In the high-stakes world of Mixed Martial Arts, a fight can end in an instant. While knockouts create highlight reels, it’s often the silent, technical application of a choke that decides a contest. For fans and fighters alike, understanding these submissions is key to appreciating the grappling chess match that unfolds on the canvas.
This guide breaks down the top 10 most effective and common chokes in MMA. We’ll explore how each one works, where it originates, and why it’s a crucial tool in a fighter’s arsenal. From the iconic Rear-Naked Choke to the exotic Peruvian Necktie, this is your essential guide to the fight-ending submissions of MMA.
Key Takeaways
- Two Types of Chokes: In MMA, chokes are either blood chokes, which restrict blood flow to the brain via the carotid arteries, or air chokes, which cut off the windpipe. Blood chokes are far more common and effective.
- The King of Submissions: The Rear-Naked Choke (RNC) is, by a massive margin, the most successful submission in MMA history, accounting for a huge percentage of submission victories.
- The Holy Trinity: The RNC, Guillotine Choke, and Triangle Choke make up the “holy trinity” of MMA submissions, representing the vast majority of choke finishes.
- Position Over Submission: Every successful choke is the result of achieving a dominant position first. Control is the key that unlocks the submission.
1. Rear-Naked Choke (RNC)
The undisputed king of all submissions. The RNC is a blood choke applied from the most dominant position in grappling: the back. Once a fighter secures back control, the RNC is almost always their primary goal.
Why it’s #1: It’s complicated to escape once locked in and can render an opponent unconscious in seconds.
How it Works: The attacker snakes one arm under the opponent’s chin and grips their bicep. The other hand goes behind the opponent’s head, applying pressure to complete the choke. It’s called “naked” because it requires no grip on a uniform (gi).
2. Guillotine Choke
The go-to weapon for punishing a sloppy takedown attempt. The Guillotine is a versatile blood choke applied from the front headlock position. It can be finished from the feet, the guard, or the mount.
- How it Works: The attacker wraps one arm under and around the opponent’s neck, clasping their hands together. They then arch their back and lift, constricting the carotid arteries.
- Famous Finisher: Many fighters, like the UFC’s all-time submission leader Charles Oliveira, are famous for their deadly Guillotines.
3. Triangle Choke
A classic submission from the guard position. The Triangle Choke uses the attacker’s legs to form a figure-four lock around the opponent’s head and one arm.
A Technical Classic: It requires flexibility and precise setup, but once locked in, it is one of the most powerful chokes in the sport.
How it Works: The pressure of the attacker’s thigh against one side of the neck and the opponent’s own shoulder against the other side cuts off blood flow.
4. Arm-Triangle Choke
This powerful blood choke uses the opponent’s shoulder and arm to create pressure on one side of their neck, while the attacker’s bicep cuts off the other side. It’s a crushing submission typically applied from a dominant top position, like side control or mount, where the attacker can use their body weight to finish the choke.
A Crushing Choke: This is a high-percentage submission that relies on immense pressure rather than speed.
How it Works: The attacker pushes the opponent’s arm across their throat and then wraps their own arms around the head and trapped arm. By applying shoulder pressure, they cut off circulation.
5. D’Arce Choke (Brabo Choke)
A variation of the Arm-Triangle, the D’Arce is a crafty submission usually set up from the front headlock or sprawl position. It’s a favorite of fighters with long arms.
Named After an Innovator: Named after grappler Joe D’Arce, it’s a testament to the constant evolution of submission grappling.
How it Works: The attacker threads their arm under the opponent’s armpit, across their back, and under their neck, locking hands in a figure-four grip. Squeezing and torquing the body finishes the choke.
6. Anaconda Choke
The mirror-image cousin of the D’Arce. The Anaconda Choke is another head-and-arm submission from the front headlock position.
A Powerful Squeeze: This choke is another devastating weapon against opponents who expose their neck during takedown attempts.
How it Works: The setup is similar to the D’Arce, but the arm is threaded under the neck first and then out the armpit. The finish often involves rolling the opponent over in a move called the “gator roll.”
7. North-South Choke
A powerful and often overlooked submission applied from the North-South position (when the attacker lies chest-to-chest with the opponent, facing in the opposite direction).
A Specialist’s Move: Although less common, it is challenging to escape when executed by a specialist.
How it Works: The attacker wraps an arm under the opponent’s neck and connects it to their shoulder. They then put all their body weight onto the opponent’s neck and chest to get the finish.
8. Peruvian Necktie
Former UFC fighter Tony De Souza developed an exotic and vicious air choke. It’s a variation of a standing Guillotine that uses the legs to create immense downward pressure.
A Brutal Finish: This choke puts tremendous pressure on the opponent’s neck and spine.
How it Works: From a front headlock, the attacker grips their hands in a specific way and then steps a leg over the opponent’s back, sitting down to wrench the neck.
9. Ezekiel Choke
One of the few chokes on this list that often originates from Judo and is typically done with a gi. However, a no-gi version exists where the attacker uses their own sleeve (or wrist-to-wrist grip) to finish.
A Grappler’s Trick: UFC veteran Aleksei Oleinik is famous for being one of the only fighters to successfully and consistently land this choke in high-level MMA.
How it Works: From the mount position, the attacker uses one forearm as a bar across the throat while the other hand reinforces it, creating a powerful air choke.
10. Gogoplata
Perhaps the most unique and flashy submission on the list. The Gogoplata is a blood choke applied from the guard, using the attacker’s shin bone.
Rare But Spectacular: It requires incredible flexibility and timing, making it one of the rarest but most memorable submissions in MMA history.
How it Works: From a high guard or rubber guard, the attacker brings their shin across the front of the opponent’s throat and pulls down on their head to apply pressure.
Chokes by Popularity
10 Most Common Submissions FAQs
What is the most common choke in MMA?
The Rear-Naked Choke is by far the most common and successful submission in MMA.
What is the difference between a blood choke and an air choke?
A blood choke (vascular restraint) cuts off blood to the brain and causes unconsciousness quickly and with less damage. An air choke constricts the windpipe, is generally more painful, and can cause damage to the throat if held for an extended period.
Can you do a cross-collar choke in MMA?
The traditional cross-collar choke, which requires grabbing the gi lapels, is not possible in MMA. However, the principles can be applied in chokes like the Guillotine.
Why is taking the back so important in MMA?
Taking an opponent’s back is the most dominant position because it puts the attacker in a safe spot where they can strike freely or set up the Rear-Naked Choke, while the opponent cannot effectively defend or attack.
