Treat the kimura as a control hub to open higher-percentage finishes.
The Bottom Line
You will master control before cranking. You will use kimura to expose armbars and triangles. You will not rely on strength-only finishes or risky standing entries.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Control-first players
Skip if: You avoid shoulder locks
Tech focus: Kimura, Top Wrist Lock, Armbar
Biggest takeaway: Kimura is a hub
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
Four volumes focused on the double wrist lock family: control, grip breaks, and transitions to armbars and triangles. Emphasis is on using the kimura as a hub rather than a single finish.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Kimura
- Top Wrist Lock
- Hammerlock
- Reverse Figure 4
- Americana
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 2 hours and 54 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I stopped forcing finishes and used the grip to climb to stronger submissions.
Why Neil Melanson?
Melanson’s kimura family draws from catch wrestling and Hayastan, emphasizing control before finish.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Kimura grip is a versatile control that opens sweeps and back takes.
- Great hub to connect armbars and triangles when finishes stall.
- Solid mechanics for breaking stubborn grips safely.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some feel kimuras are strength biased and hard to finish.
- Risk of cranking too far if control is poor.
- Standing kimura entries can be dangerous; caution advised.
Smart Alternatives
- The Science of Filthy Triangles – Natural follow-up when kimuras expose triangle angles. (Price: $127.00, 8 vols)
- Filthy Cross Body Attacks – Top wrist locks and kimuras from side control positions. (Price: $120.00, 8 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View The Filthy Kimura on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
