11.02.2025
Hour five of my client’s current MMA class where we are continuing to focus on the ground. How relevant is guard passing in MMA? This is where the importance of cross-training as attribute development comes into play. Since the establishment of ground 'n pound in MMA thanks to Wrestling, some trainees have questioned the importance of guard passing strategies. Surely, all a top player needs to do is pin down their opponent, preferably although not exclusively, against the fence and then set about delivering concussive strikes from a seated or standing/stacked position. However, this is to underestimate the development of the game underneath. In answer to the striking, it doesn't take a bottom player very long to prioritise controlling the top players arms, making it hard for them to strike. This can then place the top player in a position where, rather being on the attack, they spend most of their time trying to free their hands. The bottom player can then take an offensive role and plan to - in order of importance - stand up, sweep or submit.
MMA might have become far more than the sum of its parts, developing into its own combat sport and art, but its component parts are still extremely important. When it comes to the top position, learning the ways to pass guard and continuing this practice develop strong dynamic positioning. A Wrestling approach will provide a granite hard base that is difficult to sweep or submit, but it can become limited when the bottom player keeps nullifying your attacks ultimately leading into frustration and a Submission Grappling style trap. Likewise, keeping up the defence from underneath and wary of being passed promotes far more mobility, presenting greater opportunities.
Tonight’s lesson included the following 5-minute rounds:
Guard passing sparring
Ditto
Guard passing sparring MMA rules (5 head-shot constraint)
Ditto
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