I'm not sure why you're emphasising the word "punish". The way you're using it isn't common usage, so asking us if something is "punish" isn't going to be much help. You introduced the term "punishing grapple", so you'd have to be the one defining what is and isn't meant by that term.
I'm pretty sure he's emphasizing the word punish because he wants to punish or beat up his opponents in a way they won't be able to retaliate.