MMA Gospel’s Technique of the Week returns this week with the end of the three move chain that started with a simple outside leg trip takedown. This week, Hapkido master Ed Perdomo and his assistant Johnny Rodriguez demonstrate an armbar submission from back control, using Johnny’s defense against last weeks rear naked choke as the set up. As with every move in our Technique of the Week chains, the move this week is directly influenced by the technique covered in the previous weeks article. Here at MMA Gospel, we are dedicated to building better fighters and a more informed fan base through detailed descriptions of how the techniques we see in the cage work.
After securing back control, Johnny and Ed fall into the inevitable battle for hand position. Ed tries to close the choke and Johnny constantly pulls Ed's wrist down in order to prevent him from finishing. Ed uses this against Johnny by making a rapid change from working for the choke to moving to over-hook Johnny's arm. Johnny's resistance to the choke actually assists Ed in obtaining control of the arm.
With the arm secured by the over-hook, Ed creates space by pushing Johnny's head up and away as he pivots on his hips toward his over-hook. Notice that Ed maintains tight control over both Johnny's head and his arm the entire time.
Ed switches the direction of the pressure he applies against Johnny's head. This uses Johnny's resistance against him again as he pushes his head back towards the mat and Ed swings his leg over Johnny's head and isolates the arm. Most importantly, Ed maintains constant control over Johnny's arm, preventing him from rolling out of the armbar.
Ed scoots his hips out from underneath Johnny and turns onto his side. He continues to maintain control of Johnny's arm and head.
Now in position for the armbar, Ed slides his over-hooking hand up Johnny's arm to control the wrist along with his free hand. He also squeezes him knees together WITHOUT crossing his feet in order to trap and elevate the arm.
To finish the submission, Ed turns Johnny's thumb away from his body and extends his hips to elicit the tap.
Recap:
- Use your opponent’s defense against him by using his resistance to the choke to easily secure an over-hook.
- Create space by pushing your opponent’s head up and away from you with your free hand.
- Spin on your hips underneath your opponent towards your over-hook.
- Release the pressure against your opponent’s head to create the opening to bring your outside leg arounnd your opponent’s head.
- Once you have established the position, clench your knees together without crossing your feet and move both hands to wrist control.
- Turn your opponents thumb away from you and extend your hips.
This completes the current three technique arch of MMA Gospels Technique of the Week. Next week, MMA Gospel will bring the readers a new set of grappling techniques courtesy of Ed Perdomo, Johnny Rodriguez, and the Hapkido Institute.
*Ed Perdomo is a 4th degree black belt in the Korean grappling art of Hapkido and is head instructor of the Hapkido Institute in Morris, IL.
