The best tapouts in UFC history: Part 3: Leglocks

#2: Kneebar – Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar – UFC 81 – 02/02/2008

Frank Mir's kneebar of Brock Lesnar is legendary

By far the most aesthetically impressive of the leglocks, the kneebar sees the attacker hyper-extend the opponent’s leg at the knee joint, using the hips for leverage and the attacker’s own legs to trap the opponent’s limb. The kneebar can be applied from various angles and positions – and fighters have even been known to roll into the hold, making it look even more impressive.

The most famous kneebar in UFC history though came from one of the most prolific submission artists to ever set foot in the Octagon – former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir. His victim on this occasion? Former WWE superstar – making his UFC debut – Brock Lesnar.

In the early going of the fight, it looked like Lesnar was going to maul Mir. He used his extensive wrestling background to tackle Mir to the ground instantly and began to do damage with his ground-and-pound before a questionable stand-up reset the fight. Undeterred, Lesnar knocked Mir down with punches, and continued his assault, but Mir was eventually able to spin away from harm.

With Lesnar standing over him looking to dish out more punishment, Mir quickly spun his hips around and caught Lesnar’s right leg, quickly lacing his own legs around the limb to control it. Despite Lesnar showing tremendous strength – hopping on his other leg and dragging the 250lbs Mir across the mat – Mir locked the hold in, applying a figure-four with his legs to trap Lesnar’s knee.

Seconds later, Mir had hyperextended the leg and Lesnar was forced to tap out. ‘The Beast Incarnate’ would get revenge over Mir just over a year later when the two rematched, but this kneebar remains one of the most memorable submissions in UFC history – and a fitting end to a wildly exciting fight.