How to Transition From a Full Mount to an Arm Bar in Mixed Martial Arts

A transition from a full mount to an arm bar is a popular technique in Mixed Martial Arts. It usually happens when the fighter on the bottom tries to push the fighter with the full mount away. When a straight arm is offered it is a tempting target. A transition from a full mount to an arm bar can end a fight quickly with a submission.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Identify an arm bar opportunity. The full mount is the most advantageous position in MMA. You are sitting on your opponent's torso with a leg on each side. It is an ideal place to ground and pound your opponent. Inexperienced fighters tend to instinctively straighten their arms to push you away. When your opponent does this, transition from a full mount to an arm bar.

2. Place both hands on your opponent's chest and press your weight down on him. One of your arms must be over your opponent's arm that he is holding up straight. This traps the arm against your chest.

3. Push yourself up with both your hands. This serves two purposes. It raises your body for the transition into an arm bar and it holds your opponent down. Rise on the balls of both feet, but keep most of your weight on your hands. Keep your center of gravity low and knees bend. You should stay within an arm's length of your opponent when you rise.

4. Spin around the outside of your opponent's arm. Pop your body over by kicking your leg across and over his face. Do this in a single fluid motion. You are making a quarter turn so you end up perpendicular to your opponent. It is imperative that you do this quickly since it will be obvious to your opponent what you are doing. If he turns into you, you will lose your advantage. This motion requires quite a bit of practice before it can be done efficiently.

5. Shift your hands to your opponent's wrist as you fall to your back. His arm should be between your legs. Place one of your legs over your opponent's neck and the other across his chest. Squeeze your legs together to trap his arm tight. Pull on your opponent's arm to keep it straight.

6. Turn your opponent's thumb up as you pull on the arm and press your hips into his elbow. This causes excruciating pain and will force a submission within seconds.