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As MMA fans, we tend to see wrist locks as ridiculous, unrealistic stunts, reserved for Steven Seagal books (books?? Yes, books), unconvincing Aikido demonstrations, and choreographed spy movies. After all, if they were ‘real’, we would see them in the Octagon, right? Seagal would have taught them to Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida along with the front snap kick he totally was responsible for.
Just like with many obscure grappling tactics, though, wrist locks can work, if you can get to the right position and secure it. George St. Pierre’s ‘crazy old School Sensei’ Kristof Midoux showed how effective they can be on the former two-weight UFC champion, putting the hold on him and tossing him around with it. As GSP’s wincing afterwards showed, the hold can be painful.
They even have been used in MMA before- though, as with all low-percentage submissions, they have a better chance when the person applying it has a vast skill advantage over their opponent. Here, Shinya Aoki ends a fight with a well-timed wrist lock throw.
Insomnia
Judo Olympic champion Kayla Harrison winning her MMA debut via armbar can only draw comparison to one person…
Making her MMA debut, 2x Olympic gold medalist judoka Kayla Harrison submits Brittney Elkin via first round armbar #PFL2 pic.twitter.com/VQSZP7zHRz
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 22, 2018
You have to feel for Jason High here. Banned from the UFC for shoving a ref after a controversial stoppage, now screwed again in the PFL million-dollar tournament over a referee blunder.
And considering PFL’s league format, this blunder can potentially rob High of future money, too.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 22, 2018
I don’t always get Khabib’s sense of humor, but I do love how ordinary and unimposing he appears in street clothes. You would never guess just how badly he wrecks people in the cage.
Who is Cris Cyborg in camp for?
Chad Mendes practicing ground and pound
I’ve never seen this wrestling technique before.
This account has some of the best fighter photoshops in the game.
Even UFC athletes aren’t always up to every challenge, as Tarec Saffediene tries his hand at shoulder scooting.
Bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw drilling takedowns
Anderson Silva just wants to spread the joy he sees in the world.
Matt Brown’s nickname has always been particularly appropriate.
Maybe the expression on the face of the fighter on the left is because he just realized he is fighting Gollum’s son.
Sage Northcutt outdid Eddie Alvarez on the pool flips
Slips, Rips, and KO Clips
Vinny Maghalaes is one of the better grapplers not signed by the UFC
Vinny Magalhães sinks in the RNC and taps Jamie Abdallah in R1. 6 pointer #PFL2 pic.twitter.com/rsXrB08hXw
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 21, 2018
For some reason people rolling ankles or otherwise getting injured is harder to watch than people just getting knocked out.
Ouch, Jason Butcher rolls his foot à la Mirko Cro Cop on a knockdown, handing Akhmat’s Maxim Grishin a first-round TKO win. #PFL2 pic.twitter.com/WYMwQfiVjm
— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) June 21, 2018
The clinch knees set up the punches
Dan Spohn TKO’s Bazigit Atayev in the third round, picking up 4 points for the finish. #PFL2 pic.twitter.com/HEpCbSHH7F
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 21, 2018
Podcasts and Video
Breaking down Leon Edwards’ back control! Follow MMA Mania on Youtube
Will Donald Cerrone’s slick triangle setups be a factor on Saturday morning?
The MMA Ratings Podcast
Random Land
Whoops
— ?_? (@MikeIsaac) January 6, 2017
I’ve been posting a lot of juggling clips lately, and that kick was astonishing.
Shoutout to the reporter for including this clip in her segment. It may be trolling, but it’s A+ trolling.
Y’all. This Mississippi State fan’s description of the sacrifices his family made so he could be in Omaha. You just have to listen. pic.twitter.com/4qCweFDxPS
— Karen Howell (@karenehowell) June 20, 2018
Fly away home
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