Featherweight Dustin Pourier did a splendid job representing Jiu-Jitsu at UFC 143. Photo: Josh Hedges/ UFC publicity.
The “Submission of the Night” award at UFC 143 last Saturday in Las Vegas went to Dustin Poirier. With a snug triangle, the purple belt from Louisiana hyperextended the arm of Max Holloway 3:23 minutes into their bout. His Jiu-Jitsu savvy earned him an extra 65,000 dollars, not to mention his 12th win in 13 career fights.
The triangle, a move seen on the main stage ever since Royce Gracie and the very first UFC shows, is still a highly effective finishing move both with and without the gi—two legs and two arms against the enemy neck; but there’s often a way out.
USE YOUR WEIGHT BY STACKING OR FALLING BACKWARDS
You can defend by either going forward or backwards. The thing is to never let your opponent break your posture or trap your arm once and for all.
In the following exclusive video, brown belt Alvaro Fontes of SAS team demonstrates how to defend against the triangle by throwing yourself backwards; a handy escape without the gi as well, perfect for when you’re running out of steam.
