Guillotine Choke Defences
The guillotine choke in Jiu-Jitsu can be a highly effective submission technique if executed correctly. However, there are several defences that can be employed to avoid getting caught in the chokehold.
Here are some common defences against the guillotine choke:
Avoid the position: The first defence against the guillotine choke is to avoid getting into the position where the opponent can apply the choke.
For example, when standing, avoid letting the opponent wrap their arm around your neck, or when on the ground, avoid letting the opponent wrap their arm around your neck while you are in their closed guard.
Keep your head up: Another way to avoid getting caught in the guillotine choke is to keep your head up and away from your opponent's body.
This makes it harder for the opponent to wrap their arm around your neck and apply the choke.
Defend the arms: If the opponent does manage to get their arm around your neck, you can defend against the choke by controlling their arms.
You can use your own arms to grab onto the opponent's arms and prevent them from squeezing the choke.
Create space: Creating space between yourself and your opponent can also help defend against the guillotine choke.
For example, if the choke is being applied from the guard, you can use your legs to push your opponent away and create space.
Use a counter-choke: A counter-choke is a technique that involves reversing the chokehold and applying it to the opponent instead.
One counter-choke to the guillotine choke is the Von Flue choke, which involves trapping the opponent's arm and using it to apply pressure to their neck.
This can be done from while in your opponents full guard, half guard, or even while on top in side control. Keep in ming though, that this is risky and should be used as a last resort, especially when your opponent is controlling your hips in a closed guard.
It is important to note that the best defence against the guillotine choke is to avoid getting into the position where the choke can be applied.
This should be obvious right? However, if you do find yourself caught in the chokehold, utilising these defences can aid in helping you escape and avoid being submitted.
Setting Up The Guillotine Choke
The guillotine choke is a submission technique in Jiu-Jitsu and other grappling sports that targets the opponent's neck.
It can be executed from various positions, such as standing, from the guard, and even from the mount position. The choke is highly effective and can lead to a quick victory if executed properly.
The guillotine choke is named after the infamous 18th-century execution device, the guillotine, because the choke mimics the way the device would decapitate someone.
The choke can be executed in many ways, but the basic concept involves wrapping one's arm around the opponent's neck and squeezing until the opponent taps out or goes unconscious.
Here is how to perform a basic guillotine choke from a double leg defence:
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Set up: The guillotine choke can be executed from a variety of positions, but one common setup is from standing when an opponent shoots for a takedown. To set up the guillotine choke, one arm is wrapped around the opponent's neck, with their head in that armpit, while the other arm can be in front or over the opponents arm.
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Get the grip: Once the setup is in place, the hands should clasp together to form a grip. Depending on the variation of the guillotine choke, the grip can be modified to include different hand positions.
One common grip is to have the palms facing towards yourself, grabbing the back of your hand with the arm that is supporting the choking arm.
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Position your body: To finish the choke, one's body position is crucial. The legs can be wrapped around the opponent's waist or hips to help apply leverage and pressure. The body should also be angled to the side to increase the pressure on the opponent's neck.
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Finish the choke: To finish the guillotine choke, one's arms and legs should squeeze together to apply pressure to the opponent's neck. The choke can be held until the opponent taps out or goes unconscious, or until the choke is released.
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There are also variations of the guillotine choke, such as the arm-in guillotine and the high elbow guillotine.
These variations involve different grips and setups, but the basic concept is the same: wrap the arm around the opponent's neck and squeeze until they submit.
The arm-in guillotine, as the name suggests, involves trapping the opponent's arm inside the choke. This variation can be executed from various positions, such as from the guard or from the mount.
The grip in the arm-in guillotine is slightly different, with one hand holding the opponent's wrist to prevent them from escaping.
The high elbow guillotine involves wrapping one's arm around the opponent's neck with the elbow high, creating a tight squeeze around the neck.
This variation is often executed from standing when an opponent attempts a takedown. The grip is modified to include a high elbow, with the arm wrapped around the opponent's neck.
Notable Guillotine Choke Finishes In Jiu Jitsu
The guillotine choke is a popular submission in both gi and no-gi grappling competitions, and there have been several successful competitors who have utilised it to great effect in the no-gi format.
Here are some notable examples:
Marcelo Garcia: Widely considered one of the greatest grapplers of all time, Marcelo Garcia is known for his incredible submission skills and particularly his mastery of the guillotine choke.
He has won numerous no-gi competitions, including the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship and the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship, with the guillotine choke as one of his go-to moves.
LEGEND Marcelo Garcia Hits His Signature Guillotine
Ryan Hall: Ryan Hall is a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and mixed martial artist who is known for his innovative and effective grappling style.
He is particularly known for his high elbow guillotine choke, which he has used to great effect in both grappling and MMA competitions.
He has won several prestigious grappling tournaments, including the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, with the guillotine choke as one of his primary submissions.
Ryan Hall highlights - watch them here
Garry Tonon: Garry Tonon is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and professional mixed martial artist who has competed at the highest levels of both grappling and MMA.
He is known for his dynamic and aggressive style, and the guillotine choke is one of his signature submissions.
He has won numerous grappling tournaments, including the EBI submission grappling tournament, with the guillotine choke as one of his most effective weapons.
Garry Tonon Guillotine finish in OneFC - watch here
Jeff Glover: Jeff Glover is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former professional mixed martial artist who is known for his unorthodox and creative grappling style.
He is particularly known for his no-arm guillotine choke, which he has used to great effect in competition.
He has won several prestigious grappling tournaments, including the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, with the no-arm guillotine choke as one of his primary submissions.
These are just a few examples of successful competitors who have utilized the guillotine choke to great effect in no-gi competitions.
It is a versatile and effective submission that can be used by grapplers of all styles and skill levels.
Notable Nogi Match With Guillotine Finish
Gordon Ryan: In 2019, grappling superstar Gordon Ryan achieved a major milestone in his career by winning his first ADCC gold medal in the men's -99kg division at the ADCC World Championship in Anaheim, California.
Ryan is known for his innovative and aggressive grappling style, and his mastery of the guillotine choke played a major role in his victory.
Throughout the tournament, Ryan faced a series of tough opponents, but he was able to dominate many of his matches by utilising his signature technique.
In the final match, he faced off against his long-time rival Keenan Cornelius, and he wasted no time in asserting himself in the match.
Ryan quickly locked in a deep guillotine choke from a standing position, and Cornelius was forced to tap out just 39 seconds into the match.
The victory was a major accomplishment for Ryan, who had previously won several other high-profile grappling tournaments but had never won an ADCC gold medal.
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It cemented his status as one of the top grapplers in the world and showcased his incredible talent and mastery in the sport.
Ryan's success can be attributed to his unmatched work ethic, his innovative grappling style, and his commitment to constantly improving his technique.
He has spent years studying his opponents and refining his techniques, and his dedication to the sport has earned him a legion of fans and admirers around the world.
Overall, Gordon Ryan's victory at the 2019 ADCC World Championship was a historic moment in the sport of grappling, and his mastery of the guillotine choke will go down in history as one of the most dominant techniques ever seen in competition.
Most Notable Guillotine Choke Finishes In MMA
Brian Ortega vs Cub Swanson (UFC Fight Night 123, 2017): This fight was a featherweight bout between rising contender Brian Ortega and veteran fighter Cub Swanson.
In the second round, Ortega stunned Swanson with a right hand and immediately transitioned to a standing guillotine choke.
Despite Swanson's attempts to fight out of the choke, Ortega was able to adjust his grip and drop to the ground to secure the submission.
The finish earned Ortega a Performance of the Night bonus and solidified his status as a top contender in the featherweight division.
Jon Jones vs Lyoto Machida (UFC 140, 2011): This fight was a light heavyweight title bout between champion Jon Jones and former champion Lyoto Machida.
After a back-and-forth first round, Jones took control in the second round and eventually secured a standing guillotine choke on Machida.
Machida tried to fight out of the choke, but Jones was able to secure the submission and force Machida to be choked out.
The finish was notable because Machida had never been submitted before, and Jones' ability to secure the choke from a standing position was impressive.
Jon Jones Choking Until His Opponent Collapses
Fabricio Werdum vs Cain Velasquez (UFC 188, 2015): This fight was for the UFC heavyweight title and pitted champion Cain Velasquez against interim champion Fabricio Werdum.
In the third round, Werdum stunned Velasquez with a knee and then followed up with a guillotine choke.
Despite Velasquez's attempts to defend the choke, Werdum was able to secure the submission and become the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.
The finish was notable because Velasquez had never been submitted before, and Werdum's win was considered a major upset.
Fabricio Werdum vs Cain Velasquez Highlights
Nate Diaz vs Tony Ferguson: At UFC 262 in May 2021, Nate Diaz shocked fans and analysts by submitting Tony Ferguson with a guillotine choke in the co-main event.
Diaz, known for his striking and toughness, displayed his grappling skills by locking in the submission early in the second round.
Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion, had been on a losing streak prior to the fight, but was still considered a formidable opponent for Diaz.
However, Diaz's ability to capitalise on a grappling exchange and secure the finish proved to be too much for Ferguson.
The win solidified Diaz's position as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport, and left fans eagerly anticipating his next move.
Nate Diaz vs Tony Ferguson - Check out the highlights here
In each of these fights, the guillotine choke was a pivotal factor in the outcome. Whether secured from a standing position or on the ground, the guillotine choke is a versatile and effective submission technique in MMA.
I hope you all enjoyed this blog and if you would like to learn more about different jiu jitsu techniques.
Go to Jiu Jitsu Grapplings members area. Which has a free trial, with hundreds of different videos and courses.
About the author: Gavin Hain has been training, competing, and teaching martial arts for over 26 years.
He is a coach on the Gold Coast Australia, who holds a 2nd Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, along with many other martial art ranks.
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