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MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is one of the most dynamic combat sports in the world, blending techniques from multiple disciplines. Among these techniques, submissions stand out as one of the most effective ways to end a fight. Fighters who have a strong submission game can control their opponents, dictate the pace of a fight, and secure victories even when they may be losing on the scorecards.
This guide will explore the fundamentals of submissions in MMA, including key techniques, famous practitioners, defensive strategies, and the evolution of submission grappling.
The Fundamentals of MMA Submissions
Submissions in MMA typically originate from grappling-based martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, Sambo, and catch wrestling. These techniques involve controlling an opponent and forcing them to tap out due to pain or the risk of injury. Guard passing is a fundamental skill in every fighter’s repertoire in MMA, as it allows them to transition from the guard position to dominant positions where submissions can be effectively applied. Additionally, the single-leg takedown is a fundamental technique in MMA, often used to bring opponents to the ground where submissions can be initiated.
There are three main types of submissions in MMA:
Chokes (Strangulations) – Cutting off blood flow to the brain or airflow to the lungs.
Joint Locks – Hyperextending or twisting a joint beyond its normal range of motion.
Compression Locks – Applying pressure to muscles or nerves, causing extreme pain or immobility.
Chokes: The Ultimate Equalizer, Including the Rear Naked Choke
Chokes are among the most effective submissions in MMA because they do not rely on physical strength. Even a smaller fighter can render a larger opponent unconscious with the right technique. There are two main types of chokes:
Blood Chokes (Strangulation)
These chokes restrict blood flow to the brain by applying pressure on the carotid arteries. When executed properly, they can cause an opponent to pass out within seconds.
Rear-Naked Choke (RNC) – One of the most common and effective submissions. A fighter takes the opponent’s back, wraps an arm around their neck, and applies pressure.
Triangle Choke – This move uses the legs to trap an opponent’s neck and one arm, cutting off circulation.
Guillotine Choke – Applied from a front headlock position, trapping the opponent’s neck with the arm and pulling up.
D’Arce Choke/Anaconda Choke – Variations of front headlock chokes that are highly effective against wrestlers.
Air Chokes: Including the Guillotine Choke
These chokes apply pressure on the windpipe, restricting breathing.
Ezekiel Choke – Often used in Gi-based BJJ but has been applied in MMA successfully.
Bulldog Choke – A rarely seen but powerful choke, similar to a guillotine but performed from behind.
Joint Locks: Destroying Limbs
Joint locks target the opponent’s elbows, shoulders, knees, or ankles. Unlike chokes, these moves can lead to serious injury if an opponent does not tap out.
Arm Locks: Controlling the Opponent's Arm
Armbar – The most iconic arm submission, hyperextending the elbow. The armbar is a common submission hold in MMA that hyperextends the opponent's elbow, making it a staple technique for grapplers.
Kimura – A shoulder lock that applies immense pressure on the rotator cuff.
Americana – Similar to the Kimura but executed differently, targeting the shoulder joint.
Omoplata – A less common submission using the legs to manipulate the opponent’s shoulder.
Leg Locks
Kneebar – Similar to an armbar but applied to the knee joint, involving the manipulation of the opponent's leg.
Heel Hook – One of the most dangerous submissions, twisting the knee and ankle.
Toe Hold – Applying pressure to the ankle joint.
Calf Slicer – A painful compression lock targeting the calf muscle.
Compression Locks: Pain Over Precision
Biceps Slicer – Compresses the bicep against the opponent’s own bone.
Calf Slicer – An extremely painful lock used on the leg muscles. The sprawl is a crucial defensive move used to counter an opponent's takedown attempt, often preventing them from advancing to positions where submissions like these can be applied.
Grappling Fundamentals: The Backbone of Submissions
Grappling is a crucial aspect of mixed martial arts, and mastering its fundamentals is essential for any aspiring fighter. At its core, grappling involves controlling and manipulating an opponent’s body to gain a dominant position, ultimately leading to a submission. Key concepts in grappling include control, leverage, and positioning. Control is about maintaining dominance over your opponent, preventing them from escaping or countering your moves. Leverage involves using your body mechanics to apply force efficiently, making it easier to execute submissions. Positioning is about placing yourself in the most advantageous spot to launch your attacks while minimizing your opponent’s options.
Understanding these fundamentals allows fighters to transition smoothly between different grappling positions, setting up submissions with precision. Whether it’s moving from half guard to mount or securing a rear naked choke from back control, mastering grappling fundamentals is the backbone of a successful submission game in mixed martial arts.
Clinching and Positioning: Controlling the Fight
Clinching is a critical aspect of mixed martial arts, as it allows a fighter to control their opponent’s body and create opportunities for takedowns and submissions. In the clinch, fighters engage at close range, using grips and body positioning to neutralize their opponent’s attacks and set up their own. Techniques such as the double underhooks, over-under position, and collar tie are commonly used to gain control in the clinch.
By mastering clinching, fighters can dictate the pace of the fight, forcing their opponent into disadvantageous positions. This control can lead to effective takedowns, where the fighter moves from a standing position to the ground, transitioning into a dominant grappling position. From there, submissions like the guillotine choke or arm triangle choke become viable options. Clinching and positioning are essential skills for any mixed martial artist looking to control the fight and secure a victory.
Guard Pass and Transitions: Navigating the Ground Game
The guard is a fundamental grappling position, where a fighter lies on their back and controls their opponent’s body with their legs. Navigating the ground game effectively requires proficiency in guard passing and transitions. Guard passing involves breaking through the opponent’s leg defenses to move into a more dominant position, such as side control or mount. Techniques like the knee slice pass, torreando pass, and butterfly guard pass are essential tools in a fighter’s arsenal.
Once a fighter has passed the guard, transitioning between positions becomes crucial. Moving from side control to mount, or from mount to back control, allows the fighter to maintain dominance and set up submissions. Effective transitions keep the opponent on the defensive, opening up opportunities for submissions like the armbar or rear naked choke. Mastering guard passing and transitions is key to navigating the ground game and achieving success in mixed martial arts.
Setting Up Submissions: The Chess Game of MMA from a Dominant Position
Submissions in MMA are rarely executed in isolation. Fighters use chain wrestling, feints, and strategic positioning to force their opponent into making a mistake. The double-leg takedown, one of the two most popular takedowns in freestyle wrestling, is often employed to transition into advantageous positions for submission attempts.
For example:
Armbar from Mount: Striking from mount forces an opponent to extend their arms, creating an opportunity for an armbar.
Triangle Choke from Guard: Fighters control the wrist and use the overhook to bait an opponent into the triangle position.
Guillotine Setup from a Takedown: Wrestlers who shoot for takedowns with poor head positioning often fall into a guillotine.
The best submission artists can chain techniques together, moving from one submission attempt to another until their opponent has no choice but to tap out. Controlling the opponent's head is crucial in these transitions, as it can lead to dominant positions and submission opportunities.
Defensive Strategies Against Submissions
Fighters must have strong submission defense to survive against elite grapplers. Key defensive strategies include: The clinch, which allows fighters to engage their opponent at close range in MMA, can also be used defensively to neutralize submission attempts by controlling the opponent’s posture and movement. It is also crucial to avoid illegal moves, such as kicking or kneeing the head of a grounded opponent, to ensure the safety of all fighters.
Hand Fighting: Breaking an opponent’s grip before they lock in a choke.
Posture and Base: Keeping good posture in guard to prevent submissions.
Rolling and Scrambling: Using movement to escape dangerous positions.
Stacking the Opponent: Pressing weight down to prevent submissions from the guard.
Training and Drilling: Building Muscle Memory
Training and drilling are essential components of mixed martial arts, as they allow a fighter to build muscle memory and master various techniques. Consistent practice through drilling helps engrain movements into a fighter’s muscle memory, making them second nature during a fight. Repetition of techniques such as the double leg takedown, rear naked choke, and armbar ensures that a fighter can execute them with precision and speed under pressure.
Specific drills, like positional sparring and flow rolling, are particularly beneficial for mastering submissions. Positional sparring focuses on practicing techniques from specific positions, while flow rolling emphasizes smooth transitions between moves. By incorporating these drills into their training regimen, fighters can develop the muscle memory needed to perform at their best in competition. Training and drilling are the foundation of a successful mixed martial arts career, enabling fighters to execute techniques instinctively and effectively.
Mental Preparation and Focus: The Psychological Edge
Mental preparation and focus are critical components of mixed martial arts, as they allow a fighter to gain a psychological edge over their opponent. The mental aspect of MMA involves maintaining composure, staying focused, and executing a game plan under the intense pressure of a fight. Techniques such as visualization, meditation, and breathing exercises can help fighters develop mental resilience and clarity.
Visualization involves mentally rehearsing techniques and scenarios, preparing the mind for various situations that may arise during a fight. Meditation and breathing exercises help fighters stay calm and centered, reducing anxiety and improving focus. By honing their mental skills, fighters can maintain a psychological edge, making them more effective and composed in the cage. Mental preparation is just as important as physical training in mixed martial arts, providing fighters with the confidence and focus needed to succeed.
Legendary Submission Specialists in MMA
Many of the greatest fighters in MMA history have built their careers around submissions:
Royce Gracie – The pioneer of BJJ in MMA, dominating the early UFC events.
Frank Mir – Famous for breaking arms with his armbars and Kimuras.
Demian Maia – One of the best pure grapplers in MMA history.
Charles Oliveira – Holds the record for most submission wins in UFC history.
Khabib Nurmagomedov – Known for his crushing top control and rear-naked chokes.
The Evolution of Submissions in MMA
MMA submissions continue to evolve as new techniques and strategies emerge. Recent trends include:
Leg Locks: Fighters like Ryan Hall have revolutionized leg attacks in MMA.
Crucifix Submissions: Fighters use the crucifix position to set up chokes and armlocks.
Modified Chokes: Variations of guillotines, D’Arce chokes, and other techniques are becoming more common.
Elbow Strikes: Elite fighters have mastered elbow strikes, highlighting their effectiveness and potential for damage in combat situations.
Final Thoughts: Mastering Submissions in MMA
For any aspiring fighter, mastering submissions is about more than just technique—it’s about strategy. The best submission artists in MMA seamlessly blend their striking, wrestling, and grappling skills, making them a constant threat. Muay Thai, with its effective strikes, round kicks, and clinch engagements, also plays a significant role in enhancing these skills. The jab, often considered the most essential and versatile tool for any striker in MMA, plays a crucial role in setting up these transitions and maintaining control during exchanges. Whether you’re a competitor or a fan, understanding submissions adds a deeper appreciation for the sport. Next time you watch a fight, look for how fighters set up their submissions, defend against them, and transition between positions—because that’s where the true beauty of MMA grappling lies.
