Clinch

The clinch is the standing grappling phase where two fighters grab hold of each other at close range, using it to land short strikes, control an opponent's posture, or set up a takedown. It draws from several disciplines at once: Muay Thai's plum clinch, which locks around the back of an opponent's head to unload devastating knees, and wrestling and judo's array of clinch trips and throws designed to get an opponent to the mat. Positioning is everything here. Double underhooks, both arms wrapped inside an opponent's arms, generally favor the fighter trying to control or takedown, while a single overhook can set up striking instead. A fighter who's uncomfortable in the clinch often looks to disengage immediately, since a few seconds of poor positioning here can decide the rest of the exchange. Technique breakdown at Evolve University.