Top 5 Most Iconic And Visually Jaw-Dropping UFC Submissions Of All Time

Chael Sonnen might joke he tapped to ground-and-pound, thinking it’d end the round, but not all cases are lighthearted and simple. Some fighters have made their way with an extraordinary ground game and Hail Mary clutches, hard to escape from. The sport has been privy to some special moments, and here is a look at such top 5 submissions in UFC history.

Whether it be a last-resort twist, a lock, or a mount-and-grab. Or be it a well-timed choke that ends any chances of answering, submissions have paved the way for some big finishers over the years.

ALSO READ: Top 10 Greatest UFC Fighters of All Time

Top 5 Most Iconic UFC Submissions

5. Jason Von Flue’s Von Flue choke

Now, there’s many names to include on this list – Frank Mir, Glover Teixeira, submissions specialist Charles Oliveira, and so many others. Jason Von Flue made the list for setting the ground with a signature move named after him. It followed suit of those like Masahiko Kimura (Kimura Lock) and Joe D’Arce (D’Arce choke; although, not technically coined by him).

He exhibited it against Alex Karalexis, a competitor from the inaugural season of Ultimate Fighter, at UFC Fight Night 3 (2006). Von Flue pushed it up from side control, digging his shoulder blade at length into the rival’s throat and on the arteries to cut off blood. A few seconds later, he let go before the referee had to halt it. The maneuver is a rare one even to this day. Only Ovince Saint Preux has made the technique his own.

4. Korean Zombie’s ‘Zombie Twister’

From CB Dollaway’s Peruvian necktie to a flying triangle finish over Yves Jabouin. Or even Nate Diaz’s iconic salute; there are many to make the list. But the popularity behind Korean Zombie has its own fandom.

The ‘Twister’ came against Leonard Garcia at Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis. Time was running out in the frame, and Jung had his legs wrapped around Garcia’s. When the opening presented, he tagged an arm and then cranked on the neck. He literally twisted his torso to make both ends, thus birthing the nomenclature. Garcia tapped in a buzzer-beater situation.

‘The Korean Zombie’ — Chan Sung Jung  — thus logged a first Twister submission in UFC history. The iconic move has been perfected only two more times so far.

3. Khamzat Chimaev’s dangerous jaw crank at UFC 308

This one is a relatively new one, but it makes up with the style points like none other. Khamzat Chimaev and his relentless forward pressure/wrestling are something all are aware of. The explosive Chechen Wolf is undefeated within the Octagon, and none of his ballot opponents have stood their ground against him for more than 0:12-0:13 seconds into the first frame.

Chimaev is dangerous in the opening rounds, and this is exactly what people pointed to when he faced former champ Robert Whittaker. However, Chimaev proved he just needs the one round and finished the dangerous middleweight longstay via a first-round face crank – 3:34 mark! The aftermath left Whittaker stumbling with his digits broken. It took everyone by surprise when the Aussie fighter tapped quick, but it turned out that Chimaev’s strength had dented through his jaw.

The fact that he could do it to Whittaker also cemented his spot as a top contender. This one was a SOTY top option for 2024 after the UFC 308 PPV co-mains, and will remain to tread the list due to the visceral optics.

2. Jon Jones’ standing guillotine choke at UFC 140

Speaking of style points, Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida is a refresher course in top-notch shock submissions. Team Jackson’s Acoma MMA fighter ‘Bones’ caught his rival fence-side, in a tight vice-like hold. When all circulation was cut off, Machida was unresponsive, and his arm flopped around beneath them.

The matter is, somehow, sometimes overshadowed by the Frank Mir – Antonio Rodrigo Kimura at the same UFC 140 card. But the optics of Jones walking away from a deanimated, lying-down Machida live on forever. The UFC later relived the moment in form of a media package commercial titled “Believe Your Eyes,” as it stands as one of the most stunning visuals.

1. Demetrious Johnson’s ‘Flying Armbar’

Finishers, specifically submissions, get the sweet spot when there’s context added to it. Royce Gracie conquered Gerard Gordeau to win UFC 1 via submission. Brock Lesnar’s head-and-arm choke at UFC 116 made sure to make note of how dominant he is with the right tools. Dustin Hazelett’s over-the-top, deep-whizzer turning into an armbar made quite a highlight back in 2008,

For Demetrious Johnson, this win pushed him past Anderson Silva’s consecutive title defense stats. Moreover, his one-of-a-kind flying trap and armbar are etched in history! ‘DJ’ systematically took down his overmatched rival, Ray Borg, at UFC 216. Johnson slipped behind for a fence-side suplex and accentuated the rival’s limb for a perfect submission hold.

When Borg came flying down, he held on to the pain or at least tried to. However, Johnson slung his lower limbs to lock in the armbar and made him tap. The rest, as they say, is history. This one just adds more spice to the top 5 list.