Issue 121

November 2014

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 heel trip, part two.

1. Kenny is behind Pedro without wrist control, instead locking his hands around Pedro’s waist. Kenny positions his left forearm in the crux of Pedro’s left hip. The lock is off-center towards Pedro’s left hip. Kenny’s right leg is in between Pedro’s legs. NOTE: The left hand is palm up.

2. Kenny squeezes Pedro tight as he starts to drop his level.

3. Kenny rolls his left forearm into Pedro’s hip while dropping his level, putting a lot of pressure on Pedro and making him carry all the weight on his left leg. This will stick Pedro’s leg to the mat so he can’t move and will put a lot of pressure on his hip, knee and ankle.

4. Kenny continues to apply the pressure on an angle causing a buckling of the knee, ankle and hip allowing him to drag Pedro towards the mat.

5. Pedro could stop Kenny’s takedown attempt. As Kenny rolls his forearm into the crux of Pedro’s leg and applies pressure Pedro widens his base and blocks the buckling of his knee, hip and ankle.

6. As Pedro blocks Kenny’s angle drive and drag to the mat, Kenny changes directions and pulls Pedro’s left hip toward him and down to the mat.

7. Kenny drags Pedro to the mat and looks to take side control or the back.