Sherdog’s Top 10: Elbows

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The liberal use of elbows in multiple situations is part of what separates MMA from all other combat sports. They are, of course, illegal in boxing and international-rules kickboxing. Muay Thai employs standing elbows but obviously not on the ground. Sambo allows ground strikes but not elbows. No grappling sport allows its competitors to elbow each other during takedown attempts or on the mat.

Only MMA presents these manifold opportunities. It has taken decades, but elbows are finally becoming a much more prominent piece of every fighter’s arsenal, particularly on the feet. They have long been employed on the ground, but only in the recent past has their full potential come into view.

This edition of the Sherdog Top 10 series takes a look at the most devastating uses of elbows in the sport’s history. How does your list stack up?

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HONORABLE MENTIONS: Remco Pardoel vs. Orlando Wiet (UFC 2), Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley”), Nick Denis vs. Joseph Sandoval (UFC on FX “Guillard vs. Miller”), Joe Riggs vs. Kendall Grove (Rumble on the Rock 5), Jordan Mein vs. Evangelista Santos (Strikeforce “Barnett vs. Kharitonov”)

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