8 Types of Chokes That Almost Every MMA Player Uses
Mixed martial arts are complex combat training. If you are a mixed martial arts fighter, you will have a new thing to learn every day, so getting bored is not an option. If you know someone very good at mixed martial arts, even he will admit that he is still in the learning process. To become a good or professional MMA fighter you need to have deep knowledge about every possible prospect. One thing that separates MMA from traditional sports like football or cricket is the fact that these games are just confident with the rules. If you understand rules and your body has a good grip on using things and situations according to your benefit, you will become a player. However, in the case of MMA, you need to stay at the top of everything, if you are good in one condition, this doesn’t mean that you will be good in every other condition as well. So, you must keep every possible situation in mind while building a strategy or learning new skills.
Technically MMA is an art of acquiring submission from the opponent and you need to use your strategy, body power, and exact skill to do that. Your mind needs to stay in-game and you need to know how you can do that. If we talk about the art of acquiring submission, we know that there are so many different submission styles. Some like to put their skill to test, others just use the one that is mostly used by many. No matter what kind you are trying to master, you must know the two main types. Join locks and choke holders.
What’s better?
Well, we cannot vote for one and veto the others but if we have to pick and choose, we might be able to evaluate their effectiveness based on stats. Chokes are easier to use, very basic and they are popular as well so automatically most people favor chokes. They are easier to pull during a fight and mostly favor the fighter. If we have to just look at some of the most popular submission styles, we can easily rank the top five chokes. So, automatically most instructors teach the youngest various choking styles. For some people, this might be a little difficult to understand but for most, it is quite easy to choose between chokes and locks. The best thing about these MMA chokes is that they are used by BJJ players as well and so far, we have seen them being extensively used by both BJJ and MMA players in no-gi as well as training in the BJJ gi.
For the beginners who are trying to know more about different kinds of chokes that are used in MMA and BJJ, we have listed down some of the best that you can further know and study in detail.
Triangle Choke
A triangle choke has a very visible name that can easily be understood through the shape of a triangle. The name triangle depicts that you use the legs, and they make the arm of your opponent paralyzed by keeping it in a lock. This is a quick counter-attack method, and you will see that while attempting that, you need to stay on your back at all times. A simple way of understanding the whole technique is that when the opponent in the game is throwing strikes you just need to hold his arm and pull it forward. Once you have his arm in your hand, you just have to wrap your legs around and then block the movement by keeping the leg on the neck and shoulder. The leg will lock the movement completely, and this will lock the opponent. When you feel that the opponent is paralyzed, you will see that the opponent will start letting go of his grip. This is quite painful so you need to make sure you are not pressing too hard otherwise you might cause some serious damage.
Arm Triangle
Usually, you will not hear the word arm triangle because most people call it side choke. As the name incites that it has to cover the side. So, while you are trying to put someone in a side choke or arm triangle, you have to first acquire top position on the mat. This means that you can only use this choke if you are in a dominant position. You can start by trapping the opponent’s arm along with his neck with the help of your arm. Just wrap your arm around the neck and then fold the arm behind his neck where you will be grabbing the arm for full control. In some cases, people just control the hands as well. Finally, try to slip off to the side of the opponent, and then you can push the head down where you will get a full submission.
Anaconda Choke
As dangerous as you might find the name, an anaconda choke is used with perfection and can be fairly dangerous as well. You need to use your arm triangle and form a front deadlock pose. As the opponent will shoot for the takedown you will have to take down the right leg and the sprawl and push the right hip down. As you do this, you can then lead towards the next step of slipping your arm behind the right shoulder and this will give you more control. You are now required to reach out for the triceps, and you will have more control. For complete control, you will have to lead to the final stop where you will then form a choke around the left biceps and the neck. As you have finally formed the triangle, now you can drop the right leg and turn the upper body for the left. This will help you trap his shoulder and with that, you will have complete control over the body.
Rear Naked Choke
As the most successful submission moves in MMA, a rear-naked choke is the base of submission training. This is the coke that is applied from behind and it is a little challenging because if you press too hard you might do some serious damage. Most people think this is a blood choke and you just prevent the blood supply to the upper body part, but the thing is that you will see your opponent pass out. You need to start by sliding your arm under the neck of your rival and then keep his neck into the choke of your elbow. Squeeze your forearm at this point and then tilt it to one side of the neck where you will be pressing it with your bicep. Now that you have the neck in control, make sure you have control over your arms as well and as you will put a little pressure on it, your opponent will pass out.
Guillotine
There is significant use of guillotine that we have seen in the game, and this can be done while you are in a standing position, or you are on the bottom. Either way, you can do it and choke your opponent. The guillotine was an execution-style, and this choke has been inspired by that, so far it is one of the most effective ones because of its surprise element. Most of the time your opponent keeps the head and neck exposed, you can take this opportunity and slip your arm around by sliding it down the chin and grabbing the hand. Once you have done this, just gently pull the arm upwards and you will be able to completely paralyze the opponent.
Gogoplata
If you are a WWE fan, you will love this choke. It is usually seen in WWE matches and you might not see it in MMA however, it is pretty effective. This is a counter move so you need to use the guard. Pull the opponent forward as you lock his hands and push it behind the neck. As you do this, gently slip one leg over the neck and hook the other leg under the chin of your opponent. Now you need to push your opponent’s head down and then put your shin near his throat. Don’t push too hard because your shin will have too much force and you don’t want to cause too much damage, just exert enough pressure that can cause him to submit.
North-South Choke
This is a blood choke that helps with submission, but it is pretty dangerous so unless you don’t think you are confident, don’t try it on anyone. This is the choke that is performed at 180 degrees, and you need to stay opposite to the opponent while they are on the back of the mat. This position is also known as the north-south position. As you circle from north to south position, now let the attackers slip on an arm underneath the neck of your rival and then formally adjust your bicep. This will push on the neck on just one side that supplies the blood to the brain and now simply shift over to the north-south position that faces 180 degrees. Your opponent will fall flat, now you can clasp his hands together for better control. Once you are done, you will be able to adjust to the choke and acquire submission.
D’Arce Choke
Named after the famous Joe D’Arce who used it for the first time. This style of choking is also known as Brabo choke, and you can start this by getting into a sprawling position. The attacker needs to stay under the opponent’s arm and then move the arm around their neck. This will form the basic choke and as you are done with it, just use your other hand and complete the grip. Now, just position the control and roll it over onto the shoulder while keeping the grip intact. This choke works when you use the shoulder of the opponent and then use your bicep to apply pressure and you will be done with it in a few minutes.
