Striker vs. Wrestler: Merab Dvalishvili Vs. Sean O’Malley Rematch Won’t Have This Unified MMA Rule Element

The UFC 316 pay-per-view regulators failed to adopt 12-6 elbows unified rules — world-class Sambo expert Merab Dvalishvili at a disadvantage?

Striker vs. Wrestler: Merab Dvalishvili Vs. Sean O’Malley Rematch Won’t Have This Unified MMA Rule Element

12-6 elbows not legally in effect for Merab Dvalivshili title fight at UFC 316 (Source: X)

The longstanding ban on 12-6 elbows has been lifted, as the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) recently greenlit them again. ’12-6′ elbows have remained one of the most effective ones in the arsenal for many in UFC/MMA cultures for long. However, UFC 316 PPV regulators failed to embed them into this week’s Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2 event card.

The 12-6 elbow rule change was in effect as early as last year, at UFC Vegas 100. However, the responsibility for adopting these changes rests with each individual athletic commission. While UFC/MMA Unified rules are convoluted as it is, 12-6 elbows are just the icy peak on top. ’12-6′ elbows usually refer to straight-up, straight-down elbow striking on downed opponents.

What does this mean for Sambo specialist and UFC 316 PPV defending champ Merab Dvalishvili, and Judoka Kayla Harrison? A workaround for the top mount domination, maybe. So far, the duo’s gameplan doesn’t involve the controversial technique.

The new rules are yet to be put into the grind by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (NJSACB). Which means UFC 316 fighters in practice can’t opt to illegally strike with 12-6 elbows on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Additionally, the “downed” rule will also be in effect against dominant ground-fighters like “Machine”. For reference, UFC 300 star Justin Gaethje’s knockdown stats remained unaffected because he did not linearly register against the mat against Max Holloway.

Now, one or two limbs on the mat means “Grounded” and will thus shoot up the 12-6 elbows in effect. The rule change was implemented in both New York and Las Vegas last fall; but the New Jersey commission remains a step behind.

Merab Dvalishvili to join record book greats with potential UFC 316 victory over Sean O’Malley

A victory for Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 this Saturday would put “The Machine” alongside some of the greatest fighters in the promotion’s history. The Georgian put on a 10-fight streak to crack gold. He then outclassed the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at the UFC 311 PPV. 

Merab Dvalivshili up for more glory after UFC 316
Merab Dvalivshili up for more glory after UFC 316 (Source: X)

During the frame, Dvalishvili has now recorded 92 takedowns in UFC 135-pound competition and even surpassed a previous record. The Georgian fighter has the longest win streak in the division. Dvalishvili (19-4) has prevailed in 12 consecutive UFC bouts; another one [13] ties him with the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones.

Wow, this is big, and this is another motivation for me, …This is great, but I’m just gonna focus for my next fight like I was before. Then, God willing, win this fight and yeah, lots of records, lots of new history will be made and this is good. But it means a lot. Just to be mention my name with these guys, I’m grateful…

Merab Dvalishvili to MMAJunkie

In the annals of UFC history, only three fighters have achieved the remarkable feat of winning more than 13 consecutive matches. Anderson Silva [16], followed by ex-welterweight king Kamaru Usman [15] and soon-to-be former UFC 155-Pound champion Islam Makhachev [15].

Nurmagomedov and Jones are not the only UFC champions with a perfect record. Demetrious Johnson, Max Holloway, and Georges St-Pierre have also achieved 13 consecutive wins. If the bantamweight champion suddenly doesn’t fall off his prime, he could certainly aim to break the long-lasting record.

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