The 5 Best Submission Finishes in ONE Championship in 2021

#2. Gadzhimurad Abdulaev vs. Zebaztian Kadestam - ONE: Unbreakable

Gadzhimurad Abdulaev got his ONE debut off to a perfect start against Zebaztian Kadestam. He secured the win with a rare submission - a face crank.

Abdulaev executed a picture-perfect double-leg takedown early in the contest. Kadestam temporarily returned to his feet, but the Russian tripped the Swede once again, securing his back during the ensuing scramble.

From there, Abdulaev worked his way to a finish. He quickly secured a body triangle and trapped Kadestam. He forced the former welterweight king to gasp for air. Sensing that the end was near, Abdulaev went for the kill.

Abdulaev attempted a rear-naked choke, but Kadestam guarded his chin with all his might. Rather than trying to force his way under his rival’s chin, the clever Russian just fancied trapping Kadestam’s skull in between his left bicep and forearm.

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The Swede had no other options. He was forced to tap at 2:08 of the opening frame.

#1. Marcus Almeida vs. Anderson Silva - ONE: Revolution

Fighters and fans alike questioned whether Marcus Almeida could transition into mixed martial arts at this late stage of his career. He answered those critics with a lopsided win against Anderson ‘Braddock’ Silva, choking out the fellow Brazilian from a north-south position.

'Buchecha' got a takedown as soon as the opening bell rang. He then applied heavy pressure from mount, landing thudding strikes to Silva’s ribs and head, before working his way to the north-south position.

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As soon as Almeida secured a good grip on Silva’s body from north-south, he dropped heavy right knees on the head before sinking a choke around the striker’s neck. He squeezed on the choke, and the 35-year-old Silva was forced to tap despite his best efforts to hang on.

The 17-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion recently scored another submission finish against South Korean slugger Kang Ji Won at ONE: Winter Warriors to go 2-0 in his professional MMA career. His next bout has yet to be booked.