OC Kickboxing & Mixed Martial Arts fighters Greg Parker of Anaheim, Brock Keller of Irvine and Travis Thompson of Garden Grove all took home Gold medals in Pankration and or No Gi Grappling at the Grappling X Tournament in Murrieta, CA. Way to go OCKMMA Fight Team!

Grappling X Tournament Results:

• Pankration

• Greg Parker Silver
• Brock Keller Bronze

• Ni Gi Grappling
• Intermediate / Advanced Division

• Greg Parker Gold 175
• Travis Thompson Gold 185

• Beginner Division

• Brock Keller Gold 165

OC Kickboxing & MMA fighter Darren Smith defeated his opponent Frank Pefferman in the second round at “Round 2 the Explosion” put on by Fight Night Entertainment at the Bellingham Sportsplex in Bellingham, WA.

Smith landed several barrages of devastating punches and knees in Round 1 before being taken down by Pefferman. Smith got back up to his feet quickly and landed a lot more powerful knees and punches. Pefferman shot in for a tackle but got caught by a knee buckling Pefferman all the way to the canvas.

In Round 2 the two exchanged punches and knees with Smith getting the better of Pefferman. Pefferman clinched with Smith trying to take him down several times while Smith landed body punches and knees. In an unfortunate accident, Smith threw a knee hitting Pefferman in the groin.

Pefferman couldn’t go on, so his corner threw in the towel. The bout was later ruled a no contest because Pefferman had given up some weight to fight the bigger and stronger Smith. It’s too bad the fight had to end in this way but congratulations to both fighters for putting on a great show!

OC Kickboxing & MMA fighter Reggie Guerrero defeated his opponent Gary Mangat in a split decision battle at “Round 2 the Explosion” put on by Fight Night Entertainment at the Bellingham Sportsplex in Bellingham, WA.

In Round 1, Mangat took down Guerrero early taking his side and Guerrero quickly pulled guard, stood up and took down Mangat taking his side then the mount but couldn’t control the position ended up on the bottom and went for an arm bar attempt but Mangat narrowly escaped.

In Round 2 Mangat took down Guerrero. Guerrero pulled guard and went for another arm bar that Mangat escaped by slamming Guerrero. Mangat attempted an ankle lock which Guerrero escaped pulling guard. Mangat rained down some punches from inside Guerrero’s guard, forcing Guerrero to go to his knees then Mangat went for a choke. Guerrero was saved by the bell.

Round 3 was a war. Guerrero got a double under and tried for a take down but ended up on the bottom. Guerrero got a hip sweep on Mangat and ended up in the mount which Mangat quickly escaped and got back to his feet. Guerrero took down Mangat and mounted him. The referee stood them up and the two traded some punches and knees before the final bell.

One judge had the match at a draw 29-29 and the other two had Guerrero winning 29-28. Both fighters fought hard! Congrats to both!

The Guard Position on the bottom allows you to get off some pretty good strikes. Although the leverage is not as strong as the top position, if you’re on the bottom it’s the best place to be for both strikes and submissions. Here are the most commonly used strikes from the Guard on bottom.

Straight Punches
		Straight Punches from the bottom have the advantage of having the most reach of any upper body tool. You can keep you Guard locked or unlock it when you deliver straight punches. It’s usually best to aim straight punches up the middle but they can come from the outside as well. You can trap an arm and punch straight or do it without an arm trapped.
Hooks
		Hooks (circular punches) have a little less reach but a lot of power. Circular punches are usually aimed around the outside of his guard. If you trap an arm, he’ll be open on that side.
Hammer Fists
		Hammer Fists are a great weapon for MMA. They are devastating and perfectly legal. You can hit with the fist or the forearm. From the Guard Position, it’s best to trap an arm when he punches to set up a Hammer Fist.
Elbow Strikes
		Elbow strikes are devastating, even from the bottom. Elbow’s can open up big cuts and potentially end a fight. Trapping an arm sets up the elbow very nicely. Aim for the eye brow or the nose.

Once you do all the work it takes to get to the Mount Position, it’s important to control the position so you don’t end up on the bottom or in his guard. To do this, these four positions are critical: Mount, Mount with Hooks In, Rear Mount, Rear Mount with Hooks In.

Basic Control Position

Get up high and tight in the mount with your knees in the armpits, your knees squeezed together, feet straight and butt kept low. Post with both arms and keep them wide apart for a good base.

Control Position with Legs Under Hooked

This position is for controlling an individual to tire him out and prevent him from escaping.

Rear Mount Control Position

When you strike from the mount on the top, the opponent will often times panic and give you his back. When he does, open your legs a little and allow him to roll over to the prone position and take the Rear Mount.

Rear Mount with Hooks In

Usually he will go to his knees which gives you the opportunity to put your hooks in and take Rear Mount Position with the Hooks In. This is a completely dominant position and allows for strikes and rear chokes.

Rear Mount with Him Flattened Out

Arch your body and stretch him out to flat to make it even worse for him.

More about the other mount positions

• Mixed Martial Arts Mount Positions
• Strikes from the Mount Position
• Submissions from the Mount Position
• Escapes from the Mount Position