Single Leg Takedown From 2 on 1 by Bekzod Abdurakhmonov
When you are caught in a Russian tie, you are compromised. Your opponent has an angle on you, they have proper head positioning, and they’ve taken away one of your limbs for defense. If not checked, this tie can leave you open for a single leg takedown or a throw. One of your options is to “re-Russian” out of it and work the same tie on them, but what if you wanted to be more proactive in your approach rather than reactive?
Even if your opponent has set-ups like the Russian tie placed on you, there are still ways to use it to your advantage. In the video below, 2014 Asian Games gold medalist Bekzod Abdurakhmonov demonstrates how to turn the 2-on-1 Russian tie into a single leg takedown.
The 2-on-1 Tie
Before discussing how to use your opponent’s tie against them, it’s important to know how the opponent can get the tie in the first place. This can be done when you collar tie against them and they respond in turn by getting a two-handed grip on your arm and peeling it off. From there, the opponent can backstep to cut the angle and extend your arm out. What you’re left with is a situation where your opponent has a grip low on the wrist, a palm-up grip wrapping around your biceps, their chest planted against your elbow, and their head on the inside. This leaves you open for a litany of attacks on your exposed side.
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Countering Into a Single Leg
In the video, Bekzod retracts the captured arm by bringing his elbow back behind his frame.The elbow retraction also weakens your opponent’s control on the arm and works to eliminate the angle. This motion builds momentum, as he mentions, to bring you around to hit the sweep single. Bekzod’s head is properly on the inside, his angle is at a perfect 45 degrees, and he has a low control rather than posturing high. With a low stance like this, you can finish by grabbing your opponent’s far leg and driving through. They are weak laterally and can’t defend quick enough.
Additional Thoughts
This move requires key timing on your part in order to make it work. Hesitating after retracting the elbow leaves you open for an underhook with the empty space. You also need to be mindful of trying this repeatedly. Constantly trying to retract and hit the single leg can bait you for an arm drag or slide-by.
Russian ties can be a game-changing set-up if used correctly, but they can also leave your opponent open for unexpected shots. With single leg takedowns like those demonstrated by Bekzod Abdurakhmonov, you can take a no-win situation and turn it around in an instant. Check out the Takedown Passport!