Judo Throws for MMA – Kouchi Makikomi

If you want to learn judo throws for MMA, watch this video and I’ll show you how to modify Kouchi Makikomi for no gi situations.

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Before I break down the throw, I’ll show you how it’s done with a gi and why we must modify it in order for it to work in no gi situations. The main problem is that we cannot use the same arm position in no gi, as we did in gi. To be more precise, you shouldn’t even use this arm position if you do BJJ. You can only use it if you do Judo because the rules will allow you to get away with it while in BJJ or grappling you will most likely get your back taken after you complete the throw. And of course we don’t want that. So the arm will not go under the armpit as if you wanted to go for seoi nage, but you will underhook with it.

Your starting position will be over-under.

There are two key points for this takedown:

1. Create a deception

What do I mean by that? Deception in this case means making your opponent believe that you’re going to throw him forward while the actual throw will be done backward. You create this deception (or a faint) by pulling your opponent towards you and slightly upwards, looking as if you wanted to throw him forward, but the body will not turn together with the head. This is crucial. If the body turns, you will not have enough time to execute the throw. So you create a faint with your arms and head and when the opponent reacts by lowering his center of gravity and pushing the hips forward, you take him down backward. Simple as that. Most people will react in this way so the takedown will be there for the taking.

2. Establish base quickly after the takedown

If you don’t do that there is a possibility of getting butterfly swept and that is not what you want. If you get the takedown, you want the top position as well. So as soon you take him down – establish a strong base. Get the inside control as well. That means placing your palms on your opponent’s biceps and your head on his chest. That will prevent any submission attempts.