[Dedicado]

BJJ question for MMA fighting. I play the half guard when I am forced to my back in Gi and No Gi, but in MMA I noticed that that my old-school sweep set up leaves me open to strikes on my ribs and head from the guy on top. I ended up abandonding my sweep game and scrambled to my feet. My question is this, can anyone here recommend a way to control the underhook, while not getting hit to badly from the guy on top?

[Jaxx]

Half guard aint so hot for MMA, if your going to go for anything just be prepared to take a few punches in the process.

[Deloitte]

I've noticed in MMA half guard is not an ideal position. You cannot hang around in that position for too long. You gotta grab the underhook immediately and sweep or try to get full guard. The best advice would be to keep your head as tight as possible to his body.

[Trickster]

Originally Posted by Dedicado

BJJ question for MMA fighting. I play the half guard when I am forced to my back in Gi and No Gi, but in MMA I noticed that that my old-school sweep set up leaves me open to strikes on my ribs and head from the guy on top. I ended up abandonding my sweep game and scrambled to my feet. My question is this, can anyone here recommend a way to control the underhook, while not getting hit to badly from the guy on top?

I used to have this problem in MMA and my old coach showed me a good solution...oh wait blue belts and above? Im only a 4 stripe white in BJJ I guess I cant help you! Sorry!

Seriously though...what these guys are saying is right if you are going to work from half you better have a nice, tight, high underhook, which will force him to wizzer and not be able to strike your ribs....you will probably take some shots in the face (if not elbows to the head) with the other hand. I dont see old school being the way to go in MMA. If you can get your hips out to do the old school why not get the dog fight position and either stand up or work for top position??

[Delbjj]

It sucks for MMA. You better be alot better than the other guy if your going to play half guard without taking damage

[kimurense]

full half guard is not optimal. half guard on MMA I use the knee in between me and my oponent. it is easier as you can control the oponents upper body a little bit better.. check joachim hansen's last fight, he uses it a lot (especially to get back on his feet)

[LordarshynBJJ]

You'd probably have more luck getting a nice deep underhook, while keeping your head close to their body, then scoot your hips out and go for the hook sweep.

Seems like that might expose you a bit less. Old School looks like a bad idea in MMA unless you are REALLY fast with it.

[georgejjr]

There are at least a couple of decent sweeps from half-guard in MMA - they involve trapping the inside leg with your outside leg while breaking your opponent's posture, and then shifting to go for his non-trapped leg and threatening a leg lock turn. But they're hard to pull off against a good opponent, and they're not something you're going to pick up from a forum, have your instructor show you (you're paying him to teach, make him teach).

The most common tactic is to keep your opponent's posture broken and wait for him to either make a mistake, or for the referee to stand you up. It's not pretty, but the addition of strikes means that everything you do from half-guard in MMA has to keep his posture broken - it limits your options.

[Zankou]

Couture actually prefers top half guard to side control in MMA, because the guy on the bottom has less mobility, and he can G&P at his pleasure.

I've never seen anyone use half guard in MMA with good effect -- surviving is the best you can usually do.

[Calibur]

But Eddie Bravo said that halfguard was great for MMA.