Submission: Gogoplata

I havent had chance to do a submission of the month for a while so this months will be the gogoplata. Here is a definition from Wikipedia

"The gogoplata is executed from a guard, commonly from a "rubber guard", where the legs are held very high against the opponent's upper back. The fighter then slips one foot in front of the opponent's head and under his chin, locks his hands behind the opponent's head, and chokes the opponent by pressing his shin or instep against the opponent's trachea. A variation called a Locoplata is when the bottom man uses his free foot to push up on the choking foot and increase pressure."

In my opinion this defintion is some what lacking and credit should go to one of the pioneers of the gogoplata Nino Schrembi. Here Nino demonstrates the Gogoplata:



Here Ryan Hall finishes a No-Gi grappling match with the submission:



The gogoplata has also been used effectively in MMA. Shinya Aoki perfomred his first successful gogoplata in MMA on Joachim Hansen at PRIDE Shockwave 2006 and his first successful mounted gogoplata on Katsuhiko Nagata at DREAM 4. Former UFC Heavyweight fighter Brad Imes calls himself "Mr. Gogoplata", after winning two matches in a row with the maneuver. Nick Diaz defeated Takanori Gomi using the gogoplata at Pride 33, only to have the victory changed to a NC due to positive test for marijuana in the post-fight drug screen. Here is Nick Diaz doing what he does best:

Submission: Triangle

As part of my blog I will have a regular "Submission" feature where I will highlight some of my favourite submissions, with examples of them being pulled off in competition. Today's submission is the triangle.

Search the net and you will find many definitions of the submission, here is my favourite.

"Submission using the legs in the form of a triangle. A triangle choke (called Sankaku-Jime in Judo) is a type of figure-four chokehold which strangles the opponent by encircling the opponent's neck and one arm with the legs in a configuration similar to the shape of a triangle. The technique is a type of lateral vascular restraint that constricts the blood flow from the carotid arteries to the brain."

Well enough of the drivel, lets see the technique in action.

Below, GB Black Belt and highly decorated featherweight Jiu-Jitsu maestro Mario Reis shows us how the technique should be done. Pay close attention to the set up.



In the 2009 World BJJ cup Braulio Estima used the submission to choke out Marcelo Garcia, again pay close attention to the set up.



Finally, if you are still craving for an extra triangle fix, check out this Ryan Hall (aka Ry-angle") highlight



So there you have it the triangle, so good they named a vast area of ocean after it.