How fast did the grab take place? Never mind. Had he used his hands, to grab Alexis it would seem plausible to have done it quickly.

the spinning is described as lasting a minute in length, so he could have done it during that time, assuming he was able to get his bearings.

The issue here, I believe, is that both fighters are off the ground. I have yet to read the sheets, but without some type of ability/good lower or upper body strength, it would take a good bit of effort, and time, to pull closer using essentially just a knee/lower body.