Key Takeaways
- The Kimura is a shoulder lock that targets the rotator cuff through an internal rotation lever.
- It can be set up from several positions: closed guard, side control, standing.
- The technique is accessible from the beginner level, but a clean finish requires regular practice.
- Kazushi Sakuraba, Shinya Aoki and Ben Askren are among its most iconic users.
- Two advanced variations: the Tarikoplata and the Kimura from the triangle choke.
What Is the Kimura?
The Kimura, also called a shoulder lock or double wristlock in the freestyle wrestling tradition, is a joint lock submission that targets the shoulder. Its name honors the Japanese judoka Masahiko Kimura, who applied the technique to Hélio Gracie during their legendary 1951 fight, breaking the Brazilian’s shoulder.
In modern MMA, the Kimura goes beyond its role as a submission: it is also used as a tool for control and reversals (the Kimura trap), especially on the ground and from the standing position.
Biomechanical Principle
The Kimura uses an internal rotation lever on the opponent’s arm. By pinning the wrist and applying rotational force through an overhook, you put tension on the rotator cuff (especially the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles) and, to a lesser extent, on the ligaments of the glenohumeral joint. The opponent’s resistance only increases the stress on these structures, forcing the submission or risking a serious injury.
The lock is effective because it engages the practitioner’s entire body (hips, back, shoulders) against a single arm of the opponent: the power generated always exceeds that of an isolated limb resisting.
Execution From Closed Guard (Bottom Closed Guard)
Here is the classic scenario for entering the Kimura from closed guard:
- Wrist control. From closed guard, grab the opponent’s right wrist with your left hand, palm down, thumb underneath.
- Overhook. Bring your right arm over the opponent’s arm (overhook), then grab your own left wrist to form the “Kimura grip.”
- Get off the centerline. Shift your hips to the left side with a slight bridge. Avoid staying flat on your back, which takes away the movement’s range.
- Rotate the arms to the right and the hips to the left. This scissoring between the two axes creates the lever. Bring the opponent’s arm behind their back, gradually moving it upward.
Note: from side control or the standing position, the logic of the grip stays the same; what changes is the angle at which the lever is applied.
Common Mistakes
- Shallow overhook. Not going deep enough with the overhooking arm lets the opponent pull their elbow out and break the grip without effort.
- Staying flat on your back. This position removes the lateral clearance needed for the rotation. Coming up on your hip amplifies the lever.
- Using only arm strength. The Kimura is a whole-body technique. The hips and back should generate most of the force; the arms only guide.
Main Defenses
- Do not post your hands on the mat. Leaning on one hand on the mat gives the opponent a natural anchor point to start the Kimura grip. Keeping your hands active and mobile reduces this risk.
- Grab your own thigh or belt. Once the grip is set, grabbing your own femur or belt (a classic in gi BJJ) keeps the opponent from completing the rotation and forces them to break the defense before finishing.
Notable Variations
Tarikoplata. An offensive variation in which, instead of completing the classic Kimura, the practitioner uses the grip to roll into back control while keeping the lever, combining a submission with a back take.
Kimura from the triangle choke. When the opponent defends a triangle by trying to lift or free their head, the Kimura grip comes naturally on the isolated arm, creating a double threat that is hard to defend at the same time.
Fighters Who Made Their Mark With It
Kazushi Sakuraba, a Japanese MMA legend, used the technique with remarkable creativity against members of the Gracie family, giving the Kimura strong symbolic weight in the history of the sport.
Shinya Aoki, a grappling specialist, showed that the Kimura could be launched from unconventional positions, especially from the back and in transition.
Vagner Rocha and Ben Askren both popularized the system known as the Kimura trap, a structured approach that turns the grip into a control tool as much as a submission.
Famous Examples in Competition
- Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira II, UFC 140 (2011). Mir secured the Kimura on the ground after a knockdown, ending the fight against a heavyweight MMA legend.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Michael Johnson, UFC 205 (2016). Khabib turned ground dominance into a Kimura submission in the third round, showing how ground control opens the way to joint locks.
- Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Boetsch, UFC 172 (2014). Rockhold launched a Kimura from side control with a technical precision that remains a teaching reference.
FAQ
Is the Kimura Allowed in All MMA Competitions?
Yes, the Kimura is a legal submission in the vast majority of professional and amateur MMA rule sets. In BJJ competition, it is also allowed in almost every division, including beginners.
What Is the Difference Between a Kimura and an Americana?
Both techniques target the shoulder through a joint lever, but in opposite directions. The Kimura forces internal rotation (arm brought behind the back), while the Americana (key lock) forces external rotation (elbow pushed down, wrist up). In MMA, the Kimura adapts more easily from closed guard; the Americana shows up more often from mount or side control.
Can You Get Injured Practicing the Kimura in Training?
Like any joint lock, the Kimura can cause rotator cuff injuries if it is applied too quickly or if the partner does not tap early enough. It is essential to work progressively, warn your partner before applying tension, and release immediately at the first tap.
From Which Positions Is the Kimura Most Effective in MMA?
The Kimura can be launched effectively from side control, closed guard, and butterfly guard. In MMA, side control remains the preferred position because it limits the opponent’s mobility and makes it easier to find the angle to apply the lever.
What Is the “Kimura Trap”?
The Kimura trap is a control system developed notably by Ben Askren and popularized in no-gi grappling. The idea is to hold the Kimura grip to dictate the opponent’s position (rolling into a back take, mount, or half guard), using the threat of the submission as a tool of manipulation, with the immediate finish kept as one option among others. It is a modern MMA concept that extends beyond the finish itself.
Conclusion
The Kimura is one of the most versatile techniques in modern grappling. Easy to learn, it proves deep to master: it condenses the fundamental principles of leverage, control and constant threat into a single grip. Whether you are just starting out at the gym or preparing for competition, seriously adding it to your ground game is a worthwhile investment at every level.