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UFC on ESPN 48 - Getting a Leg up on Defense

UFC on ESPN 48 - Getting a Leg up on Defense

500 Fighting Words about how to be better at knee bars

William
July 3rd, 2023

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500 Fighting Words is an ongoing series where we discuss one technique, fighter, or theme in 500 words, or less.

Leg Locks Take Two to Finish

UFC on ESPN 48 over performed. The card lacked star power but some interesting fighters that have been flying under the radar provided excellent action. Among the exciting finishes from the card was Joanderson Brito blasting Westin Wilson out in the first.

Wilson was getting battered on the feet early. When the fight went to the ground it was more of the same before Wilson attacked a knee bar beneath Brito. Not a terrible plan outright as the submission threat forced Brito to stop what he was doing and address the attack. When Brito began addressing Wilson’s leg lock, Wilson did not do anything to prevent Brito’s first line of defense, nor did he use the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Wilson has committed to the knee bar

Brito uses his free leg to push on Wilson’s legs allowing him to elevate his hips, move his leg, and alleviate pressure

Brito puts the leg behind him to build his base and begin striking

Brito hits too hard and Wilson loses control of the submission

_{Joanderson Brito vs. Westin Wilson}

Brito would end the fight with ground and pound shortly after.

Need Better Knee Bar Mechanics

Previously we examined the idea that leg locks and guard play doesn’t work in MMA. The argument is that attempting the techniques puts you at undue risk. That argument ignores the fact that using the techniques correctly actually provides you with momentary safety if not an immediate submission win. Worse comes to worst, you should be able to use the newfound space to stand-up. You can read more here.

With knee bars in particular we have recently seen fighters simply eat the submission while hitting their opponent and waiting to escape.

Filho has a knee bar fully extended

Mokaev is eating the submission while using his free leg to push on Filho’s grip and open the lock

Mokaev pushes on Filho’s butt and legs to make space and escape as Filho tries to adjust

_{Muhammad Mokaev vs Jafel Filho}

Please don’t eat any submissions this tight in practice

In leg lock terminology you hear people say the words primary leg to refer to the leg being attacked and secondary leg to refer to the free leg. The secondary leg is where all of the defensive posturing and standing can come from. To not address the secondary leg in an MMA fight is a suicide mission, as evidenced by Wilson above. With knee bars specifically there are several maneuvers you can take to address the secondary leg.

You can grab the secondary leg and lock your legs over it.

On top you can also back step and pull the secondary leg into your armpit to secure it.

Notice that Lachlan Giles’s partner escapes when Giles lets the leg go.

Alternatively you can just sit on the secondary leg from back step.

We’ll talk more about leg locking configurations in the future. Today we’re already at 500 words.