MMA Gospel’s Technique of the Week returns with three new grappling techniques for the continued education of our readers. Ed Perdomo and Johnny Rodriguez have chosen to focus this arc on countering the rear clinch by preventing the Suplex or Rear Drag takedown and turning it into an opportunity for a fight-ending submission following the resulting scramble. The first technique that will be explored is the defense of the Suplex itself followed by a Kimura from the half guard position.
Ed finds himself in a bad place following a scramble against the fence or a bad striking exchange – Johnny has taken his back and set up for a Suplex or Rear Drag takedown. Ed must act quickly to avoid being taken down with Johnny on his back. He begins by controlling one of Johnny’s wrists with both hands and dropping his weight straight down as if doing a squat (LEFT). This prevents Johnny from getting his weight under Ed in order to lift him off-balance.
Ed then fires an elbow or two backwards into Johnny’s head on the same side as the wrist he is controlling (RIGHT). This will loosen Johnny’s hold on Ed’s waist as well as force him to turn his head away from where Ed is working in order to prevent further punishment.
As soon as Johnny’s grip breaks, Ed moves to escape. He starts by turning into Johnny, towards the wrist he has control of. As he does this, Ed feeds the hand he used to elbow Johnny under Johnny’s forearm to grip his own wrist, framing a Kimura (LEFT).
As he turns, Ed sits to his outside hip to pull Johnny down into his half guard (RIGHT). He keeps tight control of the arm he has isolated and pulls the wrist to the outside of Johnny’s knee to prevent him from grabbing his own shorts or otherwise blocking the Kimura. Ed also feeds his inside leg between Johnny’s feet to ensure he has the position to lock in his half guard.
As soon as possible, Ed traps Johnny’s leg in his half guard by wrapping his outside leg over Johnny’s hamstring and locking his foot under his inside leg. Ed then finishes the Kimura by twisting Johnny’s arm back in an effort to put Johnny’s palm against the back of his head (LEFT).
Recap:
- Control one of your opponent’s wrists with both hands and drop your hips.
- Fire a few reverse elbows on the side you are controlling to loosen the hold on your waist.
- Turn into the arm you are controlling and lock your opponent’s arm in a Kimura frame.
- Sit to your outside hip to pull your opponent into half guard.
- Lock your half guard and torque your opponent’s arm behind their back to finish the Kimura shoulder lock.
This Kimura is a common yet effective way to escape a back clinch situation. It is also one that is commonly botched by attempting to force the controlled arm up and behind the opponent prior to sitting back into half guard. It is a very basic technique that can take control of the fight away from the opponent if not end the fight when done correctly. Next week, Ed Perdomo will explore other options for submissions should you lose the Kimura in the process of the scramble.
*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.
