This was a great match that shows a lot of things that are going on currently in the no-gi scene. Unfortunately Keith had some problems getting to the venue, so he wasn't 100%, but still put on a great performance. The match took place at Grapplefest 10 which was an amazing event, but this might have been the best match of the night. Kade and Keith are some of the most exciting grapplers alive, so you knew this match was going to be a goody as soon as it was announced. Anyway, let's get into it and break things down.
0:50 - After feeling each other out for a while Kade starts pinning Keith's leg with his foot. The only thing your opponent can do from there is pull your leg, which is what Keith does. Kade doesn't fight him much and let's his leg become entangled. Kade uses he right hand on Keith's leg to make sure his knee isn't caught and spins over to the other side. His leg is caught in a calf slicer position, but there doesn't seem to be much pressure.
1:40 - Keith comes up to try to hit a pseudo half guard sweep, but Kade puts pressure on his face to break Keith's grip. Keith then inverts and does a granby roll to regain guard, but Kade pressues against him and puts him in a stack pass position. Keith shows very good guard recovery and manages to avoid the pass. Then Kade switches to the inverted leg drag pass and works his way to north south.
Here is an explanation of the inverted leg drag pass and why it is great against people who invert.
3:02 - Keith gets his guard back and Kade goes back to working for the pass. After defending the pass, Keith goes after a leg. Kade is careful not to let his knee get caught, steps over and hits a top side berimbolo. This is a very dynamic technique that can bd used to turn your opponents leg attacks against them. The Ruotolo brothers are masters of this technique.
Kaynan shows a slight variation of the technique here from single leg X.
3:14 - Keith shows amazing back defense, and fights tooth and nail to keep his back from being taken. Kade then moves into a no-gi ezikial choke from the back, but can't quite finish it. Even though he can't finish the choke, it causes Keith to stop fighting Kade's legs and focus on the choke, which allows Kade to start inserting hooks.
4:15 - Kade gets the body triangle, but Keith turns and gradually manages to move to mount. This isn't much, but it is a small victory and gives him a chance to get back to half guard, which he takes.
5:05 - Keith spins under for a K-guard style 50/50 entry, but Kade controls both of his legs, stopping the entry and keeping Keith stuck in knee of belly. Kade constantly switches between north-south, side control and knee of belly, but can't find an opening. Eventually Keith inverts and gets his guard back.
6:12 - Kade moves side to side and then dives in for a knee slice pass. Keith tries to recover and while he does that Kade switches to the other side using a 50/50 arms style pass and then settles into the leg weave position. Keith wiggles out and turns it into butterfly half guard. From there he pulls Kade into 50/50, but Kade is prepared. Kade turns his foot out to avoid the inside heel hook. He then tries to quickly turn the opposite direction to free his knee, but Keith is ready for him and uses the ankle lock grip to prevent the escape. Kade continues to roll, comes up and pushes Keith's leg between his in one smooth movement, and escapes the 50/50.
Kade used this 50/50 escape.
6:58 - Kade moves around Keith's guard and Keith inverts. Kade employs a clever technique and throws Keith's legs upward which causes Keith to uninvert, leaving a huge space to pass into. Keith panics and rolls away and Kade follows him. Keith inverts again to regain his guard and Kade repeats his technique again, which lands him in side control. He then jumps on a kneebar, which Keith defends.
7:22 - Keith pulls Kade into 50/50 and its berimbolo time again. There is a battle for the twister hook, which Kade eventually wins by using his opposite foot to pry off Keith's hand. From their he slowly works his way towards Keith's back. Kade looks for a twister, but Keith knows better than to give Kade his arm. Kade then goes for an RNC, but it seems Keith might have his hand inside defending. From there they go to mount and then times runs out just as Keith escapes.
Tye hit the same counter on William Tackett.
Overall
This was a great action packed match and I'd recommend everyone study it to see how Keith recovered his guard and how Kade defended leg locks and passed the guard. Those that are worried about leg locks should definitely study the berimbolo leg lock counters Kade was using. Matches like this are informative and fun.
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