This weekend’s UFC Edmonton event will mark the first time the new UFC ruleset will be introduced, which could have changed the outcome of Jon Jones’s storied career.
The UFC returns to Edmonton, Canada, this weekend as top-ranked flyweights Amir Albazi and Brandon Moreno clash in the main event.
In the co-main event, former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas takes on top prospect Erin Blanchfield, in what is a huge fight in the flyweight division, with the winner likely going on to fight for the title.
Also on the card is fan favorite Derrick Lewis who is looking to score back-to-back wins for the first time since 2020 as he takes on the undefeated Jhonata Diniz.
The new UFC ruleset explained and how it could change the landscape
Jon Jones‘ lone UFC loss to Matt Hamill in 2009 resulted from a disqualification from downward elbows.
Ever since, CEO Dana White has attempted to get the loss overturned in an attempt to further back his case that ‘Bones’ is the current pound-for-pound number one because of his undefeated record outside of that one blemish.
The fighters fighting this weekend, though, will not have to worry about being disqualified for throwing downward elbows, also known as ’12-6′ elbows, as the ruleset change that comes into effect on November 2 has lifted the ban on downward elbows.
Also changing in the new ruleset is the definition of a ‘downed opponent’. Usually, a fighter can prevent their opponent from throwing knees to the head by simply placing one hand on the canvas, however, that will change this weekend.
A downed opponent is now defined as a fighter with any body part besides their hands or feet touching the mat, so for example, a fighter will need to also have their knee on the ground.
Because this particular rule has differed from commission to commission, the new rule is unified across all commissions making it easier for the fighters to follow.
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Which fighters will this new ruleset benefit?
With the new ruleset coming into place, fans have wondered if there will be a particular style of fighter that will benefit most from the new rules.
Fighters with wrestling-heavy styles are surely to benefit from the change the most, allowing for them to vary their attacks with elbows on the ground and knees to the head when controlling their opponents up against the cage.
Since the promotion introduced new gloves in April, fans are worried that the new design has caused a decrease in knockouts inside the Octagon. Data backs up the worries as Andy Hickey MMA on X posted that knockouts are down from an average of four per event to 2.6, with the knockdown average also decreasing.
Hopefully, with the new rule change, we will be the beneficiaries of some more emphatic finishes, making up for the recent lull in the action.
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