Issue 125

February 2015

Kenny Johnson is one of the most esteemed wrestling coaches in MMA. Noted for his work with BJ Penn, he’s also taught Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida. He and UFC bantamweight Pedro Munhoz present the best wrestling techniques for MMA. Here, the front headlock bow and arrow.

1. Kenny has Pedro in a front headlock. For the perfect headlock position, Kenny’s right hand is only chin deep. The elbow is tight and up so Pedro can’t grab it. The left hand controls Pedro’s tricep. 

PRO TIP

For complete control, Kenny’s shoulder is between Pedro’s shoulder blades and his chest covers his head. Kenny’s chin is tucked into Pedro’s armpit, which also protects his neck.

2. Kenny pushes into Pedro so his butt goes to his heels, coiling Pedro’s body like a spring. As Pedro pushes back Kenny makes one move 90 degrees, captures Pedro’s ankle (which locks the knee) and puts his forehead in Pedro’s ribs. He keeps control of the head with his hand on the chin.

PRO TIP

Kenny twists Pedro’s head by pulling up on the chin and pushes down on his elbow. This combination of control points locks Pedro’s knee, hips and neck.

3. Kenny drives into Pedro, dropping him to his hip. He keeps his level low and uses his head to keep heavy pressure on.

4. Once Pedro is over to his hip Kenny slides his hand from Pedro’s ankle to reverse-palm his opposite knee. This stops Pedro from recovering guard. Kenny’s head pops up over Pedro’s. He squeezes Pedro’s head tight and keeps heavy chest pressure.

5. Kenny switches his control of Pedro’s head to a cross-face, keeping heavy chest pressure, and rolls Pedro to his back. As he fans the arm around he can keep Pedro’s arm trapped.

6. Kenny finishes by locking his hands and keeping his chest and hip pressure heavy.