MMA Fundamentals
Core striking, clinch, takedown, and ground techniques — broken down step by step.
Striking
10 techniquesPunches and kicks thrown at range — the foundation of stand-up fighting.
Jab
A quick, straight punch with the lead hand used to gauge distance, set up combinations, and disrupt an opponent's rhythm.
Cross (Straight Right)
A powerful straight punch thrown with the rear hand, generating power from hip and shoulder rotation.
Hook
A curved punch thrown with a bent arm, targeting the side of the head or body.
Uppercut
A vertical, rising punch designed to land under an opponent's guard, often used at close range.
Low Kick
A roundhouse kick to the opponent's lead or rear thigh, used to wear down mobility over a fight.
Body Kick
A roundhouse kick aimed at the ribs or midsection to target the body and slow an opponent's breathing.
Head Kick
A high roundhouse kick targeting the head — high risk, high reward, often used as a fight-ending strike.
Teep (Push Kick)
A straight push kick used to control distance, interrupt an opponent's rhythm, or off-balance them.
Horizontal Elbow
A close-range strike using the point of the elbow, effective for causing cuts and stopping forward pressure.
Straight Knee
A close-range strike driving the knee straight into an opponent's body, commonly used in the clinch.
Clinch
6 techniquesClose-range control used to land strikes or set up a takedown.
Muay Thai Plum (Double Collar Tie)
A dominant clinch position controlling both sides of the opponent's neck, used to land knees and elbows.
Underhooks
Controlling an opponent's clinch by wrapping your arm under theirs, a strong defensive and offensive position.
Overhook (Whizzer)
Wrapping your arm over an opponent's arm to control the clinch and defend against being taken down.
Clinch Knee Strikes
Delivering knee strikes while controlling an opponent in the clinch, a core Muay Thai weapon.
Clinch Elbow Strikes
Short, sharp elbow strikes delivered at extreme close range while controlling an opponent's head or arm.
Breaking the Clinch
Creating space to exit a clinch safely, avoiding strikes or takedowns on the way out.
Takedowns
6 techniquesBringing the fight to the mat, and stopping it from being brought there.
Double Leg Takedown
A fundamental wrestling takedown driving through both of an opponent's legs to bring them to the mat.
Single Leg Takedown
A takedown securing one of the opponent's legs, versatile for finishing from multiple angles.
Body Lock Takedown
Taking an opponent down from a clinch position by securing both underhooks and lifting or tripping.
Sprawl
The primary takedown defense — dropping your hips back and down to stop a shot before it lands.
Suplex (Belly-to-Belly)
A powerful throw lifting an opponent off their feet and arching them backward to the mat.
Outside Leg Trip
Using a clinch position to hook an opponent's leg from outside and off-balance them to the mat.
Ground
10 techniquesPositions and submissions once the fight hits the floor.
Closed Guard
A fundamental bottom position where your legs are wrapped and locked around the opponent's waist.
Mount
A dominant top position sitting on an opponent's torso with both knees on the mat.
Side Control
A dominant pinning position perpendicular to the opponent, controlling their torso from the side.
Back Control
The most dominant position in grappling, controlling an opponent from behind with hooks in.
Armbar
A joint-lock submission hyperextending the elbow, applicable from guard, mount, or side control.
Rear-Naked Choke
A blood choke applied from back control, one of the most reliable submissions in grappling and MMA.
Triangle Choke
A leg-based choke from guard using your legs to trap the opponent's neck and one arm.
Guillotine Choke
A front headlock choke often applied when defending a takedown or from guard.
Kimura
A shoulder lock trapping the opponent's arm in a figure-four grip, applicable from many positions.
Escaping Mount (Bridge and Roll)
A fundamental escape from bottom mount using a hip bridge to off-balance and reverse the opponent.