The UFC heavyweight division is known for its fierce and powerful fighters, where a tiny mistake can lead to a knockout or submission due to the high level of competition.
Many top grapplers have made their mark in this division, showcasing exceptional wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu skills. Notable fighters like Fabricio Werdum, Frank Mir, Antonio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira, Daniel Cormier, and Aleksei Oleinik have dominated with their grappling expertise.
Let’s highlight some of the Most Heavy weight Submissions in UFC History
5. Mark Coleman vs Dan Severn — Scarf hold
Mark Coleman and Dan Severn were accomplished amateur wrestlers before moving to MMA. They fought at UFC 12 in February 1997 for the first-ever UFC heavyweight title and to unify it with the UFC superfight championship.
In the early part of the fight, Severn tried several takedowns, but Coleman defended well and had the edge standing up. Coleman countered a takedown attempt, took Severn’s back, and transitioned smoothly to mount.
Coleman displayed impressive grappling skills, moving to side control and applying a chokehold while using his weight to control Severn. Despite Severn’s efforts to escape by grabbing Coleman’s hands and landing strikes, Coleman held firm and secured a submission victory in the first round.
This win made Coleman the first UFC heavyweight champion and unified the UFC superfight championship with it.
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4. Ben Rothwell vs Josh Barnett — Gogo choke
Ben Rothwell, an experienced MMA fighter, has seven submission wins, including three with a technique he calls the gogo choke. This maneuver, sometimes seen as a variation of the guillotine choke, first appeared in his pro career during a first-round win over Matt Mitrione at UFC Fight Night: Boetsch vs. Henderson in June 2015.
While some call it the ten-finger guillotine choke, Rothwell and others consider the gogo choke to be distinct.
In his next bout, at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader in January 2016, Rothwell used the same choke to defeat former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett in the second round, making him the first fighter to submit Barnett in MMA.
Years later, Rothwell applied the gogo choke again to win by submission against Chris Barnett in May 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt.
After his victory over Barnett, Rothwell praised one of his coaches for teaching him the gogo choke, asserting its unique identity and highlighting his coach, Luiz Claudio, who he credits with perfecting the technique.
3. Frank Mir vs Pete Williams — Inside shoulder lock
In 2001, Frank Mir won a gold medal in the 100-kilogram-plus division at the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships, showcasing his early skill in Jiu-Jitsu. He later became a UFC heavyweight champion and enjoyed a long, successful MMA career before retiring.
One of Mir’s most memorable moments came as an undefeated fighter at UFC 36 in March 2002, where he faced Pete Williams. Mir demonstrated his advanced boxing and kickboxing techniques, and during a clinch, he pulled guard. Williams took advantage and gained the top position. In a standout finish, Mir executed a devastating inside shoulder lock, forcing Williams to tap out in the first round.
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2. Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane — The UFC legend’s guillotine choke
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones ended his over three-year MMA break by debuting in the heavyweight division at UFC 285 in March 2023. In the main event, Jones faced French striker Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight title.
Both fighters were cautious with their strikes initially. Jones quickly secured a body lock, took Gane down, and gained control. Although Gane attempted to defend by turning towards Jones, Jones managed to trap him against the cage and apply a guillotine choke twice.
Gane tapped out during the second attempt, and Jones was crowned the new UFC heavyweight champion. Jones maintained his title with a choke from an unconventional angle, preventing Gane from escaping.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Jones humorously described his submission win, saying he gave Gane a “nice chiropractic adjustment” and heard his spine popping. He suggested that Gane tapped out quickly the second time because he was terrified after feeling the initial pressure.
1. Serghei Spivac’s vs Marcin Tybura — Simplicity and speed
The UFC Vegas 95 event on August 10, 2024, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas featured a noteworthy bout that hasn’t received enough attention. The main event was a rematch between Serghei Spivac and Marcin Tybura.
In their first fight at UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo in February 2020, Tybura defeated Spivac by unanimous decision. This time, Spivac sought revenge and secured a first-round armbar submission win.
The fight ended when Spivac, while on his back, executed a simple but effective armbar that even an experienced fighter like Tybura couldn’t escape. Spivac’s dedication and rapid transitions, reminiscent of MMA legend Georges St-Pierre’s ability to change the rhythm of a fight, led to a swift and decisive victory.
Despite the straightforward nature of the submission, it was Spivac’s precise execution that made it successful.
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