Today I was drilling some basic pummelling while being pushed onto the cage wall and wanted to provide some video resources about fighting off the cage, or using the cage to one’s advantage. Pay special attention to how the fighters use their balance, grips and base (hips, legs, and foot placement) to achieve their results.
Click through the pictures to see the videos.
Razor Rob shows how to nerf (obviate) the underhook when being pushed up against the cage and perform a sit-down takedown to get into side control.
Our local Brandon Ruiz shows some cage work defense with two techniques: a chest punch to get back your underhook and a slick two-on-one (controlling their two arms with one of yours) control to get your back off the cage.
UFC champ Frankie Edgar shows how to cut off the movement of your opponent and keep them on the cage with this drill.
Adam “Soul Horse” Song from Cageside MMA shows the proper base and pressuring technique to keep your opponent on the wall. He also demonstrates how to knee, footstomp, etc from this position. The discussion of how to base is brief, but essential.
Revolution MMA’s Joel Gerson shows a foot-sweep type move that exploits the opponent’s balance and base.
A couple of guys from ProFightNetwork show a knee catch takedown from the cage – keep that head tucked! – and then follow up with some excellent instruction on ground and pound.
Kenny Florian shows defense against ground and pound by securing a grip (two on one is great) and then wall walking back to his feet. The move is related to a turkish getup.
Kevin Kearns (Burn with Kearns!) and Marcus Davis show a similar drill, the cage crush, that help you work getting back to your feet. Bosu ball used for resistance.
Another local man, Brian Yamasaki from DamageControl MMA has his wrestling buddy, Dave Seljestad show a single leg takedown when you’re pressing your opponent up to the cage.
Some guys from The Pit show various techniques in this long (12 mins) video instruction, including tips on finishing the double leg takedown while pushing your opponent onto the fence.
Brad Daddis shows how you can escape side control by walking your feet up the cage and rolling your opponent over. Pretty slick move.
Let me know if your thoughts – I learned a ton from these vids and would love to learn what you might have to offer too!
We were working on some body locks and positioning last night at the U and we went over this counter to the double leg takedown. In a sense, its not a counter to the double leg takedown because you are still going to the ground. It’s a “make the best of things” type counter. The guy gets in too deep, too fast to sprawl; its too late to stop him for taking you for a ride. Best case scenario is that you get to pick the destination. Video below shows Utah local, Brian Yamasaki teaching the move.
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I remember seeing Dan Henderson use something like this in his fight against Jake Shields. He wasn’t able to roll Jake, but kept his hips from getting sucked underneath and got his legs to the side and then to freedom with his belly down.
I love MMA enough that can’t help but watch The Ultimate Fighter. I love to see how different guys train and try to pick up their methods. I’m sure that lots of good instruction is hidden away from us viewers, but I still see little gems come out.
In TUF S13 E3, one theme came to mind: Takedowns from the cage.
In the fight between Michael Johnson vs Aaron Wilkinson, you hear GSP in the background giving some great advice. When Aaron has pushed Michael to the cage, working for the takedown, George tells him to control the wrist and keep Aaron from locking his hands together.
Additionally, you hear GSP instructing Johnson to spread his legs to widen his base.
Aaron Wilkinson was doing a great job with his single-to-double leg on the cage takedown. When he could secure his grip, he was able to cinch Michael’s legs together and finish the takedown.
So, a few takeaway tips:
Bottom line, grips matter when you are taking a guy to the Mat. Lock your hands up quickly. (You see Koscheck explain the importance of the gable grip when you are working for the single leg in episode 2)
When a guy has pushed you up against the cage, working for the takedown, control the wrist and prevent him from sealing up his grip. If he’s got the hands locked, you need to spread your legs and drop down your base. In the above pic, you see how the lasso Aaron has created is behind the knee; you need to get this lasso up higher on your hamstrings or your legs will get pulled together.
When you can, pummel your hands under your opponents arms so you can flip around and push him to the cage.
So the burning question is this – is it “takedowns” or “take downs”? I’m not a grammar snob, and I’m into evolving language so I naturally think “takedown” is the winner, despite my spell checker’s evil red underlines. Anyway, I just heard that Quinton Rampage Jackson hurt his knee, so for UFC 98 it will be Lyoto Machida vs Rashad Evans.
I think it’ll be a great fight; Machida is a defensive mastermind and smooth operator, while Rashad is a young, explosive buck with strong wrestling. Both guys have focused, accurate striking.
I expect that Rashad’s camp will be trying to concoct a specific strategy for Machida – tie him up, push him to the cage, rough him up a bit – or maybe try to just it to the ground. Whatever the case, I suspect that a deciding factor in the fight will be who can pull off takedowns or sweeps, and who can’t.
Above there are two video’s, one of Shogun defending the double underhooks and subsequent throws, the other of Yves Edward showing how to defend the single leg takedown.
Below is a link to John Hackleman teaching about takedown defense via lateral movement, striking etc. Remember that John is one of Chuck Liddell ‘s trainers, and the Iceman has great takedown defense.
For the above, it’s important to get your hips under your opponent’s center of gravity. Your knees should be bent, your butt pushing right up into the hips. To pick him up, you straighten your legs and NOT lift with your back. You need to lift him up, getting his center of gravity disconnected from the ground.
Leg Lifter
For this one, it still hold true from the first video – lift his center of gravity, but you are now doing it with your leg. This move requires some grace that only comes through practice.
Combo Example
You see a lot of stuff going on here – good overhook control and a fine attempt at the leg lifter throw. When it doesn’t quite takedown the opponent, Nogueira hits him with an ankle pick and sends him to the ground. Also of note, watch how quickly Nogueira moves into side control. Get in the habit of always pushing for side control the moment your takedowns are initiated. Never hang out after you hit the mat, you’ll get sucked into your opponents guard.
