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Whilst flashy knockouts are what typically get UFC fans out of their seats, a slick submission can be just as effective. Ever since the inception of the UFC, we have seen lethal BJJ practitioners like Royce Grace befuddle even the best strikers and wrestlers with a variety of chokes, locks and cranks.
In the following list, we will detail five of the most dangerous submission fighters currently competing in the UFC. Recent performances and level of opposition are both deciding factors in the formation of this list.
Honorable mentions go to Jack Hermansson, Virna Jandiroba and Brian Ortega who could all make a case for being a part of the top five.
#5. Ryan Hall - UFC featherweight
Ryan 'The Wizard' Hall has been one of the most exciting submission fighters to watch ever since he won The Ultimate Fighter in 2015. Unfortunately, Hall has been plagued by injuries during the course of his UFC career. He has not been able to compete nearly as much as he would have wanted.
This inactivity may have played a part in his most recent fight where he came up short against rising prospect Ilia Topuria. However, when Hall is fighting to his highest potential, he is truly a force to be reckoned with.
A BJJ black belt, Hall has become known for his rolling leg submission attacks. During his run on The Ultimate Fighter, he submitted both Frantz Siloa and Johnny Nunz via iminari roll to heel hook. He also caught UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn with the exact same submission.
Had Hall been fighting regularly, he could easily top this list. However, due to his inactivity and the fact that he is currently coming off a loss, he is limited to the number five spot.
#4. Demian Maia - UFC welterweight
Similarly to Hall, Demian Maia has not been on the greatest form as of late. However, it is impossible to not bring up the Brazilian's name when discussing submission experts in the UFC.
Maia has 14 wins via submission, 11 of which are inside the UFC. He has tapped out some of the UFC's top fighters such as Chael Sonnen, Neil Magny and Matt Brown. Maia has also not limited himself when it comes to variety in his submissions, with finishes via triangle, guillotine and rear naked choke all littered throughout his record.
However, it does appear that Maia has a personal preference for the RNC, especially later on in his career. His last five stoppage wins have all been with the same finish.
Maia is now entering the twilight of his career. After dropping a decision loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263, there are questions being raised as to whether we will see the BJJ wizard compete again in the UFC octagon.
#3. Mackenzie Dern - UFC strawweight
Mackenzie Dern might well be the best submission specialist in any UFC women's division. Before transitioning to the sport of MMA, Dern was a world No. 1 ranked IBJJF competitor. She was also an ADCC and no-gi BJJ (black belt) World Champion.
Now a top contender in the UFC's strawweight division, Dern has used her BJJ skills to great effect, submitting nearly every opponent who has stood in her way. Currently on a four-fight win streak, Dern forced Randa Markos, Hannah Cifers and Nina Nunes to all tap out. The Cifers win is especially notable, with Dern catching her with a straight kneebar.
The only opponent out of her four recent wins that Dern did not finish was Virna Jandiroba. She is one of the few fighters in the division with similar BJJ credentials to Dern.
#2. Paul Craig - UFC light heavyweight
Scotland is typically not a country known for producing high-level submission artists and yet, Paul Craig is one of the best in the UFC. Craig has thrived in the light heavyweight division, where the majority of the fighters tend to be strikers or ground-and-pound specialists.
He has occasionally been caught out in striking exchanges but, to give Craig credit, his standup has vastly improved over the past few years. However, if the fight hits the mat, the Scotsman's threat level increases exponentially.
In Craig's most recent UFC appearance, he faced off against undefeated knockout artist Jamahal Hill. The fight did not make it out of the first round as Craig locked in a vicious triangle armbar that completely dislocated Hill's arm. Bizarrely, the referee allowed the fight to continue after the dislocation. Craig kept the submission on whilst simultaneously dropping elbows to pick up the TKO stoppage.
He also holds submission finishes over high-level opposition such as Magomed Ankaleav, Maurico 'Shogun' Rua and Kennedy Nzechukwu. Craig will now face former title challenger Alexander Gustaffson in what may well be his toughest test to date.
#1. Charles Oliveira - UFC lightweight
UFC lightweight champion Charles 'do Bronx' Oliveira is undeniably the most dangerous submission artist in the UFC right now. He currently holds a record of 31-8, with 19 of his wins coming by way of submission.
Out of all the fighters on this list, it is Oliveira who has the greatest variety in his finishes, with guillotines, anacondas, triangles, RNCs and even a calf slicer all on his resume.
He's currently riding a nine-fight winning streak with five of the wins ending by way of submission. He has also managed to adapt his style so that he is no longer just a BJJ fighter looking to get a quick win via submission. He is now a lethal striker, who relishes the moment his opponent decides to attempt to take the fight to the ground.
Oliveira is set to make his first title defense sometime in the fall of 2021. His opponent will be the man many consider to be the greatest active UFC lightweight, Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier.
