Prime 10 rear-naked choke artists in UFC/MMA historical past

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 11/28

Between his laundry checklist of middleweight ending accolades within the octagon to the truth that he’s just one “RNC” away from tying for third most rear-naked chokes in UFC historical past, it’s exhausting to disclaim Gerald Meerschaert a spot on this checklist.

He will not be a reputation that instantly jumps off the paper, however Meerschaert is an expert operator in each sense of the phrase in the case of ending from the again.

A deceptively expert back-taking opportunist, Meerschaert – within the clip above – reveals that you just don’t must be underneath the chin to complete when you’ve got the correct choking leverage and an skilled squeeze.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 10/10

Notching the No. 9 spot is a person who is aware of what he needs in the case of ending fights.

Except for the truth that all of Renato Moicano’s submission wins come by the use of rear-naked choke, he’s additionally tied for essentially the most RNC’s in UFC historical past with names like Charles Oliveira and Brendan Allen.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who’s primed to get behind his opposition, Moicano demonstrates within the clip above how little daylight he must get to his most well-liked kill zone.

And as soon as Moicano can set up his presence from the rear, he reveals extremely slick grip deconstructions that easily lower by way of his sufferer’s defenses like a sizzling knife going by way of butter.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 9/17

I’m unsure if Bryan Caraway involves thoughts or makes the lower for most individuals’s lists, however I stand by this choice as a deserving one.

A hybrid grappler from a wrestling background, Caraway embraced submission combating from the leap.

An underrated guard passer who may funnel his opposition into opportunistic scrambles and chokepoints, Caraway embraced cross-wrist rides (a.ok.a. “The Dagestani handcuff”) effectively earlier than Khabib Nurnamagomedov and firm popularized the place within the octagon.

Carway was additionally wonderful at getting a wedge between his opponent and the cage, which was an enormous key to shutting down a number of the best protection and getups involving the fence. And when it got here to closing the present, Caraway didn’t discriminate, using all types of choke finishes that ranged from S grips to Gable grips.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 10/13

If my final choice wasn’t hipster sufficient for you, then certainly Caol Uno will scratch that itch.

A Shooto champion and early UFC light-weight title challenger, Uno was identified for his deceptively savvy submission prowess.

Regardless of holding black belts in gi martial arts like Japanese jiu-jitsu and judo, Uno was identified for a few of his extra (at the very least on the time) unorthodox submissions like his “no hooks” rear-naked choke.

We’re lastly seeing a resurgence of submission fighters from Japan making their solution to the UFC, however Uno is undoubtedly a pioneer who helped pave the trail for Japanese fighters and rear-naked choke aficionados alike.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 9/17

Regardless of being identified for his vaunted guillotine choke, [autotag[Urijah Faber[/autotag] could also be one of the athletic back-takers on this checklist.

A wrestler with a pure aptitude for scrambling and submission combating, Faber – akin to my earlier choice with Caraway – carries all of the elements to make a lethal cocktail on this division.

Faber can be a standout in the case of standing rear-naked choke finishes, exhibiting peak improvisation and killer instincts in his memorable win over fellow MMA veteran, Ivan Menjivar.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 7/8

Making the highest 5 is none apart from longtime rear-naked choke file holder, Kenny Florian.

Though Florian ultimately acquired handed by the nice Demian Maia so far as RNCs within the UFC go, “Ken Flo” nonetheless holds function the No. 2 all-time finisher of rear-naked chokes (7) within the octagon effectively over a decade after retiring, which is extremely spectacular.

An accoladed Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and multiple-time UFC title challenger who solely misplaced to the perfect of their prime, Florian’s abilities have been sharpened throughout 4 weight lessons in a number of the sport’s deepest divisions.

An clever fighter who understood the finer factors of ending, Florian’s reactions to the violence he created have been each systematic and second nature. He was a real artist when it got here to his craft.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 8/10

Securing the No. 4 slot is arguably essentially the most dogged and decided back-taker on this checklist – – and that’s Alexandre Pantoja.

A person who doesn’t concern himself with finesse, Pantoja has confirmed that he can get to his most well-liked kill zone from a number of positions.

Whether or not Pantoja is shucking by his opponent’s hips right into a standing again take or is utilizing leg entanglements to return out the again door, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt can just about do all of it.

Pantoja continues to be one of many extra criminally underrated fighters regardless of his championship accomplishments, however “The Cannibal” will at all times get his deserved due on my lists.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 9/21

Regardless of feeling like these previous few high 5 spots are arguably interchangeable, Charles Oliveira finally ends up at No. 3.

Though Oliveira has extra front-choke finishes to his title, there’s no denying Do Bronx’s picturesque nature to his standing rear-naked chokes.

An opportunistic madman who envelops his opposition along with his lengthy limbs, Oliveira leaves little room for error in the case of exposing the again (or any of the next limbs hooked up to it).

Oliveira is tied for the third most rear-naked chokes in UFC historical past (6) on the time this text was printed, however may simply add to his place within the file books earlier than his profession is over.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 10/14

Regardless that you possibly can simply place this man within the high spot (as my high two are virtually interchangeable), Demian Maia should accept the No. 2 slot right here.

Not solely is Maia the rear-naked choke chief within the UFC, however the extremely credentialled Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt additionally possesses my favourite back-taking technique of the bunch.

Using half-guard getups that result in single-leg reversals, Maia was capable of clear up a whole lot of the athleticism and aggression points that juxtaposed his conventional wrestling offense. As soon as Maia was capable of disrupt defenses by promoting a false invoice of products, he wasted little time in making his solution to his opponent’s again.

Maia was additionally sensible about forcing caught prey to battle from disadvantageous angles like on their sides, which made it harder to defend his assaults. And even when Maia couldn’t get beneath the chin, the previous ADCC champion had little challenge with utilizing a neck crank as an alternative.

Rear-naked chokes to submission ratio: 6/6

Narrowly notching the No. 1 spot is B.J. Penn.

Newer MMA followers might scoff at Penn’s file with out the correct context in tow, however the legendary Hawaiian is arguably essentially the most influential fighter in the case of each this choke and the light-weight division as an entire.

Not solely was Penn using methods like post-collapsing and leg wrapping effectively over a decade earlier than later champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev got here round, however “The Prodigy” additionally popularized the arm-trapping that so many fighters have mimicked since.

And when Penn went in for the kill, it felt such as you have been watching a snake devour its prey on the character channel.

I’m unsure if Penn will ever get his correct flowers from the newer technology, however his presence on this sport’s historical past is simple in my e-book.

*Honorable mentions: Aljamain Sterling, Brendan Allen, Gillian Robertson, Michael Chiesa, Patchy Combine

For a deeper dive into this subject, be happy to take a look at Dan Tom’s episode on the topic through The Defend Ya’ Neck Podcast.