Last updated: May 29, 2026
Quick Definition
The crucifix position is a dominant ground-control position in MMA where a fighter traps both of an opponent’s arms at once, one pinned with the legs and the other with the arms, leaving the trapped fighter unable to block strikes or defend submissions.
What is the crucifix position?
The crucifix is built around a simple idea. Take away both of an opponent’s arms, and they have no way to protect themselves. The attacking fighter sits behind or across their opponent, traps one arm using the legs and the other using the arms or shoulder, then holds the body in place. The opponent’s arms end up stretched out in opposite directions, forming a shape like a cross, which is where the name comes from.
That arm control is the whole point. A fighter who cannot use either hand cannot shield the head or fight off a choke. The position came from Judo, where a related strangle is called jigoku jime, or “hell strangle,” and it carried into Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA once fighters saw how well it sets up ground striking. Casual fans got a clear look at it at UFC 319 in August 2025, when Khamzat Chimaev held Dricus du Plessis in the crucifix for long stretches on his way to the middleweight title.
How the crucifix works
Picture one fighter flattened on the mat and a second fighter wrapped around their upper body at an angle. One of the bottom fighter’s arms is pinned between the top fighter’s legs, often with both legs committed to that single arm, so it cannot slip free. The other arm gets hooked and held by the top fighter’s arm. With both arms tied up, the fighter on the bottom has nothing left to defend with.
From there, the position opens two kinds of offense. The attacker can land short punches and elbows that the trapped fighter cannot block, which is why it ties so closely to ground and pound. Submissions are on the table too, including the collar strangle known as the crucifix choke, plus arm locks and neck cranks.
Two forms show up most often. The back crucifix is taken from behind, usually when an opponent turtles up or surrenders an arm from the back. The top crucifix, sometimes hit from side control, is the version most associated with heavy ground striking in MMA. Coaches sometimes call this second one the Salaverry, or the “puncher’s side control.”
Crucifix position vs. back mount
People often mix up the crucifix with the back mount, also called the rear mount, since both put the attacker behind a defending opponent. What separates them is the kind of control each one gives.
| Crucifix position | Back mount (rear mount) | |
|---|---|---|
| Arm control | Both arms trapped, one held by the legs | Arms free; control comes from a seatbelt grip and hooks |
| Body position | Perpendicular or angled across the opponent | Chest to back, hips behind the opponent |
| Main threat | Strikes, along with chokes and joint attacks | Rear-naked choke |
| Escape difficulty | Hard to reverse once both arms are pinned | Tough, though the defender still has both hands |
Put simply, the back mount controls the body and frees up the choke. The crucifix controls the arms and frees up almost everything, strikes included.
Why the crucifix is so dominant in MMA
A trapped fighter faces an ugly problem. They get hit without being able to hit back, and with both arms pinned, they cannot block or carve out the space to escape. Each strike might be light, but the volume adds up, and the helplessness drains a fighter mentally as much as physically.
UFC 319 put real numbers to it. Across five rounds, Chimaev out-landed Du Plessis 529 total strikes to 45 and completed 12 of his 17 takedown attempts. He logged 21 minutes and 40 seconds of control time, much of it from the crucifix, on the way to a 50-44 sweep on all three judges’ scorecards. Chimaev said afterward that he uses the position constantly in training to wear his partners down.
That captures the appeal. The crucifix is hard to reach and demands precise timing, but a fighter who locks it in can take over a round without much risk. Earlier examples include Gary Goodridge, whose elbow finish from a crucifix at UFC 8 in 1996 remains one of the most replayed early knockouts in the sport, and Matt Hughes, who leaned on it during his welterweight title run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the crucifix?
The trapped fighter’s arms get pulled out to the sides in opposite directions, leaving the body in a cross or “T” shape that resembles a crucifix.
Where did the crucifix come from?
It traces back to Judo, where a related collar strangle is known as jigoku jime, or “hell strangle.” It later became a staple of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and crossed into MMA grappling.
Is the crucifix the same as side control?
No. Side control is a common entry point, and one version of the crucifix is taken from there, but the crucifix specifically requires trapping both of the opponent’s arms.
Can you escape the crucifix?
It is possible, just difficult. Escapes usually involve freeing a trapped arm first, then using hip movement to bridge and turn before the attacker can finish a strike or submission.
Which UFC fighters are known for it?
Gary Goodridge, Matt Hughes, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and, most recently, Khamzat Chimaev have all used the crucifix to control and punish opponents on the ground.
Sources
- Wikipedia. “Crucifix position.” Accessed May 2026.
- CBS Sports. “UFC 319 results, highlights: Khamzat Chimaev earns middleweight title with dominant win over Dricus du Plessis.” August 2025.
- Sherdog. “UFC Champ Khamzat Chimaev on Affinity for Crucifix Position: ‘Make Them Humble’.” August 2025.
- UFC.com. “The Bigger Picture | UFC 319: Du Plessis vs Chimaev.” August 2025.
- Grapplearts. “The BJJ Crucifix Position and Your Best Submission Options From There.” Accessed May 2026.
- BJJEE. “How To Escape The Worst Position in MMA: Side Control Crucifix.” Accessed May 2026.
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