Most nonlinear control concepts used in robotics are based on a more or less accurate inverse model of the robot. In contrast to this, the design and properties of a general $n$-loop control structure based on a divided forward model of the robot, the so-called multi-loop Model Following Control Structure ($n$-MFC), is presented in this paper. Its theoretical basics and its concept are explained. The stability and robustness of the proposed control structure is analyzed. The theoretical assumptions are verified in many experiments with a two-joint robot manipulator. Qualitative as well as quantitative results of the experiments are presented and discussed.