D'Arce Choke

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.