12-6 elbow

A 12-6 elbow, referred to in commentary as a "twelve to six elbow" and officially "downward elbow strikes", is a strike used in the combat sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). The name of the 12-6 elbow is based on the concept of a clock on the wall with the bringing of an elbow from straight up (12 o'clock) to straight down (6 o'clock).

12-6 elbow strikes are illegal under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, defined as "striking downwards using the point of the elbow". Such bans were justified as being for medical and safety reasons, due to the possibility of serious injuries to opponents that could result from their use.

Definition

The most commonly accepted definition of a 12-6 elbow was originally based on a principle by referee John McCarthy of a clock on the wall. This came about after it was felt that the official definition of the foul was too broad. A 12-6 elbow was defined as bringing the elbow from "twelve o'clock" to "six o'clock", which is where the name comes from. Similar elbow movements from a fighter on their back does not count as a 12-6 elbow, because as explained by McCarthy, "the clock doesn't move". McCarthy's definition became accepted as the official definition of 12-6 elbows under the Unified Rules and MMA referees were encouraged to use this definition when making judgments on elbow strikes.