THE TRIANGLE CHOKE: HISTORY, NAME IN JAPANESE, AND EVOLUTION IN MMA
The triangle choke is every white belts best friend. The Triangle Choke, known as "Sankaku-Jime" in Japanese, is a highly effective submission hold used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, and mixed martial arts (MMA). Let's delve into the history of the Triangle Choke, tracing its origins, development, and its widespread usage in modern MMA, particularly in the UFC.
Origins and Traditional Roots
The roots of the Triangle Choke can be traced back centuries, with similar techniques appearing in various ancient grappling martial arts. However, it was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the Triangle Choke gained prominence as a notable submission hold.
Japanese Influence and the Birth of Sankaku-Jime
In the early 1900s, Judo emerged as a popular martial art in Japan, blending various grappling techniques and principles. Sankaku-Jime, which translates to "Triangle Choke" in English, became one of the fundamental techniques taught in Judo.
Judo practitioners, such as Mitsuyo Maeda and Kano Jigoro, played pivotal roles in spreading the art of Judo around the world. As Judo gained global recognition, the Triangle Choke, along with other Judo techniques, became incorporated into different grappling systems, including BJJ.
The Rise of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In the early 20th century, Mitsuyo Maeda, also known as Count Koma, traveled to Brazil and taught Judo to the Gracie family. Carlos Gracie, one of Maeda's students, further refined the techniques and founded Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a grappling martial art focused on ground fighting and submission holds.
Triangle Choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In BJJ, the Triangle Choke gained significant recognition as a highly effective submission hold. It involves trapping an opponent's head and arm between the attacker's legs, creating a tight triangular configuration that restricts blood flow to the opponent's carotid arteries, leading to unconsciousness or submission. Check out UFC’s Brian Ortega’s flying triangle
The Evolution in MMA and the UFC
As MMA grew in popularity, BJJ practitioners, particularly those from the Gracie family, played a vital role in showcasing the effectiveness of the Triangle Choke in real fighting scenarios. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), established in 1993, served as a platform for fighters to test their skills against practitioners of different martial arts.
In the early days of the UFC, Royce Gracie, a BJJ black belt, utilized the Triangle Choke and other submission techniques to dominate opponents of various styles. His success helped popularize BJJ and demonstrated the effectiveness of the Triangle Choke as a versatile submission hold.
Since then, the Triangle Choke has become a staple technique in the arsenals of many MMA fighters. Its effectiveness is attributed to its versatility, as it can be executed from various positions, including the guard, mount, or even as a counter to takedowns or submission attempts.
In the modern era of MMA, numerous fighters have used the Triangle Choke to secure victories in the octagon, solidifying its position as one of the most effective and widely recognized submissions. Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov’s triangle choke submission in UFC 254
The Triangle Choke, known as Sankaku-Jime in Japanese, has a rich history rooted in traditional Japanese martial arts. Through the evolution of BJJ and its integration into MMA, the Triangle Choke has become a fundamental and highly successful submission hold. Its effectiveness and versatility continue to be showcased in the UFC and other MMA promotions, solidifying its reputation as a potent technique in the grappling world.
