Top 5 Submissions From The Stars Of ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE

The top of the ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE card is dedicated to striking in two ONE Super Series World Title bouts, but mixed martial artists should provide plenty of entertainment using the grappling arts before that.

The undercard on Friday, 28 February features plenty of well-rounded athletes that are capable of clinching victory on the canvas using their skills from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, and wrestling – just like they have in previous contests.

Here are five of the best finishes from the athletes set for action inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium that showcase their elite submission skills.

#1 Khan Showcases His Submission Prowess

No one has more knockouts in ONE Championship than Amir Khan, but the Singaporean is far from just a striker. 

The Evolve representative showed he has the grappling ability to rival his Muay Thai skills when he submitted former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario at ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON.

At the midway point of the opening frame, the Singaporean changed levels and moved in for a takedown attempt. Banario used his balance to stay upright at first, but Khan moved to his rival’s back and then tripped him to the canvas.

Though “The Rock” stopped Khan from trapping his left arm with his leg, he opened up room for Khan to slide his right arm under the chin, and quickly tighten up a rear-naked choke to get the tap.

Khan will return to action against Kimihiro Eto in front of his hometown crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

#2 Teo Takes Tomar’s Arm

Durable Indian Puja “The Cyclone” Tomar held her own in the striking exchanges against Tiffany “No Chill” Teo, but the Singaporean showed that she was a level above when their bout hit the mat at ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT.

After she had used a head-and-arm grip to take Tomar down, Teo landed some hard punches and elbows from the mount position to soften her rival up, which forced her to try and turn away.

However, her evasive action failed as “No Chill” took control of her right arm and swung to her back to put on a tight armbar that made the Indian tap quickly.

#3 Miura Hits Another Trademark Finish

Maira Mazar did well to fend off Ayaka Miura’s submission attacks in the first round of their bout at ONE: A NEW TOMORROW, but she couldn’t stop the rampaging Japanese judoka from earning another trademark finish in round two.

When Miura dragged the Evolve representative to the canvas in the corner of the ring, she moved into her favorite scarf-hold position.

Mazar briefly held her off, but the Tribe Tokyo MMA athlete wrenched the Brazilian’s arm between her legs and thrust her hips forward to go three for three with her favorite submission in The Home Of Martial Arts.

Miura will aim to make it four in a row as a ONE athlete against Teo on 28 February in a women’s strawweight top-contender’s match.

#4 Yamaguchi Dispatches Balin In Round One

It took Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi less than a minute to implement her game plan, take Laura “La Gladiadora” Balin down, and start working for a finish at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON.

The former World Title contender from Japan tried to end things with an arm-triangle choke, but it was not until she moved to mount and opened up Balin’s defenses with punches that a finishing opportunity presented itself.

When “La Gladiadora” tried to push away, Yamaguchi quickly switched her focus to her extended arm, stepped over her rival’s head, and span off to secure the stoppage via armbar.

The Tokyo native wants to earn a third shot at “Unstoppable” Angela Lee with a win over Denice Zamboanga on 28 February.

#5 Rahardian Chokes Out Kaushik

Stefer “The Lion” Rahardian picked up the fifth, and most impressive, rear-naked choke victory of his career when he tapped out Himanshu Kaushik in the first round of their bout at ONE: GRIT AND GLORY.

The Indonesian BJJ specialist hit a takedown early and immediately tied the Indian up in his web of ground offense. Rahardian got to his adversary’s back and wrapped one arm around his rival’s neck, but Kaushik did well to block his other arm from finishing the technique. 

However, it was only a matter of time before “The Lion” found the space he needed, punched his right hand behind Kaushik’s head, and then locked on to his bicep to secure the finish.

Rahardian will hope to match that performance against former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong “Kru Rong” Amnuaysirichoke in the Thai’s adopted hometown.

Read more: Top 5 KOs From The Stars Of ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE