Underhook

Last updated: April 14, 2026

What is an underhook?

In its simplest form, an underhook means threading one arm under an opponent’s armpit and securing a grip on their back, lat, or upper body. That grip creates inside control, which means the fighter with the underhook is positioned closer to their opponent’s center of gravity than the opponent is to theirs.

This matters because inside control dictates who can push, pull, and off-balance whom. The fighter with the underhook can drive forward, redirect their opponent’s movement, and set up takedowns or throws. The fighter without the underhook is stuck reacting.

Underhooks appear in wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu just as often as they do in MMA. The concept is the same regardless of ruleset: get your arm inside, wrap the body, and use that grip to control posture and balance. What changes between disciplines is what comes next, but the principle of inside control stays constant.

How the underhook works in MMA

The underhook shows up most often during clinch exchanges. When two fighters close the distance and tie up, the battle for underhooks begins immediately. Whoever secures inside control can dictate whether the fight stays standing, goes to the ground, or gets pressed against the cage.

The cage is what makes MMA underhook work distinct from pure wrestling or jiu-jitsu. Fighters regularly use an underhook to pin an opponent against the fence, limiting their movement and creating opportunities for knees, short punches, or takedowns. Defending against the cage, an underhook can also help a fighter create enough space to separate or reverse position.

On the ground, underhooks play a similar role. A fighter on bottom in half guard who secures an underhook can use it to prevent being flattened, create angles for sweeps, and begin working back to their feet. A fighter on top can use an underhook to control the opponent’s far arm during guard passes.

The underhook works because it puts a fighter’s body structure on the inside of the opponent’s frame. That positional advantage carries over from the feet to the mat.

Single underhook vs double underhook

A single underhook means one arm is inside while the other arm handles a different job, like controlling the opponent’s wrist, posting against their head, or framing distance for strikes. The single underhook is more common in MMA because it keeps one hand free.

A double underhook means both arms are inside, which is a far more dominant position. With both arms secured, a fighter can lock their hands behind the opponent’s back in a body lock and attempt high-percentage takedowns, lifts, or throws. The trade-off is that double underhooks are harder to get because the opponent will fight to prevent both arms from getting inside.

	Single underhook	Double underhook
Arms inside	One	Both
Free hand	Yes, for strikes or grips	No
Control level	Moderate	High
Ease of entry	Easier	Harder, opponent resists
Common follow-ups	Knee pick, single leg, cage control	Body lock, bear hug, lifts, throws

Underhook vs overhook

The overhook is the opposite of the underhook. Instead of placing the arm underneath, the fighter wraps their arm over and around the opponent’s arm from the outside. The overhook is also called a whizzer, particularly when used to defend against a takedown.

Where the underhook is generally considered the offensive or dominant grip, the overhook is typically a defensive response. A fighter who gets underhooked will often clamp down an overhook on that same arm to limit what the underhook-holder can do.

	Underhook	Overhook
Arm placement	Under opponent’s arm	Over opponent’s arm
Position type	Offensive, controlling	Defensive, reactive
Control of opponent’s body	Direct, inside position	Indirect, from outside
Common use	Set up takedowns, control clinch	Counter underhook, defend takedowns

The process of fighting for underhooks during a clinch is called pummeling. Both fighters swim their arms inside, trying to replace their overhooks with underhooks. It is one of the first drills taught in MMA and wrestling gyms, and fighters at every level continue to practice it throughout their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “pummel for underhooks” mean?

Pummeling is the act of continuously working to swim your arms inside your opponent’s arms during a clinch. The goal is to replace an overhook with an underhook, gaining inside control. “Pummel” works as both a drill name and a verb for what fighters do live in the cage when they are battling for position.

Is the underhook the same in wrestling and MMA?

The grip itself is identical. The difference is context. In MMA, strikes and the cage create additional variables. A wrestler uses the underhook to set up takedowns on an open mat. An MMA fighter uses it for the same purpose but also to control opponents against the fence and to land short-range strikes.

Can you strike from an underhook position?

Yes. With a single underhook, the free hand can throw punches, elbows, or shoulder strikes at close range. Knees to the body and legs are also available. Double underhooks limit striking options because both arms are tied up, controlling the opponent.

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Sources

1. Wikipedia. “Underhook.” Accessed April 2026.
2. Evolve MMA. “Understanding Underhooks And Overhooks In MMA.” Accessed April 2026.
3. Evolve MMA. “Why Every Grappler Should Master The Underhook.” Accessed April 2026.
4. Wikipedia. “Over–under position.” Accessed April 2026.
5. Fanatic Wrestling. “Learn Dominate Your Opponent With Underhooks.” Accessed April 2026.
6. Evolve MMA. “What Is Pummeling And How To Do It Correctly For MMA Training?” Accessed April 2026.

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