Zhumashbek Puts on a Bodylock Clinic @ Bill Farrell (Breakdown) (Excerpt)
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Standard Body Lock Wall TD·DPS Breakdowns
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Standard Body Lock Wall TD
Genusボディロック・ケージテイクダウン(Bodi Rokku Kēji Teikudaun)
TransliterationTranslation: standard body lock wall takedown
Overview
The Standard Body Lock Wall TD executes the fundamental body lock takedown against the cage wall, where the attacker pins the opponent against the fence with a locked body grip, then lifts and turns to bring them to the mat. [1] The attacker positions the hips underneath the opponent's centre of mass, locks a Gable or S-grip around the waist, and uses a combination of hip lift and lateral rotation to peel the opponent off the wall and onto the mat. [1],[2] The wall prevents the opponent from creating distance or sprawling, making this a very difficult takedown to defend once the lock is secured. [2] The technique typically lands the attacker in a dominant top position. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The body lock wall takedown combines the cage's backstop effect with the control of a locked body clinch, creating one of the most reliable takedown positions in MMA. [1] Once the body lock is secured against the cage, the attacker can use trips, lifts, or sustained driving pressure to bring the opponent down. [1]
Lineage
The standard body lock wall takedown is the baseline cage wrestling technique derived from Greco-Roman body lock mechanics. [1]
Competition Record
Khabib Nurmagomedov's cage body lock takedowns became a defining feature of his fighting style during his 29-0 career, with opponents unable to prevent the takedown once the lock was secured against the fence. [1] Daniel Cormier also used body lock wall takedowns extensively as UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion (2015-2019). [2]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Chest-to-chest connection with locked hands — body lock controls the opponent's torso as a single unit
Joints Involved — Attacker's hips (lifting or driving), opponent's spine (compressed within the lock), shoulders (restricted)
Force Vector — Varies — front body lock uses lateral or backward arching force; rear body lock uses lift and rotation
Takedown Mechanic — Controlling the torso eliminates independent limb posting — opponent cannot base out effectively
Position & Entry
From clinch range — Close the distance, secure a body lock around the opponent's torso, and drive, lift, or trip to complete the takedown
From underhook battle — Win inside position, transition to body lock, and drive through to the mat
Variants
Front body lock — securing the lock face-to-face and driving laterally or backward
Rear body lock — securing from behind for mat returns or lifts
Side body lock — angled body lock for trips and throws
Body lock to trip — combining the lock with a foot trip for the finish
Videos
Basic CLINCH Bodylock Takedowns for EVERYONE!
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Standard Body Lock Wall TD·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
This video I teach my morning class a basic series I like from the pummel position. Check out the details and you are s…
The 'Secret' To Body Lock Takedowns + 2 Submissions (Kimura + Choke)
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Standard Body Lock Wall TD·TRITAC Martial Arts
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard body lock wall takedown is established from the clinch through pummeling to achieve double underhooks, followed by a controlled descent executed against an opponent's body or a wall. TRITAC Martial Arts emphasizes targeting the kink at the opponent's hip—the space between the floating ribs and hip socket—rather than the muscular center of the back, as this anatomically weak point requires less strength to control and fold. The grip is secured by tucking the hands into this pocket and using chest pressure combined with core tension rather than arm strength. TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian describes the entry similarly, stressing that once double unders are obtained with elbows flared and high positioning on the neck/upper back, the practitioner lifts and twists the opponent, using either a throw-by maneuver (pivoting to deepen the arm lock) or a trip/knee block to take the opponent down. Both instructors note that from double unders, if the opponent attempts a headlock defense, the defender should maintain a solid base with hips in and snap both hands upward to adjust to a bear hug if needed. DPS Breakdowns provides advanced context through Zhumashbek's matches, revealing that the front uchimata (elevated twisting throw using the inside knee to elevate and rotate the opponent's inner thigh) combined with the body lock creates a high-percentage finishing technique, with footwork pivots that twist the opponent horizontally to the ground. All three instructors agree that proper hip positioning, maintaining the lock's integrity, and understanding the mechanical angles—rather than raw strength—are critical to consistent execution.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- TRITAC Martial Arts — The 'Secret' To Body Lock Takedowns + 2 Submissions (Kimura + Choke): Identified the hip kink as the optimal target zone for body lock placement; emphasized chest pressure and core tension over arm strength; described pummeling mechanics and re-underhooking technique; discussed leg trip variations and transitions to submissions from the body lock position.
- TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian — Basic CLINCH Bodylock Takedowns for EVERYONE!: Detailed double underhook entry mechanics with emphasis on elbow positioning and base stability; demonstrated defensive adjustments against headlock and head-block counters; explained throw-by mechanics for deepening the grip and trip/knee-block variations for the takedown finish.
- DPS Breakdowns — Zhumashbek Puts on a Bodylock Clinic @ Bill Farrell (Breakdown) (Excerpt): Analyzed elite-level underhook punching entries from standing handfight; demonstrated the front uchimata as a high-percentage finishing throw from double unders; illustrated footwork pivots, body positioning, and the role of inside thigh elevation in creating horizontal takedowns.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Cage/wall-assisted takedowns; controlled descent against structure
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IJF — Legal takedown technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— 2 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— Unified MMA — Legal takedown technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal — all takedowns permitted
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF— 2 points
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓Press the opponent into the fence with your chest, lock the Gable grip at their waist, and sink your hips
✓Pop your hips and lift while stepping laterally to peel them off the fence
✓Rotate as you lift — deposit them on the mat away from the cage to prevent them wall-walking back up
✓Keep your head on the side you're turning toward to maintain balance during the lift
✓Land in side control with your shoulder across their chest
✓Drill the cage clinch-to-body-lock-to-lift as one continuous sequence
Common Mistakes
!Lifting straight up without lateral movement — the opponent grabs the cage or braces with their feet
!Not sinking the hips before the lift, trying to muscle them off the fence
!Depositing them right at the base of the cage where they can immediately wall-walk
!Losing the grip during the rotation because it wasn't tight enough before lifting
!Head on the wrong side, losing balance as you turn
!Not following through to a top position after the landing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Close Distance — use strikes or feints to enter clinch range
2Establish the Lock — wrap arms around the opponent's torso with hands clasped
3Hip Pressure — drive hips into opponent to control their movement
4Lift or Trip — elevate the opponent or use a trip to bring them to the mat
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese MMA standard terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese MMA standard terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese MMA standard terminology
Katakana transliteration used in Japanese MMA/Shooto
Community
Athletics
Requires
upper body squeeze strength, lifting power, hip drive
Favours
thick chest and arms for tight lock, strong lower back for lifts
Key muscles
pectorals, biceps, erector spinae, glutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my opponent tries to headlock me when I'm in the double under bodylock position?
You need to establish a solid base and come up into the lock to prevent the headlock. Coach Brian emphasizes that you cannot be in a position where you're vulnerable to headlocks—maintain proper posture as you secure the double under.
How do I counter a head block when my opponent resists the bodylock takedown?
If the opponent head blocks you, take both hands and turn up facing upward, then hard snap on the back of the shoulders. This counter-move is called the double snap and helps you break through their defense.
What's the key to setting up the bodylock from the clinch?
Look for underhook entries when your opponent's elbow space opens on one side, which creates the opportunity to transition into the double under bodylock position. DPS Breakdowns notes that consistently getting into the bodylock position starts with capitalizing on these underhook entries.
If the takedown doesn't work, what other submissions can I attack from the bodylock?
From the bodylock, you can transition to submissions like the Kimura and chokes. TRITAC Martial Arts explains that once you have the bodylock secured, you can switch your grip from a seatbelt position to an arm grip to establish a Kimura, or attack chokes depending on your positioning.
How does the Standard Body Lock Wall TD work?
The Standard Body Lock Wall TD executes the fundamental body lock takedown against the cage wall, where the attacker pins the opponent against the fence with a locked body grip, then lifts and turns to bring them to the mat. The attacker positions the hips underneath the opponent's centre of mass, locks a Gable or S-grip around the waist, and uses a combination of hip lift and lateral rotation to peel the opponent off the wall and onto the mat.
Where does the Standard Body Lock Wall TD come from?
This cage-specific technique was developed by MMA wrestlers who recognised that the fence neutralised many traditional takedown defences. Khabib Nurmagomedov's systematic use of body lock wall takedowns in the UFC demonstrated the technique's effectiveness at the highest level.
Is the Standard Body Lock Wall TD legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal takedown technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, scored as takedown (2 points); UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal takedown technique; ADCC: legal — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal — all takedowns permitted; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, scored as takedown (2 points)
How dangerous is the Standard Body Lock Wall TD?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — cage/wall-assisted takedowns; controlled descent against structure
How do I set up the Standard Body Lock Wall TD?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Establish the Lock → Hip Pressure → Lift or Trip.
How do I defend against the Standard Body Lock Wall TD?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Underhook Pummeling — fight for inside position to neutralize the lock / Hip Switch — rotate hips to break the grip angle and create separation / Knee Tap — redirect opponent's momentum with a quick leg attack.
What are the variants of the Standard Body Lock Wall TD?
Common variants: Front body lock (securing the lock face-to-face and driving laterally or b…); Rear body lock (securing from behind for mat returns or lifts); Side body lock (angled body lock for trips and throws); Body lock to trip (combining the lock with a foot trip for the finish).
How effective is the Standard Body Lock Wall TD in competition?
Khabib Nurmagomedov's cage body lock takedowns became a defining feature of his fighting style during his 29-0 career, with opponents unable to prevent the takedown once the lock was secured against the fence. Daniel Cormier also used body lock wall takedowns extensively as UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion (2015-2019).
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Body Lock Wall TD?
Top errors to watch for: Lifting straight up without lateral movement — the opponent grabs the cage or braces with their feet / Not sinking the hips before the lift, trying to muscle them off the fence / Depositing them right at the base of the cage where they can immediately wall-walk / Losing the grip during the rotation because it wasn't tight enough before lifting.
What are other names for the Standard Body Lock Wall TD?
The Standard Body Lock Wall TD is also known as Bodi Rokku Kēji Teikudaun, Cage Body Lock TD, Fence Wrestling Body Lock, Wall Body Lock Dump.