Issue 141

May 2016

Hit a trip and lock your opponent down when they stubbornly won’t let you finish your single-leg 

Kenny Johnson

Premier MMA wrestling coach with students including BJ Penn, José Aldo and Anderson Silva. Aided by Pedro Munhoz

1 - Kenny has Pedro’s lead leg secured at the ankle under his arm.

2 - He lifts Pedro’s leg high, forcing him to hop to keep his balance.

3 - Kenny continues to lift and uses his right foot to sweep Pedro’s standing leg.

4 - When Pedro lands, Kenny maintains a wide base and keeps tight control on Pedro’s leg.

5 - Kenny moves to side control and leaves his left arm between Pedro’s legs to stop him regaining guard. He slips his right hand under his head for control.

Top Tips

High School

In grappling tournaments you must avoid illegally kicking your opponent’s standing leg. Use a smooth sweeping motion to abide by the rules

Collegiate

When in the position in step 5, join your hands together to cradle your opponent and completely neutralize them

Olympian

Keeping a hold of the leg (step 4) gives you the option to fall back for an Achilles lock or an inverted heel hook.

In action

Cain Velasquez used this technique to ground a much larger opponent – Ben Rothwell – at UFC 104.