Gene LeBell: The Godfather of Grappling
Gene LeBell (1932-2022) was “The Toughest Man Alive” — a two-time national Judo champion, 10th degree red belt, professional wrestler, and Hollywood legend with over 1,000 film credits. He competed in the first televised MMA fight in America (1963), trained Bruce Lee in grappling, allegedly choked out Steven Seagal, and mentored Ronda Rousey. This is the complete story of the man who connected Judo, catch wrestling, pro wrestling, and MMA.
The Art of the Finish: Top 10 Chokes That Define Modern MMA
Unlock the secrets of the top 10 MMA chokes every fighter needs to know. From the legendary Rear Naked Choke to the intricate Gogoplata, we break down the mechanics, strategies, and defenses for each submission. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just starting your journey, mastering these chokes will give you a decisive edge over your opponents. Discover how to control, dominate, and finish fights with precision and power.
Submission Techniques: Most Popular Choices in MMA
While knockouts dominate MMA highlight reels, submissions represent the sport’s most technical and strategic elements. These forced surrenders showcase a fighter’s mastery through skill rather than raw power, demonstrating why grappling remains crucial in modern mixed martial arts.
The Rear-Naked Choke continues to reign supreme, accounting for 32-50% of all UFC submissions. This blood choke’s efficiency—rendering opponents unconscious in just 8.9 seconds—makes it the most reliable finish in the Octagon. Recent victories by Anthony Hernandez and Kayla Harrison’s dominant UFC debut prove its continued effectiveness in 2024.
The Guillotine Choke and Armbar round out the “Big Three,” with the Guillotine punishing aggressive takedown attempts and the Armbar serving as the most versatile joint lock. Emerging techniques like Dricus du Plessis’s face crank against Israel Adesanya show how fighters constantly evolve their submission games.
From Charles Oliveira’s 16 UFC submission wins to Islam Makhachev’s title-defending D’arce choke, today’s elite fighters prove that mastering the ground game remains essential for championship success in modern MMA.