Tag: jiu-jitsu

How to do the Suloev Stretch Submission

How to do the Suloev Stretch SubmissionThe Suloev stretch submission is one of the most miserable and embarrassing submissions to get caught in. Any time…

How to do the Suloev Stretch Submission

The Suloev stretch submission is one of the most miserable and embarrassing submissions to get caught in. Any time we see an unlucky fighter get caught in the sub, it goes viral on all social media sites.

Here is our complete guide for how to execute the Suloev stretch submission. Check out the details and important tips for locking in this stretch below.

What is the Suloev Stretch? 

Suloev Stretch Submission

The Suloev stretch is a submission that was created by the late former UFC fighter Amar Suloev. This name was coined by an MMA writer named K.J. Gould after the Armenian fighter executed the move in 2002.

Amar first pulled off the Suloev stretch in 2002 against Paul Cahoon at 2H2H 5 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

This technique is a submission executed from the back, where you grab and stretch out your opponent’s leg. It has similarities to the banana split submission, but done from the back mount, rather than the turtle position or cross-ride.

The submission targets the hamstring and knee by hyperextending the leg into a split. Originally, this was a move in wrestling to score back points whenever an opponent tripods.

In MMA, the Suloev stretch is uncommon to see but is a very effective technique. The first time we saw a submission successfully pulled off in the UFC was by Kenny Robertson at UFC 157.

How to do the Suloev Stretch Submission? 

While the Suloev stretch submission looks highly technical, it is rather easy to pull off. Here’s how you can execute the submission in a few easy steps.

Get to Back Mount 

Before you can set up this submission, you’re going to have to get to your opponent’s back. Get to your opponent’s back whichever way you can from a sweep or force them to give it up.

Wait For Your Opponent to Tripod

A common defense against back control is for a grappler to get into the tripod position and slide an opponent off. When your opponent goes to a tripod and puts their feet and hands on the floor, this is your queue.

Stay tight on your opponent’s back and try not to fall off when you go for the submission.

Hook Opponent’s Leg

As your opponent attempts the tripod defense, their feet will be in grabbing distance. Your next step will be to hook your opponent’s leg.

Either grab below their heel with both hands or hook your forearm above their heel, connect hands, and pull.

The Finishing Sequence

Suloev Stretch Submission in cage

Once you have a hold on your opponent’s leg, you’re going to go right into the finishing sequence. Drive your hips down on your opponent’s quad/hips as you pull their foot to your face.

This motion hyperextends the knee and puts severe pressure on the hamstring. Unless they are super flexible, they will be forced to tap out.

How to Defend Against the Suloev Stretch Submission

If you’re worried about getting put in the Suloev stretch submission, don’t worry. There are a few different defenses you can use to avoid this technique.

Don’t Give Up Your Back

The most obvious tip for defending against this submission is to not give up your back. Your opponent can’t set up the Suloev stretch if they don’t have your back.

Don’t Tripod

If you get your back taken by someone who is good at this submission, you shouldn’t use the tripod defense. This is where they want you to go in order to set up the Suloev stretch.

Instead use another escape, such as pulling your opponent’s arm across your body to turn and face them.

Don’t Base Your Feet Wide

If you do try the tripod defense, try not to base your feet our wide. The wider you spread your feet out, the easier it is for your opponent to hook your leg.

Important Tips For Executing the Suloev Stretch

Suloev Stretch Submission in cage

The Suloev stretch is easy to pull off, but you can’t forget any of the important setup details. Here are some important tips you need to remember when attempting this effective submission.

  • Secure Back Control: Keep a secure back control on your opponent to keep from falling off.
  • 2 Hands On 1 Leg: Always control your opponent’s leg with both arms. One won’t be enough to control them and get the stretch submission.
  • The Finishing Sequence: Drive your hips down into your opponent’s leg as you pull their leg towards you to engage the stretch.
  • Ways to Finish: Depending on your opponent’s reaction, you can finish the Suloev stretch belly down or on your back.

Watch: Gordon Ryan Defeats Felipe Pena and Yuri Simoes in Consecutive ADCC Superfights

Watch: Gordon Ryan Defeats Felipe Pena and Yuri Simoes in Consecutive ADCC SuperfightsGordon Ryan won not one, but two superfights while competing at this year’s ADCC tournament in Las Vegas. As…

Watch: Gordon Ryan Defeats Felipe Pena and Yuri Simoes in Consecutive ADCC Superfights

Gordon Ryan won not one, but two superfights while competing at this year’s ADCC tournament in Las Vegas.

As the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational kicked off two miles down the road, ‘The King’ returned to the stage inside T-Mobile Arena for a pair of big BJJ matchups, the first coming against 2017 Absolute champion Felipe Pena.

Closing out Day 1 of this year’s ADCC, Ryan and Pena wasn’t exactly the most eventful meeting between the two with the bout failing to even hit the ground for the first five of their 20-minute regulation round. Eventually, Ryan snatched a single leg and dumped Ryan. Once on the mat, Ryan settled into half-guard while Pena threatened a footlock, and that’s pretty much where the match stayed for the remainder of the round.

During the overtime period, a scramble nearly ended with Pena on Ryan’s back, but ‘The King’ managed to get the top position, earning him the only two points awarded during the match.

Gordon Ryan becomes a seven-time ADCC World champion

The very next night, Ryan returned and delivered a much more dominant showing against two-time ADCC champion Yuri Simoes.

Ryan racked up points by improving position, going from mount back to half-guard repeatedly. The action was fast and furious in this one as ‘The King’ continuously attacked his opponent’s arm. Simoes ended the bout attempting to cinch in an ankle lock but was unable to force the tap before the clock ran out.

With the win, Gordon Ryan became a seven-time ADCC champion.

Gordon Ryan

Across the street, Nicky Rod completed his impressive run at the CJI, submitting all four of his opponents via rear-naked choke to claim the $1 million prize in the Over 80kg division. Following his seven-figure win over Fellipe Andrew, Rod issued a $2 million rematch challenge to Ryan.

“The only thing better than one million dollars is two million dollars,” Rod said in a post-match interview. “So let’s do this: I want a bet match with Mr. Gordon Ryan. Because I know in my bones that I’m the actual best grappler on the planet, so let’s do this, Bubba. My $1 million versus your $1 million, winner-take-all bet match. Come get some.”

Video – Intergender Jiu-Jitsu match between Craig Jones and Gabi Garcia

Video - Intergender Jiu-Jitsu match between Craig Jones and Gabi GarciaSharing the mats this weekend in Las Vegas at the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – grappling aces, Gabi…

Video - Intergender Jiu-Jitsu match between Craig Jones and Gabi Garcia

Sharing the mats this weekend in Las Vegas at the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – grappling aces, Gabi Garcia and the above-mentioned Jones went to battle in a highly-scrutinized intergender battle of Jiu-Jitsu talents.

Jones, a dominant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star who hosted an invitational event under his own name this weekend over the course of two days in Nevada, had received mass criticizm across social media for putting the high-profile clash in jeopardy.

craig jones gabi

Weighing in and facing off with Brazilian star, Garcia on Friday, Adelaide native, Jones controversially kissed the former on the lips in a forcible manner – before claiming the bout was likely off, before mocking the Brazilian and her compatriots.

Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia with rear-naked choke

Craig Jones kisses Gabi Garcia During CJI weigh-ins faceoff: ‘You crossed the line’

Nevertheless, taking on the mixed martial arts fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace in an intergender bout, Jones took Garcia’s back in the goings, before forcing a tap from a rear-naked choke – defeating the massive Porto Alegre submission artist in their controversial matchup in the second round.

Reacting to his win, Jones claimed he had received threats from the ADCC community for hosting his own grappling event on the same weekend as their tournament, and how he would like to host another invitational in the future.

gabi garcia

“Couldn’t get it, [her] big braids got in the way, but I’d do it again,” Craig Jones told The Mac Life after CGI. “I’d do it again… I’ve had death threats from ADCC from the organizers which is crazy, just ridiculous. I don’t even think that event is worth talking about really, they’re over there fighting for some breadcrumbs.”

Video – Intergender Jiu-Jitsu match between Craig Jones and Gabi Garcia

Video - Intergender Jiu-Jitsu match between Craig Jones and Gabi GarciaSharing the mats this weekend in Las Vegas at the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – grappling aces, Gabi…

Video - Intergender Jiu-Jitsu match between Craig Jones and Gabi Garcia

Sharing the mats this weekend in Las Vegas at the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – grappling aces, Gabi Garcia and the above-mentioned Jones went to battle in a highly-scrutinized intergender battle of Jiu-Jitsu talents.

Jones, a dominant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star who hosted an invitational event under his own name this weekend over the course of two days in Nevada, had received mass criticizm across social media for putting the high-profile clash in jeopardy.

craig jones gabi

Weighing in and facing off with Brazilian star, Garcia on Friday, Adelaide native, Jones controversially kissed the former on the lips in a forcible manner – before claiming the bout was likely off, before mocking the Brazilian and her compatriots.

Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia with rear-naked choke

Craig Jones kisses Gabi Garcia During CJI weigh-ins faceoff: ‘You crossed the line’

Nevertheless, taking on the mixed martial arts fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace in an intergender bout, Jones took Garcia’s back in the goings, before forcing a tap from a rear-naked choke – defeating the massive Porto Alegre submission artist in their controversial matchup in the second round.

Reacting to his win, Jones claimed he had received threats from the ADCC community for hosting his own grappling event on the same weekend as their tournament, and how he would like to host another invitational in the future.

gabi garcia

“Couldn’t get it, [her] big braids got in the way, but I’d do it again,” Craig Jones told The Mac Life after CGI. “I’d do it again… I’ve had death threats from ADCC from the organizers which is crazy, just ridiculous. I don’t even think that event is worth talking about really, they’re over there fighting for some breadcrumbs.”

Video: Mackenzie Dern is Submitted by Ffion Davies with an Armbar

Ffion Davies Submits Mackenzie Dern CJI ArmbarUFC athlete Mackenzie Dern was taken down and submitted by Ffion Davies during their match at the Craig Jones…

Ffion Davies Submits Mackenzie Dern CJI Armbar

UFC athlete Mackenzie Dern was taken down and submitted by Ffion Davies during their match at the Craig Jones Invitational hosted in Las Vegas this past weekend. Millions of dollars were awarded to the winners of the event, but Wales’ Ffion Davies took the headlines with her impressive throw and grappling work.

Ffion Davies

The Welsh-born Ffion Davies is carving a name for herself as being one of the all-time greats in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ffion Davies has achieved remarkable success in grappling competitions. She won first place at the ADCC in 2022 and secured the top spot at the IBJJF World Championship in both 2022 and 2023. In the NOGI category, she claimed first place at the IBJJF World Championship in 2018, 2021, and 2023. Additionally, she succeeded at the IBJJF European Open in 2019 and 2020, as well as at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals in 2019. Davies also took first place in the UAEJJF Grand Slam in London in both 2019 and 2020.

Ffion Davies

Mackenzie Dern

The American-Brazilian Mackenzie Dern is a UFC fighter but comes from an incredibly decorated background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mackenzie Dern has an impressive list of achievements in the world of grappling. She secured first place at the ADCC Championship in 2015 and also won the IBJJF World Championships that same year. In the NOGI category, she took first place at the IBJJF World Championships in 2015. Dern continued her winning streak by claiming first place at the IBJJF Pan American Championships in both 2015 and 2016.

Mackenzie Dern

Ffion Davies vs. Mackenzie Dern

Despite her background in grappling, the UFC’s Mackenzie Dern was out of her element when it came to rolling against Ffion Davies at the CJI. In the second of their meeting, Davies tosses Dern with a very impressive head and arm throw, then angles to achieve a perfect inverted armbar forcing the tap.

See the highlights below:

Kade Ruotolo and Nicky Rod take home $1 million in CJI tournament finals – Craig Jones Invitational Highlights

Kade Ruotolo and Nicky Rod take home $1 million in CJI tournament finals - Craig Jones Invitational HighlightsThe first-ever Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday night…

Kade Ruotolo and Nicky Rod take home $1 million in CJI tournament finals - Craig Jones Invitational Highlights

The first-ever Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday night with eight grapplers vying for two million-dollar prizes and a pair of intriguing superfights.

CJI

Kicking off Day 2 was the Over 80kg semifinal match between Nicky Rod and Adam Bradley. While the pace was slow, it was clear from the get-go that Rod was in complete control, handily taking the first two rounds via the disclosed scorecards. With roughly three minutes left in the third, Rod climbed into mount. Bradley eventually gave up his back allowing Rod to slap on a body triangle and cinch his arm under the chin, securing his third-straight RNC submission of the tournament.

Joining Rod in the tournament final was Fellipe Andrew who scored a heel hook submission against Inacio Santos in the second round of their entertaining clash.

With the Over 80kg tournament final set, attention turned to the Under 80kg semifinals. First up was Levi Jones-Leary who scored a stunning upset against reigning ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion Tye Ruotolo in the quarterfinal round on Friday.

Jones-Leary landed his third win of the tourney, besting Lucas Barbosa via unanimous decision, putting him one win away from being a millionaire.

But if Jones-Leary hoped to take home the seven-figure prize, he’d have to go through yet another Ruotolo brother.

ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo delivered a solid showing in his exciting back-and-forth scrap with Andrew Tackett, walking away with a decision victory and a ticket to the Under 80kg final.

Ffion Davies and Craig Jones score submission victories in their CJI super fights

Before getting to the tournament finales, the Craig Jones Invitational had not one but two epic superfights pitting some of the best grapplers in the world against one another. First up was two-time IBJJF and 2022 ADCC world champion Ffiona Davies against UFC strawweight fan favorite Mackenzie Dern.

Their opening exchange saw Davies push Dern to the wall before dragging her down to the mat. Davies quickly transitioned to side control and attempted to mount, but ended up in Dern’s half-guard. Davies went back into full guard before once again passing to side control where she would remain for the remainder of the round.

Seconds into the second, Davies put Dern on the canvas with a head and arm throw. Dern did her best to scramble but ended up allowing Davies to slap on a reverse triangle and before long, forced the UFC star to tap out via armbar.

In the second superfight of the night, Craig Jones met nine-time BJJ world champion Gabi Garcia in an intergender submission grappling showdown.

Despite the size discrepancy, Jones was in control for the majority of the matchup and appeared to be playing with his food at times. After winning the opening round with 10-9 scores across the board. With two minutes to go in the second, Jones goes for a heel hook, but Garcia no-sells it works on an ankle lock. Unable to cinch in the maneuver, Jones was able to snatch a rear-naked choke that forced Garcia to tap out with less than 30 seconds to go in the round.

It was an unnecessary, but wholly entertaining matchup between the two BJJ stars.

Nicky Rod and Kade Ruotolo take home Million-dollar prize

In the Over 80kg tournament finale, Nicky Rod completed his perfect run at the inaugural CJI, earning a rear-naked choke submission just past the three-minute mark of the third round against Adam Bradley. It was Rod’s fourth-straight finish by way of RNC as he clean sweeps his way to a million-dollar paycheck.

In the Under 80kg tournament final, reigning ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo finished off his run with an entertaining back-and-forth scrap between the man who took out his brother in the quarterfinals.

Unfortunately, Levi Jones-Leary wasn’t able to complete the dream-like run, coming up short on all three scorecards.

Craig Jones Invitational Day 2 Quick Results:

Over 80kg Semifinals:
  • Nicky Rod def. Adam Bradley via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:12 of Round 3.
  • Fellipe Andrew def. Inacio Santos via submission (heel hook) at 4:39 of Round 2.
Under 80kg Semifinals:
  • Levi Jones-Leary def. Lucas Barbosa via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
  • Kade Ruotolo def. Andrew Tackett via decision (29-28, 29-27, 27-29)
Super Fights:
  • Ffion Davies def. Mackenzie Dern via submission (reverse triangle armbar) at 0:44 of Round 2.
  • Craig Jones def. Gabi Garcia via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:38 of Round 2.
CJI
Tournament Finals:
  • Nicky Rod def. Fellipe Andrew via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:28 of Round 1 to win the Over 80kg tournament.
  • Kade Ruotolo def. Levi Jones-Leary vis unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to win the Under 80kg tournament.
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