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With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from October 2021: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Submission of the Month” award for October.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.
Nominee: Mariya Agapova def. Sabina Mazo at UFC Fight Night 194
Mariya Agapova (10-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) rebounded from one of the biggest upset losses in UFC history with a statement performance against Sabina Mazo (9-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC).
After outstriking Mazo for more than two rounds in their women’s flyweight bout, Agapova got a big-time finish when she dropped her foe with a slick right hand, then pounced on a rear-naked choke to get the tap – all within the blink of an eye.
What a performance by @MMA_Mashka 🔥
[ #UFCVegas39 | We’re LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/0wK1zNvk8D
— UFC (@ufc) October 9, 2021
Nominee: Nate Landwehr def. Ludovit Klein at UFC Fight Night 195
Nate Landwehr’s (15-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) first career submission victory came in one of his most high-profile and difficult matchups to date against Ludovit Klein (17-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC).
Landwehr showed his toughness and pressure is going to bard for many to handle in the featherweight bout. He did well on the feet, but managed to get the finish when he snatched the anaconda choke that forced Klein to tap out.
🚂 Nate the Train!!!
Locking up the submission! #UFCVegas40 pic.twitter.com/toe3By1hi7
— UFC (@ufc) October 16, 2021
Nominee: Alex Caceres def. Seungwoo Choi at UFC Fight Night 196
Alex Caceres (19-12 MMA, 14-10 UFC) earned one of the most resilient wins of his career to date when he rallied to tap out Seungwoo Choi (10-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) in their featherweight bout.
After struggling with Choi’s striking and getting dropped in the fight, Caceres turned in the tables and found his way to the back of his opponent in the second round for a come-from-behind submission victory courtesy of a rear-naked choke.
BRUCE LEEROY with a vintage performance 🙌@BruceLeeroyGlow sinks in the choke! #UFCVegas41 pic.twitter.com/IxBX2RwtCW
— UFC (@ufc) October 23, 2021
Nominee: Islam Makhachev def. Dan Hooker at UFC 267
Islam Makhachev (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) continued to entrench himself as a top lightweight when he defeated Dan Hooker (21-11 MMA, 11-7 UFC) with ease.
Makhachev extended his winning streak to nine consecutive fights with a first-round submission victory over Hooker. He got the fight to the ground early, isolated Hooker’s arm with a kimura and wrenched the technique until the fight was over.
Nominee: Glover Teixeira def. Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267
Glover Teixeira’s (33-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) unlikely run to the top concluded in a championship when he dethroned Jan Blachowicz (28-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) of the light heavyweight belt in one-sided fashion.
Teixeira, at 42, became the oldest first-time champion in UFC history when he used his superior ground game to overwhelm Blachowicz. After controlling on the mat in Round 1, Teixeira found a home for the finish in Round 2 when he locked on a rear-naked choke that Blachowicz could not escape, and was forced to tap out.
The winner: Islam Makhachev
Makhachev continues to make his case for a title shot after another dominant performance.
Makhachev took on Hooker, a short-notice replacement after his originally scheduled opponent, former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, suffered an injury. He did not take long to finish his opponent.
The fight started in what seemed like would be a feel-out process as both fighters tried to find the range, but then Makhachev landed a right hook, shot in for a takedown, and put Hooker on his back just 40 seconds into the round.
From there, it was all Makhachev as he stayed heavy on top and began working to isolate Hooker’s right arm. Despite his best efforts to adjust and defend the attempt, Hooker could not escape. Makhachev stepped over Hooker’s head and cranked to secure the verbal submission, as Hooker’s other arm was trapped under his body.
During his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier, Makhachev made his intentions for his next outing loud and clear. “How many fights (in a row) now, nine?” Makhachev asked. “Now I’m ready for a title shot.”