Few moments in combat sports demonstrate absolute dominance like a submission finish. Chokes force opponents to tap or lose consciousness, while joint locks demand immediate surrender or risk a broken limb.<\/p>\n
In 2025, ONE Championship delivered unforgettable displays of grappling mastery across both its elite submission grappling ranks and high-stakes MMA matchups.<\/p>\n
From historic upsets to legendary comebacks, the year produced submissions that will be studied and remembered for years to come.<\/p>\n
Here are the top five submissions from the world\u2019s largest martial arts organization in 2025.<\/p>\n
#1 Giles Brings Out The \u2018Lachie Lock\u2019 To Submit Garcia<\/p>\n
Lachlan Giles<\/a> saved his best performance for the final match of his distinguished career. The Australian innovator eagerly came out of retirement after being offered a fight with the legendary Marcelo Garcia<\/a> at ONE Fight Night 38<\/a> last December 6.<\/p>\n Facing arguably the greatest BJJ competitor of all time, the 39-year-old Melbourne native knew he needed something special in their lightweight submission grappling contest. He drilled endlessly behind closed doors, perfecting a technique specifically for \u201cMarcelinho,\u201d which he later dubbed the \u201cLachie Lock.\u201d<\/p>\n Garcia brought his signature pressure passing and fundamental excellence, but Giles displayed epic guard retention through his trademark K-guard.\u00a0<\/p>\n After forcing several leg entanglements, the Australian secured a figure-four grip near his chest. With one swift rotation of the hips, Giles transitioned seamlessly to a modified kneebar, forcing the tap at the 7:03 mark of the epic battle.<\/p>\n It was the perfect ending, as Giles retired immediately after submitting the man he considers the best to ever do it.<\/p>\n #2 Malachiev Sleeps Brooks With Nasty North-South Choke<\/p>\n An intense rivalry reached its boiling point at ONE Fight Night 36<\/a> this past October, when Mansur Malachiev<\/a> and former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred \u201cThe Monkey God\u201d Brooks <\/a>finally settled their heated rivalry inside the ring. In the end, Dagestani wrestling would get the last laugh over its American counterpart.<\/p>\n The opening round was competitive, but Malachiev shifted into a higher gear in the second frame. The 34-year-old Russian lifted Brooks high before delivering a violent slam.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Monkey God\u201d tried to scramble away but left his neck exposed. From a headlock position, Malachiev brilliantly switched grips and transitioned to a north-south choke. The python-like squeeze was punishing, and Brooks went limp, unable to tap in time.<\/p>\n The finish didn\u2019t just settle bad blood \u2014 it sent a frightening message to the entire flyweight MMA division that a new contender has arrived.\u00a0<\/p>\n #3 Ruotolo Chokes Out Lee In MMA Debut<\/p>\n ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo<\/a> had taken on all challengers during his flawless 8-0 start in the promotion. Now, it was the perfect time to join his twin brother, ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo, as a two-sport athlete.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old phenom donned the iconic four-ounce gloves for the first time at ONE Fight Night 35<\/a> this past September. Awaiting him wasn\u2019t an ordinary opponent \u2014 Singaporean-American star Adrian \u201cThe Phenom\u201d Lee<\/a> entered the contest with a perfect 3-0 record, with all three wins coming by submission.<\/p>\n The BJJ ace displayed surprisingly sharp striking, tagging Lee several times on the feet. But in round two, Ruotolo returned to his domain. He dragged the 19-year-old to the canvas and unleashed brutal ground-and-pound.\u00a0<\/p>\n When Lee\u2019s neck presented itself, the Atos standout did what he had done countless times in his decorated grappling career. He locked in a textbook rear-naked choke to claim the impressive victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n He also took home another US$50,000 performance bonus, capping off a spectacular MMA debut.<\/p>\n \u00a0#4 Baatarkhuu Taps Andrade To Win World Title<\/p>\n Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu<\/a> authored the greatest victory of his life at ONE Fight Night 38, dethroning Fabricio \u201cWonder Boy\u201d Andrade<\/a> to claim the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title in a massive upset.<\/p>\n The path to the gold was brutal.\u00a0Andrade dropped Baatarkhuu in the opening round, but the Mongolian warrior refused to fold. He systematically implemented his grinding grappling attack, dragging the Brazilian champion to the mat repeatedly and punishing him with ground strikes and submission threats.<\/p>\n By round four, Andrade began to break both physically and mentally. When the exhausted Fortaleza native turned his back to escape the pressure, Baatarkhuu seized his moment by securing an air-tight rear-naked choke to force the tap at the 1:33 mark.\u00a0<\/p>\n The victory crowned Baatarkhuu as Mongolia\u2019s second ONE World Champion, following in the footsteps of his mentor, former ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa.<\/p>\n #5 Kholmirzaev\u2019s Gnarly Armbar Snaps Van Rooyen\u2019s Undefeated Record\u00a0<\/p>\n After wreaking havoc on the ONE Friday Fights series, Avazbek \u201cNinzya\u201d Kholmirzaev<\/a> proved he belonged on the big stage at ONE Fight Night 37<\/a> this past November.<\/p>\n