What's new at Ludus Martial Arts

We’re so proud of our team! Find out how they’ve been doing, as well as what else has been going on at our gym lately.

Unique submissions highlighted 2017, but which was most impressive?

Although submissions happened at a slightly lessened rate statistically at the top of the sport, there were plenty of awesome finishes in 2017 that stemmed from memorable bits of grappling.

There were a number of first to take place in the UFC specifically over the past 12 months, and some marquee bouts ended in submissions, as well.

With 2017 about to come to a close, everyone is debating which finish most deserves “Submission of the Year” honors. MMAjunkie has been tracking the best through monthly awards, and below are the winners voted on by our staff as well as readers.

(Of course, we know there still is time to add to this list with year-end events around the corner, including UFC 219 this week. But before that, vote in our poll at the bottom of the story for your favorite submission so far.)

* * * *

Aleksei Oleinik def. Viktor Pesta at UFC Fight Night 103 in January

Aleksei Oleinik became the first fighter in UFC history to finish a bout with a rare Ezekiel choke when he tapped a visibly stunned Viktor Pesta in the first round.

Instagram Photo

James Vick def. Abel Trujillo at UFC Fight Night 104 in February

James Vick wanted a bounce-back fight after the first official loss of his pro career. He got one in a big way at the expense of Abel Trujillo, scoring a slick D’Arce choke.

Instagram Photo

Iuri Alcantara def. Luke Sanders at UFC 209 in March

Iuri Alcantara staged one of the greatest statistical comebacks in UFC history when he rallied from multiple near-stoppages and a 107 strike differential to submit the previously unbeaten Luke Sanders with a kneebar.

Ovince Saint Preux def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC Fight Night 108 in April

Former interim UFC light heavyweight title challenger Ovince Saint Preux found a trademark finisher in the form of a submission rarely seen executed in MMA. For the second time in his UFC career, Saint Preux won with a Von Flue choke when he tapped Marcos Rogerio de Lima.

Linton Vassell def. Liam McGeary at Bellator 179 in May

Linton Vassell picked up the biggest victory of his career and one that may set him up for a future Bellator light-heavyweight title shot when he submitted former champ Liam McGeary in the third round of their all-Brit battle.

Instagram Photo

Zach Freeman def. Aaron Pico at Bellator NYC in June

The long-awaited debut of MMA super-prospect Aaron Pico went horribly awry when he was hurt with a huge punch and then submitted by Zach Freeman’s D’Arce choke all within the span of 24 stunning seconds.

Instagram Photo

Marlon Vera def. Brian Kelleher at UFC on FOX 25 in July

After picking up a surprising and quick submission win in his UFC debut earlier this year, Brian Kelleher experienced the other side of the coin when he tapped out to an armbar early in the first frame of his fight with Marlon Vera.

Fernando Gonzalez def. Brennan Ward at Bellator 182 in August

Fernando Gonzalez continued to rebound from his lone Bellator loss, which occurred in 2016, when he rallied to submit Brennan Ward with a slick guillotine choke in the third round of their catchweight bout.

Ovince Saint Preux def. Yushin Okami at UFC Fight Night 117 in September

Saint Preux once again pulled off his signature submission when he defeated short-notice opponent Yushin Okami with his specialty Von Flue choke for the third time in his octagon career.

Demetrious Johnson def. Ray Borg at UFC 216 in October

Demetrious Johnson’s long journey toward UFC championship history reached its conclusion with his most memorable octagon moment to date when he scored a spectacular fifth-round armbar submission of Ray Borg.

Instagram Photo

Georges St-Pierre def. Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in November

Georges St-Pierre promised to make history against Michael Bisping, and he delivered when a third-round rear-naked choke made him just the fourth fighter in UFC history to win belts in two weight classes.

Instagram Photo

Brett Johns def. Joe Soto at TUF 26 Finale in December

Welsh bantamweight Brett Johns kept his perfect record intact, using just 30 seconds to tap out Joe Soto with just the second calf slicer submission finish in UFC history.

Instagram Photo

Brian Ortega def. Cub Swanson at UFC Fight Night 123 in December

The book on Brian Ortega is if he gets your neck, the fight is pretty much game over. Cub Swanson found that out the hard way, succumbing to a second-round guillotine choke against the unbeaten featherweight prospect.

Instagram Photo


Filed under: Bellator, News, UFC, Videos

UFC free fight: Charles Oliveira rallies to light up Michael Chandler for first title win

Charles Oliveira proved he had championship mettle when he battled through some early adversity against Michael Chandler. Oliveira faced Chandler for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 262 in May 2021. It took “Do Bronx” 28 octagon appearances to earn his first-career title shot. Round...

Javier Mendez disagrees with Daniel Cormier’s claim that Islam Makhachev more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov

For Javier Mendez, Islam Makhachev is more skilled than Khabib Nurmagomedov but not more dangerous. Daniel Cormier, who also trained under Mendez at American Kickboxing Academy, said UFC lightweight champion Makhachev is even more dangerous than former champ Nurmagomedov was during his prime. Mendez heavily disagrees. “OK, he’s more...

come and try a ludus mma class free!

We want to make sure that Ludus MMA is the right fit for you before asking you to commit to a membership.
That’s why we’d like to offer you a FREE ONE-DAY PASS to our gym.

With your FREE PASS, you can:

  • Try as many classes as you’d like,
  • Explore the facility
  • Talk to our coaches one-on-one about what you can expect as a member

© Copyright 2024 - Ludus Martial Arts - 730 Beach Blvd, Unit 105, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

(904) 374-4186 / ludusmartialarts@gmail.com