Today we are going to learn the butterfly sweep without underhook by Rafael Formiga. He is the founder of Soul Fighters BJJ. Rafael was the first jiu-jitsu star I ever trained with in my life. When I was a brown belt we both trained at Brazilian Top Team. I went to train with him in Rio and he beat me up badly. It was a big pleasure for me to train with him.
He has won the World Masters 3 times. He also was a medalist in the Worlds and Pan Ams in the adult division during his career.
Most people do butterfly sweeps after getting an underhook. However, Rafael reaches over his opponent’s shoulder and grabs his belt.
Let’s see how he does it.
When he gets an underhook from butterfly guard he feels that his opponent tries to smash his legs and pass him. This can give him trouble. That’s why he prefers reaching over his opponent’s shoulder and grabs the belt. Also he makes sure to keep his knee high and on the outside of his opponent’s ribs.

Once he has control of the belt he prevents his opponent’s shoulder from coming up. He does this by locking his elbow above his opponent’s shoulder. His opponent’s head can’t come up anymore and it keeps him low to the ground.
Now it’s the same concept as the regular butterfly sweep. He grabs his opponent’s sleeve or elbow. He lays back to his shoulder and uses the momentum to lift his leg with the butterfly hook. Also, he uses his grip on his opponent’s belt to help pull and finish the sweep.
At this point he keeps the grip on the belt and locks his elbow so his opponent can’t come up and get his back. Then he posts one hand to help him pummel and get the underhook. Now he can finish the pass with a knee cut.
I see Rafael get this sweep all the time when he competes. He also has the option to go into 1 leg x-guard, x-guard or several others positions off this set-up.
I really felt stuck when he reached over my shoulder and gripped my belt. My shoulder was locked and I had nowhere to go. When he has this position, it is easy for him to grab my sleeve or elbow and get the sweep.
This is a cool move and very effective. As I mentioned before I have seen Rafael get this sweep so many times against high-level black belts.

Here is the breakdown of the key points for the butterfly sweep without underhook by Rafael Formiga:

1. He starts in the butterfly position and he looks to reach over his opponent’s shoulder and control his belt. He also needs to keep his knee high and on the outside of his opponent’s ribs. This makes it hard for his opponent to smash Rafael’s knee down and get a pass.
2. Now it’s easy for him to grab his opponent’s sleeve or elbow.
3. He falls to his shoulder and uses the momentum, his butterfly hook, and his belt grip to sweep his opponent.
4. He keeps the grip on the belt and closes his elbow so his opponent can’t go to his back.
5. Now he posts his hand on the mat and pummels his other arm to get the underhook. He can finish the pass with a knee cut.

I hope you enjoyed the butterfly sweep without underhook by Rafael Formiga. Thank you so much for your help Rafael. Oss.
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