Brabo Choke From Side Control
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Brabo Choke·MMA Leech·Added by Admin
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Brabo Choke
Genusブラボーチョーク(Burabō Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: Brabo Choke (katakana loanword)
Overview
The Brabo choke from guard uses the opponent's lapel threaded across their neck while the attacker maintains an overhook from closed or open guard to create a collar strangle. [1],[2] The attacker feeds the opponent's lapel across the neck and secures it with the overhooking arm, then uses hip movement and leg control to tighten the strangle. [1],[3] The lapel overhook configuration creates a strong mechanical advantage because the fabric is anchored on both sides of the neck through different control points. [1] The guard Brabo is distinct from the D'Arce/Brabo applied from top position. [1],[4]
History & Origin
The Brabo choke name originated in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with 'brabo' meaning 'angry' or 'fierce' in Portuguese slang. [1],[2] The guard-based lapel overhook version developed separately from the top-position D'Arce/Brabo arm triangle, using the gi fabric for compression instead of the arm. [1],[3] Guard-based Brabo chokes became prominent as creative gi players explored lapel feeding from bottom positions. [1],[4]
Effectiveness
One of the most effective lapel-based chokes in gi grappling — the Brabo uses the opponent's own collar or lapel to create a powerful choking mechanic that is extremely difficult to defend once secured [1]
Lineage
Named after Leo 'Brabo' Vieira, pioneered in Brazilian competition jiu-jitsu in the early 2000s. The technique family has expanded significantly through innovations by the Mendes Brothers, Keenan Cornelius, and other modern gi competitors [1]
Competition Record
Frequently finished at IBJJF worlds, Pan, Europeans, and other major gi events. A defining technique of the modern lapel guard era [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries — restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector — Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism — Vascular strangle — occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From top half guard — Thread the arm under opponent's far arm and around the neck, lock the figure-four behind their shoulder, sprawl and squeeze
From side control — Opponent turns in, thread the arm under their armpit and around the neck, connect hands and apply pressure
From front headlock — Snap-down creates access, thread arm under the far armpit, circle to the choking side and lock
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Lapel overhook chokes from guard use the gi collar combined with overhook control
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The Brabo choke is a genus of gi-specific strangles that feed the opponent's lapel under their arm and across the neck — creating a fabric-based arm-triangle compression from guard or top position (Camarillo, Submit Everyone, 2008)
✓The Brabo is the gi equivalent of the D'Arce/anaconda: where no-gi arm triangles use the attacker's arm, the Brabo uses the opponent's own lapel as the choking surface
✓The name 'Brabo' has disputed origins: some attribute it to Roberto 'Brabo' Traven, while others use it interchangeably with the D'Arce in gi contexts
✓The mechanism: the lapel is fed under the opponent's arm and across the neck — the fabric presses one carotid while the trapped arm's shoulder presses the other
✓The Brabo choke is primarily applied from closed guard but can work from half guard, side control, and during guard passing
✓The gi fabric makes the Brabo more secure than no-gi arm triangles: the lapel cannot slip like a sweaty forearm — once the lapel is fed and gripped, the choke is nearly inescapable
✓The Brabo choke represents the intersection of traditional collar chokes and modern arm-triangle systems: it uses gi-specific gripping with arm-triangle principles
Common Mistakes
!Confusing the Brabo choke with a standard cross-collar choke — the Brabo specifically traps an arm inside the lapel loop; without the arm, it's a collar choke
!Not feeding the lapel under the arm — the under-arm feed is the defining feature; over-the-arm or around-the-neck feeds create different techniques
!Using a lapel that's too short or stiff — the fabric must have enough length and flexibility to pass under the arm and across the neck
!Not understanding the arm-triangle principle — the trapped arm's shoulder provides one side of the compression; this is what makes the Brabo different from collar chokes
!Attempting the Brabo in no-gi — the technique requires gi lapels; in no-gi, use the D'Arce or anaconda for the same arm-triangle principle
!Not having finishing details for the specific position — the Brabo from guard finishes differently than from top; learn position-specific mechanics
!Only training one entry — the Brabo from guard is the most common, but entries from half guard and side control exist; develop multiple entries
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure — squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Shrapnel BJJ Academy (shrapnel-bjj.com); Let'sBJJ (letsbjj.site)
Japanese BJJ academy — technique terminology
Japanese BJJ technique resource
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationShrapnel BJJ Academy (shrapnel-bjj.com); Let'sBJJ (letsbjj.site)
Japanese terminology sourced from Shrapnel BJJ Academy (shrapnel-bjj.com); Let'sBJJ (letsbjj.site)
Community
Athletics
Requires
long arms for threading under armpit and around neck
Favours
longer limbs, lean build
Key muscles
biceps, deltoids, forearm flexors, core (for sprawl pressure)
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my hand deep enough to finish the Brabo choke effectively?
Make sure to get your hand really deep on the lapel, almost touching your shoulder against his body to create the proper angle. You want your hand behind his neck, which is very important to make the choke tight and effective.
What should I do if my opponent pushes on my chest when I'm attacking the Brabo?
Allow your opponent to come more onto his side so your arm is deep on his neck, then control his sleeve and guide his arm and shoulder against his neck. Pull this arm up and drive your chest on his neck for the submission.
Why is opening the lapel important when setting up the Brabo choke from side control?
Opening the lapel gives you great control and several attacking options, especially for chokes. Make sure to maintain nice shoulder pressure so your opponent doesn't turn into you as you open the lapel.
What's an alternative if I can't cross my arm to finish the Brabo choke?
You can always go to the baseball bat choke, which is another great option from the Brabo position.
How does the Brabo Choke work?
The Brabo choke from guard uses the opponent's lapel threaded across their neck while the attacker maintains an overhook from closed or open guard to create a collar strangle. The attacker feeds the opponent's lapel across the neck and secures it with the overhooking arm, then uses hip movement and leg control to tighten the strangle.
Where does the Brabo Choke come from?
The Brabo choke name originated in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with 'brabo' meaning 'angry' or 'fierce' in Portuguese slang. The guard-based lapel overhook version developed separately from the top-position D'Arce/Brabo arm triangle, using the gi fabric for compression instead of the arm.
Is the Brabo Choke legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Brabo Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Lapel overhook chokes from guard use the gi collar combined with overhook control
How do I set up the Brabo Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Brabo Choke?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Brabo Choke?
Common variants: Standard D'Arce (arm threaded under the far armpit and around the neck fro…); Marce (short choke) (tighter, shorter threading for compact body types); Standing D'Arce (applied during a scramble without going to the ground); D'Arce from turtle (threaded as the opponent attempts to re-guard from turtle…).
How effective is the Brabo Choke in competition?
Frequently finished at IBJJF worlds, Pan, Europeans, and other major gi events.
What are common mistakes when doing the Brabo Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Confusing the Brabo choke with a standard cross-collar choke — the Brabo specifically traps an arm inside the lapel l… / Not feeding the lapel under the arm — the under-arm feed is the defining feature; over-the-arm or around-the-neck fee… / Using a lapel that's too short or stiff — the fabric must have enough length and flexibility to pass under the arm an… / Not understanding the arm-triangle principle — the trapped arm's shoulder provides one side of the compression; this ….
What are other names for the Brabo Choke?
The Brabo Choke is also known as Burabō Chōku, Brabo Choke, Lapel D'Arce, Clock Choke Variant.