Issue 079
September 2011
Pete Irving is a professional welterweight fighter and Fighters Only’s resident fight expert.
One of the most feared positions in MMA needn’t culminate in a horror-film finish with these evasive maneuvers
Highly rewarded on the points scale in BJJ and submission wrestling, the mount is arguably the most dominant position in ground grappling, and although it offers a relatively narrow scope for submissions, the potential for ground ‘n’ pound in MMA is enormous. Not so long ago, in the days of style vs style challenge matches, once a fighter was mounted the fight was as good as over. It is essential that mount escapes are executed quickly, before the top man is able to properly establish the mount pressure.
HIP HEIST
The key to an effective hip-heist is to take yourself out from beneath the opponents weight, rather than trying to throw their weight over.
1 Jaron (top position) has Pete under the mount. Pete is bodylocking Jaron to prevent him from posturing up to punch or elbow.
2 Pete braces Jaron’s knee and hips out to create space.
3 In the critical part of the maneuver, and the most difficult part, Pete builds his base on his elbow whilst maintaining a tight seatbelt on Jaron’s waist.
4 With his right foot planted firmly on the mat, Pete hip-heists, taking his bottom leg out from beneath Jaron, elevating Jaron’s hips and leaving all his weight on the near knee.
5 Pete picks Jaron’s knee.
6 Pete drives forward to finish the takedown, putting his knee back on the mat, blocking Jaron’s hip and establishing the cross-body pin.
ANKLE SLIDE TO HALF GUARD
1 Pete is mounted by Jaron and is using a bodylock to hold his posture down.
2 Pete slides his near-leg flat and twists his hips to the side.
3 Pete collects Jaron’s ankle by stepping the far leg over.
4 Pete slides his far leg back over the near leg, dragging Jaron’s ankle into a shallow half guard.
5 Pete braces Jaron’s knee with his hand and brings the near leg under Jaron’s leg.
6 Pete hips out to the near side and closes his legs around the upper leg in a traditional half guard.
7 Pete drives his underhook deep, ready to attack for the sweep or take the back.
ESCAPING THE HIGH MOUNT
Using the legs in this fashion requires a high degree of flexibility in the hips and lower back, providing opportunities to attempt another escape.
1 This time Jaron has achieved a high mount, knees up in Pete’s armpits, and is postured up to strike.
2 Pete throws his legs under Jaron’s armpits as he lifts his elbows to punch, wrapping his legs around his chest.
3 Pete pushes up with his hips. Two things can happen depending on how heavily Jaron’s base is set. Either Jaron will remain static and Pete slides out from underneath (the back door escape) or, as seen here, Jaron is pushed off the mount.
4 As Jaron lands on his back Pete underhooks the near leg.
5 Keeping the leg tight, Pete comes to his knees.
6 Pete circles around, making the traditional guard pass.
7 Pete completes the pass, establishing his pin and commencing his attack from top.
CLASSIC BRIDGE ESCAPE
Sometimes known as the upa, the bridge is the standard escape, which even if unsuccessful will momentarily halt the top man’s attack and create opportunities to attempt another escape.
1 Jaron is mounted and throwing down punches on Pete.
2 Pete bucks his hips, forcing Jaron to post his hand on the mat.
3 Pete grabs a bodylock, forcing Jaron’s arm to his side, eliminating Jaron’s ability to base out again on the near side.
4 Pete brings his feet as close as he can to his butt and bridges his hips as high as possible.
5 Pete rolls Jaron over and lands in the closed guard.
6 Pete quickly corrects his hand position, establishing inside controls by placing his hands above Jaron’s armpits and locking his elbows to his side.
