The Top 5 Submissions Of 2024 In ONE Championship
ONE Championship is home to the planet’s best martial artists – and elite ground fighters are no exception.
In 2024, the world’s largest martial arts organization saw a rapid expansion of its submission grappling divisions, giving elite BJJ competitors a massive platform to showcase their kills. And as always, top-flight MMA stars displayed their grappling prowess in the all-around sport.
As the year comes to a close, we look back on the most dramatic and impressive submissions of 2024.
#1 The Ruotolo Brothers Hit Double ‘Ruotolotines’
Twin brothers Kade Ruotolo and Tye Ruotolo sit comfortably atop the world of submission grappling, and in April at ONE Fight Night 21, they pulled off a one-two punch of epic proportions.
First, reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade took on Brazilian standout Francisco Lo in a non-title catchweight tilt and needed just under five minutes to secure a unique arm-in choke from the back position, marking his second submission grappling victory of the year.
Just four fights later, Tye put his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title on the line against Australian powerhouse Izaak Michell. Incredibly, he scored the same exact submission finish – and at nearly the same exact time as his brother’s.
After Tye’s dominant World Title victory, he officially dubbed the pair’s trademark choke the “Ruotolotine,” putting a cap on two of the most impressive and innovative back-to-back performances in ONE history.
#2 Leon’s ‘Beautiful Jiu-Jitsu’ Shines Against Pucci
Two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion Dante Leon hardly broke a sweat in his much-anticipated promotional debut this December at ONE Fight Night 26.
At Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, the decorated Canadian squared off with fellow BJJ black belt Bruno “Puccibull” Pucci in a lightweight submission grappling match and followed through on his promise to display “beautiful jiu-jitsu” en route to a sensational submission win.
After taking Pucci’s back in the opening moments, he proceeded to attack with submission after submission, ultimately locking in a picture-perfect triangle-armbar to get the tap in just over two minutes.
The victory announced Leon’s presence on the global stage and served as a terrifying message to the rest of ONE’s submission grappler roster – the 29-year-old means business.
#3 Souza Sleeps Hirata With Guillotine Choke
Victoria “Vick” Souza was considered the underdog against Japanese star Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata, but she stunned the world with her performance at ONE 167 in June.
The atomweight MMA showdown began with the two athletes trading strikes on the feet as Souza connected with a series of punches – and what came next was truly shocking.
In the second minute of the contest, Hirata shot forward to attempt a takedown, but “Vick” stepped backward, evaded the attempt, and instead locked in a flawless guillotine choke while bringing her foe to the ground.
A that point, there was no way for “Android 18” to escape. Souza squeezed hard until Hirata went to sleep, bringing a dramatic end to the fight after just 1:31 of action.
#4 Miura Taps Aragon With Trademark ‘Ayaka Lock’
In November at ONE 169, former ONE Women’s Strawweight MMA World Title challenger Ayaka “Zombie” Miura proved to be just as dangerous at atomweight with a first-round submission of Macarena Aragon.
Once again, the Japanese star utilized her scarf-hold Americana – which has become known as the “Ayaka Lock” – to finish the fight and hand Aragon the first loss of her career.
The two judo black belts began the bout with a battle on the feet, but once Miura had her opponent on the ground, it didn’t take long to earn the stoppage.
The 34-year-old secured Aragon’s neck, locked her foe’s arm between her own legs, and squeezed hard until the pain forced the tap at 2:20 of round one.
Now with eight scarf-hold Americana finishes in Miura’s professional career, it’s become one of the most dominant and unstoppable trademark submissions in mixed martiala rts.
#5 Abate Ices Aoki In Sterling Debut
Long hailed as the most talented rising star in BJJ, 20-year-old phenom “Ice” Cole Abate made his ONE debut at ONE Fight Night 26 when he collided with Japanese fighting icon Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in a lightweight submission grappling contest.
The young American’s well-rounded and aggressive submission-hunting game was on full display, as he first attacked with a triangle choke from his guard before deftly transitioning into a leg entanglement, ultimately finding the brutal, knee-destroying heel hook after just two-and-a-half minutes.
The sky is the limit for Abate, and if his unforgettable promotional debut against Aoki is any indication, fans can look forward to plenty more submission finishes under ONE’s bright lights.
