Issue 125
February 2015
Discover how to turn defense into offense with essential tips from MMA’s hottest young coach – Ricky Lundell.
When Frank Mir escaped ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira’s guillotine choke at UFC 140, the MMA world was stunned. When he reversed the situation to a bone-breaking, submission-of-the-century Kimura, it lost its collective mind. But the former UFC heavyweight champion can’t take all the credit for that extraordinary outcome. The main man in Mir’s corner that night was grappling guru Ricky Lundell. He spent the weeks before that collision of heavyweight legends drilling the exact technique that led to that career-defining moment.
Mir says Lundell’s methods give him the platform for a complete MMA game: “Guys are either one or the other. They’re either a great college wrestler who knows a few submissions or they’re maybe a jiu-jitsu guy who knows a takedown or two, but in MMA we have to be able to reference everything... It’s one position to the next. Ricky really breaks it down very easily for me.”
Lundell’s fingerprints are everywhere. From Joe Lauzon’s ‘Fight of the Year’ submission victory over Jamie Varner to Travis Browne’s destruction of Brendan Schaub and Team Tate’s domination on TUF 18. He has become one of the most sought-after coaches in MMA.
In this issue, Lundell uses his virtuoso expertise to show you multiple options for possibly the most feared form of submission in the game today – the leglock.
“Everyone should be learning leglocks,” he says. “Many traditionalists in mixed martial arts are steering clear, but I believe it’s because many are scared of learning new things. If you are a true grappling lover and aren’t afraid of evolving your game; this is for you. Understanding this niche of leglocks will give you a major advantage. Many are hiding from the evolution of jiu-jitsu and not learning this crucial element of the game. This is leaving many black belts defenseless, and you can take the spoils of ignorance.”
The submission magician has teamed up with his heavyweight student Mir to give you multiple paths to victory from half guard. Whichever one you choose, it’ll be a choice of tap or snap for your opponent.
Step over half guard to kneebar
1. Each move starts with Ricky in top position in Frank’s Half Guard
2. If Frank stays there, Ricky can take a two-on-one grip on his left hand, push it down and lock it to his chest.
3. Ricky distributes his weight to his right and passes his leg over Frank’s body...
4. ...to end up sitting on his left hip.
5. Ricky leans to his left hip and sits to the side to roll Frank over.
6. Ricky pinches his knees together and crosses his feet for full control of Frank’s leg. He grabs the heel with his left hand and brings his right arm over the top to lock the hold. He cranks and Frank taps.
Back step to kneebar from half guard
2. In these scenarios Frank bases out and steals an underhook.
3. Ricky passes his right arm in front of Frank, posts on his hand and takes a back step with his left leg over Frank’s left leg
4. For the kneebar; as Ricky sits down he catches Frank’s heel with his left hand.
5. Ricky sits to the side and pinches his knees together for control of the leg.
6. Ricky reaches over the top of Frank’s foot with his right arm and clutches it to his body. He hyperextends Frank’s knee by arching his hips and cranking with his arms to force the tap.
Back step to rolling toe hold from half guard
2. In these scenarios Frank bases out and steals an underhook.
3. Ricky passes his right arm in front of Frank, posts on his hand and takes a back step with his left leg over Frank’s left leg
4. For the rolling toe hold; Ricky keeps his weight towards his right arm, which he dives through and under Frank’s right leg
5. Ricky rolls and triangles his legs to keep Frank’s legs tight.
6. Ricky catches the top of Frank’s toes with his left hand, locks the hold up with his right and turns. Frank has to tap or his ankle will break.
