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UFC Commentator Laura Sanko Breaks Down the Bread Cutter Submission

UFC Commentator Laura Sanko Breaks Down the Bread Cutter Submission Former mixed martial artist turned UFC commentator Laura Sanko, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, has once again demonstrated her…

Former mixed martial artist turned UFC commentator Laura Sanko, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, has once again demonstrated her expertise in the grappling world, this time breaking down the bread cutter submission from mount.

Laura Sanko Teaches The Bread Cutter Submission

Known for her insightful fight analysis and as the first female color commentator in UFC history, Laura Sanko likes to teach Brazilian jiu-jitsu submission techniques. In a recent instructional video, Sanko shared her approach to the bread cutter, a submission that combines elements of the Ezekiel and key lock chokes. She highlighted the importance of leverage from the mount position, making the move effective without requiring excessive weight shifts that could leave a fighter vulnerable to being bucked off.

UFC commentator Laura Sanko began the explanation by emphasizing how to set up the move from side control. “I start by isolating the arm and transitioning into mount,” she explained. From there, Sanko demonstrated how to pass the arm from one hand to the other, positioning the arm under her opponent’s neck. This transition sets up the crucial step where she threads her arm across the throat, creating a choke similar to the Ezekiel.

“Blade your hand as you thread it through,” Laura Sanko advised, showcasing how to make the technique more effective by turning the hand to the side to slide it across the neck with ease. She then emphasized the importance of tightening the grip by making a fist, which significantly increases the pressure applied in the choke.

One key detail in Sanko’s breakdown was her focus on maintaining control throughout the process. “Make sure your legs are tight,” she reminded viewers, explaining how keeping a solid base is essential for maintaining position and finishing the submission.

Despite being a highly effective technique, Sanko pointed out that the bread cutter can be applied without necessarily transitioning into full mount. “You don’t have to go all the way to mount. If you have enough pressure, you can still execute it while keeping your opponent flat on their back,” she said, demonstrating her ability to adapt the move to various situations.

Start in Side Control: Begin in side control, with your left arm underneath your opponent’s head (similar to a neon belly position).
Isolate the Arm: Begin isolating the opponent’s arm that will be used for the submission.
Transition to Mount: While isolating the arm, transition into the mount position.
Pass the Arm: Once in mount, pass the arm from your left hand to your right hand.
Thread the Arm Across: Take your right arm and thread it under your opponent’s neck, aiming to cross it across their throat.
Blade the Hand: As you thread your arm across the throat, blade your hand (turn it to its side) to get it through easier.
Make a Fist: Once your hand is through, make a fist to strengthen the choking pressure, similar to an Ezekiel choke.
Tighten the Submission: With your hand in position, tighten the grip to apply pressure for the choke.
Maintain Control: Make sure your legs stay tight to prevent being bucked off, keeping control of the position.
Finish the Submission: Once tightened, the submission will usually lead to a quick tap from your opponent.

Sanko’s technical knowledge and clear instructions show why she’s earned her reputation as an expert. As both a practitioner and a commentator, Laura Sanko continues to educate.

Islam Makhachev Questions Black Belt Standards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Are BJJ Black Belts Given Too Easily?

Reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has sparked a heated debate within the martial arts community, questioning whether black…

Reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has sparked a heated debate within the martial arts community, questioning whether black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are being awarded too easily. The Dagestani fighter is known for his elite grappling and ground game and he shared his candid thoughts on the matter in a recent interview.

Islam Makhachev on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

“Why are you scared to go with him on the ground? You’re a black belt,” Makhachev said to Demetrious Johnson, referring to instances where BJJ black belts appear hesitant to engage in grappling exchanges. “But now, it’s a big deal to give some fighters a black belt. No, it’s not. It shouldn’t work like this, you know. I think people agree with me. If you’re a UFC champion, you cannot be a black belt in one day. No, it’s not working like that.”

Islam Makhachev emphasized that earning a black belt should require years of dedication, competition experience, and proven mastery of the art. “Train, like, hours—hours like five, six years—to be a black belt. They have to go to some competitions, World Championships, like international, and do something special, you know, to deserve this,” he continued.

Islam Makhachev’s remarks reflect his own martial arts upbringing in Dagestan, where wrestling and Sambo are pillars of the region’s athletic identity. As a four-time Russian National Combat Sambo Champion and a World Combat Sambo gold medalist, Makhachev has firsthand experience with the rigorous demands of elite-level grappling. His foundation in Sambo has shaped his perspective.

Since debuting in the UFC in 2015, Islam Makhachev has solidified himself as one of the best grapplers in MMA, often overwhelming his opponents with his ground control and submission skills. His success in the Octagon, including his championship victories over BJJ Black Belts Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier has only added weight to his critique of the current BJJ ranking system.

Are BJJ Black Belts Given Too Easily?

Makhachev’s comments have reignited a long-standing debate in the martial arts world. Traditionalists argue that earning a black belt should symbolize years of hard work, competition, and technical proficiency.

In MMA, black belts are often awarded to fighters who display exceptional grappling skills during fights, even if they lack the competition experience traditionally required in BJJ. This practice has drawn criticism from purists who feel that the integrity of the black belt is being diluted.

Makhachev’s stance echoes the frustrations of many who believe that the martial art’s highest rank should not be given out as a symbolic gesture. “It shouldn’t work like this,” he asserted, calling for a return to more stringent standards.

Whether or not the BJJ community will take his words to heart remains to be seen. For a fighter who has spent years proving himself on the mats and in the Octagon, he knows the power of grappling being a lifetime student under the UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Islam Makhachev Questions Black Belt Standards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Are BJJ Black Belts Given Too Easily?

Reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has sparked a heated debate within the martial arts community, questioning whether black…

Islam Makhachev on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Are BJJ Black Belts Given Too Easily?

UFC Veteran Cub Swanson Discusses Long-Standing Feud with Gracie Family

Veteran UFC fighter Cub Swanson has shed light on his long-standing feud with the Gracie family, detailing how early…

Veteran UFC fighter Cub Swanson has shed light on his long-standing feud with the Gracie family, detailing how early career controversies and personal struggles shaped his relationship with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Cub Swanson Gracie Family Beef

Cub Swanson, a PanAm BJJ champion before transitioning to MMA, described an encounter with Kron Gracie at the 2003 US Open as a turning point. Swanson, then a rising competitor, faced the teenage Gracie in a match marred by disputed scoring. Swanson alleges that the referee favored Gracie, leaving him without points he believed he earned.

In an interview with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Swanson explains:

“Kron looked at the ref, turned his back, and the ref turned around and gave it to me. I was like, “What does that mean?” The green and yellow belt is worn on top of your belt so they know who’s who when they’re scoring points. But he didn’t want to wear the green and yellow belt because he thought it was disrespectful.

“Only one person had to wear it, so when they tried to give it to him, he told the ref, “Get out of my face.” The ref turned around and handed it to me. I’d never seen that happen.

“We went at it, and he beat me on points, but they wouldn’t give me any points. I was bummed out. The next day, I was buying all the magazines—I was a huge fan of all the Gracies. I was just so into it because it was changing my life.“

“The next day, all the magazines wrote, ‘Kron Gracie beats PanAm champ to become US Open champ,’” Swanson said. “It crushed me. I felt disrespected like they used me to elevate him.”

Frustrated by the perceived bias and the threat of being banned from future BJJ competitions after an email exchange with a prominent journalist, Cub Swanson decided to leave traditional BJJ behind and shift his focus to MMA.

Years later, Swanson faced Kron Gracie in the UFC in what he described as a critical moment in his career. Coming off a losing streak, Swanson said the fight carried personal and professional weight. Despite the history between them, Swanson expressed respect for Gracie’s toughness in the Octagon.

“We went to do the face-off. I wasn’t going to let him intimidate me—I’d already fought the best of the best. He walked up and put his fist in my face. My manager asked, “Why didn’t you push him?” To me, that was cowardly.“

“It was a war,” Cub Swanson said. “I hit him with some of the nastiest body shots I’ve ever thrown, but he just kept coming forward.”

Swanson ultimately won the fight, showing why he is one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history. With 11 post-fight bonuses, he holds the record in the featherweight division and has become a fan favorite for his dynamic and creative striking.

While the tension with the Gracie family remains palpable, Cub Swanson has moved forward, continuing to build on his reputation as a veteran fighter and a key figure in MMA.

Dillon Danis Challenges MMA Guru After Controversial Comments on BJJ Being “Fake and Gay”

After embarrassing himself against Logan Paul last year, Dillon Danis is going after a much easier target. Recently, the…

After embarrassing himself against Logan Paul last year, Dillon Danis is going after a much easier target.

Recently, the former Conor McGregor coach found himself in another bizarre feud. This time with online personality and perpetual troll The MMA Guru who labeled Danis’ sport of choice both “fake and gay” after seeing Bryce Mitchell put jiu-jitsu specialist Kron Gracie to sleep with a nasty third-round elbow at UFC 310.

“Bryce Mitchell puts that name merchant Kron Gracie to sleep in round 3 after two rounds of Kron trying to embarrass the sport live on a UFC PPV main card,” he wrote on X. “No ability on the feet & despite Rogan’s attempts to make it seem so, no threat on the ground. BJJ is fake and gay #UFC310”

The disrespect forwards jiu-jitsu caught the attention of Danis who quickly snapped back at the Guru and challenged him to a scrap on the mat.

“Let’s spar live and I’ll have you screaming for your life while I teabag you,” Danis replied.

MMA Guru Tells Dillon Danis that BJJ is for ‘Unathletic Nerd Victims’

Never one to let anyone else get the last word, The MMA Guru doubled down on his thrashing of ‘the gentle art,’ and threatened to break out Rick Martel’s favorite maneuver should they ever cross paths.

“The fact that YOU succeeded in BJJ is nothing but more proof that it’s a made up martial art for unathletic gay nerd victims of life that can only implement it on people that don’t have any knowledge of it,” Guru added. “I’d Boston Crab you in 3 minutes bring it.”

Mikey Musumeci Declares War on PEDs in Jiu-Jitsu: “Time for Real Professionalism”

Mikey Musumeci is declaring war on the rampant use of PEDs in BJJ. After establishing himself as one of…

Mikey Musumeci is declaring war on the rampant use of PEDs in BJJ.

After establishing himself as one of the best submission grapplers in the world under the ONE Championship banner, ‘Darth Rigatoni’ ditched the Singapore-based promotion to sign with the UFC. It was a big moment for the jiu-jitsu community as Musumeci became the first grappler to ink an exclusive deal with Dana White and Co.

Now, Musumeci is making it his duty to clean up the sport he loves so dearly.

“I feel like what I’m doing right now is definitely the most important thing for grappling in terms of having a stable platform,” Musumeci said on Wednesday during UFC 310 media day. “I feel like a lot of jiu-jitsu right now is very unstable. There’s a lot of horrible ethics, morals, and I hope now that with the UFC we can change that and make it a professional sport.

“Because it hasn’t been a professional sport, jiu-jitsu, with people they blatantly use [performance enhancing drugs]. They’re not athletes. They really don’t have the values of martial artists. I really just want to change that and give us this platform at UFC and become professionals” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Musumeci refrained from naming names but hopes that he can help the UFC grow the sport of BJJ and bring in other athletes who make it a priority to compete clean and avoid the very long list of practitioners who try to take chemically-induced shortcuts.

“People not on steroids,” Musumeci said emphatically when asked who the UFC should look to sign. “That’s pretty much what I would say but 99 percent of jiu-jitsu is on steroids. So at least them get off steroids a little bit, like a few months. They probably need like a year, six months to adjust and then maybe they could adjust with Darwinism.”

Mikey Musumeci sees signing with the UFC as his first step toward making BJJ great

Aside from trying to extinguish more of the seedy elements in the sport, Musumeci has a lot of personal goals he hopes to accomplish, including a potential transition to mixed martial arts.

Of course, the New Jersey native has a lot left to accomplish in jiu-jitsu, but Musumeci recognizes that signing with the UFC is a big first step towards meeting those goals.

“They want to make this professional also,” Musumeci said. “UFC’s a professional company. The way we’ve been in jiu-jitsu, we’ve been amateurs. We really are just in this barbaric amateur phase of jiu-jitsu. Now UFC is starting something professional. I’m so blessed for them for putting the effort into jiu-jitsu to change it. I’m so eager for them to do that.”