The MMA world has seen few fighters as dominant as Jon Jones. While his resume sparkles with victories, one peculiar blemish from 2009 has always stood out like a sore thumb. That infamous disqualification loss to Matt Hamill has been a topic of debate among fight fans for nearly 15 years. It’s the only loss on Jones’ otherwise perfect record, and it came from a rule that is now not banned anymore.
Andy Foster, the California State Athletic Commission’s executive director, recently stepped into this long-running conversation with some interesting thoughts. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, he expressed his support for potentially overturning the controversial decision.
“The rule was what it was then. It’s different now. It would be hard to go back – I’d be actually supportive of getting rid of that, but it’s not my decision. But I think it’s hard to go back with the rule being different than it is now.”
Andy Foster’s take on the matter is particularly noteworthy given his position and the evolution of MMA rules over the past decade and a half. The fight itself was hardly competitive. Jon Jones was dominating Hamill before the controversial 12-6 elbows led to the disqualification.
For those unfamiliar with MMA’s quirky rulebook, the 12-6 elbow rule is like telling a chef they can stir their pot in any direction except straight up and down. Now, as the ban on these elbows has been lifted, Jon Jones hopes to get his only loss overturned to an NC. And he has the backing of many, including Dana White and Andy Foster.
Jon Jones Wants Loss Removed From His Record
This story begins in an era when the UFC was still figuring out its rulebook. The infamous 12-6 elbow strike was seen as absolutely barbaric. Now, with its removal from the banned list, Jones is ready to wipe the only loss from his record off.
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Jon Jones’s long-standing quest to clean up his record has taken new roots now. In a post on Instagram back in July, ‘Bones’ asked the UFC CEO Dana White to help him get that loss off his record.
“Undefeated then, undefeated now.. @danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books”
While Jon Jones can technically appeal to have the loss overturned to a no-contest, the chances seem pretty slim. The Nevada Athletic Commission has already shown its stance by dismissing previous appeals. But as the rule change takes effect, maybe Jones will have a solid case after all.
Also Read: Misdemeanor Charges Against Jon Jones In New Mexico Set To Be Dismissed Pending Two Key Conditions
