Cage to Submission: MMA Grappling Flow

Chaining takedowns into dominant positions while keeping ground and pound in mind. From standing exchanges to back control, mount, and leg entanglements.

Flow outline

  1. Grappling Industries 30th April 2022

    • When it happens, starting point - where test these chains against live resistance. is where feel cage at back and opponent's pressure

  2. Standing Arm Drag

    • From here, initiate clinch with an arm drag from standing. control wrist and pull them across your body, setting up back takes or takedowns

  3. Gives Back

    • Quick note: Opponent exposes their back during arm drag attempt. is your opening to secure back control or take them down to mat

  4. Defends Arm Drag Repeatedly

    • Most of the time Opponent defends arm drag by keeping their arms tight. Time to switch to leg attacks or guard pulls to bring fight to mat. Angle matters

  5. Double Leg Takedown

    • Usually Shoot for double leg when arm drag is defended. Drive through with your head to outside, controlling their hips against cage. Don’t force it

  6. Top Side Control

    • Key detail: when it happens, establish heavy side control after takedown. keep your weight centered, ready to strike or advance to mount. control head and hips

  7. Heavy Sprawl

    • Opponent shoots for a takedown - sprawl hard with your hips down. Use position to land strikes or transition to back control

  8. Top Turtle

    • Once set, if it shows up, from sprawl, secure top turtle position. control their hips and look to flatten them out or take back. be ready for their escapes. timing over strength

  9. Pull DLR With Same Side Wrist Grip

    • If it shows up, From standing, pull guard into De La Riva with a same-side wrist grip. Use to off-balance and set up sweeps or back takes

  10. Deep DLR, Work To The Back

    • From here, establish deep de la riva control and work towards taking back. use dlr hook to control their leg and create angles

  11. Back Control (Hooks)

    • From here, secure back control with both hooks in. control their hips and chest, setting up chokes. keep your head tight to avoid strikes. switch if it stalls

  12. Back Control (Body Triangle)

    • Transition to body triangle for more secure back control. Squeeze with your legs to control their movement and set up choke. Timing over strength

  13. RNC

    • Finish with rear naked choke. Get your arm under chin and squeeze, keeping your head tight to theirs to avoid escapes

  14. Mount

    • Establish full mount position. Control their hips with your knees, ready to strike or set up submissions. Keep your base wide

  15. Americana

    • From mount, attack Americana. Isolate their arm and apply pressure to shoulder joint. Be ready to transition if they defend

  16. Arm Triangle

    • Transition to arm triangle from mount or side control. Use your head pressure to finish choke, keeping your weight heavy

  17. Top Side Mount

    • Establish side mount with heavy pressure. Control their far arm and head, ready to strike or advance to mount. Keep them pinned

  18. Figure Four Grip On Top Arm, Sit Back

    • From side mount, secure a figure four grip on their top arm and sit back. sets up armbars or transitions to back control

  19. Back Control (Hooks)

    • Key detail: often secure back control with both hooks in. control their hips and chest, setting up chokes. keep your head tight to avoid strikes

  20. Shin To Shin

    • When it happens, From seated guard, establish shin-to-shin control. Use to off-balance and set up leg entanglements or sweeps

  21. SLX

    • if it shows up, transition to single leg x-guard. control their leg and use it to sweep or attack leg locks. keep your hips mobile

  22. Back Sweep

    • From here, execute a back sweep from slx. use your legs to off-balance them backwards and come on top. be ready to pass their guard

  23. Straight Ankle Lock

    • When it happens, Attack straight ankle lock from SLX. Control their foot and apply pressure to ankle joint. Keep your hips in tight

  24. Invert Into 50/50

    • From here, if it shows up, from seated guard, invert into 50/50 position. entangle your legs with theirs and look for leg locks or sweeps

  25. Sit Up Into Leg Drag

    • If they frame, often from 50/50, sit up into leg drag position. control their leg and pass to side control. keep pressure on their hips

  26. X Guard

    • Establish X-guard position. Use your legs to control their standing leg and set up sweeps. Keep your hips underneath you

  27. Back Sweep

    • Execute a back sweep from X-guard. Use your legs to off-balance them backwards and come on top. Be ready to pass their guard. Don’t force it

  28. Side Control

    • establish side control position. keep heavy pressure on their chest, ready to strike or advance to mount. control head and hips

  29. Matrix

    • Execute matrix back take from X-guard. Use your legs to spin behind them and take back. Control their hips throughout

Branch conditions