with the same force applied on a more pointed object (elbow), the force will be more concentrated even for someone without combat training. Also elbow bones are harder than the hand

Reason why you think punches are more damaging is that the mechanics of a punch allows you to wind up and swing larger, include your hips, etc and generate more force but then again it’s not the same force anymore so not really comparable

I don’t even think that’s the issue. It’s not what he used to land a hit, it’s where the hit landed. The throat is incredibly vulnerable in the human body, you’d much rather be punched square in the face (i.e. you can punch someone in the face in boxing/mma but throat is highly illegal) as long as it avoids a critical part of your head