You decide: Cagewriter submission of the year
Cagewriter readers, it's your turn to decide the best of 2009. Today's task is picking the best submission of the year. Is there anything more beautiful in MMA than a slick submission? Here are some of the year's best.
Shinya Aoki chokes out David Gardner after Gardner greets crowd: In the Dream 7 Grand Prix, Gardner was in a good position to pull out the win, until he decided to yell, "Hello, Japan!" and wave to the crowd. Aoki took that opening to slap on a rear naked choke, and finish off Gardner.
Seth Dikun's flying triangle choke of Rolando Perez (pictured): Nothing makes me happier than seeing the word "flying" in a result. At WEC 41, Dikun slapped a triangle choke on Perez from his feet, bringing him down halfway through the first round.
Toby Imada's inverted triangle choke: Imada's upside down choke of Jorge Masvidal not only surprised MMA fans, but helped propel Bellator's success by becoming an overnight internet sensation.
Demian Maia triangle chokes Chael Sonnen: Before the fight, Sonnen had a lot to say about his skills, that he could beat Anderson Silva and Maia would be no problem for him. Maia shut him up with a quick triangle choke at UFC 95.
Ikuhisa Minowa heel hooks the big man: Jiu-jitsu is supposed to show that size doesn't matter, and that a fighter can win over anyone, regardless of the opponent's size. This was shown perfectly when 5-9 "Minowaman" won by heel hook over the 7-2 Hong Man Choi at Dream 11.
Frank Mir guillotines Cheick Kongo: After Mir lost to Brock Lesnar at UFC 100, he returned to the gym, packed on weight, and started trash-talking all over again. Mir angered Kongo so much that Kongo refused to face off with Mir at the weigh-ins. Clearly, Mir got into Kongo's head, as Mir won with a guillotine in just over a minute at UFC 107.
Jake Shields takes out Robbie Lawler: At Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields, the question was whether Shields could handle Lawler's punching power. It didn't matter, as Shields caught Lawler in a guillotine two minutes into the first round.
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza debuts in the U.S: Jacare's jiu-jitsu credentials are first rate, but his opponent, Matt Lindland, also came in with world-class wrestling credentials. That didn't matter for Jacare as he made his American debut at Strikeforce: Evolution. He took control of the fight early, and won by a picture-perfect triangle-choke in the first round.
