Every Neck Crank Finish in UFC History
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Cervical Extension Crank·UFC
Submissions due to neck cranks were more popular in the early part of the promotion's history with Tank Abbott, Tito Ort…
Cervical Extension Crank
SubFamily頸椎伸展捻り(Keitsui Shinten Hineri)
TraditionalTranslation: Cervical Spine Extension Twist
Overview
Cervical extension cranks force the opponent's head backward, hyperextending the cervical spine. [1],[2] The can opener (from inside closed guard) is the most common example — the attacker clasps hands behind the opponent's head and drives downward, forcing the chin toward the chest and the cervical spine into extension. Cervical extension cranks are prohibited in most grappling rule sets due to spinal injury risk. [3],[4]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The cervical extension crank hyperextends the neck backward, attacking the cervical spine ligaments and vertebrae. [1]
Lineage
Cervical cranks appear in catch wrestling, pro wrestling (camel clutch), and self-defence systems. [1]
Competition Record
Neck cranks are legal in MMA and some submission grappling events but banned in IBJJF competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Compression of the neck structures — restricts blood flow or airway depending on technique application
Joints Involved — Cervical spine, surrounding musculature, and vascular structures of the neck
Force Vector — Directed compression against the neck from the choking limb or body position
Finishing Mechanic — Sustained pressure causes either vascular occlusion (unconsciousness) or tracheal restriction (breathing difficulty)
Position & Entry
From back control with seatbelt — Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) — Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch — Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Cervical extension cranks force the head backward, risking vertebral disc injury and nerve damage
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— IBJJF — Neck cranks and spinal locks prohibited at all be...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Neck cranks prohibited
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— 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 cervical extension crank forces the opponent's head backward, hyperextending the cervical spine — the chin is lifted and the head is pushed posteriorly, stressing the anterior neck structures (Paulson, Shoot Wrestling, 2007)
✓Extension cranks stress the anterior longitudinal ligament, the intervertebral discs, and the trachea — the neck is forced beyond its comfortable extension range
✓Common positions: from front headlock (lifting the chin while controlling the body), from mount (pressing the chin backward), or from standing (lifting under the chin in a clinch)
✓The cervical extension crank is one of the most dangerous neck submissions: the cervical spine is more vulnerable in extension than flexion — less muscular and ligamentous protection exists posteriorly
✓The can opener from closed guard is a form of cervical extension crank: the attacker grips behind the head from inside the guard and extends backward, forcing the head into flexion (not extension) — but the principle of using forced end-range cervical movement is shared
✓In catch wrestling and submission grappling, cervical extension cranks are legitimate submissions — the anterior neck structures are painful when stretched
✓Medical research warns that cervical extension is the most dangerous direction for the spine: the spinal cord has less space during extension, and disc herniations can occur posteriorly
Common Mistakes
!Applying cervical extension explosively — the anterior structures of the neck are vulnerable and lack the muscular protection of the posterior chain; slow application is essential
!Not stabilising the opponent's body — the torso must be controlled so the extension force focuses on the cervical spine rather than moving the entire body
!Using cervical extension in casual training without agreement — this is a dangerous technique; only apply with experienced partners who have consented
!Confusing extension with flexion — extension tilts the head backward (chin up); flexion tilts forward (chin to chest) — the mechanisms and risks are different
!Holding the extension at end range — once the opponent taps, release immediately; holding end-range extension risks permanent injury
!Applying from positions without control — cervical cranks require positional dominance to be effective and controlled
!Not understanding the injury mechanism — cervical extension can damage discs, ligaments, blood vessels, and the spinal cord; treat this technique with the seriousness it demands
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Shooto Official Rules — anatomical terminology
1CompetitionShooto Official Rules
Japanese MMA pioneer organization — technique classification
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationShooto Official Rules — anatomical terminology
Japanese terminology sourced from Shooto Official Rules — anatomical terminology
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
Favours
strong upper body for sustained compression
Key muscles
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
Sub-techniques
Face Crank
GenusThe face crank applies pressure across the opponent's face — typically the chin, jaw, or nose — to force cervical hyperextension and create intense pain. [1,2,3] The attacker clasps hands under or across the face and pulls upward or backward, driving the chin toward the ceiling and hyperextending the cervical spine. [1,4] Face cranks are often applied from back control, mount, or north-south when the opponent tucks their chin to defend chokes. [1,5] While primarily a pain submission, sustained face cranking can cause cervical spine injury, making it a dangerous technique that is banned or restricted in some competitions. [1,6]
2 species·4 techniquesExplore
Nelson Neck Crank
GenusThe Nelson neck crank uses a half-nelson or full-nelson position to drive the opponent's chin toward their chest (flexion) or force the head sideways, creating cervical spine pressure. [1,2] In the full nelson, both arms thread under the opponent's armpits and lock behind the head, then push the head forward and down. [1] The half-nelson uses one arm behind the head while the other controls the body. [1,3] Nelson cranks are common in wrestling and are applied from back control, side control, or during turtle attacks. [1]
2 species·4 techniquesExplore
Rear Neck Crank
GenusThe rear neck crank from back without hooks is a cervical-spine submission applied from a partial back position — chest-to-back contact established, but no hooks or body triangle. [1] Rather than relying on positional control, the attacker uses upper-body grips alone to crank the cervical spine. [1,2] In the cervical-extension form, the hands gable-grip behind the opponent's head (or the radius bone of the forearm presses under the cheekbone) and drive the chin upward and back while the chest pulls in the opposite direction, forcing extension at the cervical spine. [2] Without hooks, the attacker trades positional stability for speed of attack, making this common in scramble situations and transitions; the absence of leg control means the opponent can potentially rotate free, so the technique requires rapid application. [2,3]
2 species·4 techniquesExplore
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you set up a cervical extension crank from back control?
From back control, you can apply the crank by getting under the chin and using punches or positioning to control the opponent's head before cranking the neck extension. The key is to prevent your opponent from turning the wrong way out of back control, which can trap them in the submission.
What should I do with my arms when caught in a neck crank?
When caught in a cervical extension crank, it is very important to relax your arms rather than tense them, as this can help you escape or reduce injury before tapping.
How does the Cervical Extension Crank work?
Cervical extension cranks force the opponent's head backward, hyperextending the cervical spine. The can opener (from inside closed guard) is the most common example — the attacker clasps hands behind the opponent's head and drives downward, forcing the chin toward the chest and the cervical spine into extension.
Where does the Cervical Extension Crank come from?
Cervical extension attacks have roots in catch wrestling and classical jujutsu. The can opener remains one of the most commonly attempted neck cranks in MMA, used to open the closed guard.
Is the Cervical Extension Crank legal in competition?
IBJJF: banned — Neck cranks and spinal locks prohibited at all belt levels; IJF: banned — Neck cranks prohibited; 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 Cervical Extension Crank?
Danger rating 9/10. Cervical extension cranks force the head backward, risking vertebral disc injury and nerve damage
How do I set up the Cervical Extension Crank?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
How do I defend against the Cervical Extension Crank?
Standard counters include: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the Cervical Extension Crank?
Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fric…); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling wit…); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent …).
How effective is the Cervical Extension Crank in competition?
Neck cranks are legal in MMA and some submission grappling events but banned in IBJJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Cervical Extension Crank?
Top errors to watch for: Applying cervical extension explosively — the anterior structures of the neck are vulnerable and lack the muscular pr… / Not stabilising the opponent's body — the torso must be controlled so the extension force focuses on the cervical spi… / Using cervical extension in casual training without agreement — this is a dangerous technique; only apply with experi… / Confusing extension with flexion — extension tilts the head backward (chin up); flexion tilts forward (chin to chest)….
What are other names for the Cervical Extension Crank?
The Cervical Extension Crank is also known as Keitsui Shinten Hineri, Neck Extension Lock, Posterior Cervical Crank.