Issue 068
October 2010
Peter Irving is a professional welterweight fighter and has been Fighters Only’s resident fight expert for the last three years. Irving has fought in Europe and the USA and coaches fighters in London.
Posture
The bottom man’s goal is to break down the man on top’s posture and keep him close, taking away any space he may have to strike down at him. Keeping your head high avoids getting tied up by the bottom man and puts you out of danger of submissions such as the guillotine, armlock and triangle.
Hand position
When on top it’s important to control the bottom man and not allow him to dictate the action. By placing your hands on his upper arms you limit the bottom man’s gripping capability, and take away his ability to attack for submissions or defend against punches. The elbows should be kept in tight against the body at all times to stop the bottom man from attacking for triangles or armbars with his legs.
Base
To avoid getting swept your hips should be low, with heels touching butt. The lower the hips, the more solid and stable your position.
The closed guard is one of the most iconic and important positions in MMA. When Royce Gracie first rocked it in early UFC events, nobody understood how a man on his back could be just as effective in a fight as the man on top. Jiu-jitsu techniques are now common knowledge, and every fighter can use the closed guard to defend themselves and launch a counterattack.
When mounting an offense from inside the guard, it’s imperative that you don’t allow yourself to fall into your opponent’s trap.
Opening the closed guard
1 Pete is in Ash’s closed guard. He keeps a good high posture and has his base low with his butt on his heels. Pete is controlling Ash’s biceps, limiting his grips. Pete’s elbows are tight against Ash’s hips, limiting his hip movement.
2 Pete stands up with a split stance to avoid being swept. Pete grips Ash’s hip and leg tight on the lead leg side, stopping Ash from transitioning to the open guard.
3 Pete uses his elbow on the knee and levers the back leg down, driving his knee through Ash’s legs.
4 Pete slides his knee over Ash’s leg, pinning it to the mat. Pete grasps the lead leg and holds it tight, bringing the knee into his chest. From here Pete can execute a pass on either side.
Ground ‘n’ pound from inside the closed guard
1 Pete is in Ash’s closed guard. Ash is holding Pete’s posture down with a grip on the back of his neck and preventing Pete from punching with his left hand by holding the wrist.
2 Pete retracts his right arm, keeping his elbow tight to Ash’s body...
3 ...and throws a short shot to the body.
4 Pete follows with a strike to the head.
5 Pete pushes his arm back to inside control to avoid leaving the arm in a vulnerable position.
6 Under the threat of more punches, Ash elects to control Pete’s wrist.
7 Pete steps up his power leg and primes his elbow.
8 Pete drops his knee back to the mat and simultaneously drops an elbow to the face.
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