Best MMA Submissions to Learn for Beginners

Best MMA Submissions to Learn for Beginners

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MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) combines various disciplines such as wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), boxing, and Muay Thai. For beginners, it is essential to focus on effective submissions that are simple to understand but still dangerous in the cage. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is often considered the foundation of submission grappling in MMA, and many of the most effective submissions used in MMA come from this discipline. Here are some of the best submissions for beginners to learn in MMA:

Rear-Naked Choke (RNC)

The rear-naked choke is arguably one of the most effective and versatile submissions in MMA. It is a choke that can be applied when you're behind your opponent, with your back controlling them. To execute it: Slot dana 5000

First, get behind your opponent and work to secure your hooks (the legs) in their sides.

Use your arm to slide around the opponent's neck and apply pressure by squeezing your bicep against their throat while using your other arm to lock the position.

Control your opponent’s head and maintain strong body control to avoid them escaping.

This choke is simple to apply and doesn’t require complex setups. It's also one of the most effective submissions in MMA, as it can end a fight quickly once applied.

Triangle Choke

The triangle choke is a submission that comes from the guard position (on your back). It’s one of the most common and effective submissions in MMA for BJJ practitioners. To perform a triangle choke:

Begin from the guard position (on your back with your legs wrapped around your opponent’s waist).

As your opponent tries to pass your guard, you create an angle with your legs and bring one leg over their neck.

Lock your legs together, forming a triangle shape with one leg over their neck and the other under their arm.

Squeeze your legs together and pull down on their head to apply pressure to the neck, cutting off the blood flow.

The triangle is a highly effective submission, especially when paired with strong sweeps and guard work.

Armbar from Guard

The armbar is one of the most basic but highly effective submissions in MMA, and it’s often taught early in BJJ classes. To apply an armbar from the guard:

Start in the closed guard position, with your opponent in front of you.

Use your legs to break their posture and control one of their arms by isolating it.

Rotate your body and position your hips to align with their trapped arm.

Extend your hips and pull back on their arm while securing it against your body, hyperextending the elbow joint.

The armbar can be applied quickly when your opponent makes a mistake, but it requires good timing and control.

Kimura Lock

The Kimura lock is a shoulder lock that can be applied from a variety of positions, including guard, side control, and even standing. It’s an excellent submission to learn as it’s versatile and can be used to control and submit your opponent. To perform the Kimura:

Start by controlling one of your opponent's arms while you are either in their guard or top position.

Grab their wrist with one hand and secure the wrist with your other arm.

Twist their arm behind their back, creating torque on the shoulder joint.

Apply pressure by continuing the twist while keeping control of their arm.

The Kimura is a dangerous submission and is often used as a control position to set up other submissions or transitions.

Guillotine Choke

The guillotine choke is another versatile submission used in MMA, particularly when an opponent shoots for a takedown. To perform a guillotine:

As your opponent shoots for a takedown, sprawl your hips back to stop their movement and wrap one arm around their neck.

Use the other arm to secure your grip, placing pressure on their throat.

Pull up with your arms while maintaining a strong body lock to finish the submission.

The guillotine is particularly useful for beginners because it can be applied quickly and does not require a lot of setup. It’s highly effective in countering takedown attempts.

Arm Triangle Choke

The arm triangle choke is a submission that can be performed from side control or top position, and it works by cutting off the opponent’s blood flow to the brain. To perform the arm triangle:

From side control, secure your opponent’s head and one arm.

Use your head and shoulder to drive their arm across their neck.

Work your arm to lock your hands together and then apply pressure by pushing your head into their neck while pulling their trapped arm towards their body.

The arm triangle choke is relatively simple but can be very effective if executed correctly.

Kneebar

The kneebar is a submission that focuses on hyperextending the knee joint. It’s commonly used in BJJ and can be extremely dangerous when applied correctly. To perform a kneebar:

Begin by isolating your opponent’s leg, preferably in a position where their knee is exposed, such as when you’re transitioning to a top position or guard.

Place your body on top of their leg and hold their ankle while positioning yourself perpendicular to their leg.

Extend their knee by applying pressure with your hips and pulling their foot towards you.

The kneebar is a highly effective submission, especially if your opponent fails to protect their knee while you control the leg.

Ankle Lock

Ankle locks are another leg submission that can be very effective in MMA. They focus on applying pressure to the ankle joint and can be used to quickly finish a fight if executed correctly. To perform an ankle lock:

Start from a position where you control your opponent’s foot and ankle.

Position your body so that you can apply pressure on the ankle joint.

Use your arms to secure the foot and your body to apply the necessary pressure to the ankle.

Ankle locks are useful for beginners because they often present themselves when your opponent is attempting to scramble or escape.

Conclusion

Learning effective submissions is key for beginners in MMA, and the submissions listed above are essential for a solid foundation. By focusing on these techniques, beginners can start developing control, positioning, and submission awareness. Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA-specific grappling will help you refine these submissions and learn how to apply them successfully in live training and competition. Remember to always practice these techniques under supervision and with the proper safety precautions to avoid injury.