Diagonal Elbow

Last updated: May 25, 2026

What is a diagonal elbow?

The diagonal elbow is one of the angled elbow strikes used in MMA. The striking arm chambers high and travels in an arc that cuts down across the opponent at a slanted angle, instead of running parallel to the floor like a horizontal elbow or dropping straight down like a 12-6 elbow.

Two versions exist. The diagonal downward elbow descends from a high chamber across the opponent’s brow or cheekbone, and is the more common variant. The diagonal upward elbow rises across the centerline, usually targeting the nose or chin.

Both versions trace back to Muay Thai, where the strike is called sok chieng. Muay Thai distinguishes the diagonal from the horizontal (sok tad), the upward (sok ngad), the downward (sok tong), and the spinning (sok klap). When MMA absorbed elbow striking, it took most of these angles directly from Muay Thai.

In MMA, the strike shows up in the clinch, against the cage, and during top-position ground striking. It is less powerful than the horizontal elbow but faster, and it slices well, which makes it a regular cause of cuts and stoppages.

How a diagonal elbow works

The mechanics are simple in concept. The striking elbow is raised so the tip sits above shoulder height, with the forearm angled at roughly 45 degrees to the ground. The strike travels along that diagonal, finishing with the bony point of the elbow against the target.

Common targets include the brow ridge, temple, bridge of the nose, cheekbone, and jawline. The collarbone is a secondary target inside the clinch.

The reason a diagonal elbow cuts so well comes down to anatomy. The skin over the brow and forehead is thin and sits directly on bone, with almost no tissue to absorb impact. The point of the elbow concentrates force into a small area, which is why even a glancing diagonal elbow can split skin and open a bleeder.

Diagonal elbow vs other elbow strikes

A diagonal elbow sits between two more recognizable strikes: the horizontal elbow, which travels parallel to the floor like a hook, and the 12-6 elbow, which falls straight down vertically. The table below shows how the main elbow strikes used in MMA compare.

Strike	Angle of travel	Primary targets	Main use case
Diagonal elbow	~45 degrees, slashing across	Brow, temple, cheekbone	Cuts over the guard, clinch, ground
Horizontal elbow	Parallel to floor	Chin, temple, jaw	Power strike at short range, ground and pound
12-6 elbow	Straight down (vertical)	Forehead, nose, body	Ground striking from top position
Upward elbow	Bottom to top	Chin, nose	Through the centerline of a high guard
Spear elbow	Forward, thrusting	Face, body	Splitting a tight guard, against the cage
Spinning elbow	Rotational arc	Temple, jaw	Surprise counter at range

The “slashing elbow” some Muay Thai sources mention is the same strike as the diagonal elbow. The two terms refer to the same technique under different naming conventions.

Is the diagonal elbow legal in MMA?

Yes. The diagonal elbow has always been legal in MMA under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. The only elbow strike that was ever explicitly banned was the 12-6 elbow, the straight up, straight down vertical elbow, and even that ban was removed by the Association of Boxing Commissions effective November 1, 2024.

The Unified Rules historically defined the foul as a “linear straight up straight down elbow strike.” The accompanying clarification notes that any arc or angle change from straight up to straight down makes the strike legal. A diagonal elbow, by definition, travels on an arc and at an angle. It has never fallen inside the banned category.

The most famous moment of confusion around this rule was Jon Jones’s 2009 disqualification loss to Matt Hamill, where the referee judged a series of Jones’s elbows from full mount to be 12-6 strikes rather than diagonal ones. That fight remains Jones’s only career loss on the record books.

State-by-state variation does exist. As of 2025, New Jersey’s commission has chosen not to adopt the latest version of the Unified Rules for some events, including UFC 316, which means 12-6 elbows are illegal there even when they would be legal elsewhere. Diagonal elbows are unaffected by any of these variations.

Where the diagonal elbow comes from

Muay Thai is the origin. In Thai, the strike is called sok chieng, sometimes spelled sok chiang, and it has been part of the curriculum for centuries as one of seven traditional elbow strikes that form part of the “art of eight limbs.”

When MMA codified its rules around 2000, and elbow strikes were folded into the legal arsenal, the diagonal entered the sport along with the rest of the Muay Thai elbow vocabulary. Fighters with Muay Thai backgrounds, Anderson Silva and Jon Jones among the most notable, brought the technique into the cage at range and on the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the diagonal elbow legal in MMA?

Yes. The diagonal elbow has always been legal under the Unified Rules. Only the straight downward 12-6 elbow was banned, and that ban was lifted in November 2024 by the Association of Boxing Commissions.

What is the Muay Thai name for a diagonal elbow?

Sok chieng (sometimes written sok chiang). Some sources also use sok ti to refer to the slashing variant of the same strike.

What is the difference between a diagonal elbow and a slashing elbow?

There is no real difference. “Slashing elbow” is another name for the diagonal elbow, especially when it travels downward across the opponent’s face with the intent to cut.

Can a fighter throw a diagonal elbow on the ground?

Yes. Diagonal elbows are common in top-position ground and pound, especially from mount, side control, and inside the guard. They can also come from the bottom in certain guard positions.

Why are diagonal elbows so effective at cutting?

The bony point of the elbow concentrates force into a small area. Combined with the thin skin over the brow ridge and forehead, even a glancing diagonal elbow can open cuts that bleed heavily and lead to stoppages.

---

Sources

1. Wikipedia. “Elbow (strike).” Accessed May 2026.
2. Wikipedia. “12–6 elbow.” Accessed May 2026.
3. Brett Okamoto. “ABC votes to remove ‘12-6 elbow’ ban, redefines grounded opponent.” ESPN. Published July 2024.
4. CBS Sports. “Commission removes 12-6 elbows from Unified MMA rules, updates grounded opponent rule.” Published July 2024.
5. Heavy.com. “Explaining the New MMA Rules That Debuted at UFC Edmonton.” Published November 2024.
6. Evolve Daily. “Understanding the Muay Thai Elbow and Its Modern Evolution.” Published July 2025.
7. Sweet Science of Fighting. “How To Throw Elbows (5 Deadly Muay Thai Techniques).” Published March 2023.
8. Muay Thailand. “Muay Thai Elbows.”

Related MMA Terms