Last week, Ed Perdomo and Ben Ordonez worked from the mount with a basic escape to side mount followed by a sweep. In continuing the line from that sweep, MMA Gospel’s Technique of the Week will now move on to a trio of submissions that flow directly from that sweep, starting with this week’s Inverted Armbar. This Armbar is a quick transition that can end a fight very quickly, especially if the opponent is caught off guard by the sweep.
As soon as Ed completes the sweep from last week’s mount escape he moves immediately to secure the Inverted Armbar position. He must move quickly and seamlessly to the submission as it is a high risk move to go straight for the submission rather than establish mount or side mount first. Ed begins by using his top hand to control Ben’s wrist as he pushes Ben’s head away with his bottom hand (LEFT). Ed will also bring his top leg across Ben’s shoulders as soon as possible to prevent him from rolling into the technique.
Once he has control, Ed’s first priority is to get into position for the Inverted Armbar itself. To do this, he brings his top leg over and behind Ben’s head and squeezes his knees around Ben’s elbow (RIGHT). Ed will then straighten the arm by taking wrist control on Ben with both hands.
With his position secure, Ed is now free to finish the submission and the fight. He pulls Ben’s wrist tight to his chest, turns Ben’s thumb away from his chest, squeezes tight with his knees, and extends his hips (LEFT). Ed also keeps the shin of his bottom leg braced against Ben’s ribs to help prevent him from rolling easily. Even should Ben manage to roll, Ed can easily dislocate his elbow if the lock is tight or he can simply roll with Ben to finish the Armbar in a different position.
Recap:
- As soon as you finish your sweep, take control of your opponent’s wrist with your top hand, push their head with your bottom hand, and swing your top leg across their shoulders.
- Pass your top leg over and behind your opponent’s head.
- Squeeze your knees around your opponent’s elbow and take control of their wrist with both hands.
- Turn your opponent’s thumb away from your chest.
- Pull your opponent’s wrist tight to your chest and extend your hips to finish the hold.
Though risky, this Inverted Armbar is an extremely tight and damaging lock that can very quickly end a fight. It also flows very naturally from the sweep with practice and can be taken so quickly that an opponent caught looking to block a mount pass has very little chance to respond before it is too late and the arm is isolated. Next week, MMA Gospel will move into mount and explore other set-ups that are possible off this sweep.
*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.
