Getting a handle, or a grip, on your opponent in MMA is not always easy. Here Denis uses an unusual grip both to control his opponent and remove one of his potential weapons from the equation.
 |
Denis starts by pinning his opponent’s right bicep and left wrist to the mat |
|---|---|
 |
Maintaining his grips he suddenly explodes up onto his feet… |
 |
…and passes his opponent’s arm behind his back, to his left hand. Denis now has a great opportunity to either pass the guard or strike his opponent with his free (right) hand. |
 |
Close-up: in NHB there aren’t many solid grips to hold your opponent, but this grip – holding his wrist behind his back – is pretty reliable. |
|
Keeping his behind-the-back grip he now pushes down on the knee with his hand to open the guard… |
 |
…and cross-slides his left knee across the left thigh |
 |
He ends up in side mount with his opponent’s arm still trapped – a great position! |
Other articles and resources of interest
MMA Guard Passing with Denis Kang – an article
MMA Cross Training – a Denis Kang Profile
My MMA with Denis Kang – Instructional DVD