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.

Clinch To Throw By Knee Tap

1. Kenny (left) starts in a solid, controlled clinch position. 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 (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 uses his underhook to pull Matt around his planted right leg, changing direction 180 degrees (at the same time pushing with the other arm) creating an angle and forcing Matt to step off balance.

3. Simultaneously, Kenny drops straight down to his right creating an angle, drives his underhook hand to the ceiling, traps the knee with his left hand and starts driving with legs and hips keeping his head up and back straight.

4. Reverse angle. Note Kenny’s arm stays high in Matt’s armpit keeping his body off balance.

5. Kenny continues to explode through Matt keeping his knee trapped.

6. Kenny drives Matt to the ground looking to keep Matt on his back.