The best tapouts in UFC history: Part 3: Leglocks

#3: Hamstring Stretch – Kenny Robertson vs. Brock Jardine – UFC 157 – 02/23/2013

Kenny Robertson introduced the UFC - and Brock Jardine - to the nasty hamstring stretch in 2013

A unique submission alternatively named the ‘Suloev Stretch’ after the man who purportedly invented it - former UFC fighter Amar Suloev – the hamstring stretch is set up by an attacking fighter from the back mount position. From there the attacker slides higher up on the opponent’s body than in a regular back mount, reaches down to secure the opponent’s leg, and pulls it forward, attempting to straighten it.

Combined with the pressure of the attacker’s hips forcing the opponent’s body forwards, this hold unnaturally stretches and extends the hamstring – thus forcing the victim to tap out, usually in agony.

The move was introduced to the UFC by wrestler Kenny Robertson in 2013. Robertson – not usually known for his exciting fight style – was faced with fellow wrestler Brock Jardine. After an early takedown and a guillotine attempt from Jardine, Robertson was able to pass the guard and found himself in side mount. After a brief scramble, he took Jardine’s back and slapped both of his hooks in.

When a rear naked choke attempt did not work, Robertson moved into a higher back mount as Jardine took a kneeling position. From there, Robertson reached down and clasped hold of Jardine’s left leg, and then pulled it forward, while at the same time forcing his hips and body backward using his own legs as hooks.

The tapout came seconds later, while the announcers errantly referred to the submission as a kneebar. That wasn’t the case – it was far more unique than that, although a version of the move recently used by Aljamain Sterling did injure opponent Cody Stamman’s knee.

A rare move, the hamstring stretch is no less devastating than any other leglock – and Robertson’s version belongs with the best tapout in UFC history.