Clinch Fighting

This is post 2 in a 6-part series.

For self defense, simplicity is key. You cannot afford to find yourself in a fight and have too many options going through your head. You must be able to react immediately. So that said, this series will attempt to give you a breakdown of what movements you should drill until they are automatic.

Naturally, different people will have different opinions, so the techniques suggested will be drawn from those most often used with success in MMA. Additionally, there are more options from each position than could ever be presented in a single blog post, so major alternatives will be presented in a list immediately following the highlighted techniques.

Also, note that the strategy presented will be from the point of view of a jiu-jitsu fighter. A striking oriented fighter might use the major alternatives presented here as their go-to moves, while using the grappling philosophy as their backup plans. This does not indicate one style as being superior to another. Rather, it is indicative of different fighting strategies, both of which are proven and tested to be effective.

The major positions in a fight, which dictate technique and strategy, are:
Standing (striking)
Clinch
Mount
Guard (including half guard)
Side (including north-south, headlocks, etc.)
Back (including the turtle)

Types of Clinches

The first thing the martial artist needs to know is that there are three main types of clinches. These clinch types can be divided up by relative body positioning.

In order:
Front clinch
Side clinch
Rear clinch

From all three clinch positions, many strikes are available to the martial artist, including:
* Hooks
* Uppercuts
* Elbow strikes
* Knee strikes
* Foot stomps

Front Clinches

These contestants are in a collar-and-elbow variation of a front clinch. Common variations on front clinches include:
* Collar-and-elbow
* Over-under
* Double over hook
* Double under hook

Throws and takedowns:
* Body fold takedown
* Leg hook takedown  -  kosoto gari
* Stamp
* Pancake
* Hip throws  -  ogoshi nage
* Shuck to side clinch or rear clinch.

Side Clinch

The contestant in blue trunks has his opponent locked in a side clinch. From here, one may shuck to a rear clinch, reposition to a front clinch, or execute a takedown:
* Rear takedown  -  tani otoshi
* Hip throw  -  ogoshi nage

Rear Clinch

The contestant in blue trunks here has locked in the rear clinch, or rear waist lock. This is a very powerful position. Some common takedowns include:
* Rear takedown  -  tani otoshi
* Back supplex  -  ura nage  

One could also jump to a choking position directly.

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