5 Slick Submissions From The Stars of ONE: REVOLUTION
ONE: REVOLUTION is packed with mixed martial artists who can end any contest in a multitude of ways.
On Friday, 24 September, they will bring their full arsenals to the Circle and aim to earn victories by any means necessary — including their potent submissions.
To get you ready for all the fast-paced grappling action, here are five of the slickest tapout wins from the athletes competing on the card.
#1 Lee Throttles Yokota With Tight Guillotine
Christian “The Warrior” Lee has made a habit of knocking people out in recent fights, but the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt is also an elite grappler.
The reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion showcased that talent against Kazunori Yokota at ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY in March 2018 when he unveiled his “Terminator guillotine.”
Lee had the Japanese veteran’s back in round two and was looking for the choke. Yokota managed to escape, though his relief was short-lived.
As his rival tried to take top position in the ensuing scramble, “The Warrior” was a step ahead. He threw his left arm deep underneath Yokota’s head and connected it to his right hand.
With his grip set, Lee wrapped his long legs over his opponent’s body and locked on a body triangle to secure the position. From there, he applied a suffocating squeeze to force the tap.
On 24 September, Lee will need every bit of his striking and grappling acumen when he defends his gold against surging challenger Ok Rae Yoon.
#2 Pacio Finishes Compatriot With Arm-Triangle Choke
Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is another well-rounded World Champion with the ability to knock out or submit his rivals.
Rene “The Challenger” Catalan found that out the hard way when he challenged for the ONE Strawweight World Title in an all-Filipino battle at ONE: MASTERS OF FATE in November 2019.
“The Passion” defended Catalan’s takedown attempt in the first minute of round two and then turned his compatriot over with a cradle. From top position, he passed Catalan’s half guard and moved to side control.
Next, the Team Lakay man saw the chance to get his head into “The Challenger’s” armpit and knew the arm-triangle choke was in the cards. He stepped over to mount, cinched up his position, and then switched to side control to complete the choke and get the tap.
At ONE: REVOLUTION, Pacio will return in a World Title trilogy fight against Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta, with the pair currently level at 1-1.
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#3 Nguyen Chokes Lee Out Cold
While his overhand right has captured most of the headlines, #1-ranked featherweight contender Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen also features a submission arsenal that opponents can’t forget about.
The former two-division ONE World Champion used that aspect of his game against now-lightweight king Lee when they first met back at ONE: HEROES OF THE WORLD in August 2016.
Both men were on an upward trajectory, but “The Situ-Asian” had the edge. He countered Lee’s aggression with a well-timed left hook that dropped him and then latched onto a guillotine choke as “The Warrior” tried to recover.
From there, Nguyen tightened up his squeeze by locking his right arm onto his left bicep and held on until his foe was rendered unconscious on the canvas.
Back on the hunt for the ONE Featherweight World Title, the Aussie slugger will take on #5-ranked “The Fighting God” Kim Jae Woong at ONE: REVOLUTION.
#4 ‘The Prodigy’s’ Double-Threat Finish
Victoria “The Prodigy” Lee lived up to her moniker again in her sophomore appearance against “Little Sprouts” Wang Luping at ONE: BATTLEGROUND in July 2021.
A hip throw from Wang thwarted Lee’s first offensive charge, but the young United MMA star quickly got back up and returned the favor to take top position.
Lee had several bites at a rear-naked choke when her opponent tried to twist away from her strikes, but the finish eventually came when “Little Sprouts” returned to her back.
“The Prodigy” rained down punches and elbows before stepping over Wang’s shoulder for a mounted triangle. With the choke still in place, she snatched up her rival’s arm and went belly down to finish with a triangle armbar.
The unbeaten teenager’s next assignment will be her toughest yet, as it comes against 5-0 Victoria Souza at ONE: REVOLUTION.
#5 Adiwang Taps Out Mitsatit In First Round
Rounding off the list of martial artists who can seemingly do it all is hard-hitting Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang, who displayed his ground acumen against Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit at ONE: FIRE & FURY in January 2020.
The Team Lakay standout took Mitsatit to the mat, where he secured a scarf-hold position, but the Thai athlete escaped and worked to Adiwang’s back when “Thunder Kid” looked for an Americana.
Now standing, “The Smiling Assassin” seemingly had the advantageous position. But the quick-thinking Filipino turned that around, as he started to set up a kimura by wrapping his rival’s elbow and taking a figure-four grip.
Adiwang rolled to the floor and landed on top. From there, he freed Mitsatit’s arm and stepped over his head to wrench on the kimura and get the win.
“Thunder Kid” will headline the lead card opposite “Wolf of the Grasslands” Hexigetu on 24 September.
Read more: Christian Lee Predicts Another First-Round Finish Against Ok Rae Yoon
