Elbows have been apart of MMA since the first UFC event in 1993. They can do significant damage to the body of your opponent and lead them to victory.
The thought of banning elbows has never come up until now. In an interview with MMA Fighting on why all fighters should receive health insurance and a variety of topics, the former UFC light heavyweight champion touched on the issue of getting rid of elbows.
“I think there should be a health insurance for fighters, they should allow sponsors like the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) does, and they should create a league of legends, to bring back fighters fans love,” Belfort told MMA Fighting. “Those would be my three changes,” Belfort said. “And get rid of elbows so there would be no blood. Big companies want to be associated with fights if there are no bloody fights.”
Unions and associations have been a hot topic in MMA. You have associations like the MMAFA, MMAAA and PFA. All have different ideologies but Belfort feels a union or association is the way to go to see these issues get enacted.
“I’m a smart guy, and the smartest thing in the world is to not side (with something) if you don’t know who’s the leader and what are his motivations,” Belfort said.
“I’m glad that fighters that are part of the history of the sport see me this way, but it’s important for fighters to realize that it’s time to have a fighters’ union. There’s unions for everything, there’s an union even for prostitutes, and we won’t have one for fighters? It’s time for the athlete to have his union.”
