Jon Jones Could Overturn Only Loss Of His Career Due To Rule Changes

"Bones" has the chance to remove the only loss on his record.

Jon Jones Reacts Rule Change
Jon Jones Reacts Rule Change - Image credit @jonnybones Instagram
  • Two rules changes could give Jon Jones a chance to overturn his DQ loss to a No Contest and make him undefeated
  • “Bones” asked UFC president Dana White to work on it

An upcoming rule changes could remove the only loss on Jon Jones’ pro MMA record.

“Bones” could finally contest

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported that a set of rule changes regarding downward striking and a grounded fighter have been approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports Mixed Martial Arts Committee (ABC) on Tuesday.

The first change is the removal of the so-called “12 to 6” elbow rule which prohibited fighters from throwing straight downward elbow strikes to a grounded opponent. The other modification was the identification of a grounded fighter.

Previously, the rule states that, “To be grounded, the palm of one hand (a flat palm) must be down, and/or any other body part must be touching the fighting area floor. A single knee, arm, (not fingers) makes the fighter grounded without having to have any other body part in touch with the fighting area floor. At this time, kicks or knees to the head will not be allowed.”

That is no longer the case as the new rule states that “A fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or kicked to the head when any part of their body other than their hands or feet is in contact with the canvas (ground).”

That said, Helwani noted that the said changes could finally allow “Bones” to have his disqualification loss to Matt Hamill in 2009 overturned to a No Contest which would make him technically undefeated.

However, Helwani also reported that the rule changes will be implemented across the board on Nov. 1, 2024 to give everybody ample time to familiarize it.

Jones’ take on the changes

Though Jones has one loss on his record, he has always felt as if he is unbeaten. In response to the rule changes, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion tapped Dana White to finally make it official.

“Undefeated then, undefeated now,” Jones wrote on Instagram. “@danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books.”

As it stands, Jones holds a pro MMA record of 27-1-1. He is set to face Stipe Miocic in his return but the UFC has yet to announce an official date yet.

Published on July 24, 2024 at 10:35 am
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