Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Top 15 ranked Heavyweight Alexandr Romanov scored the ultra-rare North-south choke last night (Sat., Dec. 28, 2024) against Dymere Rappa at Fury Pro Grappling 12, which went down inside 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on UFC Fight Pass.
After three minutes of hand fighting, Romanov secured a takedown and quickly gained side control. Romanov transitioned to North-south after he could get Rappa’s back, and that’s all he needed as he locked up a North-South choke and forced Rappa to tap.
Check out the submission win below:
KING KONG Alexandr Romanov locks up the north-south choke to finish!#FURYpro12 pic.twitter.com/8Efu4Igzrv
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 29, 2024
The North-south choke is incredibly rare, and according to BJJFanastics, it is “one of the most elusive submissions in all of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” That’s because it requires specific positioning and can be hard to apply against anyone who knows what they are doing on the ground.
So it’s even extra special for someone as gigantic as Romanov to pull it off.
Romanov, 34, was released from the UFC last month after a lackluster win over Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC Edmonton. It was a surprise because Romanov was ranked No. 13 in the UFC Heavyweight rankings and held a 7-3 record inside the promotion.
It’s probably only a matter of time before “King Kong” signs with Global Fight League.
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