Copy of `UFC - Glossary of fighting terms`

The wordlist doesn't exist anymore, or, the website doesn't exist anymore. On this page you can find a copy of the original information. The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.

UFC - Glossary of fighting terms Category: Sport and Leisure > Fighting terms Date & country: 24/05/2018, USA Words: 125

Whizzer
Also known as an overhook, this move is performed in a clinch or tie-up position by placing an arm over the opponent's arm and then burying the hand in their chest or ribcage. The initiator will then usually move out to that side so that both torsos are facing the same relative direction.

Wrestling
The generic term used for any of a variety or grappling disciplines that don't necessarily incorporate submissions.

D’arce Choke
A choke named after grappler Joe D'Arce, who commonly used the technique in competition. It is also sometimes referred to as a Brabo choke. This is a variation of a front headlock arm-triangle choke and requires a fighter's attacking arm being pushed through their opponent's armpit and across their neck, before grabbing the bicep of the other arm, thus forming a connection and choke.

Unified Rules
A set of rules recognized worldwide by athletic commissions as the standard by which professional mixed martial arts are governed.

Uppercut
A power punch delivered in a circular fashion, rising up from underneath and targeting the opponent's chin. It is especially useful against an opponent who leans in or someone significantly shorter.

Weight-Classes
A set of divisions by which mixed martial arts divides competitors up by weight.

Welterweight
A weight-class where competitors range from 156 lbs (70.7 kg) and 170 lbs (77.1 kg) in weight.

Turtle
The act of balling up on elbows and knees in a grounded position, in order to prevent an opponent landing strikes of getting their hooks in.

Two on One
when one fighter grips their opponent's forearm/wrist area with two hands.

Underhook
When an attacker in a clinch situation puts his/her arm under their opponent's arm and tries to grip the shoulder or back to gain control. Double underhooks enable greater control and will also set up a throw. Obtaining an underhook while on the bottom of a grounded position allows a fighter to rise to their feet with more ease.

TKO
The abbreviation for Technical Knock Out.

Toe Hold
A footlock submission that involves one hand cupping the top of the foot and toes, while the other hand grabs the wrist of the attacking hand, using the forearm as a fulcrum on the opponent's calf to create pressure.

Triangle Choke
A submission hold where the attacker uses their own legs to isolate and squeeze the neck and one arm of an opponent, commonly performed from the guard position.

Teep
A type of Muay Thai style front kick, also known as the 'push kick'.

Technical Knockout
A term used to describe the reason for a bout's conclusion, either because the referee, fighter, or physician determines a combatant is unable to safely continue a bout.

Throw
The act of pulling an opponent up off their feet and then throwing them into the air with some amplitude.

Thai Plum
Also known as a 'collar tie up', this is a clinch commonly used in Muay Thai competition, where the attacker's hand hooks their opponent's neck and the forearm runs down the inside of the chest. The other hand can then also attack the other side of the opponent's neck, locking the hands, controlling movement and delivering knee strikes.

Sweep
In a grappling confrontation, this is the process of manoeuvring from a disadvantageous position beneath your opponent to a more advantageous position on top of them.

Tae Kwon Do
A Korean martial striking art that heavily emphasizes flexibility and kicking.

Takedown
Any way by which an attacker can bring their opponent to the ground with a grappling maneuver

Tapout
The act of a struggling competitor signaling to the referee, usually by quickly tapping three times on the mat or opponent, that they give up and concede defeat.

Superman Punch
An elaborate strike set up by first faking a kick and then immediately following through with a punch. The created momentum drives the attacker's body forward and into the air, which helps cover distance quickly.

Stalemate
When two fighters cannot advance position or gain success in a sustained grappling position.

Suplex
An amateur wrestling throw commonly obtained through a bodylock position from an opponent's back .The aggressor uses the bodylock to lift their opponent up and over in a back arching motion so that the opponent lands on their shoulder blade area.

Submission
The act of utilizing a grappling technique to force an opponent to concede defeat via tapout or other means.

Sprawl
A defensive grappling technique used to avoid a double or single leg takedown by throwing your legs behind you and dropping your weight on top of the attacker.

Single Leg Takedown
One of the two most common takedowns in freestyle/folkstyle wrestling, and one performed when an attacker grabs an opponent's leg with both hands and drives them to the mat. There are many variations of this particular technique.

Sprawl and Brawl
A term used to describe a fighter who avoids takedowns and likes to stand and strike.

Side Control
Sometimes referred to as 'side mount' or 'cross mount', this is a grappling position that positions the attacker on top of their opponent's torso and perpendicular to them on their back.

Shrimping
A grappling technique utilized by a mounted fighter, who will look to turn to their side, pull their knee through to the chest and secure a more positive half guard position.

Sit-Out
A grappling technique most common in folkstyle wrestling, this move occurs when a fighter claims their opponent's back in a sitting or standing position, only for the position to then be reversed when the fighter in the disadvantageous position reaches back between their foe's legs to grab a knee and switch positions.

Sambo
A relatively modern Russian martial art and sport and a hybrid of submission arts and amateur wrestling. Sambo tournaments incorporate both grappling and striking.

Sanda
Also known as San Shou, this is a modern sport and style of kickboxing widely practiced in China. Striking is combined with throws until a competitor hits the ground. The sport also incorporates a raised platform and points are awarded for taking an opponent out of the competition area.

Referee
An official appointed by the applicable Athletic Commission and someone fully responsible for ensuring the bout rules are adhered to and that the safety of the athletes is paramount.

Rear Naked Choke
This is a common choke applied when an attacker secures the back of their opponent and uses this advantageous position to set up a choke from the opponent's blind spot. In order to finish the choke, the attacker will sometimes vine their opponent's legs or utilize a body triangle to reduce the chance of losing position.

Round
A five-minute time period within which two fighters compete under mixed martial arts rules. Non-title bouts consist of three rounds and title fights consist of five rounds.

Push Kick
A variation of the Muay-Thai front kick, this move requires the ball of the foot moving forward in more of a linear motion, sometimes resembling a stomp. At times referred to as a teep.

Pull Guard
If a grappler is unable to take their opponent to the ground via takedowns, they will clinch and pull their opponent on top of them by wrapping their legs around the torso, initiating full guard and then looking to set up a submission or sweep from a grounded position.

Pummel
Fighters will pummel when battling for position of the arms and torso while in the clinch, with the aim of getting both arms on the inside and around the opponent's mid-section.

Posture
One's ability to keep their torso perpendicular to the floor, especially useful when looking to avoid chokes in an opponent's guard.

Over-Under Position
A very common clinch/tie-up position where both combatants have one arm around the opponent's body and the other arm over the opponent's arm, sometimes clasping hands around the back in order to set up an upper body throw.

Pankration
An ancient Greek Olympic competition and style which featured some of the same techniques and methods of today's modern mixed martial arts.

Peruvian Necktie
A variation on the front choke (i.e. guillotine, anaconda choke), this move requires the attacker briefly standing up, scooting in and sitting down, before throwing their legs up and over the back of their opponent.

Omoplata
A submission hold that requires the attacker using their legs to isolate an opponent's arm and apply pressure to the shoulder. It is most commonly obtained while utilising the guard position.

Overhand Right/Left
An arching and curved power punch thrown with the rear hand.

Overhook
Also commonly referred to as a 'whizzer', an overhook is performed in a clinch or tie-up situation by taking an opponent's arm and burying the hand in their chest or ribcage, and then moving so that both torsos are facing the same relative direction.

North South Choke
A choke submission achieved when an attacker is on top and chest to chest with an opponent, but positioned in an opposite north-south direction. The attacker then proceeds to wrap one arm around the neck of their grounded opponent before squeezing to generate the submission.

Octagon
The eight-sided specially-designed structure where all UFC bouts take place.

No Contest
The outcome of a bout that prematurely ends due to unforeseen circumstances, with no victor rendered at the end. A stalemate.

Neck Crank
A grappling submission and control move and one that entails an attacker applying force on an opponent's neck to create pain and discomfort and potentially force a submission.

Muay Thai
A kickboxing/striking art and the national sport of Thailand. Muay Thai specialists utilize hand, foot, knee, and elbow strikes from a stand-up position.

Light Heavyweight
A weight-class where competitors range from 186 lbs (84.3 kg) to 205 lbs (92.9 kg) in weight.

Lightweight
A weight-class where competitors range from 146 lbs (66.2 kg) to 155 lbs (70.3 kg) in weight.

Majority Draw
The decision rendered when two of the three judges rule a bout even at its conclusion.

Middleweight
A weight-class where competitors range from 171 lbs (77.5 kg) to 185 lbs (83.9 kg) in weight.

Mount
A dominant grappling position which allows the attacker to straddle their opponent's torso from the top and thus enjoy a greater sense of control.

Knockout
A strike that leaves an opponent unable to continue and results in a premature conclusion to a bout.

Kung Fu
A generic term that refers to the entirety of Chinese martial arts.

Leglock
A general term for the act of isolating an opponent's leg and executing any one of many possible submissions.

Level Change
When a fighter moves from an upright stance to a lower stance, by dropping down to the waist or legs of their opponent, in order to elicit a reaction or shoot for a takedown.

Kneebar
This submission is achieved when an opponent's knee is locked out straight by an attacker, who then places pressure on the ligaments behind the knee in pursuit of a tap.

Knee Tap
A freestyle/folkstyle wrestling takedown that requires an attacker placing one hand on the outside of their opponent's knee to prevent movement, while they drive in that same direction.

Kickboxing
The generic term for a sport and style of striking that utilizes hand and foot techniques. Some forms and styles of kickboxing include the use of knees and elbow strikes as well.

Karate
A predominantly striking martial art, first developed in Okinawa/Japan and with many branches and variations.

Keylock
A submission obtained when a fighter is in the mount or side control position and isolates the wrist and forearm of their opponent in order to then twist the arm and apply pressure to the shoulder.

Kimura
A submission similar to a keylock or americana, and named after a Japanese Judoka, Masahiko Kimura, this move occurs when an opponent's arm is isolated and cranked behind their back, thus putting immense pressure on their shoulder.

Judge
One of three neutral adjudicators selected by an Athletic Commission to score and decide the outcome of a fight which goes the scheduled distance.

Hook
A punch delivered by the lead hand in a circular motion from the standing position. 2. In grappling terms, 'hooks' refer to the act of seizing and restricting the movement of an opponent's limb to establish a dominant position.

Jab
A fundamental strike in boxing and one performed by snapping out the lead hand along a straight trajectory

Joint Lock
This describes any technique used to make a joint suffer unnatural movement or contortion, thus causing pain, discomfort, damage and potentially a submission.

Judo
A grappling martial art and sport created in Japan by Kano Jigoro in the late 1800's. Judo is an Olympic sport that allows groundwork and submissions, and is commonly noted for its emphasis on throwing techniques.

Heel Hook
Considered one of the most dangerous submissions in the sport, this move requires an attacker immobilizing an opponent's leg and then placing their forearm on the side of the heel to twist it and force the submission.

Head and Arm Throw
An amateur wrestling takedown that requires an attacker using their opponent's head and one arm to throw them to their back.

Heavyweight
A weight-class where competitors range from 206 lbs (93.4 kg) to 265 lbs (129.2 kg) in weight.

Hip Toss
A common amateur wrestling throw performed when the attacker secures one of their opponent's arms and slides their other attacking arm around the opponent's back/waist area. The attacker then turns and lifts their opponent up, over their back and on to the ground.

Haymaker
A wild, fight-changing power punch.

Hammer Fist
The act of an attacking fighter using the side of their clenched fist to strike down on a grounded opponent.

Half Guard
This is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu position commonly used when full guard is unavailable. If a grounded fighter is unable to secure complete control via full guard, they will settle for trapping only one of their opponent's legs between their own in order to complete half guard.

Guard
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu position that requires a fighter lying flat on their back and controlling an opponent's movement and position by keeping them tied up and restricted between their legs. There are many variations of this position. 2. A boxing term describing the act of keeping both hands up to protect the face.

Ground and Pound
A tactic originally employed by wrestlers to take an opponent to the ground and begin striking from a grounded position.

Gracie Family
The pioneering fighting family and celebrated originators of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Guillotine Choke
One of the most common and popular submissions, this move is sometimes performed in a standing position, but more often from the guard. It requires an attacker gripping on to the prone neck of their opponent in a front headlock position and then squeezing the grip tightly until rendering a submission.

Greco-Roman Wrestling
One of the two Olympic amateur wrestling styles that prohibit holds below the waist and therefore places an emphasis on throws.

Grappling
A general term that covers the techniques and disciplines used to gain an advantage over an opponent without the use of striking.

Grapevine
The concept of using one's legs to intertwine with those of an opponent in order to maintain control while on the ground.

Gi
A Japanese term for a training uniform worn by many exponents of traditional martial arts such as karate and Judo.

Gogoplata
A complicated chokehold performed from the guard, and one which involves an attacker using both an arm and leg (shin) to squeeze the neck of an opponent.

Freestyle Wrestling
One of the two Olympic amateur wrestling styles .

Front Kick
A linear kick performed by lifting the knee straight up, straightening the leg and then thrusting the ball of the foot at a target.

Gable Grip
Named after legendary Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable, this move places emphasis on a palm-to-palm clasping of the hands with thumbs at the side of each hand, as opposed to intertwining them.

Folkstyle Wrestling
A style of amateur wrestling practiced in the United States in the scholastic system and predominantly through college.

Fight Camp
An intense period of sustained training, usually carried out for eight to ten weeks before a scheduled bout. It is during fight camp when trainers and sparring partners help prepare a competitor for an upcoming bout.

Footwork
In the striking arts, footwork is the term used to describe one's ability to maintain balance and control distance through movement.

Foul
An illegal maneuver or conduct administered by a fighter during a bout.

Fish Hook / Fish Hooking
The illegal and prohibited move of putting fingers in an opponent's mouth and then 'hooking' inside the cheek area.

Fireman's Carry
A wrestling takedown performed from a tie-up position. To complete the move, an attacker holds on to their opponent's arm, ducks under and drops to both knees, while shooting their other arm through the opponent's legs and pulling them over their shoulders and on to their back.

Double Leg Takedown
One of the two most popular takedowns in freestyle or folkstyle wrestling. In order to complete a double-leg takedown, an attacker will drop down and drive between their opponent's legs with a step. The shoulder then impacts the midsection, thus tipping the opponent's center of gravity over the attacker and creating a loss of balance. Once this shot is initiated, the attacker will then use their arms and momentum to drive through, preventing their foe from regaining balance and fully executing the takedown.

Duck Under
A common wrestling maneuver performed while standing in or close to a clinch position. The idea is to gain an advantageous position on an opponent by driving one's head under their elbow/tricep and moving to the side or back.

Disqualification
A loss incurred by one fighter, usually due to a rules infraction.

Dirty Boxing
When two opponents engage in a close-quarter stand-up battle and choose to hold and control their opponent with one hand, while throwing punches, commonly hooks and uppercuts, with their free and spare hand.