Arm Triangle
A head-and-arm choke usually finished from side control or mount. The attacker traps the opponent's arm against their own neck.
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In Short
The arm triangle is a high-percentage blood-choke submission applied from dominant top positions like side control or mount. It works by trapping the opponent's arm against the neck and squeezing the carotid artery against the arm.
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The head-and-arm choke
The arm triangle is a blood-choke submission applied from a dominant top position. The attacker traps the opponent's arm against their own neck, then squeezes the head-and-arm sandwich until the carotid artery on the opposite side compresses against the opponent's own arm.
The technique is one of the highest-percentage submissions in modern MMA. Islam Makhachev's title-defense finishes regularly feature the arm triangle; Khabib's UFC 280 finish of Charles Oliveira was an arm triangle from mounted position.
Mechanics
From side control, attacking the right arm:
- Force the arm across the neck: push the opponent's right arm across their face, so it's positioned across their own neck.
- Lock the head-and-arm position: the attacker's right arm wraps over the opponent's head and under their right armpit, gripping the back of their own right shoulder.
- Sprawl out: the attacker slides their hips away from the opponent's body, creating space for the squeeze.
- Squeeze: bring the shoulders together while the attacker's chin tucks toward the opponent. The carotid compresses against the opponent's own shoulder.
- Finish: maintain squeeze pressure until the opponent taps or loses consciousness.
Setup positions
- Side control top: the most common entry.
- Mount: with the opponent's arm trapped against their face.
- Knee on belly: transitioning from knee-on-belly to the arm triangle.
- Half guard top: attacking the arm triangle from inside half guard.
Common errors
- Arm not deep enough across the neck: the opponent's arm needs to be fully across their own neck.
- Insufficient sprawl: the attacker needs to sprawl out to create the angle for the squeeze.
- Losing position before the choke locks: gives the opponent the chance to escape.
- Squeezing in the wrong direction: the squeeze direction matters for the compression to work.
Defense
- Connect the hands: lock both arms across the chest to prevent the trapped-arm position.
- Shrimp out: hip-escape to reset to a recoverable position.
- Posture defense: from the bottom, drive the trapped arm out before the lock sets.
Variations
- Side-control arm triangle: textbook version.
- Mounted arm triangle: applied from mount.
- Standing arm triangle: rare but possible from clinch range.
- Reverse arm triangle: D'Arce or anaconda-style variations.
Exemplified by
- Islam Makhachev: the title-defense arm-triangle finishes of Charles Oliveira (UFC 280), Drew Dober, and others.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov: the arm-triangle threats integrated with his top-position game.
- Anderson Silva: arm-triangle finishes across his middleweight career, including the Travis Lutter finish.
- Demian Maia: high-frequency arm-triangle finishes in his welterweight title-contender career.
Drills
- Position drill: from cooperative side control, drill the arm-triangle entry and finish.
- Mounted arm-triangle drill: from full mount, drill the arm-triangle setup.
- Defense drill: partner attacks the arm triangle; you practice connecting hands and posturing.
- Live ground sparring from top position: rounds where the arm triangle is the primary submission target.
Fighters Who Exemplify This Technique
More ground techniques
Americana
A keylock submission applied from side control or mount, rotating the opponent's
Anaconda Choke
A blood choke from front headlock — the attacker threads an arm under the oppone
Armbar
A joint lock attacking the elbow. The attacker isolates the opponent's arm with
Back Control
The most dominant position in MMA — chest pressed against the opponent's back wi
D'Arce Choke
A reverse arm-triangle variation where the attacker threads the choking arm unde
Ground-and-Pound
Striking from a dominant top position — guard, half-guard, side control, mount,
Frequently Asked
- How is the arm triangle choke mechanically applied?
- The attacker forces the opponent's arm across their neck, wraps their own arm over the head and under the armpit, and sprawls out. They then squeeze by bringing their shoulders together while tucking their chin, compressing the carotid artery against the opponent's arm.
- What are the common setup positions for an arm triangle?
- The most common entry is from side control top. Other setups include mount with the arm trapped against the face, transitioning from knee on belly, and attacking from inside half guard top.
- How can a fighter defend against an arm triangle?
- Defenses include connecting both hands across the chest to prevent the trapped-arm position, shrimping out to reset position, and driving the trapped arm out before the lock sets.
- Which fighters are known for using the arm triangle?
- Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Anderson Silva, and Demian Maia are exemplified for using this technique. Makhachev and Khabib have used it in title defenses and finishes, while Silva and Maia have used it throughout their careers.