In the high-stakes world of Mixed Martial Arts, few techniques are as definitive or devastating as the Rear Naked Choke. It is the great equalizer, a maneuver that transcends weight classes and fighting styles, capable of ending a championship bout in seconds. From the early days of UFC 1 to the modern era of hybrid athletes, the Rear Naked Choke (RNC) remains the statistically most successful submission in the sport’s history. Understanding why this specific hold dominates the octagon requires a deep dive into biomechanics, positional hierarchy, and the evolution of grappling in a cage fighting environment.
Whether you are a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, an aspiring fighter, or a fan trying to understand the ground game, mastering the nuances of the RNC is essential. This article explores the anatomy of the choke, the strategic battle for back control, and why, despite everyone knowing it’s coming, it remains nearly impossible to stop at the elite level.
The Anatomy of the Mata Leão
Known in Portuguese as the Mata Leão (Lion Killer), the Rear Naked Choke is primarily a blood choke, though it can double as an air choke if applied solely across the trachea. The mechanics are frighteningly efficient. When properly applied, the attacker’s biceps and forearm compress the carotid arteries on either side of the opponent’s neck. This restricts blood flow to the brain, leading to cerebral hypoxia.
Unlike joint locks like armbars or kneebars, which rely on pain compliance or structural damage to force a tap, the Rear Naked Choke attacks consciousness directly. A perfectly sunk RNC can render a fighter unconscious in as little as 4 to 10 seconds. This leaves the defender with a minuscule window of opportunity to react. In the heat of MMA combat, where fatigue and sweat are factors, the RNC is often the safest bet for a grappler because it does not require the same level of grip strength maintenance as a guillotine or the leverage adjustments of a triangle choke.
The Hierarchy of Position: Why Back Control is King
To understand the dominance of the Rear Naked Choke, one must understand the positional hierarchy of MMA. “Position before submission” is the golden rule, and taking the back is the pinnacle of positional dominance. When an attacker secures back control, they are anatomically safe from the defender’s primary weapons—their hands, elbows, knees, and feet—while having full access to the defender’s neck.
In modern MMA, securing the back has evolved beyond simply getting “hooks in” (wrapping legs around the opponent’s waist). We now see the prevalence of the body triangle, where the attacker figures-fours their legs around the opponent’s torso. This constricts the defender’s breathing and makes it excruciatingly difficult to twist out of the position. Once the body triangle is locked, the attacker can patiently hand-fight, stripping away defenses until the neck is exposed. This control is why the RNC has a higher success rate than submissions from the guard; the position itself wears the defender down before the choke is even applied.
Technical Breakdown: The Grip and The Squeeze
The standard mechanical application involves three critical steps that happen in rapid succession:
- The Seatbelt: One arm goes over the shoulder, the other under the armpit, connecting hands at the chest. This control prevents the opponent from sliding out.
- The Shoot: The “choking arm” shoots deep, aligning the crook of the elbow with the opponent’s chin. This is the point of no return.
- The Lock: The hand of the choking arm grabs the bicep of the support arm. The support hand then slides behind the opponent’s head (the “naked” part of the choke, as no gi or cloth is grabbed).
High-level fighters like Demian Maia or Charles Oliveira have perfected the “one-armed” variation as well, where they use their shoulder pressure and a single arm to finish the choke while using their free hand to trap the defender’s arm, removing their ability to defend. This evolution makes the technique even more dangerous in the modern era.
Legendary Rear Naked Choke Finishes
History is littered with champions who lost their gold to this technique. It is the move that forced the tap in some of the most memorable fights in combat sports history:
- Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen I (UFC 117): After being dominated for 23 minutes, Silva threw up a triangle armbar, but the mechanics of back attacks and chokes were central to the drama of submission defense in that era. While this was a triangle, the threat of the RNC is what often forces fighters into bad positions.
- Georges St-Pierre vs. Michael Bisping (UFC 217): In his return after four years, GSP utilized a pristine Rear Naked Choke to put Bisping to sleep, capturing the Middleweight title and cementing his legacy.
- Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor I (UFC 196): Perhaps the most viral RNC in history. After rocking McGregor on the feet, Diaz capitalized on a desperate takedown attempt, took the back, and sunk in the choke, shocking the world.
These moments highlight a recurring theme: the Rear Naked Choke is the ultimate punisher of fatigue and panic. When a fighter is tired and shoots for a lazy takedown, they often expose their neck, leading directly to the finish.
Defending the Indefensible
Is there a way out? Yes, but it requires technical perfection. Defense against the Rear Naked Choke begins before the arm is under the chin. The defender must fight the hands constantly (2-on-1 grip) to prevent the hands from locking.
Once the back is taken, the defender’s primary goal is to put their back to the mat or the cage, scraping the attacker off. However, the body triangle makes this incredibly difficult. If the arm is already under the chin, the odds of escape drop typically below 10%. The “just stand up” mentality does not apply here; escape requires intricate knowledge of hip shifting and leverage to alleviate pressure on the carotids.
Why It Remains “Evergreen” in Strategy
Trends in MMA come and go. The Machida Era brought karate; the Dagestani wave brought chain wrestling and wrist rides. Yet, the Rear Naked Choke remains constant. It works in the first minute of a fight when fighters are dry, and it works in the 25th minute when they are slippery with sweat. It does not require the gi friction of Judo or the friction of a rash guard.
For any aspiring fighter, the RNC is not just a tool; it is a requirement. It is the highest percentage finish in the sport because it attacks the human anatomy in its most vulnerable state from the most dominant position. As long as humans have necks and require oxygen, the Rear Naked Choke will remain the king of submissions.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Rear Naked Choke
Is the Rear Naked Choke dangerous?
Yes, but generally less injurious than joint locks if the referee intervenes quickly. It cuts off blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness. If released immediately upon the tap or unconsciousness, the fighter usually wakes up within seconds with no long-term damage. However, holding it too long can cause brain injury or death, though this is virtually unheard of in sanctioned MMA competition.
How long does it take to pass out from a Rear Naked Choke?
A properly applied “blood choke” variation of the RNC can render an opponent unconscious in roughly 4 to 10 seconds. If the choke crushes the windpipe (air choke) instead of the arteries, it is much more painful and takes significantly longer to force unconsciousness, often resulting in a tap from pain before passing out.
Can you execute a Rear Naked Choke with MMA gloves?
Absolutely. In fact, the padding of MMA gloves can sometimes make the hand easier to slide behind the opponent’s head, although the bulk can occasionally make locking the hands slightly more cumbersome compared to bare hands or grappling grappling. Fighters drill specifically to adjust their grip mechanics to account for the gloves.
What is the difference between a Rear Naked Choke and a Guillotine?
The primary difference is positioning. A Rear Naked Choke is applied from behind the opponent (back control), while a Guillotine is typically applied from the front, often when an opponent shoots for a takedown. The RNC is generally considered a higher-percentage finish because the attacker is in a safer position (behind the opponent) where they cannot be easily struck.
Why is it called “Rear Naked”?
The term comes from the translation of the Japanese Judo term “Hadaka-jime.” “Rear” refers to the position (from the back), and “Naked” refers to the fact that the choke is applied using only the arms, without grabbing the gi or clothing for leverage, unlike many other traditional Judo chokes.
