David Avellan asked Mark Lajhner founder and chief instructor of Kaizen MMA Academy and of mmacoach.net. , to show us how to do an Uchi Mata in a No Gi environment.
Mark is a Judo black belt (Serbian national team member), Wrestler, BJJ purple belt, MMA coach and undefeated MMA fighter. You can find Mark Lajhner’s FREE MMA course Here.
The Uchi Mata is a powerful judo throw, often used as a counter throw.
Uchimata, or inner thigh throw, is classified as a leg technique in the nage-no-kata of Kodokan Judo. It often uses considerable hip action as well and some references therefore consider it a hip throw (such as Judo in Action by Kazuzo Kudo, 9th dan). It is one of the most successful throws in competition Judo at all levels, and it is difficult to defend against.
To perform the throw you must force your opponent off balance to the front. It is often done when your opponent takes a defensive posture with the legs spread and arms pushing strongly as the upper body is bent forward. You enter by pivoting or hopping in until you are standing on one leg between your opponent’s feet facing the same direction as the opponent. Sliding the other leg between your opponent’s legs you stretch it out and raise it up as you lean forward and pull your opponent onto your upper thigh. You will then bounce the opponent up and continue to turn and roll forward to complete the throw.
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