D'Arce Choke
A reverse arm-triangle variation where the attacker threads the choking arm under the opponent's far armpit and behind their head.
2 min readUpdated
In Short
The D'Arce choke is a blood-choke variation applied from a front-headlock or kneeling position that compresses the carotid artery against the shoulder to cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds. It involves threading the choking arm under the opponent's far armpit and gripping the attacker's own arm to lock the hold.
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The reverse arm-triangle
The D'Arce choke (sometimes called the "Brabo" choke in different traditions) is a blood-choke variation that applies from a front-headlock or kneeling position. The attacker's choking arm goes under the opponent's far armpit, then behind the opponent's neck, with the hand reaching to grip the attacker's other arm.
The technique compresses the opponent's carotid artery against their own shoulder, producing unconsciousness within 6-10 seconds when fully locked.
Mechanics
From a kneeling front-headlock position with the opponent on their hands and knees:
- Establish front headlock control: arm around the opponent's head and far shoulder.
- Thread the choking arm: the choking arm goes under the opponent's far armpit, then behind their head.
- Connect the hands: the choking-arm hand reaches across to grip the attacker's other arm (typically the bicep).
- Lock and apply pressure: the attacker pulls both arms together, compressing the opponent's carotid against their own shoulder.
- Sit out or roll: depending on the position, the attacker can sit out to the side (locking the choke standing) or roll the opponent.
Setup positions
- From front headlock: the most common entry, often from a sprawled takedown defense.
- From turtle defense: when the opponent is in turtle position and the attacker can reach under the far arm.
- From scrambled exchanges: when the opponent comes up from a position with one arm exposed.
- From mounted crucifix: applying the D'Arce as the choking variation.
Common errors
- Choking arm too shallow: needs to go deep enough that the bicep is compressing the carotid.
- Grip on the wrong arm: the choking-arm hand should grip the attacker's bicep, not the opponent's arm.
- Standing up too high: applying the choke from a posture-up position loses the leverage.
- Letting the opponent posture: the choke requires the opponent's head to be down and forward.
Defense
- Hand fight early: prevent the choking arm from threading under the far armpit.
- Hide the chin: chin tucked to chest blocks the choking arm from sliding to the carotid.
- Stand up: rising disrupts the position.
- Roll into the choke: rolling toward the choking arm can loosen the grip.
Variations
- D'Arce from open guard top: a less common variation from above the opponent's open guard.
- Reverse D'Arce: applying from the opposite side of the standard position.
- D'Arce-to-anaconda transition: when the D'Arce is defended, the attacker can transition to the anaconda choke.
Exemplified by
- Khamzat Chimaev: the D'Arce finish of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in 2024.
- Brian Ortega: D'Arce variations integrated with the featherweight submission catalog.
- Charles Oliveira: multiple D'Arce finishes across his lightweight career.
- Jim Miller: the D'Arce-finish specialist whose UFC lightweight career features multiple D'Arce wins.
Drills
- Position drill: from cooperative front headlock, drill the D'Arce entry and finish.
- Hand fight drill: partner defends the choking arm; attacker works to thread under the far armpit.
- D'Arce-from-turtle drill: partner in turtle position; attacker drills the D'Arce entry.
- Live ground sparring: rounds where the front headlock position is the primary target for the attacker.
Fighters Who Exemplify This Technique
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Anaconda Choke
A blood choke from front headlock — the attacker threads an arm under the oppone
Arm Triangle
A head-and-arm choke usually finished from side control or mount. The attacker t
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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
Ground-and-Pound
Striking from a dominant top position — guard, half-guard, side control, mount,
Frequently Asked
- How is the D'Arce choke applied?
- The attacker threads their choking arm under the opponent's far armpit and behind their head, then grips their own bicep with the choking-arm hand. By pulling both arms together, the attacker compresses the opponent's carotid artery against their own shoulder.
- What are common mistakes when setting up the D'Arce choke?
- Common errors include threading the choking arm too shallowly, gripping the opponent's arm instead of the attacker's bicep, standing up too high which loses leverage, and allowing the opponent to posture up with their head forward.
- How can a fighter defend against a D'Arce choke?
- Defense involves fighting the hand early to prevent the arm from threading under the armpit, tucking the chin to the chest to block the choke, standing up to disrupt the position, or rolling toward the choking arm to loosen the grip.
- Which fighters are known for using the D'Arce choke?
- The technique is exemplified by Khamzat Chimaev, Brian Ortega, Charles Oliveira, and Jim Miller, who has multiple D'Arce wins in his UFC lightweight career.
- What are some variations of the D'Arce choke?
- Variations include the D'Arce from open guard top, the Reverse D'Arce applied from the opposite side, and the D'Arce-to-anaconda transition used when the initial choke is defended.