Kata Gatame Flow - Jiu Jitsu Takedowns - Closed Guard Arm Triangle Choke
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Kata Gatame to Ezequiel·TRITAC Martial Arts
This Kata Gatame flow is one of the Jiu-Jitsu drills to develop the Kata Gatame, not only as a head and arm choke, but a…
Kata Gatame to Ezequiel
SubFamilyKata・Gatame・To・Ezequiel(Kata Gatame to Ezequiel)
Translation: kata gatame to ezequiel
Overview
Kata Gatame to Ezequiel is a combination technique where a kata gatame (arm triangle) attempt transitions to an Ezequiel choke when the opponent defends the head-and-arm choke. [1] The grip transitions smoothly from the arm triangle to the sleeve choke. [1]
Arm Triangle to Ezequiel Transition
History & Origin
The Kata Gatame to Ezequiel is a technique demonstrated in Saulo Ribeiro's systematic BJJ methodology. [1]
Effectiveness
Effective as part of a submission chain from side control. [1]
Lineage
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Kata Gatame to Ezequiel specific mechanics
Joints Involved — Varies by technique
Force Vector — Submission-specific
Position & Entry
From side control — Execute the kata gatame to ezequiel
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
Katagatame (Head and Arm Choke) from Mount - No Gi BJJ / Jiu-Jitsu
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Kata Gatame to Ezequiel·Brian Glick
Katagatame: the head and arm choke from the mounted position isn’t only a powerful submission. It’s also a very robust m…
Kata Gatame, Americana, Juji Gatame w Prof Chris Standing BTT
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Kata Gatame to Ezequiel·BTT Portland
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Kata gatame to ezequiel represents a progression where practitioners transition from the fundamental head-and-arm choke (kata gatame) into an ezequiel choke finish. The three instructors collectively demonstrate this as a practical submission sequence emphasizing proper body positioning and pressure mechanics. Brian Glick (Brian Glick channel) focuses on the mount position entry, highlighting the critical importance of elevating the opponent's elbow to shoulder line before transitioning the head position from inside to outside, then dismounting to finish with a sprawling body posture. BTT Portland (BTT Portland channel) presents the transition from side control, detailing how to trap the arm with the head position before cartwheeling to lay flat beside the opponent, emphasizing skull-to-skull contact and the use of gable grip or rear-naked-choke grip variants to finish the choke, noting that kata gatame can be a slower choke requiring patience. TRITAC Martial Arts (TRITAC Martial Arts channel) demonstrates entries from takedowns and closed guard, emphasizing the use of gravity and body weight to drive pressure into the opponent's neck and shoulder while maintaining deep positioning and tight control. All three instructors agree on the importance of keeping the opponent's arm trapped across their centerline, maintaining low head position with skull contact, and using body pressure rather than arm strength alone to finish the submission effectively.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Brian Glick — Katagatame (Head and Arm Choke) from Mount - No Gi BJJ / Jiu-Jitsu: Detailed mount position setup emphasizing elbow elevation to shoulder line, head repositioning from inside to outside, and dismount technique with sprawl finish; focuses on using hip and chest pressure to raise opponent's elbow rather than arm strength alone.
- BTT Portland — Kata Gatame, Americana, Juji Gatame w Prof Chris Standing BTT: Side control entry with emphasis on head-trapping before cartwheel transition, laying flat beside opponent with skull-to-skull contact, gable grip mechanics, and explanation of kata gatame as a slower choke requiring patience and body pressure; includes variations from direct arm attacks.
- TRITAC Martial Arts — Kata Gatame Flow - Jiu Jitsu Takedowns - Closed Guard Arm Triangle Choke: Takedown-based and closed-guard entries to kata gatame, emphasis on using gravity and hip positioning to increase pressure, deep positioning mechanics, grip variations (including rear-naked-choke grip), and finishing principles combining neck destruction with blood choke mechanics.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Submission technique requiring tap or risk of injury
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
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
✓Practise the transition smoothly (Ribeiro & Howell, 2008)
Common Mistakes
!Rushing the technique
!Losing position during transition
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Side control → Kata Gatame to Ezequiel attempt → Chain to next technique
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro & Howell, 2008)
1Book[1] Ribeiro, S. and Howell, K. (2008). Jiu-Jitsu University. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815044-3-8. Technical Editor: John Danaher.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ribeiro, S
2Citation[1] Ribeiro, S. and Howell, K. (2008). Jiu-Jitsu University. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815044-3-8. Technical Editor: John Danaher.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ribeiro, S
Community
Athletics
Good top pressure and arm control
Notes
The kata gatame (head-and-arm choke) to Ezekiel choke transition — when the opponent defends the arm triangle by clasping hands, the attacker can switch to the Ezekiel choke using the sleeve. A gi-specific combination. (Carlson Gracie & Fernandez, BJJ for Experts Only; BJJ instructionals)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is hip position so important when setting up kata gatame from mount?
According to Brian Glick, if your hips are too high, you create space for your opponent to escape with an elbow escape or bump you off. You need to keep your hips low and your chest forward to control the position effectively.
How deep should my arm grip be when securing the choke?
Brian Glick emphasizes getting your elbow deep underneath your opponent's arm rather than a shallow grip. A strong person will be able to keep a shallow grip trapped, so depth is critical for controlling the arm.
What's the best way to raise my opponent's elbow during kata gatame?
Rather than trying to lift their arm directly, Brian Glick explains that using your hips is more effective. You walk underneath and use your chest to roll your partner's arm forward, which brings the elbow up naturally.
Why should I keep my head low and maintain skull-to-skull contact during the finish?
According to Prof Chris Standing (BTT Portland), if you let space open up between your heads, your opponent can slap their hand to the mat to escape the choke. Maintaining tight skull-to-skull contact eliminates this counter and makes the submission much more difficult to escape.
What's the correct body position when finishing kata gatame?
Prof Chris Standing emphasizes laying down flat beside your opponent, hip to hip, shoulder to shoulder, and skull to skull. You should drop your shoulder into their throat while keeping your head low and driving your body into them with continuous pressure.
How does the Kata Gatame to Ezequiel work?
Kata Gatame to Ezequiel is a combination technique where a kata gatame (arm triangle) attempt transitions to an Ezequiel choke when the opponent defends the head-and-arm choke. The grip transitions smoothly from the arm triangle to the sleeve choke.
Where does the Kata Gatame to Ezequiel come from?
The Kata Gatame to Ezequiel is a technique demonstrated in Saulo Ribeiro's systematic BJJ methodology.
Is the Kata Gatame to Ezequiel 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 Kata Gatame to Ezequiel?
Danger rating 7/10. Submission technique requiring tap or risk of injury
How do I set up the Kata Gatame to Ezequiel?
The standard setup chain: Side control → Kata Gatame to Ezequiel attempt → Chain to next technique.
How do I defend against the Kata Gatame to Ezequiel?
Standard counters include: Defend the initial grip / Create space / Bridge and escape.
How effective is the Kata Gatame to Ezequiel in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Kata Gatame to Ezequiel?
Top errors to watch for: Rushing the technique / Losing position during transition.
What are other names for the Kata Gatame to Ezequiel?
The Kata Gatame to Ezequiel is also known as Kata Gatame to Ezequiel, Arm Triangle to Ezequiel Transition.