London... Did it really have to go?

[Kevin Bergdorf]

London or Williams Guard is gold - Braulio uses it regularly and one of his training partners Ronnie Mann, used it brilliantly in his last Cagewarriors bout to set up a gogoplata, it was awesome.

Yeah it's definitely out there. I have run into London twice in the last few weeks. The first was at a no gi class with Helio Soneca teaching a series from the position (?!). The second was last night with my old coach at GF Team. He put me in London and I was like "you know there is an unstoppable escape from here", but before I got the words out of my mouth he locked his guard back up... and the light went on.

[David Rosado]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Eddie is ok with any of us using London effectively. But as far as being a part of the rubber guard system, it doesn't really need to be there. Hugging the knee effectively replaces london, and anyone trying the cartwheel escape will just put themselves in more danger (carni's, omo's, etc).

So I mean, I'd say, play london all day. It's not a horrible position. It's just not really needed in the RG system.

[Chris Garry]

I've had some success with London in sparring on my weak side, and I really like how Sean Williams goes into the low single leg I think I'll be using that but still not as much as chill dog on the strong side. Chill dog just presents so many options. I suppose to a large extent it comes down to flexibility.

[David Rosado]

I've had some success with London in sparring on my weak side, and I really like how Sean Williams goes into the low single leg I think I'll be using that but still not as much as chill dog on the strong side. Chill dog just presents so many options. I suppose to a large extent it comes down to flexibility.

I suck at clearing the head big time. My leg curls suck and I'm big and slow. So I actually use london with the closed guard to hold the guy in place and clear the head and go straight into chill dog. It's also a nice way to set up easy triangles. I like london for my personal style.

[bobby rivers]

Yeah it's definitely out there. I have run into London twice in the last few weeks. The first was at a no gi class with Helio Soneca teaching a series from the position (?!). The second was last night with my old coach at GF Team. He put me in London and I was like "you know there is an unstoppable escape from here", but before I got the words out of my mouth he locked his guard back up... and the light went on.

I'm a purple under Soneca and rolled with him while playing with it. I couldn't catch him but it was the only time he had to defend. He destroyed me with it the next three roles. Good times.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

I use it periodically. Primarily to hold the angle against big guys who know what's coming and are trying to smash it. It's not something I go to regularly, though, as I feel I have better options.

[Kurzy]

Bookmarking. Not sure what London is.

[David Rosado]

Bookmarking. Not sure what London is.

http://mmaversus.com/2011/07/11/ales...-video-ufc-60/

This is my favorite utilization of London. Dean Lister uses it to set up a triangle. It's basically....instead of hugging the knee for mission control, you underhook your knee as sort of a step in between. It's a great position for many situations. It's just been deemed unnecessary for the RG paths. Not ineffective on its own, because it's proven. It's just...there's no reason to put it into the RG pathways at this time.

[Kevin Bergdorf]

http://mmaversus.com/2011/07/11/ales...-video-ufc-60/

This is my favorite utilization of London. Dean Lister uses it to set up a triangle. It's basically....instead of hugging the knee for mission control, you underhook your knee as sort of a step in between. It's a great position for many situations. It's just been deemed unnecessary for the RG paths. Not ineffective on its own, because it's proven. It's just...there's no reason to put it into the RG pathways at this time.

Wow- thank you for posting this!

[Brent Smith]

I agree with the sentiment that there are better options out there but I believe it still holds some value. I know Eddie said its gone from the system but I don't think it really will ever just leave. More so discouraged from use since you have all the Chill Dog side options.