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Ground fighting taking place in a mixed martial arts bout.

Ground fighting (in martial arts sometimes referred to as "ground work" or "ground game") is hand-to-hand combat which takes place while the combatants are on the ground, generally involving a degree of grappling. The term is commonly used in martial arts and combat sports to designate the set of techniques employed by a combatant that is on the ground, as opposed to techniques employed in stand-up fighting. Martial arts and combat sports that emphasize ground fighting include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, catch wrestling and mixed martial arts. It is also an important ingredient in judo, sambo and most types of wrestling.

Similarly to clinch fighting, ground fighting implies that the combatants are at a very close range, usually involving one or both combatants grappling the opponent using various grappling holds. Depending on the positioning of the combatants, the proximity can allow for techniques such as biting, chokeholds, fish-hooking, eye-gouging, joint locks, pressure point techniques, or various strikes.

The guard is often considered an advantageous position in pure grappling. Punches can however be very effective from the top.

Traditionally neglected by most grappling arts, striking on the ground is an important aspect of ground fighting. Typically, a top position is better for various strikes than a bottom position, simply because the combatant in the top position can generate the distance and movement needed for effective strikes, while the bottom combatant is restricted by the ground and by the combatant on top. Another factor is gravity, which is in favor of the top combatant when he or she is striking downwards. In addition, the effect of ground strikes may be amplified, depending on the area struck, by the strike driving the opponent into the ground. The types of strikes that can be employed effectively depend on the particular grappling position, common ones include elbows, headbutts, knees and punches.

A ground fighting sequence in mixed martial arts competition may begin, for example, with one combatant forcing another to the ground by using a double leg takedown and establishing a top mounted position. The top combatant may proceed to throw punches until the bottom defender attempts an escape by pushing away the top combatant. This creates an opportunity for the top combatant to transition into a juji-gatame armbar, and thus forcing the bottom combatant to submit.

• Clinch fighting
• Grappling
• Stand-up fighting
• Submission grappling

• Free Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling Videos
• David Thomas' Ground Fighting Technique Catalog
• www.lockflow.com/techniques.php Illustrated explanations of groundfighting techniques
• www.bjj.org/techniques/ Guides to groundfighting and grappling techniques, with illustrations and some videos
• www.bjjzone.com Grappling Technique Videos
• Submission Grappling Demo - 7 minutes
• Ecole Krav Maga Paris Self-Defense & Fighting Tactics