Reference • Beginners

The Complete
MMA Glossary

By MMA Dude• March 27, 2025 •12 min read •Evergreen reference

Every term, technique name, position, and piece of fight jargon you'll encounter as an MMA beginner — defined clearly, without assumed knowledge. Bookmark this page.

Starting MMA means learning a new language. Coaches yell terms mid-drill, commentators throw acronyms around, training partners reference positions you've never heard of. This glossary covers everything — striking, grappling, submissions, clinch, fight outcomes, weight classes, and the slang that gets used in gyms and broadcasts worldwide.

Use the jump links below to navigate directly to any category, or read straight through. Every term links back to this page as the reference source on mmadude.com.

Striking

Jab

A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand. The most important punch in MMA — used to measure distance, set up combinations, and disrupt the opponent's rhythm. Fast but not the most powerful strike.

Cross

A powerful straight punch thrown with the rear hand, rotating the hips fully into the punch. The primary power punch in a fighter's arsenal. Often follows the jab in the classic jab-cross combination.

Hook

A punch thrown in a curved arc from either hand, targeting the side of the head or the body. Lead hooks are particularly effective because they travel around the opponent's guard. Body hooks target the liver or ribs.

Uppercut

An upward punch targeting the chin, thrown from close range. Effective inside clinch range where straight punches have no room to travel. The lead uppercut is common; the rear uppercut carries more power.

Overhand

A punch thrown in a looping arc over the opponent's guard, targeting the temple or jaw. Less technically precise than a straight cross but harder to block. Common knockout punch at all levels.

Teep (Front kick)

A front push kick using the ball of the foot or the heel, targeting the midsection or face. Used primarily to maintain distance and disrupt the opponent's advance rather than to cause damage.

Roundhouse kick

A kick thrown in a circular arc from the hip, making contact with the shin rather than the foot. Can target the legs (low kick), body, or head. The most commonly thrown kick in MMA. The shin is the striking surface because it is denser and less fragile than the foot.

Low kick

A roundhouse kick targeting the thigh or calf. Repeated low kicks accumulate damage, slow the opponent's movement, and can stop a fight if the leg is sufficiently damaged.

Head kick

A roundhouse or axe kick targeted at the opponent's head. High risk, high reward — if it lands cleanly it often ends the fight, but it requires significant flexibility and timing, and leaves the kicking fighter momentarily vulnerable.

Elbow

A strike using the point or edge of the elbow. Legal in MMA. Devastating at close range — elbows cut easily and carry tremendous force in the clinch. Horizontal elbows, upward elbows, and spinning elbows are all used.

Knee

A strike using the knee, most commonly thrown in the clinch to the body or thigh. Flying knees are thrown while jumping. Knees to the head of a grounded opponent are illegal in most commissions.

Superman punch

A punch thrown while leaping forward, preceded by a fake rear-leg kick step to close distance quickly. The name comes from the extended-arm flying motion at the moment of impact.

Spinning back kick

A kick thrown by spinning 180 degrees and driving the heel backward into the opponent's midsection. Very powerful due to the full body rotation behind the strike.

Body shot

Any punch, kick, elbow, or knee targeting the torso rather than the head. Body shots accumulate damage, slow breathing, and can stop a fight with a single clean strike to the liver (right side) or solar plexus.

Orthodox stance

The standard fighting stance for right-handed fighters: left foot forward, right foot back, left hand is the jab hand, right hand is the power hand.

Southpaw stance

The mirror of orthodox: right foot forward, left foot back, for left-handed fighters. Southpaws create matchup problems for orthodox fighters because the angles are reversed from what most fighters train to defend.

Slip

A defensive head movement where the fighter moves their head off the center line to avoid a straight punch, without stepping away. Moving the head slightly left slips a right cross; slightly right slips a jab.

Roll (or Bob and weave)

A defensive movement where the fighter drops and rolls under a hook by bending the knees and rotating the torso in a U-shape. Creates inside position after evading the punch.

Grappling Positions

Guard

The bottom fighter has their legs wrapped around the top fighter's waist or torso, controlling their posture and limiting striking. Closed guard means the ankles are locked together. Open guard means the feet are not hooked.

Mount

The attacker sits on top of the opponent's torso with both knees on the mat beside their hips. Dominant position — offers control and the ability to strike or attempt submissions. Escaping from mount is one of the most important beginner skills.

Back mount (Back take)

The attacker is behind the opponent with both feet hooked inside the opponent's thighs (hooks in). Considered the most dominant grappling position — the person on the bottom has very limited options to attack and must escape without giving up their neck.

Side control

The attacker lies perpendicular across the opponent's chest, controlling the upper body without the legs being involved. Transitional position — often used to set up mount or back takes. Good for striking in MMA.

Half guard

The bottom fighter has trapped one of the top fighter's legs between their own two legs. A defensive position for the bottom fighter — safer than being fully mounted but less controlled than full guard.

North-south

The attacker lies perpendicular to the opponent, but facing their feet rather than their head. The attacker's chest is over the opponent's face. Useful for anaconda chokes and as a transitional position.

Turtle position

A defensive all-fours position where the fighter tucks their chin and protects their neck. Used to recover from being knocked down or to defend takedowns. Vulnerable to rear naked choke if the attacker gets their hooks in.

Sprawl

A defensive position used to stop a takedown. The defender shoots their hips down and legs back when the attacker attempts a leg grab, making it very hard to complete a takedown. Sprawl-and-brawl fighters are known for defending takedowns and returning to striking.

Butterfly guard

A guard variation where the bottom fighter has both feet between the top fighter's legs with the insteps hooked at the inner thighs. Used to off-balance the top fighter and create sweeping opportunities.

Deep half guard

A guard variation where the bottom fighter has threaded under the top fighter's body, controlling one leg from deep underneath. Used to set up sweeps and sometimes leg lock entries.

Submissions

Rear naked choke (RNC)

The most common submission finish in MMA. Applied from back mount — one arm wraps around the opponent's neck with the bicep on one side of the neck and the forearm on the other, squeezing the carotid arteries to cut off blood flow to the brain. If not tapped, unconsciousness follows within seconds.

Guillotine choke

A front headlock choke applied when the attacker traps the opponent's head and neck under their arm. Can be applied standing or from guard. The arm presses against the front of the neck (trachea) or the sides (blood choke).

Armbar

A joint lock that hyperextends the elbow. The attacker controls the opponent's arm by trapping it across their hips and applying upward pressure against the joint. Can be applied from guard, mount, or standing. One of the most fundamental submissions in BJJ and MMA.

Triangle choke

A choke where the attacker wraps their legs around the opponent's neck and one arm, with one of the attacker's calves pressing against the opponent's neck to restrict blood flow. Applied from guard. Named for the triangular shape the legs form.

Kimura

A shoulder lock where the attacker controls the opponent's wrist and applies rotational force to the shoulder joint by pulling the bent arm behind the opponent's back. Can be applied from several positions. Named after Japanese judoka Masahiko Kimura who used it to break Helio Gracie's arm in 1951.

Americana (Keylock)

A shoulder lock similar to the kimura but applied in the opposite rotational direction. Applied from mount or side control. Often one of the first submissions taught to beginners.

Omoplata

A shoulder lock applied using the legs rather than the arms — the attacker wraps their leg around the opponent's arm to apply rotational force to the shoulder. Applied from guard. Also frequently used as a sweep setup rather than a pure finish.

D'arce choke

An arm-in choke applied from top position (usually north-south or side control). The attacker threads one arm under the opponent's neck and grabs the bicep of their other arm to apply the choke. Named after Joe D'Arce.

Anaconda choke

Similar to the D'arce but applied in the opposite direction — typically from the front headlock position. The attacker threads their arm under the opponent's near arm and around the neck.

Heel hook

A leg submission that attacks the knee by rotating the heel. Inside heel hooks attack the medial knee ligaments; outside heel hooks attack the lateral ligaments. Extremely dangerous and capable of causing catastrophic knee injuries. Restricted in many BJJ competitions and forbidden in beginner sparring at most gyms.

Kneebar

A leg submission that hyperextends the knee joint in a similar way to an armbar — the attacker controls the leg across their hips and applies upward pressure against the knee.

Calf slicer

A compression lock where a bony surface (the attacker's shin or knee) is pressed against the calf muscle, creating intense pain. Legal in many competitions. Can be used as a setup for knee submissions.

Tap (Tapping)

The universal signal of submission — three firm taps on the opponent's body, the mat, or a verbal "tap." Signals immediate release of the submission. The fundamental safety mechanism of all grappling training.

Takedowns & Clinch

Double leg takedown

The most fundamental wrestling takedown — the attacker drops their level and shoots forward, grabbing both of the opponent's legs above the knees and driving through to take them down. Requires penetration step, level change, and drive.

Single leg takedown

A takedown targeting one leg. The attacker grabs one leg and uses leverage and movement to off-balance and finish the takedown. More ways to finish than a double leg but generally requires more wrestling skill to complete.

Level change

Bending the knees to drop height in preparation for a takedown. One of the most important technical concepts in MMA — fighters who level change well create constant threat of takedowns that affect how opponents respond to strikes.

Clinch

Close-range grappling while both fighters are standing. Used to control the opponent, prevent takedowns, deliver knees and elbows, and set up throws. Different clinch positions (collar ties, underhooks, Muay Thai plum) have different advantages.

Underhook

Threading one arm under the opponent's arm from the outside, with the hand reaching toward their back. Controls the opponent's shoulder and side. Getting double underhooks is a dominant clinch position that makes takedowns easier and opponent takedowns harder.

Overhook (Whizzer)

Wrapping one arm over the opponent's arm from the outside and gripping their tricep or shoulder. Used to defend single leg takedowns and control in the clinch.

Muay Thai plum (Thai clinch)

A clinch position where both hands grip behind the opponent's head with the elbows framing the face. From this position the attacker can pull the head downward into rising knees. The dominant clinch position in Muay Thai.

Hip throw (O goshi)

A judo throw where the attacker loads the opponent onto their hip and rotates them to the mat. One of the most basic and widely taught judo throws, effective in MMA for getting takedowns from the clinch.

Suplex

A throw where the attacker lifts the opponent and drives them onto the mat back-first. Several variations exist. Dramatic and often fight-changing when landed, as opponents can be slammed with force.

Fight Outcomes & Scoring

KO (Knockout)

The fighter is rendered unconscious by a legal strike and the fight is stopped. The opponent is awarded a KO victory.

TKO (Technical Knockout)

The referee stops the fight because a fighter is no longer intelligently defending themselves, even if they are still conscious. The most common type of stoppage in MMA. A fighter overwhelmed by strikes who cannot protect themselves receives a TKO loss.

Submission

The fight ends when a fighter taps, verbally submits, or goes unconscious from a legal hold. The opponent is awarded a submission victory, often specifying the technique used.

Unanimous decision (UD)

All three judges scored the same fighter as the winner. The clearest form of decision victory.

Split decision (SD)

Two judges scored one fighter as the winner; one judge scored the other fighter as the winner. The most controversial form of decision — indicates the fight was close or the judges saw it very differently.

Majority decision (MD)

Two judges scored one fighter as the winner; one judge scored it a draw. Less common than split decisions.

Draw

All three judges scored the fight equal. Extremely rare. Majority draw means two judges scored it equal and one judge scored a winner.

No contest (NC)

The fight is declared invalid, usually because of an accidental illegal strike that ends the fight before it has gone far enough to be scored, or because a fighter tests positive for banned substances. No winner is declared.

10-point must system

The scoring system used in most MMA jurisdictions. The winner of each round scores 10 points; the loser scores 9 or fewer depending on the level of dominance. A 10-8 round indicates a very one-sided round; 10-7 rounds are extremely rare.

Judge's criteria

Unified Rules judges evaluate rounds based on: effective striking, effective grappling, aggression, and cage control — in that priority order. Effective striking and grappling are weighted most heavily.

UFC Weight Classes

Strawweight

115 lb (52.2 kg) limit. Women's division only in the UFC.

Flyweight

125 lb (56.7 kg) limit. Men's and women's divisions.

Bantamweight

135 lb (61.2 kg) limit. Men's and women's divisions.

Featherweight

145 lb (65.8 kg) limit. Men's and women's divisions.

Lightweight

155 lb (70.3 kg) limit. Men's division. Widely considered the most competitive weight class in MMA.

Welterweight

170 lb (77.1 kg) limit. Men's division.

Middleweight

185 lb (83.9 kg) limit. Men's division.

Light Heavyweight

205 lb (93.0 kg) limit. Men's division.

Heavyweight

265 lb (120.2 kg) limit. Men's division. No lower limit — fighters must simply weigh under 265 lb at weigh-in.

Catchweight

A fight contracted at a weight not corresponding to an official weight class. Used when fighters from different weight classes agree to meet at a mutually agreed weight, or when a fighter misses weight but the fight continues.

Slang & Culture

Cardio (Gassing out)

Running out of energy during a fight or training session. A fighter who "gasses" loses physical performance dramatically after the first round or two. Cardio is considered one of the most critical attributes in MMA.

Scramble

A fast-paced sequence of positional exchanges where both fighters are working simultaneously — neither has clear control and both are fighting to establish a dominant position. Some of the most exciting sequences in MMA.

Ground and pound (GnP)

Striking an opponent who is on the ground. Most common from a mounted or top control position. Punches and elbows rain down on the grounded opponent. Responsible for a large percentage of MMA stoppages.

Sprawl and brawl

A fighting style built around defending takedowns with sprawls and returning to striking. Fighters with this style prefer to keep the fight standing and use strong takedown defense.

Lay and pray

Derogatory term for a fighter who takes an opponent down and holds them there without advancing position or attempting submissions — simply lying on top to prevent the opponent from standing. Often produces close, controversial decisions in the fighter's favor.

Rubber guard

A guard variation requiring significant hip flexibility — the bottom fighter controls the opponent's head by pulling their own leg high and using it to frame against the neck. Associated with Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system.

BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu)

A martial art and sport focused on ground fighting and submissions, derived from Japanese judo. The foundation of MMA grappling. Known for the principle that a smaller person can defeat a larger person through technique and leverage.

Wrestling base

A fighter's background in wrestling. Having a wrestling base means having developed instincts for takedowns, takedown defense, scrambles, and top control. Widely considered the most transferable combat sports background for MMA.

Reach advantage

Having longer arms than the opponent. Fighters with longer reach can land strikes from farther away and have an easier time keeping distance. Measured as wingspan in inches or centimeters.

Weight cut

The process of deliberately losing weight before a fight's official weigh-in, then rehydrating after to compete at a heavier weight. Controversial practice — fighters commonly compete at weights significantly above their walk-around weight.

Fight camp

The intensive training period leading up to a scheduled fight, typically 6 to 12 weeks. Training volume, intensity, and specificity all increase during camp. Most professional fighters take breaks between camps rather than training at full intensity year-round.

Southpaw problem

The matchup difficulty created when an orthodox fighter faces a southpaw. The lead hands are on the same side, creating different angles and openings than either fighter usually trains to handle. Many orthodox fighters find southpaws genuinely challenging despite equal skill levels.

Octagon

The eight-sided cage used by the UFC. The shape was designed by Art Davie and Rorion Gracie for the first UFC in 1993. The term is often used generically to refer to any MMA cage, though other organizations use different shapes and names.