With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from June 2021: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Submission of the Month” award for June.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.
Nominees
Nominee: Aaron Pico def. Aiden Lee at Bellator 260
Aaron Pico (8-3 MMA, 8-3 BMMA) put on another dominant showcase with his grappling, this time against Aiden Lee (9-5 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) in their featherweight matchup.
Pico’s slick anaconda choke got the job done against Lee. The 24-year-old used a relentless takedown and submission attack until he finally got in locked in and forced the tap in the third round.
CLINIC!
The final round between @AaronPicoUSA and @AidenLeeMMA is NOW.#Bellator260 is LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/BhRkEGUcJl
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) June 12, 2021
Nominee: Brandon Moreno def. Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 263
There was no draw this time: Brandon Moreno (19-5-2 MMA, 7-2-2 UFC) emerged the winner to claim the flyweight title from Deiveson Figueiredo (20-2-1 MMA, 9-2-1 UFC) in their rematch.
After no winner was decided in their initial meeting in December, Moreno made good on his second chance at the belt with a third-round rear-naked choke. He was the first to stop Figueiredo in MMA, and became the first Mexico-born titleholder in UFC history.
VIVA MEXICO
@TheAssassinBaby LEFT NO DOUBT!!!!! #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/rJoEn1OXQE
— UFC (@ufc) June 13, 2021
Nominee: Kayla Harrison def. Cindy Dandois at 2021 PFL 6
Kayla Harrison (10-0) continued to dominate the PFL women’s lightweight division when she overwhelmed Cindy Dandois (16-7) for a quick finish.
Harrison got the win with an armbar, which came after she outlanded Dandois on the feet then took it to the mat and controlled positions until she was able to get the tap.
Kayla Harrison gets the job done in the 1st via Armbar! #2021PFL6 pic.twitter.com/BYrmrX23Oi
— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 26, 2021
The winner
The winner: Brandon Moreno
Moreno made history as the first Mexico-born UFC champion by defeating Figueiredo.
Moreno (19-5-2 MMA, 7-2-2 UFC) emerged victorious in the flyweight title rematch against Figueiredo (20-2-1 MMA, 9-2-1 UFC) on Saturday evening, sending fans in attendance into a frenzy.
Moreno began the fight ready to let his hands fly early and often while the champ Figueiredo stayed defensive. The Brazilian’s patience worked in his favor at moments as he found a home for a few hard counters. However, Moreno’s consistent aggression led to a hard, well-timed jab that dropped the champ briefly. The first round belonged to the challenger, who looked ready to make a statement.
Figueiredo switched up the game plan in the second round by taking Moreno to the mat early, much to the disappointment of the Phoenix crowd. Moreno stayed calm on the canvas, fighting off a couple of guillotine choke attempts before bringing the fight back to the feet. Moments later Moreno completed a takedown of his own, ending up in the champ’s full guard until the conclusion of the round.
The pair met in the center of the cage to start the third, exchanging kicks and punches. Moreno scrambled for a takedown, ended up on the champ’s back, and immediately began looking for a rear-naked choke. The champ defended well for a moment, but after adjusting, Moreno clamped back down on the submission to get the tap.
“For everyone in Mexico, dreams can be achieved, dreams can be achieved. Look at me now,” Moreno said in Spanish during his post-fight interview.
“I’m so f*cking happy! Viva Mexico!”