It’s Wednesday and time for another MMA Gospel Technique of the Week. Feeding off of last week’s Hip Escape to Underhook Sweep from Mount, Ed Perdomo and Johnny Rodriguez return to demonstrate the next step in the chain: an Inverted Gi-Less Clock Choke. The Clock Choke is a type of head and arm choke normally performed from the turtle position almost as the exact opposite of of an Anaconda Choke. This version finds the opponent on his back under head and arm control. It is quick, efficient, and often overlooked defensively because a failure means a total loss of control over position.
As Ed finishes the sweep, he still has control over Johnny’s outside arm at the shoulder with his underhook. Ed moves immediately to set the choke before Johnny has a chance to work against his position. He starts by feeding his underhook deeper under Johnny’s shoulder and pressing his chest against the side of Johnny’s head (LEFT).
With Johnny’s head and arm trapped, Ed positions himself for the choke. Ed grabs his wrist with his free hand and hugs Johnny’s arm and head tight to his chest. Next, Ed sits out to his low hip and kicks his leg through into head and arm position (RIGHT).
Now that he has obtained the proper position, Ed finishes the choke. All that is needed to compress Johnny’s head and arm and finish the choke is for Ed to lean back into Johnny’s chest and hug his arm tight into his chest (LEFT). This effectively cuts off the supply of blood to Johnny’s brain, causing the tap or unconsciousness.
Recap:
- As you finish the sweep, feed your underhook as deep as possible behind your opponent’s shoulder.
- Compress your opponent’s head and arm with your chest.
- Sit out to your back hip and kick your leg through past your opponent’s head as you use your free hand to grab your own wrist.
- Hug your opponent tight to your chest and lean back into their chest to finish the choke.
This technique is extremely simple and quick to execute, making it a perfect way to get a quick finish following the sweep. Next week, Ed will explore a submission that can be done more slowly without sacrificing position should the opponent manage to get set in bottom position or free their shoulder before he is able to secure the choke.
*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, Illinois.
