4 Amazing Submissions From The Heroes Of ONE: GRIT AND GLORY

Some of ONE Championship’s best submission artists are prepared to take the spotlight in Jakarta, Indonesia.

On Saturday, 12 May, ONE: GRIT & GLORY takes place at the Jakarta Convention Center, and the main event will feature a clash amongst a pair of world-class grapplers.

Reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva will defend the gold for the first time against former titleholder Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito, in a rematch of their five-round thriller in December.

As we await this massive night of world-class martial arts, let’s take a look back at four of the finest submission victories from the stars of the main card.

Alex Silva Takes Roy Doliguez’s Arm

ONE Strawweight World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva, who hails from the martial arts hotbed of Brazil, has shown he is capable of pulling off some truly slick submissions time and time again.

The 35-year-old has six submission victories, and one of his most impressive came against the Philippines’ Roy “The Dominator” Doliguez.

The two met at ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS in February 2017. “Little Rock,” who had won his three previous bouts by submission, knew a fourth consecutive submission victory would give him a massive push towards a ONE Strawweight World Title shot.

After two rounds of grappling superiority, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion found the opening he was looking for. He quickly took Doliguez down in the third, and worked his way into full mount. As “The Dominator” attempted to escape from the bottom, “Little Rock” transitioned to secure the armbar, and seconds later, forced the tap.

Yoshitaka Naito Claims Gold In Debut

Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito is a force to be reckoned with on the ground. The Japanese submission grappler proved that in his very first bout in the organization, when he challenged inaugural ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke for the belt at ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS.

Naito, a former Shooto Flyweight Champion, entered this contest in May 2016 as an undefeated talent with a penchant for the takedown. Dejdamrong, a multi-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion and living legend, was by far the best striker he had ever faced.

That elite standup ability was seen quickly, as “Kru Rong” lit up the Japanese superstar in the opening stanza. However, after a tough first round, “Nobita” began to show off his world-class grappling in the second and third. He completed multiple takedowns, and softened the Thai up with ground strikes.

In the fourth stanza, Dejdamrong seemed poised to reclaim the momentum, but Naito completed another takedown. This time, the Japanese warrior climbed onto his foe’s back, sunk in his hooks, and locked up the rear-naked choke.

There would be no escaping, and Dejdamrong tapped moments later. Just like that, Naito became the ONE Strawweight World Champion.

Stefer Rahardian’s 67-Second Victory

Indonesian martial arts hero Stefer Rahardian has taken ONE Championship by storm.

The 2016 ONE Jakarta Flyweight Tournament Champion has demolished his opponents with his smothering BJJ attack, leading to a flawless 8-0 record. One of his marquee wins occurred at ONE: TOTAL VICTORY in September 2017.

Just seconds after eating a low kick from Sim Bunsrun, the unbeaten hero latched onto the Cambodian, drove him to the fence, and dumped him to the ground. Rahardian landed in full mount, effortlessly transitioned to the Cambodian’s back following a brief scramble, secured the body triangle, and locked up the rear-naked choke. He got the tap in just 67 seconds.

The East Jakarta native has continued to impress, and will attempt to make another statement in his strawweight debut against India’s Himanshu Kaushik.

Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol’s Armbar

Jakarta hero Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol has enjoyed an incredible start to 2018.

The Indonesian national wushu champion began the year by impressively striking down Audreylaura Boniface en route to a first-round TKO victory in January.

A month later, at ONE: QUEST FOR GOLD, she followed that up with another quick victory. This time, it was over Filipina debutante Krisna Limbaga.

The contest began with Gaol pushing forward. Limbaga did her best to keep her at bay with kicks, but before long, the wushu warrior had closed the distance, initiated a tie-up, and tripped her foe to the mat.

From there, the Jakarta native worked for a dominant position, and threatened with several submissions. Though Limbaga was initially able to fend off these attacks, Gaol eventually found her opening. She locked up an armbar with her legs, and the Filipina was forced to tap out with a less than a minute remaining in the opening stanza.

It was Gaol’s second first-round victory in a row. She will try for her third against Rome “The Rebel” Trinidad in front of a hometown crowd on 12 May.