding elbows, but it would seem to me that if a fighter is repeatedly elbowed, he will become more susceptible to cuts. This could dramatically reduce the fighters earning potential, as he may have to fight significantly less fights, waiting on cuts to be treated/heal. This could also have an effect on the fighters personal life.

A fighters safety should always be paramount, but if the rules are watered down too much, fans will be turned off, and this will effectively impact the fighters by getting less money. A balance has to be struck were a fighters safety is what is most important. That is why i believe Pride's rules would be a good starting point, for looking at universal rules in mma.

[airbaer15]

Good job finding facts to knock down a stupid preconceived notion.

[TheHarakiri]

elbows on the ground are ridiculous. it'makes mma less technical. especially in the cage where you can get trapped against the fence.

[HH]

Originally Posted by kaipo13

Elbows should be kept in, but knees, soccer kicks and foot stomps to a downed opponent should also be allowed IMO.

Exactly.

[canning]

Originally Posted by SeattleFightFan

good stats.

although i'd rather see 'good' ground game (think Karo v Diaz) than good ol fashioned GnP ground game (think Tito v Shamrock I), and i think disallowing elbows would lead to more of the kind of action that I LIKE on the ground, that's just an IMHO and is not a legit reason to disallow em.

Exactly.

I do appreciate a good standing elbow though.