7. Travis Browne’s Guide to Takedown Defense
As the game-within-a-game at the heart of MMA continues to evolve, so does the role of the cage in either assisting or hampering wrestlers’ ability to work their takedowns. For a long time, the cage was a massive help for wrestlers, as it took away the defender’s ability to sprawl. Now, however, the cage is generally helpful for the defender, because a wide base and strong underhook game allows them to stuff most takedowns and to wall-walk if taken down.
Browne is not the first or the only fighter to utilize this technique -- Conor McGregor knocked out Steve O’Keefe with the technique in the regionals, and Robbie Lawler used them to great effect against Johny Hendricks -- but he has done so with far more consistent, convincing and devastating results than his compatriots.
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