Last updated: June 17, 2026
Quick Definition
A flying armbar is an armbar applied from a standing position. The attacker jumps onto a standing opponent, traps one arm, swings both legs around the head and arm, then uses their falling bodyweight to drag the opponent to the mat and hyperextend the elbow.
What is a flying armbar?
The flying armbar is one version of the armbar, the joint lock that attacks the elbow. A regular armbar usually starts on the ground, from guard or mount. The flying version starts on the feet. Rather than working to the floor first, the attacker leaps up, latches onto the opponent’s arm and head, and brings the fight down with them, finishing the elbow lock as both fighters land.
Its name in judo is juji-gatame, and the standing, jumping entry is where the “flying” label comes from. In MMA, and in grappling sports such as BJJ and submission wrestling, it belongs to a small family of moves called flying submissions, the best known being the flying triangle.
For a viewer, the appeal is easy to see. It looks spectacular, and it can end a fight in seconds. Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson produced the most cited MMA example at UFC 216 in October 2017, lifting Ray Borg as if for a suplex and catching the arm in mid-air for a fifth-round finish that broke the UFC record for consecutive title defenses.
How a flying armbar works
Control comes before flight. Before leaving the ground, the attacker needs a grip on the opponent’s head and on one arm, often a collar tie, together with a hold on the wrist or sleeve. Without that connection, the jump has nothing to anchor it.
From there, one leg swings across the opponent’s shoulder while the other wraps behind the head. The attacker’s weight, now hanging off the trapped arm, pulls the opponent forward and down. As both fighters hit the mat, the legs clamp the head and shoulder in place, and the hips rise into the captured elbow. The finish is the same as a grounded armbar: straighten the arm against the joint until the opponent taps.
Flying armbar vs. standard armbar
People mix the two up for a fair reason. The finish is identical. The difference is how the attacker gets there.
| Standard armbar | Flying armbar | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting position | One fighter already on the ground | Both fighters standing |
| Entry | Worked in gradually from guard or mount | An explosive jump into the lock |
| Risk to attacker | Lower; little fall involved | Higher; a miss can cost position or a bad landing |
| Finish | Hyperextend the elbow | Hyperextend the elbow (identical) |
| How often you see it | Common at all levels | Rare, usually from specialists |
The move also gets confused with the flying triangle, the other technique people picture when they hear “flying submission.” Both use the same leaping entry. The target is what separates them: the triangle strangles the neck, while the armbar attacks the elbow.
Is the flying armbar legal, and how risky is it?
Legality depends on the ruleset. Several grappling organizations restrict flying submissions for lower belts, on the logic that the technique demands a high level of control, and a failed rep can hurt either athlete. Competitors are usually told to check a tournament’s rules before attempting one. MMA carries no rank-based restriction, which is part of why the move turns up in the cage now and then.
The danger runs both ways. The attacker stakes their position on one explosive commitment, and a missed lock can leave them on the bottom. The defender faces a fast elbow lock with little time to react before the joint is loaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the flying armbar the same as a regular armbar?
In the finish, yes. Both hyperextend the elbow. The flying version starts standing and jumps into the lock instead of working up from the ground.
Who has the most famous flying armbar in MMA?
Demetrious Johnson’s fifth-round finish of Ray Borg at UFC 216 in October 2017 is the most cited example. Johnson caught the arm in mid-air off a suplex and broke the UFC record for consecutive title defenses with it.
What is the difference between an armbar and a kimura?
An armbar hyperextends the elbow. A kimura is a different lock entirely, twisting the arm behind the back to crank the shoulder joint.
Is the flying armbar high risk?
Yes. It is a high-risk, high-reward move. A missed attempt can cost the attacker position or lead to a bad landing for either fighter.
Sources
- Evolve Daily. “How To Do A BJJ Flying Armbar.” Accessed June 2026.
https://evolve-mma.com/blog/how-to-do-a-bjj-flying-armbar/ - mmaailm.ee. “The Armbar in MMA: Analyzing the Ultimate Joint Lock.” Accessed June 2026.
https://mmaailm.ee/en/armbar-in-mma-guide/ - TheSportster. “10 Most Iconic Pro Wrestling Submissions That Target The Arms.” Accessed June 2026.
https://www.thesportster.com/iconic-wrestling-submissions-target-arms/ - Jiu Jitsu Legacy. “Flying Submissions: Safe Ways To Become A Flying Grappler.” Accessed June 2026.
https://jiujitsulegacy.com/bjj-lifestyle/flying-submissions-how-to/ - Sportskeeda. “Fans React To Throwback Submission Video Of Demetrious Johnson.” Accessed June 2026.
https://sportskeeda.com/mma/news-one-championship-fans-react-throwback-submission-video-demetrious-johnson - ESPN. “Demetrious Johnson Submits Ray Borg, Breaks Anderson Silva’s UFC Record.” Accessed June 2026.
https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/20950630/demetrious-johnson-submits-ray-borg-breaks-anderson-silva-ufc-record-consecutive-title-defenses
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