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Top MMA Submission Specialists
Top MMA Submission Specialists
Demian Maia
Jiu-jitsu and submission specialists rarely get as much attention as powerful strikers, but as Demian Maia proved at UFC 95, pure jiu-jitsu fighters often come out victorious. Now undefeated and on the brink of becoming one of the top contenders in his class, Maia has made victims out out many (including Jason MacDonald, red gloves) with what some claim to be a one-sided skill set. To give him and his fellow jiu-jitsu masters their due recognition, we went back in time a bit to gather -- in no particular order -- some of the all-time great submission specialists.
Fedor Emelianenko
Russian heavyweight and WAMMA champ Fedor Emelianenko (bottom) is revered by many as the top fighter in all of mixed martial arts. And his ground game has played a major role in his success, including this win over Tim Sylvia at Affliction's inaugural card.
Shinya Aoki
A black belt in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and judo, Shinya Aoki has dropped only one bout since August 2005.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (bottom) is one of the most experienced fighters in the game, having trained in judo since age 4 and jiu-jitsu since 18.
Dean Lister
After wrestling in high school, Dean Lister turned his attention to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which helped him earn nine of his 11 professional wins by submission.
Dustin Hazelett
A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, welterweight Dustin Hazelett (bottom) earned "Submission of the Night" honors in his win over Tamdan McCrory at UFC 91.
Frank Mir
A state champion wrestler, Frank Mir (far left) is the current UFC interim heavyweight titleholder.
Roger Gracie
The 2005 ADCC World Submission champion, Roger Gracie comes from one of, if not the most, prominent families in mixed martial arts. He is currently a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and owner of the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in London.
Jake Shields
Now a fighter with Strikeforce, Jake Shields (top) owns a number of jiu-jitsu and wrestling accolades, including an Pan American Games Jiu Jitsu title and a third-place finish at the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in 2005.
Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie came to prominence in the 1990s when he won 11 submission victories in the early days of the UFC. He is the son of Helio Gracie, the co-founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Josh Barnett
After becoming the youngest UFC heavyweight champion in 2002 (he defeated Randy Couture), Josh Barnett (top) has won nine fights via submission. The latest was against Gilbert Yvel (bottom) at Affliction's "Day of Reckoning."
Miguel Torres
The current WEC bantamweight champion, Miguel Torres owns a staggering 35-1 record. Even more astounding: 22 of those wins have been by submission.
