Submission Reversals: Improve Your Ground Game
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Guillotine from Clinch·NazUFC
Submission Reversals In UFC 5 To Elevate Your Ground Game Instantly. Support the channel and become a member: https://w…
Guillotine from Clinch
SubFamilyギロチン・From・クリンチ(Guillotine from Clinch)
Translation: guillotine from clinch
Overview
The Guillotine from Clinch is applied directly from the standing clinch by wrapping the arm around the opponent's neck and falling backward into guard. [1] Renzo Gracie and John Danaher emphasise the importance of the squeeze direction and chin position for finishing. [1]
Standing Guillotine ChokeClinch Guillotine
History & Origin
Documented by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher in their systematic approach to jujitsu. [1]
Effectiveness
Core grappling technique proven at the highest levels. [1]
Lineage
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu; Renzo Gracie lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Guillotine from Clinch-specific mechanics
Position & Entry
From clinch or guard — Execute guillotine from clinch
Variants
Standard Guillotine from Clinch
Videos
How To DOMINATE THE CLINCH in UFC 5 (CLINCH GUIDE) | EA SPORTS UFC 5
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Guillotine from Clinch·IC4Games
In this video we go through the different clinch positions in EA Sports UFC 5 and how to transition between them. We als…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The guillotine from clinch is a submission reversal technique executed when an opponent attempts a positional transition from the clinch, particularly from an over-under or standing clinch position. Both NazUFC and IC4Games address clinch mechanics, though they focus on different applications. NazUFC emphasizes the guillotine as a reversal option: when defending against an opponent's upward get-up movement from top position in an over-under clinch, the defender holds both triggers (L2 and R2 on PlayStation) and flicks the right stick upward to trigger the submission reversal, which places them in a dominant guillotine choke position with grapple advantage. This reversal entry is described as relatively easy to execute and grants the defender a brief window to attempt the submission immediately, or to consolidate grapple advantage before committing to the choke. IC4Games provides complementary context by detailing how to enter the over-under clinch position itself—achieved by initiating a double-leg takedown and canceling it with R2 before the takedown completes—which is the position from which this reversal opportunity arises. Both instructors note that successful execution depends on the defending fighter's capability profile in the game, and that reversals grant mechanical advantage that can lead to faster submission completion. The technique represents a defensive counter-measure against standing positional transitions rather than a primary offensive attack.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- NazUFC — Submission Reversals: Improve Your Ground Game: Detailed the guillotine choke reversal mechanics: holding both triggers and flicking right stick upward when opponent attempts upward movement from top sprawl/over-under clinch position; noted the grapple advantage granted by successful reversal and the option to go for submission immediately or consolidate advantage first.
- IC4Games — How To DOMINATE THE CLINCH in UFC 5 (CLINCH GUIDE) | EA SPORTS UFC 5: Explained how to access the over-under clinch position (the setup for this reversal) by canceling a double-leg takedown with R2; provided foundational clinch control mechanics that establish the positional context in which the guillotine reversal opportunity occurs.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Submission or control technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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
✓Focus on the squeeze direction for chokes (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Common Mistakes
!Poor grip
!Rushing the technique
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Clinch → Guillotine from Clinch
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
1Book[1] Gracie, R. and Danaher, J. (2003). Mastering Jujitsu. Human Kinetics. ISBN 0-7360-4404-3.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Gracie, R
2Citation[1] Gracie, R. and Danaher, J. (2003). Mastering Jujitsu. Human Kinetics. ISBN 0-7360-4404-3.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Gracie, R
Community
Athletics
Good grip and body control
Notes
The standing guillotine from clinch is one of the most common submission finishes in MMA — the attacker wraps the arm around the opponent's neck during a clinch exchange and squeezes. Guillotine appears in 592 passages across 61 books. (61 books; Mastering Jujitsu, Gracie & Danaher; MMA competition records)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up a guillotine from the over-under clinch position?
Yes. If your opponent gets up from a top sprawl position into the over-under clinch, you can attempt a submission reversal that puts you in position to go for the guillotine straight away, though it will be slightly slower than other setups.
How do I defend against a guillotine attempt from the clinch?
Hold down both triggers to deny the submission attempt. If you anticipate your opponent is going for it, holding both triggers will allow you to defend before they can fully lock the submission in.
How does the Guillotine from Clinch work?
The Guillotine from Clinch is applied directly from the standing clinch by wrapping the arm around the opponent's neck and falling backward into guard. Renzo Gracie and John Danaher emphasise the importance of the squeeze direction and chin position for finishing.
Where does the Guillotine from Clinch come from?
Documented by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher in their systematic approach to jujitsu.
Is the Guillotine from Clinch 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 Guillotine from Clinch?
Danger rating 7/10. Submission or control technique
How do I set up the Guillotine from Clinch?
The standard setup chain: Clinch → Guillotine from Clinch.
How do I defend against the Guillotine from Clinch?
Standard counters include: Posture / Stack / Von Flue choke.
What are the variants of the Guillotine from Clinch?
Common variants: Standard Guillotine from Clinch.
How effective is the Guillotine from Clinch in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Guillotine from Clinch?
Top errors to watch for: Poor grip / Rushing the technique.
What are other names for the Guillotine from Clinch?
The Guillotine from Clinch is also known as Guillotine from Clinch, Standing Guillotine Choke, Clinch Guillotine.