Following a vote by the Association of Boxing Commissions on Tuesday, a couple of rule changes are coming to MMA this year.

Per Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, the ABC removed the ban on 12-to-6 elbow strikes and amended the definition of a "downed fighter." The rule changes will go into effect on Nov. 1.

The 12-to-6 elbow rule had been a source of controversy because an elbow thrown from any other angle than straight up and down was considered legal. Most times, determining the angle of the strike came down to a judgment call by the referee.

The most infamous instance involving the 12-to-6 elbow occurred when current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones was disqualified for throwing the strike in succession during a fight against Matt Hamill in 2009. The disqualification remains the only loss on Jones' record, and he reacted to Tuesday's vote by advocating for his record to be amended to undefeated.

"Undefeated then, undefeated now," Jones wrote on Instagram. "Dana White, we gotta get that loss out of the history books."

As for the "downed fighter" adjustments, the new rule will change how kicks and knees are allowed to be thrown. Under the previous iteration, a fighter having two hands on the canvas was considered down, making it illegal to throw kicks or knees at their head. The new rule states:

"A fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or kicked to the head when any part of their body other than their hands or feet is in contact with the canvas (ground)."

Without having knees or elbows on the mat, kicks and knees to the head will now be considered legal.

While the changes by the ABC are a step in the right direction, each individual athletic commission will need to adopt the new rules before these changes become official for future fights.