Single Leg Takedown

Last updated: April 12, 2026

What is a single leg takedown?

A single leg takedown is a grappling technique where a fighter isolates and controls one of their opponent’s legs to bring them to the ground. The technique comes from wrestling, where it has been used for as long as organized grappling has existed. Wrestlers developed most of the entries, finishes, and variations that fighters use today, and those techniques transferred directly into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts as both sports grew.

In MMA, the single leg takedown matters because it gives a fighter the ability to move the fight from standing to the ground. That threat alone changes how an opponent behaves. A fighter who can reliably threaten a takedown forces their opponent to respect that threat, which opens up striking opportunities and limits the opponent’s offensive options.

UFC statistical reports back this up: fighters who land takedowns in at least two rounds win roughly 75% of their fights.

Data from MMA Fight DB, which analyzed over 2,072 takedowns across 799 MMA fights, found that the single leg was the second most frequently used takedown after the double leg. A separate 2021 UFC statistical breakdown estimated that single-leg attempts accounted for about 30% of all takedown attempts, with a 45% success rate. Those numbers place it among the most reliable weapons in a fighter’s grappling toolkit.

How the single leg takedown works

The single leg takedown works on a simple principle of physics. Two legs provide a stable base. Remove one from the equation, and that stability disappears, which is exactly what the attacker exploits. The goal is to control one of the opponent’s legs using both arms while maintaining their own two-footed base, creating a two-against-one advantage.

To initiate the technique, the attacker typically changes levels by bending at the knees and closes the distance to reach the opponent’s leg. Head position matters: placing the head on the inside of the opponent’s body (against the chest or ribs) is considered the safer option, while a head-outside position offers different finishing angles but exposes the attacker to counters like the guillotine choke.

Once the leg is secured, the attacker works to compromise the opponent’s balance. This can happen by pulling the opponent’s center of gravity toward the controlled leg, by lifting the leg to eliminate their base, or by circling and driving with the shoulder to force them off balance.

A common finishing method called “running the pipe” involves stepping to the side and driving the shoulder into the opponent’s hip or thigh while turning the corner. Other finishes include lifting the leg high and sweeping the standing leg, or transitioning to a trip.

The variety of available finishes is part of what makes the single leg so adaptable across different body types and fighting styles.

Types of single leg takedowns

There are three main categories of single leg takedowns, each targeting the opponent’s leg at a different height.

Type	Where the leg is grabbed	Key characteristics
High single	Around or above the knee	No penetration step required, making it the easiest variation for beginners. Works well from a clinch or tie-up.
Mid-level single	Around the thigh, mid-leg	Uses a penetration step. The most common variation in competition. Has the widest range of finishes and setups.
Low single	At the ankle	Relies on speed and precision rather than power. Higher risk if it fails, as the attacker can end up out of position.

The mid-level single is the version most commonly seen in MMA and wrestling competitions because it balances accessibility with finishing options. The high single works well for fighters who prefer to engage from close range or who have knee issues that make dropping to the mat uncomfortable. The low single tends to favor smaller, faster fighters who can close the distance and grab an ankle before the opponent reacts.

Single leg takedown vs. double leg takedown

The single leg and double leg are the two most common takedowns in MMA, but they differ in execution and application.

Attribute	Single leg	Double leg
Legs targeted	One	Both
Athletic demand	Fewer finishing variations, but a higher immediate success rate	Higher; requires speed and power on the entry
Finishing options	Multiple angles and transitions available	Fewer finishing variations, but higher immediate success rate
Risk profile	Less exposure on the entry; easier to abort	Deeper commitment required; harder to bail out
Common use case	Staggered stances; opponent’s lead leg exposed	Square stances; opponent stepping toward you
% of MMA takedowns	~30% of attempts (UFC data)	~37–45% of takedowns landed (MMA Fight DB, FightMetric)

One practical benefit of learning both is chain wrestling, where a failed attempt at one can transition into the other. A double leg attempt that gets stopped on one side can become a single leg, and a stalled single leg can convert into a double by attacking the second leg.

Common defenses against the single leg takedown

Because the single leg takedown is so common in MMA, fighters have developed several reliable ways to stop it.

The sprawl is the most basic defense. When a fighter reads the incoming shot, they drive their hips down and back while extending their legs, dropping their weight onto the attacker and flattening them out. A well-timed sprawl can shut down a single leg attempt before the attacker even secures the leg.

If the attacker does get hold of the leg, the whizzer becomes the primary defensive tool. A whizzer is an overhook, where the defender wraps their arm over and around the attacker’s arm, then uses that grip as a lever to peel the attacker’s control away and drive their hips back into them. Olympic gold medalist and UFC champion Henry Cejudo has demonstrated this defense extensively in instructional settings.

In MMA specifically, the defender also has the option of striking. Knees to the body or head (where legal), elbows to the back, and short punches can discourage the attacker from maintaining their grip. The guillotine choke is another threat: if the attacker’s head drops too low or drifts to the outside during the entry, the defender can wrap an arm around the neck and apply a choke.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the single leg or double leg better?

Neither is universally better. The single leg works well when an opponent has a staggered stance and exposes a lead leg. The double leg is more effective when the opponent is square. Most fighters train both and switch between them depending on what the opponent gives them.

Does the single leg takedown work in MMA?

Yes. It is one of the two most commonly attempted takedowns in UFC competition, accounting for roughly 30% of all takedown attempts according to UFC statistical data.

What is running the pipe?

Running the pipe is a finishing method for the single leg takedown. After securing the opponent’s leg, the attacker steps to the side and drives their shoulder into the opponent’s hip or thigh while circling, forcing them to the ground.

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Sources

1. MMA Fight DB. Takedown data analysis of 2,072 takedowns across 799 MMA fights. Reported by BJJEE.
2. UFC Statistical Reports. Takedown attempt and success rate data. Referenced by RTX Sports.
3. Evolve MMA. “Everything You Need To Know About The Single-Leg Takedown.” Accessed April 2026.
4. Evolve University. “How To Defend The Single Leg Takedown In MMA.” Accessed April 2026.
5. Evolve University. “Single Leg Takedown vs. Double Leg Takedown Debate.” Accessed April 2026.
6. LowKick MMA. “Single Leg Takedown: Explained.” Accessed April 2026.
7. LowKick MMA. “Wrestling Whizzer: The History Of The Move And How To Do It.” Accessed April 2026.
8. Fanatic Wrestling. “Single Leg Defense with Henry Cejudo.” Accessed April 2026.

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