Holm was submitted by Tate at UFC 196. Photo: Jeff Bottari/UFC
The UFC in 2016 was very good for rear naked choke specialists. Two of the biggest events in the company's history had their main fights end with this type of submission: at UFC 196, Nate diaz surprised Conor McGregor in the second round, while Amanda nunes closed UFC 200 doing Miesha Tate beating and becoming the new bantamweight champion.
Furthermore, the jiu-jitsu world champion Demian Maia also submitted twice via rear naked choke, against Matt Brown and Carlos Condit. It's no surprise, then, that this move is top of the list of UFC submissions of the year in 2016. It wouldn't be surprising, then, that four of the five biggest submissions of 2016 were via rear-naked choke.
See below the list of the top five submissions in Ultimate in the last year:
Miesha Tate defeats Holly Holm via rear naked choke – UFC 196
The duel between then-champion Holm and challenger Tate, valid for UFC 196, in March, was heading towards a victory for the belt holder, who had only suffered suffocation in the second round. In the fifth round, however, Miesha showed all her pedigree on the ground, managing a beautiful takedown and patiently seeking the submission.
Holly got distracted and turned her back to the challenger, who soon managed a tight rear-naked choke. The champion struggled, but erased instead of hitting. Historic victory and title for Miesha Tate.
Nate Diaz defeats Conor McGregor via rear naked choke – UFC 196
With just over a week to prepare, Nate diaz suffered suffocation in the first round of the historic UFC 196. The North American replaced the injured Rafael Dos Anjos against McGregor and the Irishman had an excellent opening round, opening some wounds on Diaz's face.
In the second round, Nate found his distance and with a combination of jab and straight shot, he stunned McGregor. The then featherweight champion panicked and looked for the takedown. Diaz soon reversed and landed on top in mount. A few more punches and Conor turned his back. Then came the submission, one of the most memorable in UFC history.
Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Michael Johnson via kimura – UFC 205
Determined to ensure his next fight would be for the lightweight belt, Khabib Nurmagomedov came possessed against Michael Johnson, at UFC 205. After briefly suffering on his feet against the North American, the “Eagle” began a monologue on the ground, harshly punishing the “Threat” for two rounds.
In the third round, after talking to Johnson himself, asking him to give up, Khabib finally landed a kimura, achieving his 24th victory in his career, his eighth in the UFC and his eighth submission in MMA. However, it remains to be seen whether he gets his dream shot at the title. The decision was made for 2017.
Amanda Nunes defeats Miesha Tate via rear naked choke – UFC 200
The Brazilian Amanda nunes was the big winner of UFC 200. A few days before the event, her fight with the then champion Miesha Tate was promoted to the main event of the historic event. When it came time to fight, the Lioness showed her entire arsenal standing up, stunning Tate repeatedly, until the duel went to the ground. There, Nunes showed all the qualities of her jiu-jitsu black belt, quickly taking the back.
Soon after, he secured a tight rear-naked choke. The American tapped, but seemed out of her mind, as after Amanda released the submission, she tried to continue fighting.
Demian Maia defeats Carlos Condit by rear naked choke – UFC Vancouver
The duel between Maia and Condit pitted the Brazilian's magnificent ground game against the North American's excellent standing techniques in the main fight of the UFC Vancouver, at the end of August. Better for Demian, who didn't give his rival space, and put him down.
Then, not even Condit's fluid guard play was able to stop Maia, who advanced positions, going from half guard to mount and soon locked in a rear naked choke, which forced the North American to give up.
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