Torreando-to-Knee-Cut Chain

PassPass combinationBelt: blue+Risk: moderateIBJJFADCCNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA

This is a dynamic passing sequence that chains the torreando (bullfighter) pass directly into a knee-cut pass, exploiting the opponent’s reactions to the initial lateral movement. It is highly effective for breaking through active open guards, especially when the opponent recovers frames or hip mobility after the torreando attempt.

Start

Standing vs open guard

End

Side control

Prerequisites: Torreando pass mechanics · Knee-cut pass mechanics · Controlling opponent’s ankles · Posting for base maintenance

Steps

1
Establish ankle grips and posture
Standing in front of the open guard, grip both of opponent’s ankles with C-grips, arms extended, hips back, and posture upright to prevent leg entanglement.
2
Initiate the torreando pass
Step laterally to your right while shoving both ankles to your left, aiming to create a strong angle at roughly 90° to their hips; keep your chest tall and weight light on your toes for mobility.
3
Track their hip escape or frame
As opponent frames with their far-side arm or hip-escapes to recover, release the near ankle and switch your right hand to a cross-face grip (cupping the shoulder or collar if gi).
4
Drop your knee for the knee-cut entry
Slide your right knee across their thigh at a 45° angle, aiming for the space just above their knee, while your left foot posts wide for base and your hips stay low.
5
Control the underhook and cross-face
Thread your left arm under their far-side armpit for an underhook, keeping your right arm cross-facing and your shoulder pressure heavy across their jawline.
6
Clear their knee/shin shield
If opponent frames with a knee-shield, use your left elbow to pry and staple their bottom leg, maintaining downward pressure with your right knee.
7
Finish the knee-cut to side control
Kick your left leg back to free it from entanglement, drop your hips, and settle into side control with chest-to-chest pressure and wide base.

Key details most people miss

The initial torreando angle must be sharp and committed to force a strong defensive reaction—half-hearted lateral movement allows guard retention.
Timing the knee-cut entry is critical: initiate as soon as you feel their hips turn or their far leg frames, before they can recompose guard.
The underhook must be deep and tight, with your head positioned low and forward to prevent opponent’s underhook or inversion attempts.
Keep your posted foot wide and active throughout the knee-cut to prevent being rolled or off-balanced.

Common mistakes

Failing to control the cross-face after the torreando allows opponent to turn into you and recover guard.
Entering the knee-cut too early (before opponent commits to their frame) results in getting caught in a knee-shield or lasso.
Letting your hips rise during the knee-cut exposes you to sweeps or leg entanglements.
Neglecting the underhook allows the opponent to come up on a single leg or invert for a counter-attack.

Counters & responses

They try: Opponent frames hard with a knee-shield as you knee-cut.

You do: Use your elbow to staple their shin to the mat and windshield-wiper your knee to clear the shield before proceeding.

They try: Opponent inverts or spins under as you switch to the knee-cut.

You do: Drop your hip pressure and sprawl your posted foot back to flatten their hips and kill inversion momentum.

They try: Opponent grabs your sleeve or wrist to block the cross-face.

You do: Circle your wrist to break the grip, then immediately re-establish the cross-face or switch to a near-side underhook.

They try: Opponent attempts to come up on a single leg after initial torreando.

You do: Sprawl your hips back and redirect your knee-cut angle to force their shoulders flat before proceeding.

Drill prescription

6 rounds × 2 min each; partner plays open guard with 60% resistance, passer must chain torreando to knee-cut, aiming for 4 clean side control finishes per round.

How the masters teach it

Videos are still being curated for this technique. AI suggests these instructors:

Lucas Lepri — Known for seamlessly chaining torreando and knee-cut passes, emphasizing timing and precise hip movement.Leandro Lo — Utilizes aggressive torreando setups to force reactions, immediately transitioning to knee-cut with relentless pressure.Rafael Mendes — Focuses on angle creation and grip transitions to set up knee-cut off torreando feints, especially in no-gi.Andre Galvao — Emphasizes athleticism and explosive direction changes, chaining bullfighter passes into knee-cuts with heavy cross-face control.

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