Most people who are into BJJ like submissions, but who is actually getting the boost submissions? I looked at most of the top Nogi grapplers in 2022 and crunched the number on them to find who was the best submission artist of 2022.
Let's talk about the methodology before we get into the list. I only included Nogi grappler and their nogi matches, so any gi matches, Combat jujitsu, mma, etc don't count. I also included losses in the total amount, so if they lost a match that goes against their percentage. Another factor was the number of submissions. I only included people with at least 5 submissions onto the list. Finally, I don't know everyone or have time to go through everything. I checked most of the big names, but I'm sure some people slipped through the cracks. I got the stats from https://www.bjjheroes.com/ so hopefully everything is correct.
10. Kieran Kichuk
(13/22) 59%
Kieran is a relatively new name, but he is very exciting. He is just starting to get matches in nogi pro events and I recommend you check him out if you haven't already. His specialty is reverse de la riva and he is an expert in the false reap. He is mainly a leg locker, but of course he is also good at all aspects of jujitsu. Check out his matches if you want to see how a pro uses the false reap and other interesting entries into heelhooks.
9. Dante Leon
(11/18) 61.1%
Last year Dante became the IBJJF Nogi world champion and a ADCC Bronze medalist last year. Dante is good all around and uses a wide variety of submissions. He is very good at taking the back and uses that to score the RNC, but he can also hit other techniques such as armbars, yoko sankaku jime, etc. From his back he often uses RDLR, so if you're interested in that check him out.
8. Vagner Rocha
(13/21) 61.9%
To be honest Vagner isn't who I think of when it comes to submissions, but in 2022 he did very well on that front. He was very active and most of his matches ended in submission. His main submission is his RNC, but in 2022 he expanded his repertoire a bit and his several leg locks. He has a top heavy grinding style. so check him out if you're into that.
7. William Tackett
(5/8) 62.5%
William was a bit less active in 2022 as compared to before, but he was still able to make this list with 5 submissions. William is really quite versatile when it comes to submission and last year he hit an ushiro sakaku jime, yokosakaku jime, an outside heelhook and 2 RNCs. He can attack from anywhere and is good all around. William's matches are usually action packed and exciting, so check out some of his matches from last year.
6. Roberto Jimenez
(8/12) 66.6%
Roberto is known for his action packed exciting matches and 2022 is no exception. Although Roberto hit some triangles last year, what we mainly saw from him were RNCs. Roberto is a master at taking and finishing from the back. If you want to see action packed matches with scrambles, passes, and backtakes, check out Roberto's 2022 run.
5. Gordon Ryan
(6/9) 66.6%
There isn't much I can say about Gordon that hasn't been said already. He didn't have too many matches this year, but his run at ADCC was legendary. Gordon is someone else that has shown they are good in all positions. Last year he had quite a few RNCs which was expected, but I don't think many people were expecting the return on the outside heelhook, which he hit twice at ADCC. Needless to say Gordon is someone to you can learn from in almost any position.
4. Deigo "Pato" Oliveira
(11/16) 68.7%
Pato did very well for himself last year and managed to come in 3rd at ADCC. He has always been very good, but it seems like last year he incorporated more leg locks into his game and that pushed him to the next level. He showed a suprising variety in leg locks last year with not only heelhooks, but also a z-lock, an estima lock, and lateral kneebars. Pato is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous leg lockers is the world.
3. Alex Nguyen
(14/20) 70%
2022 was a break out year for Alex where she won Nogi pans and Nogi worlds. Her most common submission was the RNC, but she has some armlocks and leg locks mixed in as well. Not only was her submission percentage very high, but she was also very active with 20 matches in total. Alex is good everywhere, but she is especially good and passing to the back. With a 70% submission rate you'll definitely find her matches entertaining.
2. Kade Ruotolo
(5/7) 71.4%
There isn't much to say about Kade that hasn't been said already. Previously some would have said he was stuck in the shadow of his brother, but in 2022 he was able to become the youngest ADCC champion of all time. Not only that, but he did it with all submissions. Of course he is know for his darce, but this year he was hitting a lot of heelhooks. He is dangerous from everywhere. I can't even remember the last time I saw a bad Kade Ruotolo match. If you haven't watched all his matches already, shame on you.
1. Elizabeth Clay
(12/16) 75%
Liz is an amazing athlete who always goes for the submission. You might be surprised to see her at the top of this list, but if you watched her matches you wouldn't be. She is relentless and has a wide variety of submissions. She is mainly a guard player, but can of course submit you from anywhere. I believe her to be the best female leglocker right now and maybe of all time. She was able to hit inside heelhooks, outside heelhooks, armbars, estima locks, and even a gogoplata all in a year. In 2022 she was able to achieve double gold at Nogi pans and Nogi worlds on top of a number of wins in superfights. Not only did she have lots of match, she had lots of submissions, with lots of variety. The Queen of submissions for 2022 is Elizabeth Clay.
Gordon is 7/9
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