Standard Double Collar Cage

Genus

スタンダードダブルカラーケージ(Sutandādo Daburu Karā Kēji)

Transliteration

Translation: standard double collar cage

Overview

The Standard Double Collar Cage positions both hands behind the opponent's neck with elbows tight against the opponent's collarbones, the opponent's back against the cage, creating a trapped plum clinch where retreat is impossible. [1] The cage contact amplifies the control by preventing the opponent from stepping backward to relieve pressure, and the attacker can use short, explosive pulls on the head to deliver knee strikes or set up transitions. [1],[2] This position represents the fusion of Muay Thai clinch mastery and MMA cage awareness, combining the plum's head control with the cage's positional advantage. [2],[3]

Also known as
Basic Double Collar Cage Clinch[1]Standard Cage Plum[2]Fence Neck Tie[3]
Used in

History & Origin

The standard double collar cage clinch is a product of MMA's cross-pollination of striking and grappling traditions, combining the Thai plum with the cage environment that is unique to mixed martial arts competition. [1] It became a recognised tactical position during the sport's evolution in the 2000s. [2],[3]

Effectiveness

The standard double collar cage clinch combines Thai plum head control with cage wall trapping, creating an extremely dominant control position for delivering knee strikes. [1] When the opponent's back is against the cage, the normal plum escape routes (circling, backing away) are eliminated, making this one of the most damaging clinch positions in MMA. [1]

Lineage

A cage-specific clinch position developed in MMA competition. [1]

Competition Record

Anderson Silva used the double collar cage clinch to devastating effect against Rich Franklin at UFC 64 (October 2006), pinning Franklin against the cage in the plum and delivering knees that ended the fight in the first round. [1]

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary ActionControlling the opponent's head and posture using double collar tie or plum position
Joints InvolvedOpponent's cervical spine (controlled via collar tie), attacker's elbows (clamped for control), hips (pulling base)
Force VectorDownward — pulling the opponent's head below their centre of gravity breaks their posture and balance
Control MechanicElbow frames create a cage around the opponent's head — inside position dominance is the key to clinch control

Position & Entry

From Muay Thai clinch exchangeSwim both hands inside to secure double collar tie (plum position), elbows tight, pull head down
From single collar tieAdd the second hand to the back of the head while swimming the other arm inside

Variants

Cage pin with underhookspinning the opponent against the fence with inside position
Cage pin with body locklocking the body against the cage for control
Cage clinch with head controlusing the collar tie against the fence

Videos

Tips on Finishing a Double Leg Takedown

0
Standard Double Collar Cage·NY Martial Arts Academy·Added by Admin

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

4
Moderate4/10

Cage clinch work involves grinding pressure; rib/facial abrasion risk

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Restricted
WBC/Boxing — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding results in point deduction {srcWBC Rules of Boxing}
K-1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks {srcK-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
WAKO — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no...
WAKO Competition RulesPDF
Legal
Unified MMA — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF
IBJJF — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work pe...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF
IFMA — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai,...
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF
UWW — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the pri...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF

Training Notes

Establish both hands behind the opponent's neck while their back is against the cage
Pull elbows tight together — the narrow frame prevents the opponent from creating inside space
Press your chest or upper body into the opponent, sandwiching them between you and the cage
Pull the head to one side and drive the opposite knee — alternate sides for continuous damage
Mix in short elbows when the opponent covers up against the knees
If the opponent defends by pummelling inside, transition to underhook cage clinch or dirty boxing
Drill the cage double collar entry from the outside: clinch, push to the cage, establish the double collar

Common Mistakes

!Wide elbows that let the opponent pummel inside — the elbows must stay tight
!Not varying the knee angle — alternate left and right, and mix upward knees with curving knees
!Holding the position without active striking — the referee will separate you for stalling
!Pulling the head down without driving the knee — the pull and the knee must be simultaneous for maximum effect
!Standing too upright — crouch slightly and keep the elbows tight against the opponent's collarbones
!Not transitioning when the opponent counters — if they get inside your elbows, switch to underhooks
!Giving the opponent space to push off the cage — maintain constant forward pressure

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Close Distancebridge the gap using footwork, strikes, or a level change
2Establish Primary Gripsecure the initial controlling grip on the opponent
3Position the Hipsalign hips to maximize leverage and control angle
4Apply Pressureuse the grip to control posture and create offensive opportunities

Sources & References

Primary Source

Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Yod Ruerngsa, Khun Kao Charuad & James Cartmell, 2002)

1BookKodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)

Alias sources — [1] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008) [3] Anderson Silva: MMA Instruction Manual (Silva, 2008)

2BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011)

Official Kodokan ground technique classification system

4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention

Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities

5CitationKodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)

Alias sources — [1] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008) [3] Anderson Silva: MMA Instruction Manual (Silva, 2008)

6CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011)

Community

Athletics

Requires

neck and bicep strength for head control, endurance for sustained clinch

Favours

longer forearms for deeper collar tie, strong neck

Key muscles

biceps, forearms, neck muscles, core

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent my opponent from defending against a double leg takedown?

Lock your hands right underneath your opponent's hips and squeeze—this takes away their ability to sprawl and removes their primary defense. According to NY Martial Arts Academy, keeping your hips glued to their leg while maintaining this grip is essential.

Should I drive my opponent straight back or to the side when finishing a double leg?

Drive them sideways, not straight back. NY Martial Arts Academy explains that all your offensive tools—your head on their ribs, your hip block, and your posted legs—are naturally aligned to drive sideways, so that's the direction you should take them.

What's a common mistake people make when stepping into a double leg takedown?

Standing up straight instead of maintaining a low squat position. NY Martial Arts Academy emphasizes that when you step up, your legs should remain bent, your hips should stay in, and your back should stay straight—everything in good position—otherwise you won't generate proper power.

How do I set up a double leg takedown effectively?

You must set up your shot first—don't just dive in on someone's legs unprepared. NY Martial Arts Academy teaches multiple setups including snapping your opponent's head down to make them pop up, slipping a punch, or using hip torque off combination strikes like a cross and hook.

How does the Standard Double Collar Cage work?

The Standard Double Collar Cage positions both hands behind the opponent's neck with elbows tight against the opponent's collarbones, the opponent's back against the cage, creating a trapped plum clinch where retreat is impossible. The cage contact amplifies the control by preventing the opponent from stepping backward to relieve pressure, and the attacker can use short, explosive pulls on the head to deliver knee strikes or set up transitions.

Where does the Standard Double Collar Cage come from?

The standard double collar cage clinch is a product of MMA's cross-pollination of striking and grappling traditions, combining the Thai plum with the cage environment that is unique to mixed martial arts competition. It became a recognised tactical position during the sport's evolution in the 2000s.

Is the Standard Double Collar Cage legal in competition?

Unified MMA: legal — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA; IJF: legal — Legal — kumi-kata (grip fighting) is fundamental to judo; IBJJF: legal — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work permitted; IFMA: legal — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai, clinch dominance is highly…; WBC/Boxing: restricted — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding resu…; K: restricted — 1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks; WAKO: restricted — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no clinch fighting in most fo…; UWW: legal — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the primary position in Greco-Roman

How dangerous is the Standard Double Collar Cage?

Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — cage clinch work involves grinding pressure; rib/facial abrasion risk

How do I set up the Standard Double Collar Cage?

The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Establish Primary Grip → Position the Hips → Apply Pressure.

How do I defend against the Standard Double Collar Cage?

Standard counters include: Pummeling — fight for inside position by swimming arms under opponent's grips / Frame and Push — create distance using forearm frames against the chest or neck / Grip Break — systematically strip the opponent's controlling grips / Posture Up — straighten the spine and drive the hips forward to break clinch control.

What are the variants of the Standard Double Collar Cage?

Common variants: Cage pin with underhooks (pinning the opponent against the fence with inside position); Cage pin with body lock (locking the body against the cage for control); Cage clinch with head control (using the collar tie against the fence).

How effective is the Standard Double Collar Cage in competition?

Anderson Silva used the double collar cage clinch to devastating effect against Rich Franklin at UFC 64 (October 2006), pinning Franklin against the cage in the plum and delivering knees that ended the fight in the first round.

What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Double Collar Cage?

Top errors to watch for: Wide elbows that let the opponent pummel inside — the elbows must stay tight / Not varying the knee angle — alternate left and right, and mix upward knees with curving knees / Holding the position without active striking — the referee will separate you for stalling / Pulling the head down without driving the knee — the pull and the knee must be simultaneous for maximum effect.

What are other names for the Standard Double Collar Cage?

The Standard Double Collar Cage is also known as Sutandādo Daburu Karā Kēji, Basic Double Collar Cage Clinch, Standard Cage Plum, Fence Neck Tie.