As die-hard MMA fans, most of our Tribe has seen plenty of exceptional grappling exchanges in the cage. Submission grappling in MMA fights have a long history, and the world’s most popular organization (UFC) was initially founded on the basis of proving Jiu-Jitsu as an effective martial art. There’s been a number of famous grappling exchanges in MMA since then – like when Kazushi Sakuraba took on the Gracie Family and when Frank Mir submitted the legendary Minotauro Nogueira. The list goes on and on at the highest level with famous MMA submissions in the UFC and other top organizations like Pride FC back in the day but there’s been plenty of awesome subs at the regional and international levels, as well.
Case in point, this match with Daisuke Nakamura taking on Bogdan Cristea. Taking place at the M-1 Challenge 5 event in Tokyo, Japan back in 2008. Not many would remember this match off the top of their heads when it comes to the most popular of submission-oriented matches and yet organizations aside, it might actually be the greatest display of grappling transitions in an MMA match…. Ever.
Watch for yourself and let us know if you were impressed as well!
