10 Best Triangle Choke finishes in the history of UFC

The sport of MMA has seen many knockouts, submissions, injuries, and bizarre incidents. It is what propels MMA as a popular sport worldwide. UFC is the most popular and reputed MMA organization in the world. It has seen many submissions throughout its history. A Triangle Choke is one of the hardest techniques to pull off. Yet, the UFC has witnessed some of the best triangle choke submissions.

Submission specialists like Charles Oliveira, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Brian Ortega, Demian Maia, Paul Craig, and others have amazed the fans with various submissions. In the case of triangle choke, some stand out more than others. As such, only ten special ones make the list.

10. Anthony Smith vs. Devin Clark – UFC Vegas 15

Anthony Smith is a BJJ Black Belt. He has competed in over 50 professional UFC fights. UFC Vegas 15 was a difficult position for Smith to be in. He was on a two-fight losing streak in the light heavyweight division. As such, he needed an important win over Devin Clark. The younger and hungrier Clark learned that day that rushing against a veteran would cost him dearly.

As soon as the bout started, both fighters aggressively clinched up. Each one landed a takedown of their own, but Smith had other ideas once he was at the bottom. ‘Lionheart’ remained patient, and the aggressive Clark played into the trap. Soon, Smith had his legs around the opponent, and the bout ended in the very first round. This was an example of how triangle chokes are effective only when patient.

9. Paddy Pimblett vs. Bobby Green – UFC 304

This remains the most recent triangle choke perfected to excellence in the UFC. Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett vs. Bobby Green occurred in Manchester, England in July 2024. Going into the bout, many believed Green remained the true test to Pimblett in the UFC. Anyone who bet on Green in this fight will regret it forever.

Pimblett went for a low kick that Green caught despite landing well. He turned it into a panic takedown as Pimblett went for a guillotine choke. Once they hit the ground, Green escaped only to fall into Pimblett’s dangerous guard. The Englishman soon trapped Green into a triangle choke and put him to sleep. This just shows how panic takedowns will not work against an experienced grappler like Pimblett.

8. Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett – UFC 284

UFC 284 marked the maiden title opportunity for Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett. The back-and-forth fight saw Emmett land some heavy strikes while Rodriguez used his diverse striking techniques. Eventually, towards the end of the second round, the bout hit the ground. Despite landing some strikes, Rodriguez knew what he was doing.

Emmett didn’t control his position very well. As such, it allowed Rodriguez time to slowly set up a triangle choke. The Mexican star patiently waited and trapped Emmett into submission at 4.19 of the second round. With the win, he became the second Mexican-born and raised champion in the UFC. A striker like Rodriguez perfecting the triangle choke remained a must-watch sequence.

7. Royce Gracie vs. Dan Severn – UFC 4

BJJ specialist Royce Gracie and standout American wrestler Dan Severn competed in the finals of UFC 7 (one-night tournament). The 1994 showdown was the first time Royce Gracie won a professional MMA bout with a triangle choke. Earlier, he had a wide array of submission wins. However, it took him until his 11th fight to win via triangle. It was indeed a spectacular finish.

Dan Severn was no slouch, either. It was the first night of his professional MMA debut. In his first two bouts, he steamrolled through them via submission. However, Gracie was a master of the ground game. If someone falls into the guard of prime Royce Gracie, it is bad. Severn fell into the trap set by Gracie, and he tried to fight through for nearly 45 seconds but tapped out once he was exhausted.

6. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje – UFC 254

UFC 254 was the finale for the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov. Despite many believing Justin Gaethje had a chance, he was overwhelmed by the relentless pressure from ‘The Eagle.’ The Dagestani fighter almost put Gaethje to sleep in the first round. However, it was completely game over in the second round as Nurmagomedov set up an incredible inverted triangle choke to win the bout.

The technique is incredibly difficult to handle. Usually, fighters do it from the bottom, but Nurmagomedov did it from the top. The only reason this is down on the list is because Justin Gaethje has white belt skills when it comes to his ground game. As such, the world-class grappler Nurmagomedov just had his way with Gaethje once the fight hit the ground.

5. Paul Craig vs. Magomed Ankalaev – UFC Fight Night 127

Speaking of Dagestan, Magomed Ankalaev has serious championship potential. Nevertheless, he has some tough luck going on. Title fight draws, no-contest, and a lack of exciting fighting style has held him back. His sole loss in the UFC came in the unluckiest way possible. Paul Craig, aka Mr. Triangle Choke, remains one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the UFC.

At UFC Fight Night 127, Ankalaev was dominating Craig in the whole fight. Towards the end of the final round, Paul Craig was on the ground and getting pounded by Ankalaev. However, in a Hail Mary attempt, the Scottish fighter quickly trapped Ankalaev while the Dagestani fighter was attempting a punch. The tight grip forced Ankalaev in the very last second, making it a memorable Hail Mary triangle choke.

‌4. Tony Ferguson vs. Kevin Lee – UFC 216

UFC 216 was the event for Tony Ferguson to make his name. He was on a 9-fight winning streak and competed for the interim title. It is safe to say that Ferguson made something out of the biggest opportunity of his career. In a back-and-forth battle, he overwhelmed opponent Kevin Lee with his diverse move set. The elbow strikes, high pace, and pressure eventually overwhelmed Lee.

Once Lee’s gas tank started to deplete, he shot in for a desperate takedown. Tony Ferguson waited patiently and landed some brutal elbow strikes to get an opening and transitioned into an arm-bar. Lee escaped momentarily but soon got trapped by a triangle choke. This triangle choke remains one of the submission wins in an interim title fight.

3. Jimmy Flick vs. Cody Durden – UFC Vegas 17

Jimmy Flick and Cody Durden are not well-known fighters. However, their fight at UFC Vegas 17 remains memorable for an outstanding flying triangle choke. This technique remains prevalent in BJJ tournaments, but so much in the UFC. It all started when Flick attempted a kick, which Durden caught. Immediately, Flick jumped to set up a flying triangle. Although unsuccessful at first, he got the job done.

The transition will remind fans of the incredible arm bar set up by Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson. It is a tough submission to secure, and Jimmy Flick remains the only one in the UFC who perfected it. This would have been #1 on the list if it weren’t for two of the most iconic triangles in UFC history. Flick’s flying Triangle choke submission was fantastic and might never be replicated in the UFC.

2. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen I – UFC 117

Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 in Oakland, California, was one of the most anticipated and hyped-up middleweight title matches in MMA history. Sonnen brutalized Silva with vicious strikes and a dominating ground game. Sonnen controlled the fight for four rounds, with striking control and down on the mat. ‘The American Gangster’ gave Silva the biggest challenge of his title reign.

In the fifth round, all Sonnen had to do was stall. However, he went on the aggressive path, and Silva attempted a Hail Mary triangle choke. Once he trapped Sonnen, the American star tried his best to escape it. In the end, he tapped out, and Silva had the greatest comeback in a UFC title fight of that time. It will be the first on everyone’s list, except it was not the coldest triangle choke in history.

‌1. Nate Diaz vs. Kurt Pellegrino – UFC Fight Night 12

What makes Nate Diaz top the list instead of Anderson Silva? The decorated middleweight champion had a great comeback, but Diaz showcased his ‘Gangster’ attitude with his submission. Whatever he did remains one of the most memorable triangle choke submissions in history. When has someone locked up his opponent and celebrated at the same by pointing a couple of middle fingers along the way?

Nate Diaz has done that. In the bout, his opponent picked him for a slam. However, the Stockton superstar threatened a guillotine and instantly transitioned into a triangle submission. He knew the fight was over immediately and started flipping a birdie and flexing his muscles until Kurt Pellegrino tapped out. The aura and guts of Nate Diaz make this one of the best triangle chokes in UFC history.

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