The UFC has had some amazing finishes though the years. Aside from knocking your opponent out, finishing the fight via submission is also impressive.21% of the UFC fights have gotten completed via submission. Matches are more likely to go to a decision then knockout or submission. The battle seems much more exciting when one fighter gets caught with a submission out of nowhere. 2019 has seen some fantastic finishes via submission. Let’s take a look at the top 5 UFC submission victories of 2019.
5. Paige VanZant vs. Rachel Ostovich
Fans have not seen Paige Vanzant in the octagon since January 19, 2019, at the UFC Fight Night 143 event. Vanzant was set to face Ostovich in a three-round bout. Both fighters were looking to get something going and rise the ranks in the Women’s flyweight division. The fight was looking like an exhibition of different styles. An opening was found, and the opportunity to lock-in an armbar was used to end the battle.
4. Alex Caceres vs. Kron Gracie
These two featherweights clashed on February 17, 2019, at the UFC On ESPN 1 event. Both fighters are unranked in the division and were looking to make a name for themselves in the featherweight division. For Gracie, this was his UFC debut, and he performed very well. The fight was a back and forth exchange that ended with a rear-naked choke.
3. Raphael Assuncao vs. Marlon Morales 2
These two bantamweight titans first clashed in 2017 at UFC 212, where the fight ended in decision with Assuncao winning. Their second bout came on February 2, 2019, at the UFC Fight Night 144 event. Both fighters were looking to move up in the rankings of the division. The fight was somewhat one-sided, and it was a dominant showing by one opponent, and it ended with a Guillotine Choke.
2.David Branch vs. Jack Hermassson
Two middleweights to make the top of the division. This bout took place on March 30, 2019, at the UFC on ESPN + event. This was a quick fight, only making it through the first 50 seconds of the battle. Once the fight was taken to the ground, it was over. A guillotine choke was applied, and the match was over.
1. Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista
This was arguably the best submission victory in the year 2019 for the UFC. Sandhagen and Bautista went at it on January 19, 2019. At the UFC Fight Night event. The fight ended in the first round with a beautifully executed armbar. The armbar was locked in nicely and almost ripped an arm out of its socket.