Issue 113

Kenny Johnson is one of the most esteemed wrestling coaches in MMA. Noted for his work with BJ Penn, he’s also taught Anderson Silva and was Team Nogueira’s wrestling guru on The Ultimate Fighter. Here he and Pedro Munhoz present wrestling techniques for MMA, in this case the Sprawl.

SKILL: SPRAWL, HEAD ON THE OUTSIDE

1. As Kenny steps in and throws the jab, Pedro is going to lower his level and shoot a single- or double-leg takedown with his head on the outside under the jab. All wrestlers are going to use this timing to set up their shots.

NOTE: The next three frames are broken into steps for teaching purposes but are executed simultaneously.

2. Kenny is going to immediately start lowering his level and use the hand closest to Pedro’s head to stuff Pedro’s head down. Kenny uses his opposite hand to secure a shallow whizzer.

3. Opposite view of frame two.

4. Kenny is going to sprawl his legs back hard and put his weight on Pedro’s head with his hips while continuing to stuff the head under his chest.

5. Kenny is going to square his hips and continue to sprawl. Kenny is going to put his right arm between his body and Pedro’s and grab Pedro’s chin, setting up his front headlock.

6. The sprawl is complete when Pedro’s hands are no longer touching Kenny’s legs and Kenny’s shoulder (of the hand he is holding the chin) is between Pedro’s shoulder blades pressuring him backwards while controlling his arm above the elbow. Kenny’s chin is tucked in the crux of Pedro’s armpit to protect his neck and add another level of control. Kenny will now look to transition to the next position.

Pro tip: The perfect headlock position consists of Kenny’s hand only chin deep. The elbow on the side in which the hand is holding the chin is tight and up so Pedro cannot grab it and Kenny’s shoulder is between Pedro’s shoulder blades pressuring Pedro backwards. His left arm is controlling Pedro’s arm just above the elbow.

7. Opposite view of frame six.