TL;DR
Submissions are the purest expression of mixed martial arts skill — technique over power. From legendary pioneers like Royce Gracie to modern submission kings like Charles Oliveira, this article explores the most iconic, devastating, and unforgettable submissions in UFC history.
Introduction
While knockouts grab headlines, submissions showcase the technical brilliance of MMA. The UFC has given fans some of the most jaw-dropping submission victories ever — moments when fighters turned the tide in an instant with chokes, locks, and cranks that forced even the toughest warriors to tap.
In this list, we cover the greatest UFC submissions of all time, ranked by impact, technical execution, and historical importance.
Top UFC Submissions in History
Royce Gracie vs. Dan Severn
UFC 4 (1994)Triangle ChokeThe fight that changed MMA forever. Royce Gracie submitted the much larger Severn with a triangle choke, proving Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's dominance and cementing its place in the UFC.
Frank Mir vs. Tim Sylvia
UFC 48 (2004)ArmbarMir broke Sylvia's arm with a crushing armbar just 50 seconds into the fight. A brutal but unforgettable display of submission power.
Demian Maia vs. Chael Sonnen
UFC 95 (2009)Triangle ChokeMaia's flawless triangle choke was pure artistry. It remains one of the smoothest submission transitions in UFC history.
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
UFC 117 (2010)Triangle ArmbarSonnen dominated Silva for four rounds until Silva pulled off a miracle triangle armbar with less than two minutes left. An all-time comeback.
Frankie Edgar vs. Cub Swanson
UFC Fight Night 2014Neck CrankWith just seconds left, Edgar secured a neck crank, proving his resilience and ability to finish at the very end.
Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor
UFC 196 (2016)Rear-Naked ChokeOne of the biggest shocks in UFC history. Diaz weathered McGregor's storm and submitted him via rear-naked choke, shaking up the fight world.
Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm
UFC 196 (2016)Rear-Naked ChokeIn the co-main event of the same card, Tate secured a rear-naked choke in the fifth round to win the women's bantamweight title. A career-defining moment.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor
UFC 229 (2018)Neck CrankKhabib submitted McGregor with a neck crank, not just ending the fight but solidifying his legacy as one of the most dominant champions ever.
Charles Oliveira's Submission Record
Oliveira holds the record for the most submissions in UFC history. His guillotines, armbars, and rear-naked chokes have made him the gold standard of submission artists.
Legendary Submission Artists
Royce Gracie
Pioneer of BJJ
Frank Mir
Known for bone-crushing submissions
Demian Maia
The purest grappler in MMA
Charles Oliveira
The UFC's all-time submission king
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Relentless pressure + submissions
Fan Resources
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