There’s no denying that the art of submission has had a role in the UFC’s history, which is why the UFC themselves has compiled a list showing off some of the greatest submission wins in the Octagon!
For those who love grappling, there are few things more beautiful than a slick or creative submission hold. The video below showcases twenty of the most beautiful ones that you’ll ever see, and you likely haven’t seen quite a few of them!
Do you agree with their choices? What do you consider the greatest submission of all time? Is it Anderson Silva’s last round finish of Chael Sonnen in their epic back and forth war or something else?
20. Anderson The Spider Silva vs Travis Lutter
-UFC 67, February 3rd, 2007
19. Carlos Newton vs Pat Miletich
-UFC 31, May 4th, 2001
18. Matt Hughes vs George St-Pierre I
-UFC 50, October 22nd, 2004
17. Royce Gracie vs Kimo Leopoldo
-UFC 3, September 9th, 1994
16. Nate Diaz vs Kurt Pellegrino
-UFN 13, April 2nd, 2008
15. Anderson The Spider Silva vs Dan Henderson
-UFC 82, March 1st, 2008
14. Murilo Bustamante vs Matt Lindland
-UFC 37, May 10th, 2002
13. Chris Lights Out Lytle vs Jason Gilliam
-UFC 73, July 7th, 2007
12. Karo Parisyan vs Dave Strasser
-UFC 44, September 26th, 2003
11. Frank Mir vs Minotauro Nogueira II
-UFC 140, December 10th, 2011
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10. Ronda Rousey vs Liz Carmouche
-UFC 157, February 23rd, 2013
9. Chan Sung Jung vs Leonard Garcia II
-UFN 24, March 26th, 2011
8. Forrest Griffin vs Shogun Rua I
-UFC 76, September 22, 2007
7. Royce Gracie vs Dan Severn
-UFC 4, December 16th, 1994
6. Frank Mir vs Tim Sylvia
-UFC 48, June 19th, 2004
5. BJ Penn vs Matt Hughes I
-UFC 46, January 1st, 2004
4. Frank Mir vs Brock Lesnar I
-UFC 81, February 2nd, 2008
3. Royce Gracie vs Ken Shamrock I
-UFC 1, November 12th, 1993
This was the day that started it all; the Gracie family had put together an 8-man tournament to showcase the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Each of the competitors were of a different martial arts background and also were completely different sizes. Royce was one of the smallest men in the competition but still made easy work of every opponent that was put across from him by using effective grappling and submissions.
2. Matt Hughes vs Frank Trigg II
-UFC 52, April 16th, 2005
Dana White, President of the UFC, has notoriously called this his favorite fight of all time. Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg had faced off once before with Matt Hughes winning via rear naked choke. There was so much trash talk leading up to the rematch, that the two almost fought at the stare down before the bell was rung. Once the fight officially begins, Hughes eventually is hit by an illegal groin strike which the referee misses. Trigg attempts to take full advantage of the opportunity, flurrying and then eventually taking the back before beginning to sink in a rear naked choke. But you wouldn’t believe what happens next.
1. Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen I
-UFC 117, August 10th, 2010
There had never been more trash talk in lead up to a fight. Many people were counting out Chael Sonnen, but he was giving them a reason to believe. Over the course of months he verbally bashed Silva and his training partners. When the night came and the fight actually took place, Sonnen backed up every word he’d said. That is, until the final round when Anderson Silva put an end to the fight via triangle. Sonnen also tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone on the night of the fight.
