Standing Arm Bar
By Burton Richardson
You don’t see the standing arm bar often, but there are opportunities for this devastating fight-finisher.
In the clinch, your opponent will often over hook one of your arms. He may extend that arm slightly to block your knee strikes or to try to trap your far arm. This is when he is vulnerable.
In one quick, smooth motion, grab the wrist of his extended arm with both hands, pull his arm straight, and rotate your body into his elbow while placing your leg across his far thigh. Your arm and body movement locks the opponent’s elbow while your leg position prevents him from moving out of the danger. This is a dangerous move as this arm bar often results in a hyperextended elbow. When applied in the cage, fight over!
