#1 Toby Imada’s standing reverse triangle choke at Bellator 5
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Toby Imada (30-18-1) is an American kick-boxer and MMA fighter of Japanese and Mexican descent, with an MMA base of kick-boxing, BJJ and judo. Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal (32-11) is an American boxer, kick-boxer and MMA fighter of Cuban descent, with an MMA base of boxing, kick-boxing and wrestling.
Imada faced Masvidal at Bellator 5 in 2009 in the promotion’s inaugural Lightweight Championship tournament. The two slick fighters fought each other in the tournament’s semi-final bracket, with Imada scoring one of the most incredible moves of all time; a moment that is now considered iconic in the savage science’s young history.
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After getting outworked by his opponent on the feet for the better part of two rounds, Imada started off the third round busted up. Masvidal looked to be cruising to a victory when Imada sprawled on a takedown-attempt and instead of regaining his stance, Imada chose to step over his opponent, slapping on an inverted triangle lock.
Masvidal on his part did the right thing by trying to slide his opponent off of his back, by standing upright. However, Imada miraculously hung on to Masvidal head, locking on the submission and putting Masvidal to sleep.
The referee stepped in to stop the fight and Imada celebrated amongst a large round of applause from the raucous crowd in Dayton, Ohio.
Toby Imada’s standing reverse triangle submission of Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal is one of the most iconic moments and unlikeliest submissions in MMA history.
From flying submissions to flying strikes, MMA has it all. Now although many fans would argue with Imada’s performance being rated above the ‘Spider’, we must note that submissions can be just as dynamic as strikes- it is Mixed Martial Arts, after all.
Keeping up with our combat tradition, I’d like you, the reader, to chime in with your favourite ‘MMA Matrix’ moves in the comments.
Keep training and watch out for more spinning, flying, outlandish MMA stuff!!!
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