***ESB's Official MMA Forum's Guide to MMA Submissions (GIFS & VIDS)***

In an effort to help educate both nascent MMA fans and long time fans that may not be familiar with the subtleties of grappling submissions - ESB's MMA Forum is proud to bring you our guide to Mixed Martial Arts Submissions.

What makes submissions so fascinating is more than just their ability to suddenly reverse the fortunes and end a fight like a knock out - but the fact that submissions utilize leverage against the weakest areas of the human anatomy to render an opponent helpless.

Unlike in boxing - where junior welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao will most likely never KO the much larger heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko - in MMA a much smaller fighter like lightweight BJ Penn stands a chance at defeating a much larger opponent like light heavyweight Lyoto Machida - provided he can lock in a submission.

With these basic principles in mind we will do our best to guide you through the bulk of the submissions that you might see applied in a MMA fight.

Please keep in mind that I trained in American jujutsu for and Relson Gracie Brazilian Jiujitsu for years - so my understanding will come from those perspectives. Many of these techniques have multiple names depending on which style the fighter trains in. Just as in boxing a right hand punch is called everything from a "straight right" to a "right cross" to Muhammad Ali's "anchor punch," nuances aside, all these names refer to basically the same right hand punch.

We will begin with the basic submissions that one learns upon first entering a grappling school.

1. Rear naked choke.
Utilizes both arms around the opponent's neck to cut off the blood flowing through the carotid arteries to render an opponent unconscious. Applied correctly - this choke will take effect inside 3 seconds. If held for longer than 10 seconds, the RNC can result in permanent brain damage - and eventual death.

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2. Guillotine choke.
Unlike the RNC - the guillotine choke is applied from the front and is not a strict blood choke - using both arms to trap the head under their armpit, the forearm is pressed across the front of the opponent's neck - crushing their windpipe. If held long enough - blood will be restricted as well resulting in unconsciousness.

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3. Armbar.
The armbar is the most versatile and common of submissions as it can be applied from almost any position. It utlizes the entire body to apply leverage against the opponent's elbow. Once the arm is extended - the tiniest amount of pressure can break the opponent's elbow or shatter the bones in their forearm.

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4. Keylock/Americana.
Generally applied from the cross body position - the keylock is the most base and basic of armlocks. By keeping the wrist close to the opponent's body as their elbow is raised up and moved down along the length of their body - pressure is applied to the shoulder and can result in torn muscles and ligaments.

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5. Kimura/Shoulder lock.
Generally applied from the cross body position (but can be applied from the guard as well) - this lock applies leverage against the opponent's shoulder. By using the legs to hold the opponent's head in place - all of the fighter's strength and leverage torques the shoulder to it's weakest direction. Applied for too long - a dislocated shoulder, torn muscles and ripped ligaments can occur.

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6. Triangle choke.
This is the standard leg choke applied from the guard/bottom position. (NOTE: In this GIF, it is hooked from the mount/top position.) The fighter's legs trap the opponent's arm and head - applying incredible pressure against the neck to block off the arteries and the flow of blood to the brain resulting in loss of consciousness. Generally when you see the opponent tap - it means their vision is going gray and they are about to pass out and quite possible foam at the mouth.

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7. Ankle lock.
This is one of the main submissions in the Japanese style of shootfighting as well as catch as catch can wrestling. By isolating an ankle under the fighter's armpit - the foot is extended forward beyond it's full extension resulting in a broken ankle.

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From here on out - submissions will be grouped by category for easy reference.​

 

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1. Keylock/Americana.

I always start with the keylock - because it is the most common armlock. It's the simplest to apply because it doesn't take a lot of skill to set up and apply. Basically if a guy is strong enough to hold someone down from the cross body position - then even without the proper knowledge to apply the keylock - they can still twist an opponent's arm enough to cause damage.

Generally applied from the cross body position - the keylock is the most base and basic of armlocks. By keeping the wrist close to the opponent's body as their elbow is raised up and moved down along the length of their body - pressure is applied to the shoulder and can result in torn muscles and ligaments.

NOTE: This GIF is not a great example of an Americana. The technique (as described above) is very sloppy. Waterman is finishing the hold simply because he is strong enough to twist it until it hurts his opponent. This was the only GIF I could find, so I had to use it.

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2. Armbar.
The armbar is the most versatile and common of submissions as it can be applied from almost any position. It utilizes the entire body to apply leverage against the opponent's elbow. Once the arm is extended - the tiniest amount of pressure can break the opponent's elbow or shatter the bones in their forearm.

In the first GIF, we see how a true Brazilian Jiujitsu master applies an armbar. Rickson has secured the top mount position and uses the advantage to slide into a picture perfect armbar. Note how close Rickson stays to his opponent. His leg swings around effortlessly. Rickson keeps the target arm trapped airtight against his chest. Has soon as his back touches the canvas - the lock is applied. Rickson is showing compassion in this GIF by not outright snapping Takada's arm in half. Rickson knows he has the advantage. Instead of permanently damaging his opponent - Rickson applies just enough pressure to make Takada tap.

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Just as Rickson showed how to apply just enough pressure to make an opponent tap - in this GIF - Mir shows us what happens when a jiujitsu fighter's intention is not to submit his opponent - but to break his arm. Notice how Mir has the lock applied - but Big Tim tries to power his way out of it by standing up. Mir keeps the hold and pushes his hips through. There is a moment when Tim's arm looks all bendy like Stretch Masterson. That's the moment his forearm snapped. When asked about this at a later date - Tim said that he wished he would have tapped. Tim had to have his arm surgically repaired.

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2B. Flying Armbar

Remember that I said armbars are dangerous because they are so versatile? They can be applied at any moment from almost any direction.

In this GIF Sato shows off his patented "flying armbar." Sato secures a grip on the target arm and jumps up allowing his opponent's natural reaction to pull away to support him as he swings his hips into position. Sato applies the armbar in a split second causing his opponent to tap.

NOTE: It is not recommended to try flying armbars in street situations. Concrete is much harder than a soft ring.

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2C. Armbar/Triangle Choke Combination.

Here we see the armbar being applied as part of a combination attack. Big Nog already has the triangle choke applied (see the section on Chokes for more) but his opponent is trying to power out before he can be choked unconscious. Nog decides to counter Coleman's escape by applying the armbar. Coleman taps from the armbar - but as he is released he stumbles as he was mere mili-seconds away from falling into unconsciousness.

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2D. Armbar Escape.

As in boxing - for every move in MMA, there is a counter to that move. Just as the right hand cross can counter a jab - an armbar can be escaped.

In this GIF, we see a slightly loose attempt at an armbar. There is a strategic error made as Lutter decided to use the leg in the armpit variation of the armbar. Because of this mistake, Rich is able to roll with the manuever, twist his arm and move around Lutter's body to change the angle of the armbar attack on his right arm. Because Rich is able to turn his elbow out - Lutter is unable to hyperextend it.

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3. Kimura/Shoulder lock.

This armlock was named after famed Japanese Judoka (Judo practitioner) Masahiko Kimura in honor of his victory over Brazilian Jiujitsu pioneer - Helio Gracie. Gracie so respected his Japanese opponent that he named the hold after the judoka.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masahiko_Kimura#Kimura_vs._H.C3.A9lio_Gracie

Generally applied from the cross body position (but can be applied from the guard as well) - this lock applies leverage against the opponent's shoulder. By using the legs to hold the opponent's head in place - all of the fighter's strength and leverage torques the shoulder to it's weakest direction. Applied for too long - a dislocated shoulder, torn muscles and ripped ligaments can occur.

In the first GIF - we see the cross body variation of the kimura. Fedor maintains his cross body positioning as he applies the shoulder lock.

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In the following GIF, we see the technique applied with the greatest leverage as Maia uses his leg to hold the opponent's head close. This allows the jiujitsuan to apply the hold with complete control over his opponent. The opponent's other arm is trapped underneath leaving him no options for escape. He is forced to tap or have his shoulder dislocated.

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3A. Standing Straight Armbar/Kimura.

In this GIF, we see Renzo take Sakuraba's back in an attempt to gain a superior position. The Japanese shootwrestler decides to counter Renzo's takedown attempt by going for the straight armbar hold. By securing Renzo's wrist with both hands and turning out - Sakuraba is able to break Renzo's grip around his waist.

What follows is a high level exchange because Renzo immdiately tries to counter Sakuraba by sweeping Sak over as they hit the ground. Instead of landing with Sak on the bottom with Renzo over him - Sak bounces off the ropes which causes the kimura to hook deeply - breaking Renzo's arm at the elbow. As they scrambled - Sakuraba transitioned his hold from a straight armbar lock into a kimura shoulder lock - but is unable to apply further pressure to Renzo's shoulder because his arm already broke at the elbow.

Note: Renzo refuses to tap.

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4. Shoulder Lock (from the Guard).

Here we see Mir using his superior position from the guard to secure a hold on Williams' arm. By locking his hands together to hold Williams' elbow tight - Mir then uses his legs to help him turn the elbow in - putting tremendous pressure on his opponent's elbow. If Mir continued to aplly this hold - Williams' arm would have been torn from it's socket.

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5. Omoplata.

The omoplata is another way to apply a shoulder lock - except instead of being applied with one's arms - it is applied with one's legs. It is generally applied from the guard by trapping an opponent's arm with one's legs. The fighter then swings his body out - alongside his opponent's body and secures a hold over the opponent's back. At this point - the opponent will be trapped face down - unable to move. By leaning in and pulling one's legs back - the opponent's shoulder is torqued. If applied for too long - the shoulder can be severely damaged.

(NOT PICTURED. NEED GIF)

5A. Rolling Omoplata.

In this GIF we see a rare application of the omoplata shoulder lock as the lock is applied as a counter to the single leg takedown. To counter the takedown, the fighter traps the opponent's arm and rolls into the omoplata.

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5B. Reverse Omoplata.

Here we see the same locking principles of the omoplata applied from the bottom position. This is another rare variation of the omoplata - but is included here for reference.

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5C. Omoplata/Armbar Combination.

Here we see the fighter has trapped the opponent's arm and has spun out to the side to apply the omoplata. Since he is too far away from his opponent to reach over his back to apply pressure, the jiujitsuan decides to transition into a reverse armbar combination attack. Instead of pulling the arm down over the hips to hyperextend the elbow - the fighter uses the trapping leg of the omoplata as the leverage point to hyperextend the elbow.

This is another rare variation but is included for reference.

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Does this really need a response? At least leave the trolling to the General Forum guys. Get your hanky ready for when Kongo gets mouth****ed in his next fight.

 

We'll get there. I just wanted to post the most basic submissions first. I have the rest lined up - but I have to do them one group at a time.

 

Thanks for the cool words. I'm going to post the rest as soon as I get the chance. It took me about an hour and a half to make that initial post - so I'm estimating that the other categories will take about that long. More than likely I'll post them while I'm at work - in lieu of doing actual work.

 

I'm not sure if this is the same choke or not. In the video Kimura is showing a version of the Ezekiel choke or 2 handed sleeve choke as we used to call it. Unfortunately, we never used the Japanese names for anything. I would like to have learned the classical names but that's neither here nor there. It takes one hand in front of the throat and one across the back of the head/neck in order to work.

In the GIF it looks more like a neck crank/crush of some kind as the second arm is not across the throat. The gi obscures the view somewhat but it appears that the second hand crosses higher across the face.

Is that from the Yoshida fight? The ref stopped the fight prematurely in that instance. Royce was not in danger from the choke attempt as his neck was never threatened as we can see in the GIF above. He was being smothered more than anything. Smothering can be resisted and fought through and cranks can be ignored if they're not damaging enough.

That's a cool Kimura vid by the way. Thanks for posting.