Do Elbows Cause Too Many Cuts in MMA?

[Clint]

Here are some stats I stole off a thread at another forum (as of 5/14/07, I'll update them sometime). They are rather interesting:

The UFC is obviously the most prominent organization that allows elbows to the face/head. They also have the most overall events/fights of any organization that I am aware of (please correct me if I am wrong). UFC is also usually the scapegoat of the accusations regarding elbows and cuts. Therefore, I used the UFC history as the basis for these numbers. For that history, I used the Sherdog Fight finder as my source of info. I am not guaranteeing 100% accuracy of these numbers since I did not compile the fight finder. I’m sure there are minor discrepancies, but nothing that would significantly affect the overall totals.

UFC has had 70 events since its 1993 inception
Within those 70 events there have been 571 matches

Here is how those matches ended:

Submission-----------198 ---- 34.68%
Decision---------------135 ---- 23.64%
TKO--------------------126 ---- 22.07%
KO-----------------------63 ---- 11.03%
Cut----------------------22 ---- 3.85%
Corner Stoppage------8 ---- 1.4%
Draw---------------------7 ---- 1.23%
No contest--------------4 ---- .7%
Doctor Stoppage------4 ---- .7%
Disqualification---------3 ---- .53
Towel thrown before match------- Just Royce .18%

Out of 571 matches in the UFC, 22 have been stopped due to cuts. 4 more were due to doctor stoppage. That could mean cuts, so I included those as well. So between 3.85% & 4.55% of all UFC fights have been stopped due to cuts. Then you consider, this is counting all cuts, not just cuts from elbows. I don’t have the time or resources to research each fight to see how each cut was caused, but my guess would be about 1/3 to 1/2 was caused by an elbow.

This leaves us with 1.28% to 2.28% of fights being ended with cuts from an elbow. With the UFC’s new once a month events, with 8 fights on a card, that means in the next year expect to see between 1 and 3 fights ending that way (actual numbers are 1.22 to 2.2 fights).

[Zenshotokai]

Actually, based on those stats, I thought the percentage would be higher. Cuts are a part of the game (Lindland and Fedor just came to minde, even though that was not from an elbow). I feel that elbows in a GNP is a valuable tool and I feel it would take away from the game if they did not allow them.

I also feel that when it comes to elbows, that fighters use them two different ways. Tito uses a straight shot elbow just like cross, but Lousiau (not sure of his spelling) strikes at a sharp angle with the intent to cut. I am not sure of that I like the intent to cut as a way of winning a watch.

[Afro]

I dont think elbows should be disallowed but ya they do cause too many cuts, and the majority that use elbows, use them to open cuts

[Zenshotokai]

Originally Posted by Afro Samurai

I dont think elbows should be disallowed but ya they do cause too many cuts, and the majority that use elbows, use them to open cuts

In boxing, if they soften up an area around the eye, a boxer is told to go after that area knowing that they can open up a cut. I guess elbows can work the same way for some fighters,,,although I think that you are right, some fighters use them to first open a cut with the hopes of a stoppage.

[joeyt]

I don't care that you found that on another forum, Clint you're having an hall of fame caliber day.

Those are some really interesting figures. I wonder if there has been any trend in the type of finishes in recent years as opposed to the early years of MMA. Regardless I'm glad elbows are allowed.

[Zenshotokai]

Submission-----------198 ---- 34.68%
Decision---------------135 ---- 23.64%
TKO--------------------126 ---- 22.07%
KO-----------------------63 ---- 11.03%

The first thing that comes to mind when I see these figures...it truly is MMA.

35% with submission and (combine TKO and KO and you have 33% for striking)! It shows that the skills required are very diverse when it comes to competing in MMA.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by joeyt

I don't care that you found that on another forum, Clint you're having an hall of fame caliber day.

Those are some really interesting figures. I wonder if there has been any trend in the type of finishes in recent years as opposed to the early years of MMA. Regardless I'm glad elbows are allowed.

Thanks, yeah it would be interesting to see stats in the 10 event blocks. I was surprised at how low of a percentage of fights are stopped by cuts in general.

[Dork8503]

Originally Posted by Afro Samurai

I dont think elbows should be disallowed but ya they do cause too many cuts, and the majority that use elbows, use them to open cuts

The Crow and Zoolander. Kennys last fight didnt look like he was trying for the cut.

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by dork8503

The Crow and Zoolander. Kennys last fight didnt look like he was trying for the cut.

True enough.

I like Florian (for some reason), but he had a little luck on his side in the form of razor sharp elbows in the Leben and Karalexis fights.

[Afro]

Heres a question

do any of your consider it a real loss? like if you see TKO(cut) or know a fighter won by opening a cut with an elbow how legit do you consider that win?