Takedown

Last updated: April 12, 2026

What is a takedown in MMA?

A takedown is any technique that moves a fight from standing to the ground. The fighter initiating the takedown controls how and where the opponent lands, usually ending up in a dominant position on top. Takedowns come from wrestling, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and sambo, and they are one of the most common ways fighters change the dynamic of a bout.

Fighters use takedowns for several reasons. Getting an opponent to the mat opens up ground-and-pound striking and submission attempts that are unavailable while standing. Under the Unified Rules of MMA, successful takedowns also count toward the “effective grappling” scoring criterion that judges use to evaluate rounds. According to the Unified Rules, a takedown is scored based on the “establishment of an attack from the use of the takedown,” meaning what a fighter does after landing matters as much as the takedown itself.

The term “shooting” refers to the act of quickly lowering the body and driving forward to grab an opponent’s legs or hips. A fighter who “shoots” is initiating a takedown attempt, and the phrase is used constantly in MMA commentary and training.

How takedowns work

Every takedown follows the same basic principle: move an opponent’s center of mass away from their base of support (their legs), or move their legs out from under their center of mass. Physicist Jason Thalken, author of Fight Like a Physicist, has described all takedown methods as variations of this single concept.

In practice, a fighter closes the distance, lowers their level by bending at the knees and hips, and drives into the opponent while controlling one or both legs. The direction of force varies by technique. Some takedowns pull the legs forward while pushing the upper body back. Others use a fighter’s hip as a fulcrum to rotate the opponent off their feet.

Timing and setup also matter. In MMA, fighters commonly use strikes to disguise their takedown entries. A jab or combination forces the opponent to raise their hands, leaving their legs exposed for a level change. Takedown feints work in the opposite direction, forcing an opponent to lower their guard in anticipation of a shot, which opens them up to strikes.

Types of takedowns

The most common takedowns in MMA fall into a few main categories.

Type	Origin	How it works
Double leg	Wrestling	Both arms wrap around the opponent’s legs; the attacker drives forward or lifts to bring them down
Single leg	Wrestling	One leg is grabbed and controlled; the attacker uses leverage to off-balance the opponent
Body lock	Wrestling/MMA	Arms wrap around the opponent’s torso from the clinch; the attacker uses trips or lifts to take them down
Ankle pick	Wrestling	A quick, low grab of the ankle while pushing the opponent’s upper body in the opposite direction
Leg trip	Judo/MMA	From the clinch, one leg hooks or sweeps the opponent’s leg while upper-body pressure forces them to fall
Hip throw (Ogoshi)	Judo	The attacker turns, loads the opponent onto their hip, and rotates them over to the ground

The double leg and single leg are the two most frequently attempted takedowns in the UFC. Georges St-Pierre, who held the record for most career UFC takedowns at 90, built his fighting style around these two techniques. Merab Dvalishvili surpassed that record and currently leads the UFC in career takedowns, averaging close to six successful takedowns per fight according to ESPN and UFC Stats.

Takedowns vs. throws

Takedowns and throws are related but different. The distinction is not always clean, and many martial arts communities disagree on exact definitions. The general difference looks like this:

	Takedown	Throw
Opponent’s feet	May stay on or near the ground during the technique	Leave the ground entirely at some point
Attacker	Typically goes to the ground with the opponent	May remain standing
Force	Driving, pulling, or tripping	Rotational or lifting, using the opponent’s momentum
Control	Continuous contact throughout	May involve a moment where the opponent is airborne

In MMA, the line between the two is blurry. A body lock takedown where the attacker lifts and slams the opponent could be classified either way. For practical purposes, MMA commentators and stat trackers count all techniques that bring a fight to the ground as “takedowns,” regardless of whether they technically involve a throwing motion.

Takedown defense

Stopping a takedown is just as important as initiating one. The most well-known defensive technique is the sprawl: when an opponent shoots in, the defending fighter kicks their legs backward and drops their hips onto the attacker’s upper back, killing the forward momentum and preventing the legs from being grabbed.

Other defensive methods include using underhooks (placing an arm under the opponent’s armpit to control their posture and block them from reaching the legs), cage work (using the octagon fence for leverage and balance), and lateral footwork to avoid giving an attacker a straight line to shoot.

Fighters known for their takedown defense, such as Jose Aldo and Amanda Nunes, often combine multiple methods. Takedown defense statistics are tracked in the UFC, and a defense rate above 70% is generally considered strong according to MMA analysts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do takedowns score points in MMA?

MMA does not use a direct point-per-takedown system. Judges score rounds using the 10-point must system, and takedowns contribute to the “effective grappling” criterion. A takedown followed by control or offense carries more weight than one where the opponent immediately stands back up.

What is shooting in MMA?

Shooting is the act of lowering the body and driving forward to initiate a takedown, typically targeting one or both of the opponent’s legs. The name comes from wrestling.

Can you counter a takedown with a submission?

Yes. The guillotine choke is one of the most common counters to a poorly executed double leg takedown, where the attacker drops their head low enough for the defender to wrap an arm around the neck. D’arce chokes and anaconda chokes can also be applied from the sprawl position after a takedown is stuffed.

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Sources

1. Wikipedia. “Takedown (grappling).” Accessed April 2026.
2. Unified Rules of MMA. “Judging Criteria.” COMMAND (mmareferee.com). Accessed April 2026.
3. ESPN. “The numbers reveal more about Merab Dvalishvili’s game than takedowns.” Published June 2025.
4. FightMetric. “UFC Leaders: Takedown Accuracy.” Accessed April 2026.
5. Statista/FightMetric. “Most takedowns landed by fighters in the UFC worldwide as of March 2022.” Accessed April 2026.
6. Evolve MMA. “What Is Sprawling In MMA?” Published February 2022.
7. BJJEE. “A Throw & a Takedown Are Not the Same Thing.” Published October 2021.

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