Gabriel Updates: Too much MMA?

Armbar: otherwise known as the cross lock, an armbar is a joint lock that hyperextends the elbow joint. Most often you will see it applied as follows: Your opponents arm is trapped between your legs and you hold it either by the hand or the wrist with both of your own hands. You apply pressure by stretching out your body, pressing against his body with your legs, which can be intertwined at the ankles, using his upper body and your groin to increase leverage.

Anaconda choke: otherwise known as an arm triangle, the anaconda choke consists of trapping one of your opponents arms with an underhook and clasping hands on the other side of his neck, squeezing his neck and arm together to cut off air supply. It is most effective when you are on top of your opponent to the side of his trapped arm, with the reverse being called the D'Arce (Dark) choke.

Boxing: A traditionally western sport/fighting style, boxing is dependant on using quick footwork, evasive head movement, and accurate punches. Although not considered a formal martial art, boxing's offensive/defensive techniques and real-world effectiveness are an invaluable part of a mixed martial artist's repertoire.

Can-opener: virtually the only submission that can be applied in your opponent's guard, a can-opener entails putting both of your hands behind his neck as with the Thai plum, and pulling his head towards you. This submission is usually applied to open your opponent's closed guard, though it can lead to a submission against an injured, tired, or inexperienced fighter.

Choke: A constricting hold applied to the neck in order to restrict blood flow to the brain and/or inhibits normal breathing. Prolonged application may result in unconsciousness or death.

Clinch: A position in which two fighters are face to face, usually with their arms and upper body locked, performed either for a "breather" or to protect against strikes. Some fighters, such as Wanderlei Silva, have mastered the art of the clinch for offensive purposes, throwing effective short punches and/or knees and elbows from this position.

Collar tie (single/double): grasping the back of your opponents neck; a double collar tie, otherwise known as a Thai clinch or plum, involved clasping your hands together behind your opponents trapezius muscle. Where your opponents head goes, his body follows, making the double collar tie a valuable grappling hold. A double collar tie is especially useful in pulling your opponents head down for knee strikes, effectively doubling the force of the knee.

Grappling: A general term used to describe wrestling and ground oriented martial arts.

Ground and Pound: This style is favored by many wrestling-based fighters, and the basic strategy is to get the fight to the ground, be on top, and grind away with strikes from a dominant position. Due to a wrestler's natural affinity for takedowns, this style is popular with them. Elbows, short punches, and sometimes knees are all deadly weapons when rained down from the top position. Popular ground and pound fighters include Jake Shields, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Fedor Emelianenko.

Headlock: wrapping one arm around the neck of your opponent and holding his head between your side and arm. By grabbing your other hand you can tighten the lock, possibly achieving a blood or air choke. On the mat a headlock can turn into a guillotine choke either from your back or in the mounted position.

Lay and Pray: Lay and pray is similar to a ground and pound style, but instead of striking on the floor the fighter utilizes position and smothering techniques to ride out a decision. Many top wrestlers emphasize this style, oftentimes due to their inability to adapt to MMA rules. Many fighters with a double background in wrestling and Jiujitsu employ this style to the fullest, as their dominating ground games are light years ahead of most competitors. "Popular" lay and pray fighters include Ricardo Arona and Sean Sherk.

Pinch grip tie: one of your arms goes under your opponents arm, the other over his shoulder, with both hands clasped together behind his back, also known as the over-under body lock. Both grapplers can achieve this position simultaneously. It is useful for bullrushing and forcing your opponent down onto his back. The over-under position is the same as the pinch grip tie, except without having the hands clasped.