ONE OF THE great things about watching MMA is the multifaceted nature of the sport. Having looked at the best knock-outs a few weeks back, here, for the purists, are some of the year’s best submissions.

Ronda Rousey versus Liz Carmouche – UFC 157

Ronda Rousey’s bout against Liz Carmouche back in February was historic for many reasons but as Rousey entered the fight there was a lot of pressure on her substantial shoulders as she was being pegged as the sport’s next pin-up.

The Olympic Judo medallist had won her first six MMA fights via armbar so it’s wasn’t as if Liz Carmouche didn’t know what “Rowdy’s” go-to move was. After the fight inevitably went to the floor there realistically was only one outcome as Rousey worked tirelessly to ruthlessly finish the fight with her signature manoeuvre.

YouTube credit: Stlrugger34

Renan Barao versus Michael McDonald – UFC on Fuel 7

Instead of resting on his laurels and waiting for Dominick Cruz to get back to fitness, Renan Barao took a massive risk when agreeing to face top prospect Michael McDonald in London last February.

The match pitted two of the most exciting fighters the bantamweight division had to offer against each other with the title on the line and the interim champ started cautiously and took some time to find his rhythm.

But when he did the Brazilian was able to take McDonald down repeatedly and when the Californian gave up his back in the fourth round it looked all over. McDonald seemed to be fit to tough it out, giving the ref a thumbs up while in the midst of arm triangle, but he finally succumbed to the vice-like grip of Barao.

YouTube credit: Wagner Parente

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza versus Chris Camozzi- UFC on Fx 8

Only a few men hold a more fearsome BJJ reputation than the much decorated Roanldo “Jacare” Souza. The former Strikeforce middleweight champion made his long awaited UFC debut in May against Chris Camozzi and stated his intentions with a slick first round arm triangle choke.

YouTube credit: Cristian David

Fabricio Werdum versus Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira – UFC on Fuel 10

To be honest you could have had the pick of any of the eight submissions on this card but Fabricio Werdum gets the nod simply because of the method of finish and calibre of opponent. Nogueira has long since been one of the best ju-jitsu practitioners in the UFC and the fact that he broke his arm against Frank Mir rather than tap only added to his mysticism. That inadvertently affected the outcome of this fight however as he verbally tapped to Werdum rather than face the same fate again.

YouTube credit: fueltv

Kenny Robertson versus Brock Jardine – UFC 157

Kenny Robertson’s submission over Brock Jardine was a first in the UFC. We are used to seeing hyper-extension in armbars but Robertson came up with his own method of finishing fights by instinctively grabbing Jardine’s leg and raising it to the roof causing severe tension on his opponent’s hamstring and making him tap. Ingenious and effective, watch and enjoy the ham ripper.

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