In the unpredictable world of mixed martial arts, some finishes stand out not just for their effectiveness, but for their sheer rarity. Such was the case recently at PFL Europe 2 in Brussels.
Amidst the competitive card unfolding at the ING Arena, a bantamweight clash between Levi Batchelor and Fahdi Khaled delivered a finish that had grappling aficionados buzzing.
As the bout progressed and moved into grappling exchanges, Batchelor found himself in a dominant side control position. Initially threatening a more conventional submission like the arm-triangle choke, he encountered resistance from Khaled.
Recognizing the opening or perhaps anticipating the defense, Batchelor transitioned with veteran savvy. He secured grips that enabled him to apply the Ezekiel choke, a move far more commonly associated with gi jiu-jitsu than the bare-knuckle, no-gi environment of MMA. The pressure mounted quickly.
A brief moment of confusion ensued as Khaled`s movements might have been interpreted as either a tap or an attempt to punch free. Batchelor momentarily released the hold. However, the outcome was clear as Fahdi Khaled was rendered unconscious by the technique, prompting the referee`s intervention.
The Ezekiel choke, typically applied using the opponent`s gi lapel against their neck, relies on fabric to create the constricting pressure. In MMA, without the gi, fighters must rely on alternative grips, often using their own sleeve or bare hands, making the setup and execution significantly more challenging and less common. It requires precise timing and a deep understanding of leverage against a resisting, often sweaty, opponent.
While the Ezekiel choke has a patron saint in the MMA heavyweight division – the veteran Aleksei Oleinik, known for applying it with surprising regularity from various positions – its appearance, especially in the faster-paced, lower weight classes like Bantamweight, remains exceptionally rare. It seems nobody informed Mr. Batchelor of this statistical anomaly, to the delight of submission enthusiasts who appreciate technical grappling ingenuity on display.
Levi Batchelor`s finish against Fahdi Khaled serves as a potent reminder that even in the seemingly established meta of MMA grappling, there`s still room for the unexpected, showcasing high-level technical skill and adaptability under pressure. A truly noteworthy submission for the highlight reels.
Adrian Whitmore