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.

He and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes present wrestling techniques for MMA.

Front Headlock Go Behind: Push then Pull

1: Kenny has Matt in a front headlock.

FINE POINT: The perfect headlock position consists of Kenny’s hand just chin deep. The elbow on the side in which the hand is holding the chin is tight and up, so Matt cannot grab it and Kenny’s shoulder is between Matt’s shoulder blades covering Matt’s head with his chest.

The other hand controls Matt’s tricep.

2: Kenny pushes into Matt so his butt goes to his heels, coiling Matt’s body like a spring.

3. When Kenny feels Matt pressure towards him he pulls Matt past him on an angle using Matt’s forward pressure to forcefully uncoil the spring. Kenny guides Matt’s arm and head away from him as he hits the corner so Matt cannot grab his leg.

4. Kenny finishes the takedown by going behind Matt reaching his left hand deep inside Matt’s thigh (called a crotch pry) to control Matt’s hips. With his right hand he cross faces Matt and controls the near wrist. Do not reach your left hand around the waist. You will get countered!

Front Headlock Go Behind: Pull, Pull

1. Kenny has Matt in a front headlock.

2. Kenny pulls Matt toward him taking Matt off his base.

3. Kenny pulls Matt forward again to get Matt’s weight forward on his hands and also to stretch Matt’s body out. This takes Matt completely out of position.

4. Directly after a pull, Kenny slingshots around Matt looking to go behind and score the takedown.

5. Kenny finishes the takedown by going behind Matt reaching his left hand deep inside Matt’s thigh (called a crotch pry) to control Matt’s hips. With his right hand he cross faces Matt and controls the near wrist. Again, do not reach your left hand around the waist. You will get countered!