How many submissions are there in MMA?

There are many ways to perform a submission technique in MMA. Check out some of the most commonly used submissions in MMA

Neck Chokes are the widely performed submission technique in MMA (Image Courtesy - MMA Junkie)

In a sport like MMA, there are multiple ways to secure victory for a fighter. Though knockouts excite fans, they are intrigued by the amount of patience and skill required to pull off a submission. As witnessed in the co-main event of UFC 285, Alexa Grasso only needed a quick second to grab the back of Valentina Shevchenko to submit her with Rear-Naked Choke.

There are many Submissions in MMA. It is difficult to put a number on the total number of submissions in MMA. Whenever a definite number arises, some fighter in the regional circuit pulls off a new submission to add to the number. However, there are many submissions that fighters go for to secure victory. Here are some of the famous submission techniques.

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Neck Choke

MMA Submission — Charles Oliveira submits Dustin Poirier (Image Courtesy – The Mirror)

Neck Chokes remain the most reliable submission in MMA. The technique has two variations to secure the submission. In the first variation, the arm encircles the opponent’s neck and then grabs their biceps on the other arm to secure the choke. In the second variation, the hands are clasped together after encircling the opponent’s neck.

The second variation is what Khabib Nurmagomedov did to Conor McGregor to submit. It is widely known as the Neck Crank. The first variation is how Grasso submitted Shevchenko at UFC 285.

Arm Bar

The practitioner secures an arm at the wrist of the opponent, trapping it by squeezing the knees together to secure the technique. The most iconic armbar submission in UFC history remains Demetrius “Mighty Mouse” Johnson submitting Ray Borg with the technique. The submission can break the opponent’s arm badly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAYqw70QD3A&pp=ygUWYXJtIGJhciBzdWJtaXNzaW9uIHVmYw%3D%3D

Pioneer of Women’s MMA in the UFC, Ronda Rousey utilised Arm bar techniques to dominate her opponents and secure victory. Once she gets her opponent to the ground, they cannot escape.

Guillotine Choke

Guillotine choke focuses on the front part of the opponent. The submission can be made on the ground while standing variations also exist. One of the most iconic victories in MMA with a guillotine choke remains Jon Jones choking Lyoto Machida unconscious at UFC 140. Machida’s body falling flat after Jones leaves the hold still gives chills to the fight fans.

In the past, Chris Weidman also pulled off a standing choke like Jones. Surprisingly, the undefeated career of Khabib Nurmagomedov almost ended with a Guillotine Choke applied by Dustin Poirier. However, Khabib managed to escape. Veteran fighter Jim Miller has multiple wins with a Guillotine choke.

Triangle Choke

The triangle submission technique encircles the opponent’s neck and one arm with the legs in a configuration similar to the shape of a triangle. The submission can render the opponent unconscious if they hold on to it for a long time. The most iconic triangle choke in the UFC still remains the comeback win of Anderson Silva over Chael Sonnen in the final round.

At UFC 216, Tony Ferguson locked in the Triangle Choke to win the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship. Jiu-Jitsu fighter Nate Diaz and former Kickboxer Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone has multiple triangle choke wins in his MMA career.

Leg Lock

Leg locks have slowly risen in BJJ competitions to become the go-to submission technique. In the last five years, Gordon Ryan and the Danaher Death Squad have revolutionised the technique. However, it has yet to become a staple in the MMA, but slowly fight fans have witnessed it inside the octagon.