Neil Melanson 'Irish Collar' setup for Triangle choke

[KJGould]

Ahead of his soon to be released book on "Mastering the Triangle", Xtreme Couture Head Grappling coach Neil Melanson has done a 40 minute video (in 3 parts) on using the Irish Collar - a form of headlock clinch control form Guard - to protect yourself from strikes in MMA while working to setup a Triangle with a Ryan Hall style finish.

The Irish Collar and approach from this control has MMA in mind and is designed to be rough and abrasive in application to make the opponent uncomfortable. By Melanson's own admission, you'll feel like and probably be treated as a real prick and asshole :icon_lol: but as I mentioned, MMA in mind.

YouTube - Neil Melanson's Irish Collar Part 1


YouTube - Neil Melanson's Irish Collar Part 2


YouTube - Neil Melanson's Irish Collar Part 3

 

[Shemhazai]

Looks like quality instruction. Interesting approach to no gi/MMA.

 

[Dynassty]

I love this guy and his hard edged style....

He is a large man..... his partner looks like a child in his guard lol

 

[PointyShinyBurn]

Fascinating stuff, really like his systematic teaching style.

Also, lol at "raining Randy sweat, all over you".

 

[Dynassty]

I wonder how this guy would fare against some top compeitition at ADCC??? would be good to see...

 

[KJGould]

I don't know if he'd ever be healthy enough to do something as potentially grueling as an ADCC tournament. Neil had a bad Becets flare up about 6 months ago. Also, would ADCC allow someone with an immune system problem that's half blind to compete? I'd like to see Neil do smaller tournaments in the US like a Naga or GQ though.

 

[FirstNobleTruth]

Very interesting stuff, I like the approach.

 

[rgp]

Awesome. Liked it a lot. Also marketing wise this could be the next Rubber Guard, it has all the elements without being mechanically flawed.

 

[KJGould]

Awesome. Liked it a lot. Also marketing wise this could be the next Rubber Guard, it has all the elements without being mechanically flawed.

Or stupid names. It might be called Irish Collar, because it was adapted from Collar & Elbow wrestling which originated in Ireland and was brought over with Irish immigrants before it blended with other styles like Catch to form the American Folkstyle amateur wrestling. Or, it could just be because he's from Boston / Mass. lol.

But yeah, it's not a new guard system, it's a modified grip to help a closed guard to open guard system in MMA. I like this, and Big Nog seatbelt type grip and control more than the RG.

 

[rgp]

KJGould, I was saying marketing wise, in other words I hope Neil's books / guard system get the exposure RG gets.

 

[KJGould]

KJGould, I was saying marketing wise, in other words I hope Neil's books / guard system get the exposure RG gets.

Maybe if Randy Couture starts doing commentary every broadcast. RG has benefited the most from Joe Rogan imo.

 

[Lug's Spear]

I'm sold on it, I want to see this book. Suprisingly affordable compared to some of the other victory belt books I've seen. Does this guy have any footage of live rolling? I'd be interested to see how his game plays out against someone of similar skill while resisting.

 

[kying418]

What is Neil's grappling credentials? I see that he got his black belt from Karo, but in what? Did he have to earn any other belts?

What other black belts have Karo promoted? Just wondering...

 

[Irenaeus]

That was a really interesting perspective. I hope I never meet a large and strong newbie who have watched these videos.

Looks like a Catch and Judo Guy from his instructor page on Xtreme Couture. I'd also be interested in knowing a little more about him.

Neil Melanson is a Catch Wrestler, and leg lock and triangle specialist who trained under Gene Lebell, Gokor, and Karo Parisyan. In addition to being Parisyan’s grappling coach and training partner, and he trains day-to-day students and numerous professional fighters.

 

[sanchezero]

there are definitely so good details/ideas there. i'm diggin' it. also his instruction is thorough and articulate. i would watch more.

 

[ijustwannasurf]

Just nailed this tonight, in gi. Thanks KJ!

 

[Dynassty]

I don't know if he'd ever be healthy enough to do something as potentially grueling as an ADCC tournament. Neil had a bad Becets flare up about 6 months ago. Also, would ADCC allow someone with an immune system problem that's half blind to compete? I'd like to see Neil do smaller tournaments in the US like a Naga or GQ though.

without a doubt he wouldn't be able to do sanctioned mma, but grappling should be ok. He definitely has the knowledge and mind set..... such a shame about his eyes, that must've been difficult to go through.

 

[Shemhazai]

Neil shows another cool triangle/reverse triangle setup in the second half of this video:

YouTube - Xtreme Couture Gym Review: Grappling w/ Neil Melanson Head Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

 

[ZuZitsu**]

Really good stuff...I like his approach!

 

[iheartthemount]

someone should link the article about this guys medical condition. i think after reading that and what this guy goes through on a day to day basis, more people will have respect for what he is doing. great instruction.