1. Kneebar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQb7EyCcG9c One of the most profoundly horrifying moves in the UFC. Regardless of whichever sport an athlete might be a part of, an injury to the knee can ruin a career in an instant. So fearful are trainers and competitors of knee injuries, that MMA coaches do their all to ensure safe control against the dreaded kneebar, but honestly, the safest and most sensible means of protection is to admit defeat and tap that damn mat. Extremely similar to an armbar in the manner of grappling, the performer wraps around the front of the opponent's leg and pulls harshly the wrong way. By doing this. the joint get pulled forward, hyperextending and eventually destroys the opponent's leg. In MMA, more careers have been ended or put on serious hold after an awkward encounter with a kneebar. Fighters who dominate on the canvas love to execute the move as they are often able to roll with the motion and lock in. Whilst an armbar can take the trouble of mounting across the chest, a kneebar can be caught entering or exiting the clinch, meaning the attacker can counter and twist through, grasping the leg in the process. It is almost impossible to defend against, and those who do take their chances place serious jeopardy on their well-being and profession. There are many UFC submissions that are remarkably painful, but the kneebar is the leader of the pack.
Chris Haydon
Contributor
Film and UFC obsessive with a passion for scribbling words about them. Avid NFL fan and big Chelsea supporter too.
Film Studies degree graduate from the University of Brighton.
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