Issue 088
May 2012
Applied properly, the kimura can be just as potent a hold as its more common counterpart submissions. Here’s how to make it unstoppable
Pete Irving
Professional fighter
Pete Irving is a professional welterweight fighter and Fighters Only’s resident fight expert.
Sometimes perceived as a ‘strong-guy technique’, the truth is that muscling on a chicken wing (as it’s more commonly referred to in catch wrestling circles) will lead to another strong guy muscling out of the hold. Like all submissions, the kimura should be applied with perfect leverage and eliminate all possible routes of escape.
BASIC KIMURA FROM CROSS-BODY WITH BRIDGE ESCAPE
Aside from using the kimura from your guard (where you have far greater control over your opponent’s escape options), side control is the most common position for this judo-credited submission. Despite the cross-body pin being a dominant position, it doesn’t mean the bottom man can’t free himself from the side control kimura.
1 Pete (top) has Rick in side control and has isolated Rick’s far wrist on the mat with his right hand.
2 Pete threads his left arm under Rick’s armpit.
3 As Pete closes the figure-four on Rick’s arm by holding onto his right wrist, Rick slips his free arm under Pete’s body to start his escape.
4 Rick bridges and starts to turn to his knees.
5 Rick takes a front headlock, completing his escape into a dominant position.
THE STEP-OVER KIMURA
Here’s the inescapable variation. Whereas the standard cross-body kimura leaves some room for an opponent to maneuver, stepping over the head after securing the figure-four grip significantly increases your control over the opponent.
1 Pete has Rick in side control and has isolated the far wrist with his right hand.
2 Pete twists the wrist and drives it towards his other hand which has been threaded under Rick’s armpit.
3 Pete closes the figure-four grip by holding onto his right wrist.
4 Pete steps over Rick’s head, trapping the head and near arm together thereby making it very difficult for Rick to escape.
5 Pete forces Rick onto his side and squeezes his knees together.
6 Pete twists Rick’s arm towards his neck to get the tap.
...
