Wall Wrestling in MMA

I'm half-convinced that there is a massive conspiracy to teach people the WRONG way to wall wrestle. The people at the highest levels are doing it correctly, but nobody teaches those moves to anyone else.
The most important points in this video are that wall wrestling offense is about threatening the legs, and that wall wrestling defense is about hand-fighting.
0:00 Intro
1:37 Getting to The Wall
3:23 Offense
9:24 Defense
18:35 Conclusion
19:21 Live Testing
My Twitter: / armchairviolenc
Thanks to Metrolina Martial Arts for letting me film in their gym! Their channel: / @metrolinamartialarts
(Metrolina MA does not necessarily endorse any views expressed in this video.)

[@psychopathmedia]

Wall wrestling probably has better carryover to real world scenarios than most other martial arts stuff. Slamming into a wall or some other vertical obstacle is extremely common. Somebody's probably gonna tell me I'm an idiot and fair enough since I don't know how to fight, I've only been in them

[@user-ns4zm8qe9p]

100% right

[@gabe4131]

Gotta practice it all. Never know what could happen

[@tobycunningham8202]

100% as even without a wall the controls are transferable

[@jc-kj8yc]

THANK YOU! This has been the absolute go to topic for successful MMA training for nearly a decade now and most public information is absolutely lacking! Great work as always 💪

[@alexkehoepwj]

I basically just ignore wall work because the literature on it is so unhelpful. But this makes me feel like I can make it work. Very cohesive, another great video

[@theboynurse]

You should do more technique videos... You're very good at it.

[@RamseyDewey]

Excellent video!

[@BlankethP]

Prepping for my first MMA fight. I already know grappling and striking independently, but I realized I know nothing about wall wrestling and other MMA specific skills. I was following some of those exact videos to get a grasp of the topic and I only started a week ago. I felt I wasnt getting that John Danaher level of conceptual understanding but I figured as long as I learn all the info I can connect the dots on my own. Long story short this video is very timely for me and it feels quite uncanny that you released this yesterday, it seems like a good omen even.

[@davidjones8043]

Good luck out there bro!!!! You got this!!!!

[@Jacked_R_Us]

Yo, come back here when you get that dub bro good luck ❤

[@heassik3088]

let us know how the fight went

[@cyclonebee8175]

Good luck buddy

[@shotguhn]

Did you fight

[@user-jt2fr1xu2n]

3:30-STANCE Takedown : 5:03- Double Leg 5:32-Ankle Pic 6:14-BodyLock DEFENSE: 9:43-STANCE 10:40-Wirst Control 12:30-Reverse Crossface 13:40- Push Up ( Alejarlo de las piernas) Control de manos (Escape) : 14:18-Other Crossface 14:54-Wist Control

[@lucasschoubye8432]

insanely good video. Just the entire wall meta explained in 20 minute

[@martinmyggestik292]

YES YES YES! FINALLY! Former MMA-Coach here. I've been advocating this type of no whizzer wall defense and I've had countless discussions. Everyone tried to do the textbook whizzer defense, but it always felt wrong on me and didn't provide good results. I started working my arm on the inside instead (like you do) and it was a game changer. And I also started to notice how many people was successfully doing this in high level MMA. Thank you for bringing attention to this.

[@dman230501]

I really appreciate how you convey information in such a clear and easy to follow way, I have no wrestling knowledge at all but everything you said and demonstrated makes perfect sense.

[@cyclonebee8175]

The shows a really good teacher. I wrestled in college and I remember the best coaches when it comes to teaching technique always were very good with the guys that had a hard time conceptualizing it. This kid could teach people who never wrestled technique very quickly.

[@timothygallagher1416]

I must point out however that the main thing missing from the defense portion of the video is the multitude of submissions that can be utilized. Particularly chokes and kimuras

[@dapro5002]

Great video! Especially liked that you distinguished between cage clinching for striking and proper wall wrestling, because the distinction is definitely there. Btw, to all the people saying to the blast double entry to the wall “I’ll just knee you in the face!”; are y’all aware that you can set up your shots, right? One of my favourite ways to shoot a double, with a wall or not, is by throwing a strike or two up high to get them thinking about striking, then blast for the double. If you think you could get kneed in the head while shooting in, set your shot up better. Again, truly fantastic video, and I’d love to see more tutorials like this! Maybe going in depth in your way of knife fighting…..? I’d love that!

[@unneomexaenlacocina9380]

Dude you're a genius, i'd like a car scenario defense and offense

[@ArmchairViolence]

I don't really invent moves. I just look at what's already working at a high level. So, I have no idea what works in a car because I haven't exactly seen much footage of that lol

[@Abettergrappler]

I cosign these concepts (former D1 Wrestler) Both arms to the ankle pick made me chuckle.

[@cyclonebee8175]

:::shoots fireman carry:::.. What you gonna do now bro?!?!?

[@Abettergrappler]

@@cyclonebee8175 tried so so many times you can't get them off the cage 😭

[@ertizakazi3303]

By far the best wall wrestling video I've ever seen on any platform. Especially the defensive portion. Major kudos to you man

[@jerm2614]

youve officially made me obsessed with wall fighting

[@institches2750]

Thank you for adding some live sparring at the end. It's useful to see.

[@logandwyer8727]

Great video. Some things I’ve noticed however is that the best wall defenders use the wizzer early to prevent the back take. The the opponents double has been stalled out. Then they use the over hook or the threat of elbows to convince the opponent to raise there stance. I’d the opponent doesn’t then they put in the reverse cross face ( or similarly attack a ninja choke). Once standing with an overbook. The frame or collar tie rip Izzy uses consistently to get back off cage seem to be the best. As for the standing underhook with leg split. This also comes from the khabib team. But they use it in a different way. If they transition from double to underhook pin. They use a body lock or far side arm control to attack a hip toss throwing them off the cage. To stop the throw many fighters let go of the overhook giving there back which is a win for the attacker. Exsample of defense Izzy vs Vetori. And offence. Khabib vs. Barboza. 1st and final takedown.

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

Hello, Mr Violence. Nice to see you again. Interesting and engaging as always. Thank you.

[@pangopod2969]

Awesome as usual ! I love your work mate.

[@curtisjackson5793]

This video was AWESOME. Even basic/fundamental tips, like you called them, can go a long way (a learning curve is steeper as the beginning). I have a video suggestion: recovery. Be it muscle, joints or bone injuries that happen with martial arts training. I'm currently (and impatiently) waiting for a rib to heal, so I can go back to training. I was frustrated to see how little I could do to actually improve/speed up my recovery, but maybe you could find good sources on recovery methods. I've seen professional arm wrestlers argue that high reps with light weight improve recovering by increasing blood flow to tissues that don't get a lot of it, like tendons. Anecdotally, I can relate to that, as I feel sore way longer when I try to limit movement, following a general "let it rest!" health advice. Yeah, sleeping is probably the best thing one can do for all kind of recovery, and I do struggle with it quite a bit.

[@yoyofanatic1224]

Your technique videos are amazing man. You're a incredible communicator.

[@kovenmaitreya7184]

This is excellent. I didn't realize, but I've been using some of the concepts subconsciously to defend wall wrestling since I've been working so much on stand-up grappling in general. This helps clarified things immensely and gave me a clear idea of how to use wall wrestling offensively which I hadn't started working on yet. Golden video!

[@dannychoppa717]

This is awesome, and explained well the differences with the head control i was experimenting with. The detail's are always what i try to look for, good stuff!

[@davidjones8043]

I would LOVE more tech vids from you, sir!! You are a pro at explaining it!!!

[@saruga0099]

I ❤ this video THANK YOU I cant really describe how good this video is, this is not just your best work this is one of , if not the, BEST VIDEOS I EVER WATCHED. Totally changed how i see one of the most important areas of my favourite sport . Again THANK YOU SO MUCH. ♥️👌

[@gailvalleymartialarts]

You're actually very good at technique videos!

[@lio88jian]

Your content is so good! Well thought out and executed!!

[@kaiceecrane3884]

Great video! I largely agree with everything and am glad to someone discussing the topic. Posting the head to peal the hands is the only thing I find potentially concerning. When someone is bent over the possibility of sucking their hips backwards either to take their head off the wall or even to establish better control, makes that type of defense seemly more risky than mentioned in the video

[@ArmchairViolence]

It's possible, but committing your weight against the wall makes it a bit harder. Islam mainly took Volkanovski sideways instead of directly away from the wall. As long as you are pulling their hands away from your hips, they have less control than you might expect. That being said, I agree that that method would not be my first choice. Separating the hands is difficult.

[@bradtavares-vd3hz]

I watched your video, tried your tips in practice, and realized there is a reason some people are professional coaches, and some are just youtubers. I had my doubts about your BS technique when I watched your video, but I thought I should give it a try before bashing it, so I did. And kept getting guillotined as expected. You hilariously completely ignored the obvious threat of guillotine when preaching to go low during attack. And don't try to come and tell me how I should practice defending guillotine as I am pretty decent at grappling, but you can't just put your head on outside the hip of your opponent and think you can be safe there to go for a takedown. Please avoid making videos on subject matters that you do not have any expertise or knowledge on. @@ArmchairViolence

[@shaeby8123]

@@bradtavares-vd3hz Learn to defend against guillotines lol

[@guillaumel7484]

Amazing video my friend! Only thing I can say is a minor technical mistake is the direction of the spin @17:22. Thank you for taking the time to make this video and sharing these ideas. Like you said in the intro, good resources for wall wrestling are hard to come by.

[@zorromma]

Super insightful video bro love this advice !

[@joshs7959]

I watched a couple of your videos and this one was was definitely the best. I decided to subscribe, keep it up!

[@pangopod2969]

If combat sambo had walls, i wonder if the gi would change all that. Also i wish the cage had a real corner, would make positionning in open space more interesting imo

[@ArmchairViolence]

Same. I want the cage to have 90° corners because that's what we have in real life. I want to learn how to fight in actual corners!

[@bradtavares-vd3hz]

I watched your video, tried your tips in practice, and realized there is a reason some people are professional coaches, and some are just youtubers. I had my doubts about your BS technique when I watched your video, but I thought I should give it a try before bashing it, so I did. And kept getting guillotined as expected. You hilariously completely ignored the obvious threat of guillotine when preaching to go low during attack. And don't try to come and tell me how I should practice defending guillotine as I am pretty decent at grappling, but you can't just put your head on outside the hip of your opponent and think you can be safe there to go for a takedown. Please avoid making videos on subject matters that you do not have any expertise or knowledge on. @@ArmchairViolence

[@raweriio3306]

​@ArmchairViolence so, go fight in a corner?

[@2o3ief]

@@bradtavares-vd3hz dawg you just called yourself "pretty decent at grappling" but don't know how to position your head during takedowns to avoid guillotines

[@xxFairestxx]

@@2o3iefright lol

[@aitherondarksbain723]

WOW that was way more informative than expected, also i miss the song at the end of the videos

[@institches2750]

Same

[@shawnalee2352]

This is one of the best videos I've watched, do more!

[@Utuberj0sh]

Came here after your convo with fight dialogue. Very interesting stuff!

[@thegoldenstatesportclub2102]

Super good stuff!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@Pistolita221]

It is absolutely disgusting how few subscribers you have. Thanks for doing what you do! And I appreciate that you don't make videos on a schedule, it seems like you make videos when you have something you want to say.

[@michaelujkim]

Excellent video, it’s now the best free resource on the subject.

[@isaweesaw]

Really underrated video. Very well explained theory here complete with clips of actual situations. Now to practice it....

[@jdhgeui2838]

Hey, best channel ever when it comes to fighting. Enough said. I would maybe start doing shorts, posting on other platforms and the making these 15s long videos that spread fast. You really deserve it. I wish u the best amigo.

[@_konahrik_]

As someone who's terrible at wrestling putting pressure on my sparring partners with striking and clinchwork and getting them to the wall has always been my goto for grappling offence as I seem to have more success getting double underhooks and then dropping down for a double leg than I do in open mat wrestling as lowering my posture opens me up for sprawls and submissions when not done against a wall. Great breakdown I'm gonna have to try some of these techniques next time I spar.

[@Demonstormlord]

This is a really good video! You got a shout out from Jack Slack the other week, that's high praise and you earned it.

[@drevondonnerson9860]

Amazing video, you taught me so much, keep up the good work we need more people like you 💯🖤💪🏾

[@asdlkfjlkdjalskjfsldskljdf2593]

Solid breakdown man!

[@makaloo95]

Fuckin A grade shite homie, I've been doing a lot of these things subconsciously, and now watching them in sequence makes me a lot more aware of them as tools. That was some horsepower in the pacing. Really appreciate the humor as well!

[@mikea7732]

This video is gold. We need more of this un sexy parts of mma to be discussed in videos. Great job

[@HomelessNinjaKennedy]

Phenomenal video!

[@NMbones98]

I just found your channel and just like Ramsey you keep it 💯 I respect it big dawg.

[@whoknows8223]

I'm just doing kickboxing and watching MMA but I will rewatch this a few times maybe it helps me some day! Super interesting

[@MulletManStudios]

Great video

[@scal7122]

This is a very underrated video

[@codytheburden]

Good upload

[@timothygallagher1416]

Successful wall wrestling video. Congrats 👏

[@thereddevillzz3196]

God damn this is a great video, really appreciate this man gonna be a big help In my upcoming fight

[@ericsynatschk5459]

This is an incredible video

[@p.tsonchev7994]

15:24 Bro that moment was something I would have completely missed. That's pretty crazy. Thanks for that insight.

[@Megido-wo8gy]

Wow! Time and time again you sir produce a little masterpiece. Long time fan of the channel, had to finally chime in. Are you planning knife defense video?

[@ArmchairViolence]

I am! But it's taking a while because I'm trying to watch a couple hundred knife fights first.

[@aidanllamas4426]

Much appreciated!

[@orelse9283]

Thanks for the knowledge!! Bro

[@icyBulls]

Best video on wall wrestling.

[@Nosfel25]

Nice work :)

[@AnIdiotOnline]

Your videos are great, very clear and concise with your information, and you present well, you should look into commentary work

[@lukenordvik4205]

Thank you this is awesome

[@matt2317]

This is a really good explanation

[@mal3293]

Thanks for more ways to play the game

[@drewdew1533]

Earned a new sub 👍

[@barokmeca]

This is going to be gold.

[@malkomalkavian]

Nice and clear, thank you

[@JSMinstantcoaching]

Now I have to think more instead of just applying what experts show, thank you for your example of critical thinking

[@TheWillToFight]

That was a brilliant video, really enjoyed it. I would like to have seen a bit more on strike in when you’re up against the wall. I feel like the elbows from the person defending the takedown can be very effective do you agree and how would you deal with them

[@gruciek1249]

bro you'd look sooooo good as DC Robin, great guides btw

[@wanabisufi8843]

I don't always agree with you, but when you're right, your very right.

[@2rustysporks]

awesome. TY for this.

[@cyrilvirassamy764]

AMAZING!

[@fightnfeast]

Subscribed🥋

[@johnnyjohnsonjohn2593]

This is the kind of hyper energetic fighting content I can autism with.

[@jovil666]

I enjoy your content alot. Very educational. Can you do an analysis of about ten mma bases... From boxing to kyokushin

[@glxblt-sd1ze]

Please can you do the same video for "how to stand up at the cage / avoiding opponent to stand up at the cage" ? This is truely an awesome video with very hard to find informations

[@ArmchairViolence]

Do you mean how to stand up using the cage?

[@glxblt-sd1ze]

@@ArmchairViolence absolutely, sorry for my english. I'm european, I'm tired it's 2h45 AM here 🤣

[@ArmchairViolence]

@@glxblt-sd1ze Standing up using the cage is honestly just super hard. If your opponent doesn't know how to wall wrestle, it's easy. If your opponent DOES know how to wall wrestle, you're honestly better off trying to get to open space and stand up there.

[@nicorepetto5781]

Had this video saved in my watch later but rushed to watch it after Jack Slack gave his endorsement on your video. Great stuff! I've paid money on BJJ fanatics for significantly worse content

[@ArmchairViolence]

Wait, Jack Slack endorsed my video?? Where?!

[@nicorepetto5781]

@@ArmchairViolence his newest podcast on UFC Fight Night: Luque vs Dos Anjos at 3:15 and 3:33

[@ReneADreifuss]

Brilliant.

[@ChrisLoew]

Hey, icy Mike is a God, how dare you lolz. Funny as your collab sent me here

[@overtones77369]

Very helpful video, thank you! @ArmchairViolence In a self-defense application, would this style be vulnerable to strikes to the back of the head (particularly when stalled up against the wall)?

[@BigPoppaSufi]

This video is GOAT'D

[@pedromedrano5110]

great vid

[@treadstoned9915]

5:45 definitely putting that in the quiver 🤌

[@Nenad-ICXC-Shuput-GFAMMA]

You are really good at talking, yhere bud 👍

[@someonerandom3609]

I want you to make a video on Jeet Kune Do and your thoughts on it, weather it works or not combatively and defensively.

[@Z4rgabad]

getting the takedown off of the wall isnt the hardest part, keeping control after the takedown against the cage is difficult, especially when the opponent is hell bent on getting back up. Could you cover a video on controlling an opponent against the cage after the takedown? Many thanks

[@jujiwastaken]

Best mma breakdowns in all of youtube

[@luisfernandoenrique]

Your channel is top 3 on KZbin for MMA. You should have 10x the subscriptions you have now.

[@justaname935]

this is the video that caused me to check out all your other videos- you should do more technique videos- this was super excellent- could you give your opinion on which guards or parts of bjj are pretty useless?

[@ArmchairViolence]

It's honestly a matter of where and when you are applying them. If you don't know when to use them, they're all useless.

[@justaname935]

@@ArmchairViolence thanks for the reply- personally i feel like my ideal training would be my opponent trying to keep me on the ground and me using bjj to escape mount side mount and push with my feet and framing with my arms pushing the head or using butterfly to get back up or using wrestle ups to go for a single leg - i kinda feel like spider, lasso, de la riva, turtle and becoming really good at sweeps from these are pretty useless - i also heard an interesting idea about going for armbars just to create a scramble to get up - thus i feel that in probably most pure bjj gyms there is not enough emphasis on getting up, or even front headlock - nobody in the gyms i have been a member of can really wrestle at all but they are real good at takedowns from their butt or lying down or inverted- how important is it to be good at sweeping from supine or seated?

[@institches2750]

Not sure if it's what you're looking for, but he has a video on BJJ self-defense.

[@justaname935]

@@institches2750 thanks! hahaha i watched the video - i actually havent met anyone teaching this kind of bjj self defense and didnt even know this was going on- im actually talking about something a bit different from this- most of my gripes would be resolved if i went to a gym that started sparring from standing up wrestling

[@Ben10Blader]

I think a good rule of thumb is any type of no gi BJJ bottom guard position where you can't effectively work for a submission/sweep WHILE ALSO not getting hit (too much/really hard) by the person on top probably isn't the best use of training time for MMA.

[@RazielKirin]

An art form in and of itself.

[@BlueHouseSessions828]

Jake! It’s your old old friend from long ago Christopher. We met at hickory grove church camp if you remember. Good stuff man

[@ArmchairViolence]

Chris! That's so cool! I hope you're doing well, man!

[@BlueHouseSessions828]

@@ArmchairViolence tried adding you on Facebook a while back. Been doing the music thing still 🤙🏻

[@ArmchairViolence]

@BlueHouseSessions828 Ah, I haven't done anything on FB in years. I just friended you back! Lol You still in a band or recording? Or just as a hobby? I have a few dozen songs that I should probably record and post somewhere lol

[@bw5020]

I don't do mma, but this is just useful. I'd have made a lot of these mistakes and I now know why

[@kahtanalobaidi1550]

Man I only knew half of the game that 2 on 1 defense might take me to the next level

[@rootapt-getworld]

Please make more videos. That is all

[@ninjireal]

Hey Armchair Violence! I was looking all over your channel, but I’d love to hear you explain “How to Punch”

[@ArmchairViolence]

Here's a playlist of all my striking content: kzbin.info/aero/PLeBFFy3A_dl0c4dFULKSKzLUIaLqlKWO1 I hope it includes what you're looking for.

[@paparadeliko]

Finally a video that explains the strategies ffs. Thank you

[@jackma2115]

good job,where to find the ground defense for mma? or can you do something like that? very appreciated