The best tapouts in UFC history: Part 3: Leglocks

#4: Achilles Lock – Andrei Arlovski vs. Tim Sylvia – UFC 51 – 02/05/2005

Andrei Arlovski won the UFC Heavyweight title with an Achilles lock in 2005

The Achilles lock – a hold which applies compression to the Achilles tendon by forcing it into the back of the ankle and lower leg – is a relatively low-percentage submission in MMA and inside the UFC too, perhaps for the reason that Bas Rutten often gave when he was commentating in PRIDE.

That reason? Rutten argued that as the hold was a “pain” submission – meaning the victim wouldn’t suffer injury or lose consciousness as a result of it being applied – there was no real reason to tap out to it. Maybe Rutten had a point, but even so, there have been examples of the Achilles lock working to great effect – and in this instance, it was enough to win Andrei Arlovski the Interim UFC Heavyweight title.

Faced with the giant Tim Sylvia at UFC 51, Arlovski was going into the fight as a slight underdog based on Sylvia’s long reach, punching power, and the fact that ‘The Pitbull’ had been knocked out on two occasions previously in the UFC. Surprisingly enough though, the fight was over in just 47 seconds, and in Arlovski’s favour too.

Slipping a lazy punch from Sylvia, Arlovski countered and dropped ‘The Maine-iac’ with a short right hand to the temple. Before Sylvia could attempt to get to his feet, Arlovski dived onto his flailing left leg and applied an Achilles lock, grapevining the limb with both of his own legs for more control.

Moments later, Sylvia was tapping out and Arlovski was declared the new Interim UFC Heavyweight champion.

Given Sylvia’s noted toughness – he survived numerous bad situations during his UFC tenure – Arlovski’s version of the Achilles lock clearly must’ve been special to force him to submit – meaning it belongs up there with the best leglocks in UFC history.