Reverse Elbow

Last updated: May 25, 2026

What is a reverse elbow?

A reverse elbow is an unorthodox elbow strike that connects with the back of the elbow joint or the proximal forearm, rather than the point of the elbow used in standard elbow strikes. The arm travels opposite to a conventional elbow path: a horizontal elbow that arcs outward is jerked back along the same line, and an upward variant drives up from a squared, dropped-arm position.

The technique has Muay Thai roots, where it is known as Sok Wiang Klap, the reverse horizontal elbow. Thai fighters typically throw it after a missed lead elbow or hook punch, snapping the arm back to catch an opponent whose guard has dropped. In MMA, it sits alongside the spinning back elbow as part of the family of unorthodox elbow variations that fighters reserve for specific openings rather than throw routinely.

What separates the reverse elbow from other unorthodox strikes is the reversal itself. There is no full-body spin, no jumping element, and no straight downward path. The arm simply travels the opposite direction it would on a standard attack, which makes the strike difficult to read for an opponent expecting a normal follow-up or recovery.

How the reverse elbow works

The striking surface is the back of the elbow joint, or the bone running just above it. It is not the sharp point used on a slashing or chopping elbow. Power comes from explosive reversal of the arm’s trajectory, often combined with a slight pivot of the hips or shoulders for added torque. Because the arm is already in motion or extended from a previous strike, the reverse elbow can cover a short distance fast.

Most reverse elbows land for one of two reasons. The first is surprise. An opponent expecting the arm to retract defensively does not expect it to whip back as an attack instead. The second is a lowered guard. Opponents often relax their hands after the original elbow or punch misses, opening the side of the head that the reverse arm is positioned to hit. The contact area is small and bony, which concentrates force on a narrow point of impact.

Types of reverse elbows in MMA

Several distinct techniques get grouped under “reverse elbow.” They share the reversed-trajectory principle but differ in stance, target, and setup.

Variation	Thai name	Setup	Notes
Reverse horizontal elbow	Sok Wiang Klap	Thrown after a missed horizontal elbow; the arm snaps back along the same path	The classical Muay Thai version
Reverse upward elbow	n/a	Lead arm from a squared, dropped-hand position drives up and back	Also called the “lawnmower elbow”; Anderson Silva’s Cage Rage 16 finish
Spinning back elbow	Sok Klap	Full body rotation; backside of the elbow lands at the end of the spin	Related but typically classed separately from “reverse elbow”
Rear elbow strike	n/a	Elbow driven straight behind the body	More common in self-defense than sport MMA

The reverse upward elbow is the variation most casual fans associate with the term, largely because of Anderson Silva’s 2006 knockout of Tony Fryklund at Cage Rage 16 in London (Bloody Elbow). Silva described the move in his 2008 book The Science of Striking, crediting Tony Jaa’s Muay Boran technique in the film Ong Bak as the inspiration.

Reverse elbow vs. spinning back elbow

These two techniques are often confused because both finish with the backside of the elbow making contact. The mechanics behind them are different.

	Reverse elbow	Spinning back elbow
Body rotation	Minimal; arm reverses, body stays mostly square	Full pivot or 180-degree turn
Striking surface	Back of elbow joint	Back of elbow joint
Common setup	Counter off a missed lead elbow or punch	Standalone attack or follow-up off a hook
Visibility	Hard to read; no wind-up	Telegraphs with the spin
Risk	Dropped guard on the same side	Briefly turning the back to the opponent

The spinning back elbow earns its power from rotational momentum across the full body. The reverse elbow generates a sharper, shorter burst from arm reversal alone, which is why it tends to land as a quick counter rather than a committed offensive technique.

Is the reverse elbow legal in MMA?

Yes. Reverse elbows are legal under the Unified Rules of MMA and have always been legal. The strike does not travel in the straight downward trajectory that defined the now-rescinded 12-6 elbow ban.

The 12-6 elbow rule covered strikes brought from a 12 o’clock position straight down to 6 o’clock. It was the only elbow restriction in the Unified Rules. The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports voted unanimously on July 24, 2024, to remove that ban, with the change taking effect November 1, 2024 (ESPN; CBS Sports). The first legal 12-6 elbow under the new rules was landed by Cody Gibson at UFC Edmonton on November 2, 2024 (Heavy.com).

The reverse elbow was never part of that restriction. Whether thrown horizontally, upward, or as part of a spin, the strike arcs rather than dropping vertically, which has always placed it inside the legal definition.

Why the reverse elbow is rare in MMA

Three factors keep the reverse elbow on the fringe of competitive striking. First, the technique requires an exposed or extended lead arm, which often means a dropped guard on the same side and a brief opening for a counter. Second, the body position needed (squared up or slightly turned away from the opponent) runs against standard defensive footwork. Third, the range is narrow. The strike has a short travel distance and demands an opponent inside close range to land cleanly.

Coaches generally treat it as a Plan B technique, useful after a missed lead or as a surprise counter. Fighters who train it heavily, including Anderson Silva, have described it as a move that pays off rarely but devastatingly when the opening appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a reverse elbow and a 12-6 elbow?

A reverse elbow lands with the back of the elbow after the arm travels in a reversed horizontal or upward path. A 12-6 elbow drops straight down from a 12 o’clock position to 6 o’clock. They are different strikes with different legal histories.

Who has the most famous reverse elbow knockout in MMA?

Anderson Silva’s standing reverse elbow finish of Tony Fryklund at Cage Rage 16 on April 22, 2006, is the most cited example. Sportskeeda and Bloody Elbow both list it among the most innovative knockouts in MMA history.

Is the reverse elbow the same as the spinning back elbow?

No. A spinning back elbow requires a full body rotation. A reverse elbow reverses the arm’s path without a spin, though both finish with the backside of the elbow.

Is the reverse elbow a Muay Thai technique?

The reverse horizontal elbow comes directly from Muay Thai, where it is called Sok Wiang Klap. MMA fighters with a Muay Thai base, including Anderson Silva, have adapted the strike for use in the cage.

Why don’t more MMA fighters use the reverse elbow?

The dropped guard, narrow range, and requirement for a squared stance make it a low-percentage attack. Most fighters keep it as a counter option rather than a regular tool.

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Sources

1. Sportskeeda. “5 nastiest elbow attacks in MMA history.” Accessed May 2026.
2. Sportskeeda. “5 best elbow knockouts in MMA history.” Accessed May 2026.
3. Bloody Elbow. “Fight Archives: Anderson Silva’s iconic reverse elbow KO.” October 29, 2020.
4. ESPN. “Officials vote to remove ‘12-6 elbow’ ban in MMA.” July 24, 2024.
5. CBS Sports. “Commission removes 12-6 elbows from Unified MMA rules.” July 2024.
6. MMA Weekly. “Illegal elbow ban lifted for unified MMA rules.” July 24, 2024.
7. Heavy.com. “Explaining the new MMA rules that debuted at UFC Edmonton.” November 3, 2024.
8. Evolve Daily. “How to use elbows to improve your clinch game for MMA.” Accessed May 2026.
9. Muay Thai PROS. “The ultimate guide to the reverse horizontal elbow (Sok Wiang Klap).” Accessed May 2026.
10. Anderson Silva. The Science of Striking (2008), via It Kicks All By Itself secondary citation.

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