When I watched the Dricus Du Plessus vs Khamzat Chimaev fight, I thought I was going to have a new technique to work to dominate from side control: the crucifix. But the next day when we went to workshop in the gym, I realized that top crucifix is not a very good position to hold. Here is my take on how to escape. Now, there are variations where top player can lean deeper, lean more with their head on the mat, etc.

This is my standard mount escape: comb my hair to protect my neck get my hip free and turn to my side control a hand and scoop out the back or entangle the legs This day I was fortunate to have Nathan, our 6'6" 270 lbs giant as a demonstration partner. I don’t know if you can tell from the video, but it’s clear to me he is getting bored of the demonstration and just wants to submit me, so some of this really is me trying to escape his mount before he chokes me.