Kiss of the Dragon
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Standard Kiss Of The Dragon·Energia Martial Arts·Added by Admin
Kiss of the Dragon In this video we cover the entry from reverse de la Riva to the kiss of the dragon back take. We also…
Standard Kiss Of The Dragon
Genusスタンダードキスオブザドラゴン(Sutandādo Kisu Obu Za Doragon)
TransliterationTranslation: standard kiss of the dragon
Overview
The Standard Kiss Of The Dragon executes the fundamental version of this technique by establishing reverse De La Riva guard, inverting between the opponent's legs, and threading the head and shoulders through to emerge behind the opponent with back control. [1] The guard player hooks the reverse DLR, inverts by pulling the hips over the shoulders, and slides between the opponent's legs, using the hooking leg to maintain connection throughout the transition. [1],[2] As the player emerges behind the opponent, they immediately secure seat-belt control and establish hooks for full back control. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
A modern BJJ back-take technique from DLR guard. [1]
Competition Record
Used in IBJJF competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Breaking the opponent's leg control to advance to a more dominant position
Joints Involved — Hips (posture and pressure), knees (opening the guard with knee-in or standing), hands (grip fighting)
Force Vector — Forward pressure (stack/smash) or backward posture (stand-up break) to open the closed guard
Passing Mechanic — Once the guard is opened, speed passing, pressure passing, or toreando passing advances the position
Position & Entry
From bottom (opponent has back control) — Fight the hands to prevent the choke, slide hips to the mat on the choking side, escape the hooks and turn into the opponent
From standing (opponent has back clinch) — Drop the hips, peel the hands, turn and face the opponent
From body triangle — Address the body triangle first by positioning the trapped leg to pry it open, then escape the hooks
Variants
Slide to side (choking-arm side) — fighting hands and sliding hips to the mat on the choking side
Peel-and-turn — stripping the seatbelt grip and turning into the opponent
Trap-arm escape — trapping one arm and rolling to pin the opponent's back
Body triangle escape — addressing the body triangle lock before escaping the hooks
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Sweeps reverse position from bottom; moderate impact on landing for top player
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive/transitional technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— UWW — Legal
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Standard Kiss of the Dragon: from DLR guard with the opponent attempting a knee slice, maintain the deep DLR hook, grip the far belt or ankle, invert underneath their passing leg, and spin to the back (Mendes Brothers, Art of Jiu-Jitsu, 2010s)
✓Step 1: from DLR guard, feel the opponent begin a knee slice or leg drag pass
✓Step 2: maintain the DLR hook deeply — the hook must stay connected during their passing attempt
✓Step 3: grip the far belt, ankle, or pant leg with the bottom hand
✓Step 4: as the opponent commits to the pass, invert underneath their passing knee
✓Step 5: spin through, using the DLR hook as a pivot, to emerge behind the opponent
✓Step 6: immediately establish back control — hooks and seatbelt
✓The timing is critical: invert as the opponent commits their weight to the pass — too early or too late fails
✓The inversion goes under the opponent's passing knee — you thread through the narrowest gap
✓This is a counter-attack technique: wait for the pass attempt, then convert it
Common Mistakes
!Inverting before the opponent commits to the pass — you need their weight commitment for the spin to work
!Losing the DLR hook during the inversion — the hook must stay deep throughout
!Not gripping the far belt or ankle — the grip prevents the opponent from adjusting during your spin
!Inverting to the wrong side — always invert under the passing knee, not away from it
!Not completing the back take — finishing behind the opponent with hooks is the goal
!Attempting against a standing opponent — the Kiss of the Dragon works against kneeling/passing opponents
!Over-relying on inversion without developing the timing — timing training with live partners is essential
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Create Space — use frames, hip movement, or leverage to generate room to move
2Disrupt Control — break or weaken the opponent's grips and weight placement
3Execute Escape — apply the specific escape mechanic with timing and commitment
4Recover Position — establish a safe position (guard, standing, or top)
Sources & References
Primary Source
Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques (Marcelo Garcia, 2011)
1BookThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Popularised by Leandro Lo and Mendes Brothers [2] Modern competition BJJ terminology
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy (Mendes Brothers) competition methodology [2] IBJJF competition analysis
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Popularised by Leandro Lo and Mendes Brothers [2] Modern competition BJJ terminology
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy (Mendes Brothers) competition methodology [2] IBJJF competition analysis
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip fighting ability, hip mobility for sliding to the mat, chin defence
Favours
strong hands for grip fighting, flexible hips
Key muscles
forearms (grip fighting), core, hip flexors, neck
Frequently Asked Questions
What position do I start from to perform the Kiss of the Dragon?
You start from a reverse Dela Jiva position. Energia Martial Arts recommends checking out their basic reverse Dela Jiva video first to understand the foundational position.
How do I grip during the inversion part of the Kiss of the Dragon?
Initially grip the opponent's heel from behind, then switch your grip to the inside backside of your hand and wrist as you invert. You'll push off with the backside of your hand and wrist against their ankle and shin to help you spin between their legs.
What should I do with my shoulders once I'm underneath my opponent?
Shove your shoulders back slightly to prevent the opponent from falling on your face and chest, which helps them fall into your lap for the back take instead.
What submission can I go for after the Kiss of the Dragon besides the back take?
You can attack the opponent's leg with a backside 50/50 heel entry using a gable grip or reverse butterfly grip, keeping pressure with your hamstring to maintain control.
How does the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon work?
The Standard Kiss Of The Dragon executes the fundamental version of this technique by establishing reverse De La Riva guard, inverting between the opponent's legs, and threading the head and shoulders through to emerge behind the opponent with back control. The guard player hooks the reverse DLR, inverts by pulling the hips over the shoulders, and slides between the opponent's legs, using the hooking leg to maintain connection throughout the transition.
Where does the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon come from?
The standard Kiss of the Dragon represents the base version of this advanced berimbolo variation, developed within the broader inverted guard system that dominated lightweight BJJ competition. It remains a high-level technique primarily used by advanced competitors.
Is the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sweeps reverse position from bottom; moderate impact on landing for top player
How do I set up the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon?
Standard counters include: Maintain Pressure — keep consistent weight distribution to limit escape space / Anticipate Direction — read escape attempt direction and block early / Transition — flow to a new position when the current one is threatened.
What are the variants of the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon?
Common variants: Slide to side (choking-arm side) (fighting hands and sliding hips to the mat on the choking…); Peel-and-turn (stripping the seatbelt grip and turning into the opponent); Trap-arm escape (trapping one arm and rolling to pin the opponent's back); Body triangle escape (addressing the body triangle lock before escaping the hooks).
How effective is the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon in competition?
Used in IBJJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon?
Top errors to watch for: Inverting before the opponent commits to the pass — you need their weight commitment for the spin to work / Losing the DLR hook during the inversion — the hook must stay deep throughout / Not gripping the far belt or ankle — the grip prevents the opponent from adjusting during your spin / Inverting to the wrong side — always invert under the passing knee, not away from it.
What are other names for the Standard Kiss Of The Dragon?
The Standard Kiss Of The Dragon is also known as Sutandādo Kisu Obu Za Doragon, Basic Kiss Of The Dragon, Standard KOTD.