Some of the most incredible MMA fights we've seen have involved guys with strong wrestling backgrounds. To name a few of them; Randy Couture, Urijah Faber, Dan Henderson, Mark Munoz, Mo Lawal, the list goes on. These guys have been able to control their opponents by taking them down to the mat and dominating each position. At the same time, I have seen a few fights where some of these great wresters have been neutralized. In UFC 130 Rampage vs Hamill, we saw how that happens. Hamill, a three time D3 NCAA Champion, kept trying to attack for a takedown, but Rampage was able to neutralize his attacks and kept the fight on the feet. It became very clear that Hamill was very frustrated after his takedown attempts were blocked time and time again.
Here is why I think sometimes wrestlers struggle to take people down in MMA. At an elite level of wrestling, takedowns are successful not because they have an awesome takedown, but because they have perfected the SET UP to the takedown. It's very rare to see elite level wrestlers getting taken down from leg attacks that have no set ups. Hand fighting, pushing and pulling, snapping and faking leads to setting up a takedown. However, this is not an element in MMA. As a matter of fact, doing this in MMA would get you knocked out.... Instead, you have to use your striking as a set up, and therefore there is little contact going on that could be described as hand fighting. Therefore, we see some of the most successful takedowns in MMA from the Over-Under Clench Position. From this position, you can use the push-pull action to set up your opponent for a throw, body-lock, trip, or takedown.
Going back to the Rampage vs Hamill fight in UFC 130, almost every attack Hamill made came from an open position where Rampage could see the takedown attempt and strike or sink his hips back with plenty of time to get an under-hook or get his body between the leg attack. Had Hamill been able to set Rampage up to walk into his takedowns, the outcome might have been much different. Needless to say, thanks to both fighters for an exciting display of guts and strategy!
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