Issue 176

March 2019

Bait your opponent, then use their momentum to drop them to the mat for some ground ‘n’ pound.

Greg Jackson with John Dodson. The most in-demand coach in MMA. His star students include Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones

1: Greg and John are in the neutral 50/50 clinch position. Each has an overhook with one arm and an underhook with the other, and must advance position to mount any offense.

2: Greg creates space by bumping John with his left shoulder, then removes his underhook and changes his hand position to the back of John’s neck, creating a frame with his hand and his forearm.

3: Greg uses his frame to push John back. This stops him from attacking and creates distance for Greg to attack.

4: John’s natural reaction to being pushed backwards is to resist and push forwards, so Greg prepares to counter.

5: Greg uses John’s forward momentum to his advantage, by snapping John down into a front headlock position.

6: Greg steps back and drops to a knee while keeping a tight hold on John’s neck, which forces him onto all fours.

7: Greg limits John’s movement by using his arm to block his hip. This allows Greg to advance his position.

8: Keeping the hip blocked, so John can’t turn, Greg can now throw strikes with his free hand to score points or try to finish.

TOP TIPS

AMATEUR:

Keep your knees slightly bent and back straight in the clinch to prevent your opponent from throwing you around.

SEMI-PRO:

When in the clinch, you can throw knees and short elbows to create openings for transitions.

PROFESSIONAL:

You can also throw knees or attempt a choke submission from the front headlock position (5), but these are riskier and easier for your opponent to counter.