Anaconda Choke

The front-headlock choke

The anaconda choke is a blood choke applied from a front-headlock position. The attacker threads one arm under the opponent's neck (the choking arm), locks a Gable grip with the other arm, and rolls to the side to compress the opponent's carotid arteries between the attacker's bicep and the opponent's own arm/shoulder.

The technique is one of the most-finishing chokes in MMA because the front-headlock position arises naturally from sprawled takedowns, scrambled positions, and stuffed shots.

Mechanics

From a sprawled position with the opponent's head between the attacker's legs:

• Establish the front headlock: control the opponent's head with one arm wrapped under their neck and over their far shoulder.
• Thread the choking arm: the choking-arm hand goes under the opponent's neck, palm pointing toward the floor.
• Lock the Gable grip: the choking-arm hand grips the bicep of the other arm; the other hand grips the choking-arm forearm.
• Roll to the side: the attacker rolls to one side, taking the opponent over with them. The roll compresses the carotid arteries.
• Finish: maintain the grip pressure and the rotational position until the opponent taps or loses consciousness.

The choke takes 6-10 seconds to render the opponent unconscious when fully applied.

Setup positions

• Sprawled takedown defense: when the attacker stuffs a takedown attempt and the opponent's head is in the front headlock position.
• Mounted crucifix: from a mount where both of the opponent's arms are trapped.
• Scrambled exchanges: when the opponent turns to face down after a takedown stuff or scramble.
• Turtle position: when the opponent is in turtle defense and the attacker can wrap the head from the side.

Common errors

• Grip not deep enough: the choking arm's bicep needs to compress against the carotid; a shallow grip just chokes air.
• No roll: applying the grip without the side-roll mechanic doesn't compress the carotid.
• Rolling to the wrong side: the attacker should roll toward the opposite side from where the choking arm went under.
• Losing the front headlock before the choke locks: gives the opponent the chance to escape.

Defense

• Hide the chin: tucking the chin to the chest blocks the choking arm from sliding under the neck.
• Hand fight early: the defender's hands fight the attacker's choking-arm wrist before the grip locks.
• Stand up: from the front headlock position, standing up disrupts the technique.
• Roll into the choke: rolling toward the choking arm can loosen the grip.

Variations

• D'Arce choke: a related submission where the choking arm goes under the opposite armpit and behind the head.
• Brabo choke: a kneeling front-headlock variant.
• Peruvian necktie: a related choke where the attacker's leg traps the opponent's back.
• Bulldog choke: a sitting-out variation of the front headlock.

Exemplified by

• Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: the Tim Sylvia finish at UFC 81 was an anaconda variation.
• Brian Ortega: the Frankie Edgar finish at UFC 222 was a triangle-into-anaconda transition.
• Charles Oliveira: multiple anaconda-choke finishes across his UFC career.

Drills

• Position drill: from a cooperative sprawled position, drill the anaconda entry and roll.
• Hand fight drill: partner defends the choking arm; attacker works to lock the grip.
• Live wrestling rounds: rounds where the front headlock position is the primary target.
• Choke-defense drill: defender practices chin-tuck and hand-fight defenses.