Bear Hug Takedown Defense to Side Control (Fundamentals)

Professor Lucas Lepri shows how to prevent an opponent from taking him down from the back while standing. The opponent hugs Lucas’ back and tries to pick him up and throw him to the ground. As soon as the opponent starts lifting Lucas, he immediately brings his leg to the outside of the opponent’s leg and hooks it. This prevents the opponent from lifting Lucas further. Once the opponent brings Lucas back down, Lucas places both his hands on the mat. He then reaches for the opponents ankle in between his legs. Lucas pulls the ankle up and pushes the opponent back with this hips. Once the opponent hits the mat, Lucas releases the ankle, slides his leg to the side and establishes the side control position.