Wrestling Takedowns For MMA: Knowing the basics of wrestling is essential at this stage in the development of mixed martial arts. Many would even go so far as to claim that the greatest foundation for mixed martial arts is wrestling. The likelihood of success in the cage increases with your level of wrestling proficiency.
Naturally, the days of the cage being dominated by one-dimensional warriors are long gone. There’s a reason mixed martial arts is named that: combatants who lack proficiency in any area of fighting are more likely to suffer.
The ability to fight anyplace is a significant advantage for wrestlers over other fighting techniques, and it works well with the point system now used to score MMA matches. Most people assume that the fighter leading is the one in control of the action.
Wrestlers may choose battles where they have the best chance of winning since they can decide where the bout will take place. They are able to take down and subdue their opponent on the ground when facing off against a skilled striker. When facing a cunning BJJ player, they might utilise their wrestling prowess to compel a stand-up fight.
The main goal of this article is to highlight takedowns that have been successfully executed inside a cage. You will become a more formidable opponent if you include these in your toolbox. These four wrestling takedowns are essential for any MMA fighter to know.
4 Wrestling Takedowns For MMA Every Fighter Should Know
1) Double Leg Takedown
In MMA, the double leg takedown is a useful technique. When executed correctly, it turns the opponent’s momentum against them and is exceedingly difficult to counter. The secret to pulling off a double leg is to timing the forward momentum of your opponent. The person finds it more difficult to bring their legs and hips back as a result.
In order to do a double leg takedown, drop into a fighting stance, bend your knees, and shoot for the takedown by pushing forward with your rear leg. Squeeze your opponent’s legs together by grabbing them around the thighs. Pull your rear leg in the direction of your opponent’s outer leg, keep your head pressed firmly into their body, and push them to the ground.
Defying The Double Leg Takedown
Always keep in mind that if you expose your neck during a double leg takedown, your opponent may attempt a guillotine choke. For instance, veteran UFC fighter Charles Oliveira has used guillotine chokes to punish several opponents for careless takedown attempts.
One strategy to counter a double leg takedown is to sprawl, timing a shot correctly (knees are superb), or move away from the opponent.
You might also be interested in reading this: Use These 5 Wrestling Techniques In BJJ
2) Takedown with Body Lock
Because clinching plays such a large role in mixed martial arts, body lock takedowns are a typical occurrence inside the cage. In general, it’s simpler to close a deal with someone than to charge in for the kill. Shooting in puts you at risk for knees and chokes.
Using the body lock takedown is frequently a safer tactic. Applying this strategy starts with hammering up to double underhooks.
The simplest technique to finish a takedown after you have double underhooks is to pull in your opponent’s lower back and push forward, keeping your head on their chest. At the greatest levels, this technique is quite basic and frequently utilised.
To finish the takedown, you can alternatively toss your opponent to the ground after lifting them into the air.
Defying The Takedown With Body Lock
The most crucial aspect of defence against a body lock takedown is positioning. You never want to be satisfied with someone having a physical restraint on you. If your opponent sets one, you want to use hand fighting or pummeling to break the lock.
3) Single Leg Takedown
Each and every MMA fighter should be familiar with this takedown. It’s simple to pick up, and in most fights, you get plenty of chances to seize one of your opponent’s legs. It is also a useful technique to use once a double leg takedown attempt goes awry. Even if your opponent sprawls and tries to remove one leg, you still have the other leg to finish the takedown.
The basic idea behind a single leg takedown is to separate one of your opponent’s legs and draw their centre of gravity in the direction of the leg you are gripping.
Defying The Single Leg Takedown
Similar to the double leg takedown, a single leg takedown can be resisted with elbows to the head or a knee with the free leg, as well as with a variety of chokes. Sure, it’s a risky move to throw a knee with your spare leg when your opponent tries to knock you down with just one leg, but it may work wonders. At EliteXC: Street Certified, Yves Edwards utilised it to counter a single-leg takedown and finish Edson Berto.
4) Outside Foot Sweep
In mixed martial arts, sweeps are quite common because they are low-risk, high-reward tactics. Although there are many different kinds of sweeps, all sweeps operate on the same concept. From the clinch, you continuously push and pull to throw off your opponent’s balance, and then you utilise a foot to weaken their foundation. Your opponent collapses as a result of losing their equilibrium.
Judo-trained MMA fighters frequently employ sweeps. A notable example of an MMA fighter who frequently used sweeps to take down opponents is Yoshihiro Akiyama.
Defying Outside Foot Sweep
The greatest defence against a foot sweep is to predict your opponent’s movements and respond accordingly. Another option is to retaliate with a sweep of your own.
Your ability to control the location of a conflict will increase if you are familiar with the preceding strategies. Both your takedowns and your defence against them will get better as a result. Training with proficient sparring partners on a regular basis might also help you get better at wrestling.
