The Strongest Choke in MMA: Revisited

In Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), the strength of a choke can be subjective and highly dependent on various factors, including the practitioner's skill level, the situation, and the opponent's ability to defend. Despite this variability, certain chokes stand out as particularly effective and widely recognized.

Effective Chokes in MMA

Among these highly effective and widely regarded chokes in MMA are:

Rear-Naked Choke (RNC): Often considered one of the most effective submissions, the RNC can be applied from the back position. It can be particularly difficult to escape if applied correctly. Guillotine Choke: This choke is particularly risky for an opponent, as it can be applied swiftly when they are attempting a takedown. It targets the neck and can be highly effective. Triangle Choke: A versatile submission that can be applied from the guard position. The triangle choke utilizes the legs to trap the opponent's head and arm, cutting off blood flow. Arm-Triangle Choke: This choke is effective in both standing and ground situations, positioning the opponent's arm against their neck and applying pressure. Kimura Trap: While primarily an arm lock, the Kimura can transition into a choke if the opponent is not careful, making it a powerful tool for grapplers.

The Debate: Rear-Naked Choke vs. Other Chokes

While the Rear-Naked Choke is often favored for its high success rate and effectiveness in finishing fights, this is not always the case. During a technical analysis, it is noted that while the rear naked choke employs the most single muscles in the human body during a choke attempt, it is highly effective and powerful.
Some of the most effective chokes with the least amount of energy are Gi chokes, lapel chokes, or short wrist/arm chokes. These chokes are known for their simplicity and efficiency during one-on-one clinch and submission grappling matches.

Impact of Environment: Body Control and Sweat

In MMA, the environment plays a crucial role in choke effectiveness. When grappling in gi (a traditional samurai-style jacket), opponents often have more friction and a greater surface area to apply pressure. However, during no-gi fights, where most male competitors go shirtless and female competitors often wear crop-tops, the absence of this friction and the build-up of sweat create a slippery surface, making it difficult to apply a choke even when one is considered strong.

A notable example is the fight between Chad Mendes and Connor McGregor at UFC 189. During the fight, Chad attempted to use a choke but was unable to control McGregor's neck due to the slippery nature of sweat. This led to McGregor being able to thrash around and loosen the grip.

The Ideal Position: Rear Mount with Rear Naked Choke

The rear mount position in MMA offers the best control and stability, allowing for an effective rear naked choke. In the UFC 196 footage featuring Nate Diaz, we see a clear example of this. Nate Diaz successfully utilized the rear naked choke on Connor McGregor while in the rear mount position. By keeping Connor occupied with strikes and controlling his body movements, Nate was able to quickly transition into the side mount and ultimately the rear mount position, where the rear naked choke proved highly effective.

Considering all these factors, the rearmount position with the rear naked choke emerges as the most effective and strong choke in MMA. It provides a combination of control, leverage, and the ability to counteract the slippery and thrashing nature of the sweat-prone naked body.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are multiple strong chokes in MMA, the rear naked choke from the rear mount position is often the most effective due to the control it affords and the ideal environment it creates. Whether in a grappling match or a no-gi fight, this technique stands out as a powerful and reliable submission.