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.

Stop The Clinch

1. Kenny has Matt in the clinch. Kenny has a solid-centered base without leaning. He has a deep underhook, his shoulder is slightly below Matt’s shoulder and his right leg (the same-side leg as the underhook) is in the middle of Matt’s legs controlling the center. Kenny’s hand is open wide in the crux of Matt’s arm and Kenny’s elbow is tight to his side.

2. Kenny closes up his hand and elbow position even tighter thus stopping the clinch.

Clinch To Inside Trip

1. Kenny starts in a solid, controlled clinch position.

2. Here is the clinch from a reverse angle. Note the deep, controlling underhook.

3. Kenny drives Matt back (not leaning), keeping a good position to start his set up.

4. When Kenny feels Matt pressure back, Kenny uses his underhook to pull Matt around his planted right leg (at the same time pushing with the other arm) creating an angle and forcing Matt to step off balance. 

5. As Matt steps around Kenny’s planted leg, Kenny turns his right hip towards Matt, shoots his right leg in and curls it around Matt’s leg. Kenny then slides down to the ankle while squaring his hips up, pressuring forward and securing a solid, tight double-leg.

6. Here is the reverse angle from a slightly earlier position for leg, head, arm and body position reference. Note, as Kenny shoots the leg in he drives off the back leg keeping forward pressure.

7. Kenny finishes the move driving through Matt with his chest and scooping Matt’s foot with his leg. Kenny ensures to maintain forward pressure once on his knees.