Top 5 Submissions From ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD’s BJJ Specialists

As you would expect from an event in the home of Muay Thai, there will be a feast of striking on offer at ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD.

However, when ONE Championship returns to Bangkok, Thailand next Friday, 16 August, there will be a strong contingent of mixed martial artists that will be ready bring a different flavor to the Impact Arena.

There is no shortage of expert grapplers on the card, including high-ranking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners that can coax a tap from their opponents in the blink of an eye.

Before these competitors step into the Circle to compete, get a taste of the action that could be in store for fans with a look at their five best submission finishes.

#1 Silva’s Slick Armbar

Alex “Little Rock” Silva and Hayato Suzuki were expected to put on some sensational scrambles as two of the best grapplers in The Home Of Martial Arts at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD.

However, the BJJ World Champion struck with a slick armbar after just 82 seconds to end the Japanese man’s 19-bout unbeaten streak.

Suzuki used his wrestling to take the contest to the ground, but “Little Rock” immediately went on the attack. He worked to a butterfly guard position and elevated Suzuki to launch an attack on his left arm.

Though that did not reap any rewards, Silva was tenacious with his offense, and the Evolve representative moved to mount, where he used his shin to apply enough pressure to roll Suzuki over while he attacked the right arm.

This time, there was no escape as “Little Rock” quickly extended the arm to force a hurried tap.

#2 “The Lion’s” Rapid Rear-Naked 

Stefer “The Lion” Rahardian was in hot form coming into his bout with Himanshu Kaushik at ONE: GRIT & GLORY, and he maintained his then-perfect record with a first-round rear-naked choke victory at home in Jakarta.

The Indonesian BJJ specialist took his Indian rival down in the opening minute, and then never stopped threatening his rival’s back until he managed to secure a finish.

Kaushik worked hard to undo the grips and control “The Lion’s” hands, but a finish seemed inevitable.

As the wushu specialist focused his efforts on the choking left arm, Rahardian threaded his right arm behind his head. Once he secured a bicep grip, he squeezed for the finish.

“The Lion” has a tough test ahead as he pits his grappling offense against former ONE Strawweight World Champion Silva at the Impact Arena.

#3 Saadulaev’s Crushing “Maestro Choke”

When Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev debuted his “Maestro Choke” at ONE: STATE OF WARRIORS, he showed fans one of the most spectacular finishes in The Home Of Martial Arts’ history.

The BJJ black belt dominated Jordan “Showtime” Lucas on the mat, and secured a seatbelt grip as his Australian rival tried to escape the knee-on-belly position.

The Russian then deftly cartwheeled over Lucas’ back, got his right arm tight under his adversary’s neck, and his left arm went under the left armpit.

As he dropped his shoulder behind Lucas’ head and combined forward pressure with a suffocating squeeze, Lucas’ neck was pushed forward at a wince-inducing angle and he was choked simultaneously, which left him no option but to wave the white flag.

Saadulaev will take on a fellow bantamweight ground specialist in Japan’s Shuya “Stealth” Kamikubo in Bangkok.

#4 Zhao Ends War Via Guillotine

In an all-Chinese tussle at ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS, Zhao Zhi Kang finally finished “The Tank” Ma Xu Dong when he went in search of a submission instead of a KO.

When Ma went for a single-leg takedown, the Chinese Sanda Champion defended well, and in the ensuing scramble, he latched on to a guillotine choke.

Zhao punched his right arm through and got his left elbow high across his rival’s collarbone to prevent any escape. From there, he jumped to guard to solidify his control, and “The Tank” was quickly rendered unconscious from the crushing squeeze.

At ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD, the 24-year-old from Xi’an will meet Indonesia’s Paul Lumihi in a bantamweight clash.

#5 Gonzales Shows He Can Strike Or Submit

Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales is best known for his stand-up skills, but he picked up his first victory in The Home Of Martial Arts with his grappling when he faced off against “The Little Squirrel” Liu Deligerihu.

At ONE: TOTAL VICTORY, Liu caught the Filipino karateka’s high kick and charged in with a right hook, but “The Bicolano” ducked and hit a trip takedown.

“The Little Squirrel” held on to his rival’s head, and Gonzales briefly tested the waters with a Von Flue choke, but with his head deep in his rival’s right armpit, the man from Manila was perfectly placed to switch things up.

He passed to mount and cinched up head-and-arm control, before he slid across to side control, locked in the arm-triangle choke, and piled on the pressure to force the tap.

Gonzales will open the show at the Impact Arena with a strawweight battle against China’s Hexigetu.