Anaconda Choke

Last updated: April 17, 2026

What is an anaconda choke?

Within the head-and-arm family of submissions (also called arm triangle chokes), the anaconda attacks both the neck and a trapped shoulder at once. The choking arm wraps under the neck, the opponent’s own shoulder seals off one side of the throat, and a figure-four grip with the free arm tightens the whole structure.

It is a blood choke, not an air choke. Properly applied, it does not crush the windpipe. It compresses both carotid arteries, which cuts blood flow to the brain and can produce unconsciousness within seconds. Opponents tap quickly when the grip is deep.

In MMA and no-gi grappling, the anaconda sits alongside the guillotine and the d’arce as one of the three main finishes available from a front headlock position. Fighters who have sprawled on a failed shot or snapped an opponent’s head down are in prime territory for it. Understanding the anaconda matters because front headlock exchanges happen constantly in modern cage fighting. Wherever a takedown is stuffed, one of these three chokes is usually one grip away.

How the anaconda choke works

Mechanically, the choke follows a specific path. From the front headlock, the choking arm feeds under the opponent’s throat and continues across the body so the hand exits outside the far armpit. The free hand then grabs the bicep of the choking arm, and the choking hand reaches across the opponent’s back. That shape is the figure-four grip.

Pressure comes from two sources. The attacker’s bicep and forearm press into one side of the opponent’s neck, while the opponent’s own trapped shoulder is forced into the other side. The two meet on the carotid artery, and circulation to the brain slows.

The finish usually involves a roll known as the gator roll. The attacker turns over the trapped-arm side, bringing the opponent onto their shoulder and sealing the choke with their full body weight. Hooking the opponent’s near leg can tighten the position further.

Anacondas are most often set up in two ways: after sprawling against a takedown attempt, or after snapping an opponent’s head down during a clinch.

Anaconda choke vs d’arce choke

The anaconda and the d’arce are the most confused submissions in grappling, and for good reason. Both submissions start from a front headlock. Both finish with a figure-four grip locked around the opponent’s head and arm. The difference is the direction the choking arm travels.

Feature	Anaconda choke	D’arce choke
Choking arm path	Under the neck first, then out under the far armpit	Under the near armpit first, then across the front of the neck
Grip location	Locks outside the opponent’s trapped armpit	Locks on the back of the opponent’s neck
Typical setup	Opponent turtled, or flattened after a sprawl	Half guard, side control transition, or front headlock where opponent reaches under
Finish	Gator roll to the trapped-arm side	Often finished in place by tightening the noose
Named after	The anaconda snake’s constricting action	Joe D’arce, the American black belt who popularised it

Put simply, the choking arm enters from opposite sides. The anaconda goes neck-first. The d’arce goes arm-first. Both are effective. Most high-level grapplers drill both so they can switch between them based on how the opponent defends.

Anaconda choke vs guillotine

Guillotines and anacondas share the same starting position but attack differently. A guillotine wraps the neck only, pulling the opponent’s head toward the attacker’s chest with upward pressure. An anaconda traps an arm along with the head, and the finish moves the opponent onto their shoulder rather than pulling their head upward.

A guillotine tends to appear when the opponent drives forward with their head centred. When the arm is exposed or the opponent’s posture collapses to one side, an anaconda becomes available instead. Top fighters know both. They switch as the fight dictates.

Origin and history

Credit for the anaconda usually goes to Milton Vieira, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and former Luta Livre competitor. He developed the technique in the late 1990s to early 2000s. Vieira himself has said several grapplers were probably working on similar positions at the same time, so he does not always claim sole invention. His training partner Antônio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira carried the choke onto the biggest stages of MMA. Nogueira finished multiple opponents with it in PRIDE Fighting Championship during the mid-2000s.

The name comes from the constrictor snake. The squeeze of the figure-four grip and the rolling motion resemble the way an anaconda wraps and tightens around its prey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the anaconda choke a blood choke or an air choke?

It is a blood choke. It compresses the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck to restrict blood flow to the brain. When applied correctly, it does not crush the windpipe.

How dangerous is the anaconda choke?

Like any well-applied blood choke, it can produce unconsciousness within seconds. Referees in MMA and BJJ competitions stop the fight the moment a fighter goes limp or taps.

Who holds the fastest anaconda choke finish in UFC history?

UFC welterweight Vicente Luque holds the record for the fastest anaconda choke finish in UFC history, submitting Themba Gorimbo in 52 seconds at UFC 310 in December 2024.

Can the anaconda choke be done in the gi?

Yes. The mechanics are identical with or without a gi. Some practitioners use the gi to help secure the grip, though a closely related gi variation known as the brabo choke is more common when the jacket is involved.

Is the anaconda choke legal in MMA?

Yes. It is a standard submission permitted in every major MMA promotion, including the UFC, the PFL and ONE Championship.

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Sources

1. Wikipedia, “Arm triangle choke.” Accessed April 2026.
2. Wikipedia, “Milton Vieira.” Accessed April 2026.
3. BJJ Heroes, “Darce Choke.” Accessed April 2026.
4. Jits Magazine, “Submission History: The Origins of the Head and Arm Choke,” Alex Lindsey, December 2023.
5. Evolve MMA, “BJJ 101: Anaconda Choke,” July 2022.
6. Digitsu, “Anaconda Choke Breakdown (BJJ).”
7. Sports Illustrated Fannation, “Club & Sub! Vicente Luque Sleeps Themba Gorimbo in 52 Seconds at UFC 310,” December 2024.
8. Wikipedia, “Vicente Luque.” Accessed April 2026.

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