The Matt Hughes Crucifex

[Uncle Fester]

To all you grappling experts:

We've now seen this move used by Hughes against Newton, Gracie, and Penn.

How does he set it up?
How does he keep the arm from being pulled out and freed?
Is there any escape for it?

Thanks.

 

[colinm]

i LOVE that setup for kimuras and armbars on the far arm and control in general.

the way matt got it on bj, and the way i get it mostly, is just pushing your partner's near arm down to the mat in an americana-eque position (in pure grappling this can sometimes be hard because your opponent keeps his arms tight to him b/c he doesnt need to defend strikes). after its pinned, drive your knee cap through the space between your partner's forearm and bicep. once you get your shin on top of his close arm, and the underhook on the far arm, you can even switch your pinning shin to your other leg and step over the guy's head to attack for kimura or armbar....or get the "harness" and work from there. its also a GREAT control position and i go for it in particular against the big guys - just don't let them lock their hands behind your back or they'll just brute-toss you off of them.

i've been shown 2 escapes, but have never hit them once the position has been established.

i'll occassionally let go of the underhook which inevitably leads to my partner turning into me and a pretty good shot at a brabo choke.

 

[Commissar]

To my knowledge, your escape relies on whether or not you can turn your hips into him. Treat it like side-cross, and try and shift your hips toward him, turning your upper body towards him. Keep your attacked arm tucked in at all times, and you can slowly retract your arm from the opponent's legs. After you free your arm, it's side-cross, and work on reguarding (or whichever escape from that you'd like to).

I understand it's probably harder to do when he's raining strikes into your jaw, but there's no other escapes that I know of, that work.

 

[PhxJudoJujitsu]

Most escapes are designed for before the crucifix is set. Once a guy has it locked in most often your screwed. It's an extremely dominant position

 

[Sax MMA]

very tough position to gain and escape. I would have thougt BJ could have maybe pushed out of it by shrimping or twisting his hips (easy to say this now). But with Hughes on you..good luck

 

[Knuckleballer]

Is what Matt Hughes did taught in folkstyle wrestling or bjj? Is it shared by both arts?