Issue 056

November 2009

Peter Irving is a professional welterweight fighter and Fighters Only’s resident fight expert. With a record of 9-6-1, Irving has fought in Europe and the USA, and currently holds the Strike & Submit European title. 

3 minute clinic

The grip

The pressure on the neck is increased by Pete using both his arms to tighten the hold. One arm around the throat is generally not enough to force someone to submit, so he places the hand of his choking arm (right) on his left bicep. The left forearm then passes behind the head, which pushes the head and neck forward.  

Trapping the Arm

Here Pete is trapping one arm, using his leg to keep the arm against his opponent’s body.  

Body Position 

The choke can be finished from a variety of positions. In this example, we see that Pete is on his side, not flat on his shoulders. This makes it difficult for his opponent to turn into him and escape.  

Foot Position 

In order to score in jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling, both hooks must be in for back control points to be awarded, but the back can be effectively controlled with one or even no hooks by a skilled grappler. Note that Pete does not cross his feet in the centre, which would put him at risk of an ankle lock. The feet can be crossed at the side and over the hips to give control over the waist, but not in the middle.

The rear naked choke (RNC) is a literal translation from the Japanese name for the technique. Coming from judo, the choke is ‘naked’ in that it is executed without using the collar of the gi. In Brazil the choke is known as the Mata Leao (the Lion Killer) after the first of Hercules’ trials, in which he killed the Lion of Nemea by choking it to death. The rear naked choke is statistically the top submission finish in recorded MMA. 

Rear naked choke

Step 1 Pete has Jack’s back with both hooks in and is controlling him with a harness (one arm under his armpit, one arm around his neck – like a car seat belt) 

Step 2 Pete places his lower hand on to Jack’s wrist to control the arm and wraps his other arm around the neck, anchoring his hand behind Jack’s shoulder.

Step 3 Pete uses the wrist control to push down and trap Jack’s arm with his leg. 

Step 4 Pete withdraws his arm, brings it up and grips his own hand. Note his arm is behind the shoulder, making it more difficult for Jack should he try to grab it. 

Step 5 Pete punches his open palm straight behind Jack’s neck. A common mistake is to lock behind the elbow and pass the hand in front of the opponent’s face, allowing them to hand fight and potentially escape. Pete is careful to keep the locking arm hidden from Jack’s view. Pete’s hand finishes behind jack’s neck, where the skull meets the spinal column.  

Rear naked choke from kneeling

Step 1 Here Pete has back-control on Jack, but Jack has managed to roll and turn to his knees. Pete uses his harness grip and hooks to stick to Jack, leaving no space between his chest and Jack’s shoulders. Whichever direction Jack goes, Pete can stay in the same position. 

Step 2 Pete reaches through with his bottom arm and grips Jack’s wrist. He uses his hooks and pushes with his hips into Jack’s lower back, flattening him out. He brings his right arm free, ready to strike. 

Step 3 Pete uses a punching motion and shoots his arm under Jack’s chin and around his neck, reaching through and grabbing Jack’s shoulder. 

Step 4 He removes his left hand from Jack’s wrist and finishes the choke.