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What is the Dagestani Handcuff?
The term Dagestani Handcuff was first coined by UFC commentator Michael Bisping who used it to describe a specific grip that champion Khabib Nurmagomedov would use to pass and control his opponent’s. In true, creative Bisping-style he excitedly mentioned it and thus the name was born. Whilst the move had been used before in MMA, it was Khabib who popularised it by commonly relying on the position.
In brief, the position is done from the top and is often from a half guard, side control or turtle position. Here, Khabib would hold the arm of the opponent under their body which would immobilize the arm. Mechanically, this was like handcuffing the opponent and trapping one arm. From here, he could advance his position or use it to punch the opponent in the face. Whilst primarily thought of as an MMA move, it has also been covered recently in BJJ and can apply on the mats. Here are some of the ways to use it when strikes aren’t involved…
Using the Dagestani Handcuff to pass the guard
Imagine you’re in top half guard with the opponent playing a knee shield position. With the opponent on their side and moving, there is the chance to grab their bottom wrist and pin it underneath their body. Ideally, this would be done whilst underhooking their other arm which would be a great position, however even with an overhook on their far arm it would still work. Generally, people are scared of giving overhooks away in top half, but if the opponent was flat and you could snatch their far wrist and stuff it under their body, you would actually have a dominant position.
From here, you could then start to pass the opponent by walking to their front side as if doing a knee slice. Whilst keeping the Dagestani handcuff you can then free your foot by either knee slicing or using your other foot as a butterfly hook to pry open the legs. The point of this move is to remove your opponent’s bottom arm which can typically be a pain. Of course, the main issue isn’t passing with the handcuff, but getting it in the first place.
Another way to pass is to use the handcuffs to open the closed guard. Sometimes this can be done to counter the opponent when they shoot for a Kimura. If you can reach over and pin their arm under their body, then it becomes much easier to stand and start passing with one arm controlled. Like the half guard example, much of this relies on timing to get the original grip and is very situational.
Using the Dagestani Handcuff to attack the Turtle position
This is perhaps the most common way to get the handcuff position and is commonly featured in wrestling. As discussed, the issue with passing from the handcuff is actually getting the grip. However, whilst in the top turtle position, this becomes far easier.
There are two things you can really do from here once grabbing the far wrist. The first is to try and enter a crucifix position by prying open the near side arm. This would be done by placing your heel on the wrist and bringing it to you and then locking your legs. Combined with the far side Dagestani handcuff, you could then fall or roll into the crucifix position and start working submissions.
A second option from turtle is to use it to crack the position and obtain side control. To do this, you should once again grab the far arm at the wrist. Remember to grab the wrist instead of the forearm as you will lessen control as a result.
From here, you can drive into the side of the handcuff with your head. As they don’t have an arm to base on they will either fall into side control or post out on their leg. Either result is a victory as you can insert a hook if they post on their leg and look to take the back. Ultimately, the handcuff is designed to create an attacking dilemma.
Using the Dagestani Handcuff to submit from side control
Not only is it a great tool to pin someone in side control, it also offers a hammerlock submission. The hammerlock is often done from the back and is mechanically similar to the Kimura. Typically, you will grab the wrist of the opponent and push their arm up towards their head. If uncontested, it will eventually break their shoulder due to pressure. This can potentially be done in top side control.
If you manage to grab their far wrist and stuff it under the body, then it becomes available as a submission. This is particularly viable if the opponent decides to turn away due to shoulder pressure. Not only this but it is often accessible from side control as keylock grips are a common feature once on the top position. Even if the submission attempt fails, the handcuff is great from this position as it controls the opponent and slows them down.
Using the Dagestani Handcuff from the bottom
Although this isn’t a common feature in MMA, it is sometimes used from the Lockdown guard in 10th Planet. This move has been used for years and is commonly known as the 5.0 guard. Once again, the name gives a nod towards the police force and using handcuffs. From the set up of a typical Lockdown with double underhooks, the idea is to grab the wrist with your near arm. Once done, you should pass it to your arm which is underhooked around the opponent’s back.
At this point, you can sweep the opponent to this side. As their leg is trapped in the Lockdown and you also control their arm with the handcuff, they will be swept due to lack of base. To add to your rate of success, you can also bridge up with your free arm into their armpit to create force. To date, this is the only real bottom position that uses the Dagestani handcuff to sweep.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, the Dagestani handcuff is a very effective way of controlling the opponent. Whilst it may be better in MMA with strikes allowed, it still has many practical uses in BJJ. Due to being relatively new as an identified MMA move, it may take a few years to really catch on in BJJ. Not only this but with the rise of Combat Jiu Jitsu in recent years, this only adds to the likelihood of the move becoming more popular in BJJ.
One issue which has been addressed throughout is the chance of getting the grip to begin with. Of course, it’s easier in certain positions to catch compared to others. Nonetheless, if curious then you should give it a go as it may enhance your top game significantly whilst also offering an unorthodox method whilst looking for sweeps from bottom half guard.
