Common MMA submissions explained: rear-naked choke, guillotine, armbar and triangle

TUREFF• •0

A submission ends a fight when one fighter taps or the referee steps in because a fighter can no longer defend himself. For new viewers, the ground game can look like two people lying still, but there is usually a battle for position building towards a finish. This guide explains the submissions you will see most often and what is happening when they are applied.

Two families of submission

Chokes restrict blood flow to the brain, usually by compressing the carotid arteries at the sides of the neck. A well-applied blood choke can cause unconsciousness within seconds.
Joint locks bend a joint beyond its range, threatening ligaments and bones. The fighter caught has a short window to tap before injury.

Fighters tap by patting the opponent or the mat, or by saying so. Referees also stop a fight if a fighter goes limp or is clearly unable to defend.

Rear-naked choke

Probably the most common submission finish in MMA.

Position: the attacker takes the opponent's back, usually with both legs hooked in, and wraps an arm around the neck from behind, with the elbow under the chin.
What it does: the arm and forearm squeeze both sides of the neck, cutting off blood flow.
What to watch for: once a fighter has back control with hooks in, the defender's main job is to fight the hands and stop the arm getting under the chin. When the elbow aligns under the chin, the end is usually close.
Name: naked because no gi or clothing is used.

Guillotine choke

Position: the attacker wraps an arm around the opponent's neck from the front, often when the opponent ducks for a takedown.
Variations: arm-in and arm-out versions, and the high-elbow guillotine.
What to watch for: it punishes careless takedown attempts. A fighter may pull guard while holding a guillotine, or finish it standing.
Defence: fighters move to the side away from the choking arm and keep their posture.

Armbar

Position: the attacker controls an opponent's arm between his legs, hips against the elbow, the thumb pointing upward.
What it does: the hips push into the elbow joint, hyperextending it.
Where it appears: from guard, from mount or as a scramble.
What to watch for: the defender tries to clasp his hands together or turn his thumb down to relieve pressure. Once the grip breaks, the tap often follows quickly, and fighters who refuse can suffer serious elbow injuries.

Triangle choke

Position: usually from guard, the attacker traps the opponent's head and one arm inside a triangle formed by the legs.
What it does: the opponent's own shoulder presses into one side of the neck while the attacker's thigh presses on the other.
What to watch for: an attacker getting one arm in and one arm out of his legs. Defenders try to posture up and stack, or escape before the legs lock.

Others you will see

Arm-triangle choke: from top position, using the opponent's shoulder and the attacker's arm.
D'Arce and anaconda chokes: front-headlock chokes, often after a sprawl.
Kimura: a shoulder lock that twists the arm behind the back.
Heel hooks and kneebars: leg locks that can damage the knee quickly, increasingly common at the top level.

Why tapping matters

In training, the golden rule is to tap early and tap often. Pride costs ligaments, and joint injuries can take months to heal. Chokes are also serious: in a gym, always let go immediately when a partner taps, and never practise chokes with untrained people. Learn submissions only under a qualified coach.

Watching submissions on screen

Watch position first. A submission usually follows a dominant position.
Notice the defender's hands. They show which threat he is worried about.
Listen to commentators naming grips and positions.

Which submission finish do you remember best, or which one would you like explained further? Share in the comments.