Issue 116

July 2014

Jimmy Pedro is one of the world’s top judo coaches. His ex students include UFC star Ronda Rousey. With the help of black belt Riley McIlwain, the USA Olympic team head coach presents the best judo moves for MMA.

1. Jimmy (blue gi) starts standing over Riley, who is on his knees and elbows, and grabs Riley’s collar behind the neck with his right hand and grips the belt with his left hand.

2. Jimmy shoots his left leg inside Riley’s right thigh, then uses his arms and bent legs to lift Riley’s upper body high. 

3. Slipping his right foot inside Riley’s left thigh, Jimmy drops to his back while maintaining his grips. Using that momentum, Jimmy pulls Riley’s upper body toward his head with both hands and feet.

4. Jimmy quickly releases his right hand grip, swims that hand under Riley’s left arm, grips Riley’s gi at the back and squeezes Riley close to him.

5. Looking to roll over to his left, Jimmy pinches his left elbow tight to Riley’s body as he elevates with his legs.

6. As Riley lands on his back, Jimmy makes sure to clear his feet of Riley’s hips to avoid any chance of them being controlled by Riley’s legs, and drops his right hip to the mat as he posts his left foot, pinning Riley to the mat.