Issue 092

September 2012

How to upgrade your ‘lion killer’

Pete Irving is a professional welterweight fighter and Fighters Only’s resident fight expert.

One of the most common fight finishes there is, the rear naked choke attack, simple though it may be, still has room for error. While a fighter securing the ‘lion killer’ is often seen as curtains for his opponent the reality is over-eager fighters will often rush the set-up. That gives the submitee an easy route of escape. But, with proper application, just like many other holds, the rear naked choke can be adapted to become nigh escapable.

BASEBALL BAT ESCAPE

First, we show you the most common escape. Without a careful and deliberate set-up, the rear naked choke can do more damage than good for the aggressor.

1 Pete (left) has Ryan’s back with a harness, or seatbelt, position: one arm over the same-side shoulder, gripping the other arm that is under the same-side arm. 2 

2 Pete goes straight for the rear naked choke, putting his right hand on Ryan’s head, with his left arm across the neck. But without Pete performing the proper set-up Ryan still has a chance to escape. 3 

3 Ryan grabs the top arm, both hands at the wrist, as though holding a baseball bat. 4 

4 A close-up of the baseball bat grip. 

5 Ryan passes the arm over to the opposite side of his head while retaining the grip. 6 

6 Ryan continues to turn towards the trapped arm, bridging back a little to press Pete to the mat. 7

7 Ryan turns into Pete’s half guard. 8 

8 Ryan establishes his underhook with his left arm.

THE INESCAPABLE CHOKE

Now for the inescapable adaptation of everyone’s favorite back mount submission. The secret is all in the hands.

1 Pete has Ryan’s back with the same harness grip as before. 2 

2 Pete anchors his left hand onto Ryan’s shoulder, and with a wrist control pushes Ryan’s right hand down. 3 

3 A close-up of the anchor grip. 4 

4 Pete steps his right leg, which was acting as a hook for the back mount, over Ryan’s right arm.

5 Pete retracts his right hand and keeps Ryan’s arm trapped by stamping his foot down.

6 Pete places his right hand over the back of the hand of the anchor arm. 7 

7 Detail of the grip.

8 Pete punches his right arm behind Ryan’s neck, not on top of the head as before. 9 

9 A close-up of the grip. 10 

10 Pete squeezes his elbows together and breathes deep to finish.