4 Superb Submissions From Our Heroes Competing In Malaysia

Four of ONE Championship’s best grapplers will attempt to display their submission prowess for the entire world to see this coming Friday.

On March 9, the promotion will hold ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the headlining bout, local hero Gianni Subba will clash with Reece “Lightning” McLaren with a title shot at the ONE Flyweight World Championship up for grabs.

As always, there are bound to be some dynamic submission finishes. Here are four of the finest submission victories from heroes competing at the show.

Reece McLaren’s Buzzer-Beating Brabo Choke

https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1663753756981206/

Former bantamweight contender Reece “Lightning” McLaren debuted in the flyweight division at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD this past November. He met Thailand’s Anatpong “Mak Mak” Bunrad, and would do something no other man has been able to do.

Bunrad used his striking pedigree to his advantage, as he unleashed powerful kicks to size up his Australian opposition. McLaren later lunged for the Thai, and used a double leg takedown to take the action to the ground. Although “Mak Mak” kicked his way back to his feet, McLaren brought him back to the ground with yet another double leg takedown.

McLaren, a BJJ black belt, was methodical in his approach. He moved to side control, went for an arm triangle, and then transitioned to a Brabo choke. Despite Bunrad’s best efforts to roll out of the hold, the Aussie would not let go. “Mak Mak” tried to hang tight, but ultimately tapped with eight seconds left in the round.

Not only did McLaren win his flyweight debut, but he became the first man to stop Bunrad.

Gianni Subba Takes Out A Feared Striker

Fresh off a knockout win in his professional debut, Malaysian hero Gianni Subba faced off against debuting countryman Saiful “The Vampire” Merican at ONE: RETURN OF WARRIORS in February 2013.

Subba wasted no time in taking his Muay Thai savvy opponent to the ground, lifting his opponent up for a double leg take down just 20 seconds into the contest. He contained Merican for most of the early round, but “The Vampire” was able to reverse a full mount to keep the contest alive. Though Subba recovered, Merican would get another reversal to stay on top of Subba as the round closed.

Once the second frame began, Merican utilized his world-class striking to batter his adversity with an assortment of high kicks, but Subba would bring the Muay Thai specialist back to the ground.

With the last minute of the round approaching, Subba moved from side control into the full mount, isolated an arm, and then fell back for an armbar. The extension on the armbar was too much for “The Vampire” to handle, and he was forced to tap out.

Michelle Nicolini Submits A Wushu World Champion

In an epic clash of styles, eight-time BJJ world champion Michelle Nicolini matched up with five-time wushu world champion Irina Mazepa in a women’s strawweight bout at ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY in April 2017. The night would belong to jiu-jitsu.

The larger-looking Mazepa looked in control with her striking very early on. But once she threw a leg kick, Nicolini immediately grabbed it, rushed at the Russian, and tripped her to the ground. The Brazilian strategically transitioned to more favorable positions before securing the full mount, but Mazepa used her enormous strength to reverse the position.

Nicolini was relentless though, and never let go of Mazepa’s arm. While on her back, she pushed the Russian with her feet to gain position for an armbar, which forced the tap nearly halfway through the first round.

The Brazilian will continue her march towards the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship on Friday, as she meets Ukraine’s Iryna Kyselova.

The RNC That Led Agilan Thani To Ben Askren

Malaysian hero Agilan “Alligator” Thani looked to extend his six-bout win streak in front of his home crowd at ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS. In February 2016, he went up against Chinese Taipei’s Jeff “The Machine” Huang, who was looking to shock the hometown favorite. 

Thani excited the crowd with creative takedown attempts in the first round, but Huang used his veteran experience to defend from punishing strikes and submission attempts. By the end of the opening stanza, however, the defensive efforts of “The Machine” looked to have taken the wind out of his sails. For the first time in his martial arts career, Huang went into the second round.

The “Alligator” used his youthful vigor to continue pressuring Huang, and by the middle of the second frame, he was too fatigued to fend the Malaysian off. Thani took advantage by locking a rear-naked choke that forced Huang to tap. The win put him in position to challenge Ben Askren for the ONE Welterweight World Championship three months later.

Although Thani lost that world title bout, he learned in defeat, and has applied those lessons to his training. He could find himself on a two-bout win streak if he defeats India SFL welterweight champion Amitesh Chaubey at ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY.