Issue 139

March 2016

Jimmy Pedro Jr, US Olympic coach and 6th degree black belt, shows you, along with Aaron Kunuhiro, judo techniques that work for MMA. Here Jimmy demonstrates how to dfend a grappler’s single-leg takedown attempt and hit a sweet sumi saeshi reversal to roll into mount.

1. Aaron attempts a single-leg takedown on Jimmy’s front leg, which he has to defend.

2. Jimmy pushes Aaron’s head to the outside of his body, making the takedown harder to finish.

3. Jimmy reaches over Aaron’s head and grabs his chin with his left hand. He underhooks Aaron’s left arm with his right.

4. Jimmy takes a giant step with his right foot under his center of gravity, shoots it through Aaron’s legs and falls to his back.

5. Jimmy elevates Aaron with his left leg to throw him as he rolls over his right shoulder.

6. Aaron lands on his back and Jimmy lands on top in a dominant mount position.

TOP TIPS

White belt: Steps 4 and 5 must be done in a continuous motion. It will be much harder to complete the sweep if you stop with your back flat on the mat. 

Brown belt: Manipulating your opponent’s head should be second nature when you defend a single-leg so you can create space and break your opponent’s posture.

Black belt: Once in mount with your hand under your opponent’s chin, arch your back and drive your hips into them to finish with a guillotine choke.