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To stop someone from punching you from the mount - so that you can escape from underneath the mount position, the first thing you need to remember is to keep them mounted as low down your body as you can. This first rule is vital, as a high mount will nullify your bridge attempts to a large degree, and make movement etc far more difficult for you.

Ideally you will keep your oponent mounted at around your waist - lower if possible. This does three things;

1. Alters the angle of his shots, so they are less straight down.
2. Means your upa will achieve more impact, elevating him higher.
3. Allow you more freedom to move your upper body to switch through your mount escape reportoire.

To keep the guy low on your body you must prevent him from moving his knees into a position high up under your armpits. If he gets there, then your bridge/upa movements will have a much more limited impact on his balance (try it and see). To prevent him from moving high, you must keep your elbows tight to your sides.

To prevent a fighter from 'effectively' punching you from the mount, you must bridge (upa) each time he sits up to punch. By doing this you cast his weight forward, forcing him to post his hands to stop his balance from going. Don't try to hug him around the waist - if he has a good ground game you will hand him an armlock by doing this - there are 3 easy armlocks from this position (maintaining the mount).

You must keep both of your legs flat on the ground and tight together the second you conseed the mount position. If you leave them up (ready to bridge) you allow the guy time to lace his legs (grapevine) and ride your position, seeking to wear you out. With your legs flat he cannot get his hooks in effectively.

Once you have the guy low on your waist, your legs flat to the ground, your elbows in tight, you have the makings of your mount escape. You can use any of the moves Levo has suggested above. To perform the bridge and roll from the position i have suggested you be in, you First bring you heels up together, and place them flat against your butt. This must be done fast, and with good timing. Your Bridge hard and get you butt back down fast. This will knock your opponent off balance (any punches he throws will get sent high). getting your backside down quick prevents him from grapevining your legs - remember - your feet (heels) must be close to your butt - so close he cannot fit his feet in to grapevine you.

Now, you have him posted forward with both hands, or at least one on the floor. From here you can apply the bridge and roll technique.

Another alternative i like, is once i have him forward, his weight is evenly balanced between (usually) four points (2 arms and 2 knees). From here i place my hands on his hips (if my elbows are tight to my ribs, they will be practically there when i upa him forward.

From this position, ready to upa again, with my hands on his hips, I bridge hard and push with my hands, elevating his body upwards, and then hold his weight momentarily with my arms, dropping my butt down fast. This creates a space between him and me, leaving him literally hanging in the air - he cannot punch because most of his weight is now going through his arms. I raise both knees together fast, slipping them between his legs, and then i let him fall - landing on my shins. From here i push him away, putting him into my butterfly guard.

I find this works very effectively, but it has to be done very quickly. All of the escapes will work, but to do them well you need to practice them slowly first - perfect the movements (so they become precise and natural under pressure), then develop the techniques under more speed and finally under the pressure from punches.

The more advanced and technical you opponent is on the ground, the better you have to be in terms of timing, switching between techniques fluidly and rapidly, and precision.

Hope this helps.

Hot Air.