If you follow UFC in Canada, you've heard commentators throw around terms like "armbar," "rear-naked choke," or "north-south position." For

A Quick Note on the Grappling Glossary

If you follow UFC in Canada, you've heard commentators throw around terms like "armbar," "rear-naked choke," or "north-south position." For fans of our nation's fighters, who are often renowned for their technical grappling, understanding this language is key to appreciating the art of the submission. This glossary breaks down the essential terms you need to know when watching Canadian UFC fighters work their magic on the ground.

Armbar

A classic and highly effective joint lock that hyperextends the elbow. The attacker isolates their opponent's arm between their legs, using their hips as a fulcrum to apply pressure, forcing a tap. It's a fundamental finish seen across multiple weight classes.

Back Control

Also known as taking the back, this is one of the most dominant positions in the sport. The fighter secures their legs around their opponent's waist and their chest to the opponent's back, setting up various chokes and controlling the fight.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

A martial art and combat sport focused on ground fighting and submission holds. It's the foundational grappling system for most UFC athletes and is crucial for any fighter looking to be a well-rounded threat, especially for defensive specialists.

Chokehold

A grappling technique that applies pressure to the neck, restricting blood flow to the brain (a blood choke) or air to the lungs (an air choke). The goal is to render an opponent unconscious or force them to submit.

D'Arce Choke

A front headlock choke where the attacker threads one arm under the opponent's neck and through their own armpit, then locks their hands together. Pressure is applied by squeezing the arms and driving the shoulder into the neck.

Guard

A ground position where the fighter on their back uses their legs to control and defend against the opponent on top. A strong guard is essential for defense and can be used offensively to set up sweeps and submissions.

Guillotine Choke

A front choke typically applied when an opponent shoots in for a takedown. The attacker wraps their arm around the opponent's neck, locking their hands and squeezing to cut off blood flow, often while pulling guard.

Heel Hook

A dangerous leg lock that attacks the ligaments of the knee by applying rotational force through the heel. It requires immense technical skill to apply safely and is a feared technique in modern grappling exchanges.

Kimura

A shoulder lock named after Masahiko Kimura. The attacker isolates the opponent's arm behind their back, grips their own wrist, and uses a figure-four grip to apply upward pressure on the shoulder joint.

Mount

A dominant top position where a fighter sits straddling their opponent's torso. From here, they have excellent control and can rain down strikes or work for high-percentage submissions like armbars or chokes.

North-South Position

A ground position where one fighter lies perpendicular on top of their opponent, with their head by the opponent's torso. It's a controlling position that can lead to chokes like the north-south choke.

Omoplata

A shoulder lock that uses the legs to entangle the opponent's arm. The attacker wraps their leg over the shoulder and under the armpit, then uses hip pressure to strain the shoulder joint, often leading to a sweep or submission.

Rear-Naked Choke (RNC)

Widely considered the most effective finishing choke in the UFC. Applied from back control, the attacker slips one arm under the chin and locks it with the other arm behind the head, squeezing to secure the submission.

Scramble

A rapid, chaotic transition of positions on the ground following a takedown or submission attempt. Fighters with great grappling IQ, like many Canadian UFC fighters, excel at winning these scrambles to gain superior position.

Submission

The act of forcing an opponent to concede defeat by tapping out, verbally submitting, or being rendered unconscious by a choke. It is one of the three primary ways to win a UFC fight, alongside knockout and decision.

Sweep

A technique used from the bottom position, such as guard, to reverse the positions and end up on top. A well-executed sweep can completely shift the momentum of a round in an instant.

Takedown

The act of bringing the fight from the feet to the ground. While not a submission itself, securing a takedown is often the critical first step for a specialist to implement their ground game and hunt for finishes.

Tap Out

The universal sign of submission in the UFC. A fighter taps the mat, their opponent, or themselves repeatedly to signal they can no longer endure a hold, prompting the referee to stop the fight immediately.

Triangle Choke

A signature choke applied from the guard using the legs. The attacker traps the opponent's head and one arm between their thighs in a triangular shape, then squeezes their knees together to cut off blood flow from the carotid arteries.

Verbal Submission

A less common way to submit, where a fighter verbally tells the referee they give up, often because they are caught in a hold but their arms are trapped and they cannot physically tap.

Understanding these terms will deepen your appreciation for the technical battles that unfold on the mat. For Canadian UFC fighters, who have a rich history of grappling excellence, this knowledge is your backstage pass to their strategic world. From the foundational UFC career records that highlight submission wins to the intricate techniques showcased at major UFC events in Canada, the ground game is a beautiful and critical part of the sport's fabric. You can explore more about the pioneers of these arts in our feature on the Canadian UFC history timeline.

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