Sub-mis-sion

\səb-ˈmi-shən\

an act of submitting to the authority or control of another

Knockouts are thrilling. You’ll see them in the promos and highlights. But in MMA, making your opponent quit might be more fulfilling than a knockout by strikes. Here are 5 spectacular MMA submissions.

Shuichiro Katsumura’s Incredible “Ninja Choke”

Dan Hornbuckle’s Sick Kimura at Bellator 19

Randy Couture Choked Out Via Guillotine

Toby Imada’s Famous Inverted Triangle at Bellator 5


Shinya Aoki Subs Tatsuya Kawajiri at Dream 15

That last video demonstrates the courage and will you need to succeed at MMA. If you get knocked out, you’re simply done. If you get caught in a submission, you have to see how large your pain threshold is and you have to have the skills to escape. It’s a beautiful part of MMA. Sometimes all an opponent can do is tap, snap or take a nap.