Issue 166

April 2018

How to succeed with a leg lock against a grappler who knows how to protect themselves.

Ricky Lundell is a BJJ black belt and NCAA Division wrestling prodigy and presents his MMA leglock masterclass with Bellator heavyweight Frank Mir.

1: Though he’s in top position, Ricky has to react as Frank sits up in half guard to try to attack or sweep.

2: Ricky passes his arm over Frank’s head and posts it onto the mat in front of him.

3: Taking a back step with his outer leg, Ricky is perpendicular to Frank so he’s in position to attack his leg.

4: Frank triangles his legs to block Ricky’s attack as he sits down and grabs Frank’s left leg.

5: Ricky puts his left knee underneath Frank’s leg and catches Frank’s shin with his left hand.

6: By posting his right arm on the mat, Ricky gives himself leverage to cut the corner to move in-line with Frank.

7: Ricky wraps his right arm over Frank’s right foot (now on the left) and under his left ankle.

8: With his foot on Frank’s hip, Ricky takes a gable grip and cranks the hold to get the tap.

TOP TIPS

WHITE BELT

If you want to keep your opponent in half guard, try and flatten them and establish an underhook or crossface position.

PURPLE BELT

If your opponent’s far leg is facing you, you can also grab that to do a basic Achilles lock.

BLACK BELT

You can isolate one leg and attack with a kneebar if your opponent doesn’t triangle their legs.