Issue 042
November 2008
The mount is considered by many to be one of the most dominating positions of control in MMA. When in the mount the fighter on top can strike and attack for submissions, while the fighter on bottom has no other options than to defend.
Here are a few basic moves to get your started.
The mount is considered by many to be one of the most dominating positions of control in MMA. When in the mount the fighter on top can strike and attack for submissions, while the fighter on bottom has no other options than to defend.
Here are a few basic moves to get your started.
Striking from the Mount
1) Gunnar is on top and in mount. He pins Matt’s arms down.
2) Using a grip on the wrist, Gunnar positions Matt’s left arm across the body, exposing one side of his face.
3) With the defending arm now removed, Gunnar can strike with his free hand. Note he retains control of Matt’s arm throughout.
4) He can also drop a short elbow to the jaw.
5) In this example, Matt uses a high cover to try and block Gunnar’s punches.
6) Gunnar responds by sliding his hips up and sitting high across Matt’s torso. This makes escape very difficult for Matt.
7) Again, Gunnar uses wrist control to create openings so he can strike to the head.
Foot positioning
Often neglected, a fighter’s foot positioning is very important when in mount.
Here are three ways on maintaining position through correct foot placement.
1) Toes tucked in. This makes it very difficult for the fighter on bottom to move his hips left or right, and if he turns, allows the fighter on top to take the back with good control.
2) Grapevines: The fighter on top hooks his feet around the shins of his opponent. This makes bridging harder for the fighter on bottom.
3) Crossed ankles: A lesser-seen method of control, crossing the ankles underneath the hips can be an effective way of ‘riding’ an opponent.
Forcing an opponent onto his front
1) Gunnar has trapped Matt’s arm across his face and keeps it in place by reaching around the back of the head and holding the wrist. From here he can strike to the face.
2) He pulls on Matt’s arm, forcing Matt to his left side.
3) Still pulling on the arm, Gunnar forces Matt onto his belly.
4) With his heels in Matt’s thighs, Gunnar kicks his feet back and pushes his hips down to the mat, stretching Matt out and making it extremely difficult to escape.
5) If unable to slip the hooks in, Gunnar simply performs a rear-mount in the same fashion as before. From here he can strike to the side of the head with impunity.
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