The bottle opener is the answer to a problem every MMA clinch fighter eventually runs into — you are chest-to-chest with your opponent, wrapped up tight against the cage, and there is not a millimeter of space to throw a knee. You need to make space. The bottle opener makes it for you.
You have probably seen this in tight fights and wondered what the heck the guy was actually doing. He is throwing knees and the announcers are confused. Here is the move.
Start from the block-off after he comes in wide. Wrap tight, high around the neck — chin on his shoulder, up on your toes if you need to, body glued to his. The grip does not have to be fancy. Keep him crushed to you.
Now here is the bottle opener itself. Use your forearm to pry — wedge it in and crank space between the two of you. Matt's partner in the video literally grunts when he does it. That is not for show, that is the move working. You are levering his chest off of yours just enough to drop a knee into the gap you made.
Adjust your hip, come under, and deliver the knee clean. Then reset and do it again.
A couple of details that matter. Stay super tight until the instant you pry — if you have daylight before you are ready, he is going to beat you to a strike or a duck-under. Chin on shoulder keeps your head safe from his cross. And it does not matter what is on your hands. MMA gloves, bare knuckle, tie gloves — the mechanics work because it is a forearm lever, not a strike.
That is the beauty of it. Simple wedge. Big result.
For the full breakdown of clinch and wall work for MMA, check out our full guide to MMA clinch and wall work. Get the full course in The Complete MMA Fighting System.