5 of the most dangerous submission artists currently competing in the UFC

#4. Demian Maia - UFC welterweight

UFC 214: Weigh-ins

Similarly to Hall, Demian Maia has not been on the greatest form as of late. However, it is impossible to not bring up the Brazilian's name when discussing submission experts in the UFC.

Maia has 14 wins via submission, 11 of which are inside the UFC. He has tapped out some of the UFC's top fighters such as Chael Sonnen, Neil Magny and Matt Brown. Maia has also not limited himself when it comes to variety in his submissions, with finishes via triangle, guillotine and rear naked choke all littered throughout his record.

However, it does appear that Maia has a personal preference for the RNC, especially later on in his career. His last five stoppage wins have all been with the same finish.

Maia is now entering the twilight of his career. After dropping a decision loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263, there are questions being raised as to whether we will see the BJJ wizard compete again in the UFC octagon.

#3. Mackenzie Dern - UFC strawweight

Mackenzie Dern might well be the best submission specialist in any UFC women's division. Before transitioning to the sport of MMA, Dern was a world No. 1 ranked IBJJF competitor. She was also an ADCC and no-gi BJJ (black belt) World Champion.

Now a top contender in the UFC's strawweight division, Dern has used her BJJ skills to great effect, submitting nearly every opponent who has stood in her way. Currently on a four-fight win streak, Dern forced Randa Markos, Hannah Cifers and Nina Nunes to all tap out. The Cifers win is especially notable, with Dern catching her with a straight kneebar.

"Hannah Cifers needs to be careful here with the leg lock." - @dc_mma A few seconds later...Mackenzie Dern is back in the win column! 🙌#UFCVegas pic.twitter.com/igzJh6p9dV

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) May 31, 2020

The only opponent out of her four recent wins that Dern did not finish was Virna Jandiroba. She is one of the few fighters in the division with similar BJJ credentials to Dern.

UFC 256: Dern v Jandiroba