The best tapouts in UFC history: Part 3: Leglocks

#5: Calf Slicer – Brett Johns vs. Joe Soto – UFC: Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale – 12/01/2017

Brett Johns used the rare calf slicer to submit Joe Soto

The calf slicer is a compression lock that uses a fulcrum – usually the attacker’s shin – inserted into the crook of the opponent’s leg to force the calf muscle into the bone, creating both serious pressure and serious pain. Due to the fact that it can also damage the knee joint, the calf slicer is often banned in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.

Of course, in MMA it’s totally legal, but that doesn’t mean it’s a high-percentage submission hold. In the 25-year history of the UFC the calf slicer has only been used to force a tapout twice; once by Brazilian Charles Oliveira – who currently holds the record for most submission wins in UFC history – and once by Welshman Brett Johns.

Despite Oliveira’s being the original, Johns’ version was probably the more impressive, due to the method in which he applied the hold. Opponent Joe Soto was actually on offense, reaching for a single leg takedown, when Johns decided to go for the move.

In slick fashion, ‘The Pikey’ used his right arm to hook Soto’s left leg, dropped to his back and then rolled backward, quickly securing his legs around Soto’s limb and using his own left shin as a fulcrum. Before Soto even knew what was going on, Johns pulled downwards on his left foot – locking in the calf slicer to devastating effect – and the former title challenger was forced to tap out.

Whether or not we see another calf slicer in the UFC in the future is a question mark but even if we don’t, we’ll always have the beauty – and viciousness – of Johns’ to look back upon as one of the all-time great UFC tapouts.