David Avellan's
Front Headlock Series
Learn a simpler way of scoring takedowns without getting sprawled on or dropping to your knees. A front headlock stops your opponent in their tracks — they have to protect their neck, and the moment they do, they hand you the takedown or the submission.
Instant online access + 3-DVD set · 30-day money-back guarantee
Why I stopped shooting and started headlocking
It doesn't require athleticism, flexibility, strength, or a special body type — just the right sequence at the right time. Here's what the front headlock gives you:
Stop shooting
Score takedowns without dropping to your knees — saving your knees, and your gas tank, for the rest of the fight.
Never get sprawled on
Attack from a position where there's nothing for your opponent to sprawl on, and no clean counter-strike to eat.
Always find a choke
The front headlock has nearly every choke available from it — guillotines, anaconda, D’Arce, Schultz, and more.
What's inside
3 DVDs and online course spanning over 2.5 hours, plus the FHL Mind Map for drilling and review — and free online updates for life. Streamed on any device, and shipped on DVD.
DVD 1 — Fundamentals
The core essentials: how to control the front headlock and apply it for takedowns and pins.
Running time: 44 minutes
- Setting up the Front Headlock
- FHL grips
- Snap down
- Near-side cradle
- Far-side cradle
- Spin behind / butt drag
- Cradle from fours
- Throw by
DVD 2 — Take Downs
Many more ways to set up the front headlock and take your opponent down.
Running time: 64 minutes
- Posture and feints
- Hook pull
- Wrist control
- Catching a shot
- Over-under
- Under-hook
- Russian 2-on-1 counter
- Back trip
- Ankle pick
- Inside trip
- Simmons cradle
- Far knee block
- Hi-crotch
DVD 3 — Finishes
Advance from the sprawl and finish with chokes.
Running time: 45 minutes
- Pancake
- Gator roll
- Crosswalk
- Ninja back take
- Anaconda choke
- D’Arce choke
- WEC guillotine choke
- Cobra choke
- Schultz choke
- Peruvian necktie
Does the front headlock work for MMA?
Absolutely. It's one of the best ways to score takedowns in MMA without getting countered by strikes — your opponent can't punch, kick, or knee you while stuck in a front headlock, but you can knee them. And it sets up a plethora of submissions: guillotines, anacondas, D'Arce chokes, and more. From day-one white belt to seasoned black belt, this series is built to be picked up by anyone.
What fighters say
“I love the front headlock series — it's great for both my MMA and jiu-jitsu competition and I love how dominant it is. If you're looking to break people down and finish them, this system is awesome!”
Jason "The Specimen" Soares TitanFC Featherweight Champion, 14-0 Pro MMA “I never wrestled before I started training MMA, and thanks to Master David Avellan and his headlock series my grappling game is on another level. I can walk in the cage knowing I can dictate the fight and where it goes. The headlock series is a game changer and I strongly recommend it!”
Edgard "The Dream Killer" Plazaola FFA Brown Belt Instructor, 4-0 Pro MMA “The submission I've had the most success with is the guillotine. But it wasn't until I learned the front headlock series that I became a real terror with it — even scoring a submission over a black belt at a grappling tournament.”
Devin Genchi FFA Brown Belt Your instructor
David Avellan is a BJJ black belt and ADCC bronze medalist with wins over BJJ legends including Xande Ribeiro, Rafael Lovato Jr., Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu, and Rener Gracie. He has coached top fighters including Phil Davis, Brandon Vera, and Jorge Masvidal. More about David →
Become a head snatcher
$40 — 3-DVD set (2.5 hours) + instant online access, the FHL Mind Map, and free online updates. Or order the online-only version and save on shipping. Backed by a 30-day 100% money-back guarantee.
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