Glossary

MMA- An abbreviation for Mixed Martial Arts -A combat sport in which fighters from different martial disciplines compete.

Submission- When a fighter taps out due to pain, to avoid injury, being choked out, or a desire to end the match.

Knock Out- When a fighter is knocked unconscious due to strikes or other impact.

Technical Knock Out- When a fighter is unable to continue, usually due to injury.

Tap Out- A method in which a fighter submits to his opponent by tapping his opponent, himself or the mat. Verbal tap outs are also allowed.

Choke Out- When a fighter is choked until he loses consciousness.

The Octagon- An octagonal shaped ring on which mixed martial artists compete.

Cage- A fenced in ring, usually in the shape of an octagon, in which mixed martial artists compete.

Dirty Boxing- This is in close boxing from a clenched position. In traditional boxing, fighters would be separated from this position, but in MMA they are allowed to fight from the clench.

Ground & Pound- This is a strategy first employed by wrestlers with limited submission skills. It consists of taking a fighter to the ground, placing them in an inferior position, and striking them until they are knocked out, tap out, can be submitted or the match is stopped.

Guard- A semi-defensive position in which a fighter on his back keeps his opponent between his legs.

Open Guard- A guard position in which the feet are not interlocked.

Closed Guard- When a fighter holds an opponent in his guard by interlocking his feet behind the opponent.

Half Guard- A guard position in which only one of the opponent’s legs are held between the grounded fighter’s legs.

Butterfly Guard- An open guard position where the feet are hooked on the inside of the fighter’s legs.

Rubber Guard- This is a guard in which the bottom fighter brings one leg high up on the top fighter’s back and hooks the leg under their own arm. It controls the top fighter while freeing up one arm for the bottom fighter to attack.

Guard Pass- A technique used by one fighter in another fighter’s guard to move into a mount position.

Mount- A control position in which one fighter is on top of another fighter

Side Mount- When one fighter is on top of another and their heads are at 90° from each other, also known as a side control.

Front Mount- A mount position in which the top fighter is squared to the bottom fighter with his legs straddling the bottom fighter.

Rear Mount- A mount position in which the bottom fighter has his back turned to the top fighter.

Reverse Mount- A mount position in which the fighters’ heads are facing in opposite directions. Also known as a North/South mount.

Hooks- In When a fighter has a rear mount and locks his feet between the legs of the mounted fighter, he is said to have his “hooks in.” This prevents the mounted fighter from turning into his opponent to improve his position.

Kesa-Gatami- A control position similar to a side mount except the top fighter’s body is turned more towards the bottom fighter and the top fighter’s arm is wrapped around the bottom fighter’s head.

Muay Thai Clench- This is a clench position taken from Muay Thai boxing where a fighter will grab his opponent behind the head with both hands using his elbows to create distance and apply knee strikes to his opponent.

Armbar- A lock in which the arm is straightened hyper extending the elbow. In MMA this is most often done by trapping the arm between the legs and extending the hips upward.

Keylock- An arm-lock applied by the fighter on top where the bottom fighter’s arm is bent at a 90° angle, the wrist is held while the other arm wraps underneath and is lifted to apply pressure to the shoulder.

Kimura- An arm-lock position in which the arm is bent behind the fighter leading to an arm break or shoulder dislocation if the fighter doesn’t tap out. Named after the Japanese fighter, Masahiko Kimura.

Omoplata- A Kimura lock using the leg to trap the fighter’s arm instead of the arm.

Choke- A submission hold applied to the neck that restricts air flow, blood flow, or both. A choke is designed to cause the other fighter to tap out or be choked out.

Guillotine Choke- A choke applied in a reverse headlock position where the forearm is used in an upward manner to apply pressure to the fighter’s neck.

Triangle Choke- This choke can be applied with either the legs or the arms. Using the arms, the choking fighter drives his shoulder into the armpit of the defending fighter and wraps his arm around the neck grabbing his own hand, arm or head to create pressure. Using the legs, the attacker places the defender’s neck in the crux of his knee while the other leg comes up under the defender’s opposite arm. The foot is hooked under the crux of the other knee and the hips are raised while the defender’s head is pulled down to create pressure.

Jab- A lead hand strike used to stun a fighter.

Straight Punch- A reverse hand punch that flies straight towards its target.

Overhand Punch- A haymaker style punch that swings up and over. It is very powerful and has been very effective.

Hook Punch- A punch with the arm bent that is thrown across the body to strike the opponent from the side.

Uppercut Punch- A bent arm punch where the punch is thrown straight up.

Liver Shot- A combination between a hook punch and an uppercut thrown to the right side of an opponent designed to strike where the liver is. A very painful punch.

Superman Punch- An overhead punch in which the fighter leaps at his opponent in an attempt to avoid his defense.

Flying Knee- A jumping knee strike designed to penetrate the opponent’s defense.

Escape- Where a fighter escapes from a submission or choke hold.

Reversal- When a fighter moves from an inferior position to a superior position.

Upa- A roll in which a mounted fighter reverses position ending in the guard of the other fighter.

Double Leg Takedown- A takedown similar to a football tackle. A fighter lowers his head and hooks both legs with his arms and applies pressure to the defender’s body driving the fighter to the ground.

Single Leg Takedown- Similar to a double leg takedown except only one leg is hooked.

Scissor Takedown- A takedown where one fighter places his legs on either side of a standing fighter and uses a twisting motion to trip the standing fighter with his legs.

Body Slam- When one fighter picks up the other fighter and throws them to the ground.

Sprawl- A take down defense where a fighter spreads his legs away from the attacking fighter and applies his weight to the fighter’s back in an effort to deny access to his legs and attain a superior position.