📝 The Best Arm Triangle Choke In The UFC

First Things First

I’m fascinated with submission specialists. I can’t help but watch the people that are so good at one finishing technique that their opponents have no choice but to alter their strategy, or risk being just another highlight.

So far we’ve studied:

1. Paul Craig’s Triangle Choke

2. Nate Diaz’s Guillotine Choke

Today we’re going to look at Rodolfo Viera to see what we can learn about the arm triangle choke.

Rodolfo Viera

Rodolfo Viera is nicknamed The Black Belt Hunter for his competitive Brazilian jiujitsu success early in his career.

Before Viera was a black belt, he took out black belt world champion Braulio Estima. Once Viera was promoted, he went on to beat legends like Alexandre Ribeiro, Andre Galvao, and Leandro Lo. He even claimed the ADCC World Championships, and IBJJF World Championships several times.

Viera transitioned to MMA in 2017. Midway through 2019 he was in the UFC. Since starting his MMA career, Viera has won 10 fights, 9 by submission, and 5 of those are arm triangles! To say he is an arm triangle master is an understatement.

Viera has had 4 arm triangles in the UFC alone. That ties him for the all time arm triangle record. Viera is the perfect person to study premier arm triangle mechanics.

Technical Takeaways

Whenever we study specific submissions we need to start by breaking down the core conditions that create the. The lock, anchor, and angle.

Lock - hands closed with the grip obscured by your own forehead. Point 3 below. You can even pull with the secondary hand to make the choking arm tighter.

Anchor - elbow planted on the mat, nearly behind your opponent’s neck. Point 1 below. Your head can be considered a secondary anchor as well.

Angle - under your opponent’ arm, driving weight into their arm pit. Point 2 below. You want to stay on top of your opponent, just off to the side.

Now let’s look at the specific sequences where Viera sets up the arm triangle. Pay attention how he controls mount with cross faces and anchors into the position during this first instance.

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