Ground and Pound: The Technique That Changed MMA Forever

Before MMA, the ground was a place for submission specialists only. Then Mark Coleman walked into the cage in 1996 and changed everything. Ground and pound turned wrestlers into finishers and forced every fighter on earth to learn defensive BJJ.

What Is Ground and Pound?

Ground and pound (G&P) refers to striking — punches, elbows, and hammer fists — delivered to an opponent who is on their back or against the fence while the attacker maintains top position or mount.

Why It Changed Everything

Before G&P was developed as a conscious system, wrestlers took fights to the ground to neutralize strikers — and then didn’t know what to do. Coleman, Dan Severn, and later Randy Couture showed that controlling the cage was only half the job.

The Best Ground-and-Pound Artists Ever

• Fedor Emelianenko: The GOAT of heavyweight G&P. Brutal, fast, and relentless from top position.
• Jon Jones: Long elbows from top control are a signature — arguably the most technically refined G&P in LHW history.
• Khabib Nurmagomedov: A wrestling base with savage G&P. Once on top, fights were effectively over.

Defending Ground and Pound

Surviving G&P requires framing (using arms to create space), hip escapes (shrimping), and guard work. The goal is either to sweep into top position, stand back up, or secure a submission from the bottom.

G&P in TKO Tycoon

In TKO Tycoon, fighters with high wrestling and power ratings will frequently finish opponents via TKO from ground and pound. Pair high wrestling takedown with strong ground striking and you’ll turn regional fights into quick highlights.