Penick's Take
PENICK: 2011 Mid-Year MMA Awards - Submission of the Year (So Far)
Jul 8, 2011 - 10:45:02 PM PENICK: 2011 Mid-Year MMA Awards - Submission of the Year (So Far)

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

We've reached the halfway point of 2011, and with six months of MMA action in the rear view, and with a break in major events this month it makes sense to look back at the best of what 2011 has produced in the sport. Throughout the rest of this week, I'll be breaking down my favorite fights and finishes of the year in my 2011 Mid-Year MMA Awards.

2011 Submission of the Year (So Far): Chan Sung Jung's Twister - UFC Fight Night 24 - March 26

Was there any question on this one? "The Korean Zombie" got a chance to get revenge over Garcia for the split decision loss that Garcia handed him in April of 2010 in the WEC, and he did not let the opportunity slip away from him.

The first fight between the two was an all out sloppy brawl, but while that fight lost some prominence upon further viewing, this one proved to be a better fight overall. Featuring a lot more ground work than the first fight, Jung took it to Garcia from the opening bell, out-striking him and out-grappling him in the first round to go ahead.

It was a lot of the same in the second round, with Jung making it clear he was in the lead in the fight. Then, as time was running out in the round, Jung got Garcia's back, and when Garcia got a leg loose, Jung wrapped his legs around Garcia's left thigh, got his arm around Garcia's neck and wrenched it back towards him, contorting Garcia's body and forcing a tap with seconds remaining. Not only was it a vicious submission and visually and physically impressive, but it was the first time the hold had ever been pulled off inside the Octagon.

It was a fantastic return to action after losing two straight in the WEC in 2010, and "The Korean Zombie" earned himself a well-deserved bonus for his efforts.

The Best of the Rest

Marloes Coenen def. Liz Carmouche - Strikeforce "Feijao vs. Henderson" - March 5: This was already on my list of top fights of the year, and this submission finish was a big reason for that. Carmouche took the fight on short notice, but for three rounds she took the fight to the Champion, and appeared well on her way to defeating Coenen by decision. However, Coenen wouldn't let the upset happen, and trapped Carmouche in a triangle choke early in the fourth round and held onto her title belt. WIth the belt on the line, it raised this submission up in importance and stature as well.

Rich Hale def. Nik Fakete - Bellator 38 - March 26: This one just so happened to take place on the same night as Jung's Twister on a much more viewed event, but Rich Hale's inverted triangle in the opening round of Bellator's season four light heavyweight tournament was fantastic and deserves a spot on this list. It's not a submission that is seen very often, yet somehow it's the second time it has happened in Bellator tournament action. It's a crazy move to see pulled off, and anytime it happens it will be regarded as a top submission.

Pablo Garza def. Yves Jabouin - UFC 129 - April 30: Yes, three different triangle choke variations in a row. Garza followed up flying knee knockout win in his UFC debut with a flying triangle choke against Jabouin to kick off the UFC's biggest event ever. Garza used his height and length to pop into the hold, and after a short while of cinching it in tighter, forced Jabouin to tap.

Joe Lauzon def. Curt Warburton - UFC on Versus 4 - June 26: Lauzon absolutely ripped through Curt Warburton at UFC on Versus 4 last month. He knocked Warburton down early with punches, and as he began a ground and pound beating, he snatched the open right arm of his opponent and wrenched it for the kimura. At the same time, he got his legs in position for a triangle choke as a back up and wrenched the hold further. It was as bad as the hold Jeremy Stephens had on Danny Downes at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale last month, but somehow Downes survived the hold, whereas Warburton had nowhere to go, forcing him to tap.

Nick Diaz def. Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos - Strikeforce "Diaz vs. Cyborg" - January 29: There are a lot of excellent submissions that didn't make the cut here, but I had to mention this finish that seems to have already been forgotten because of Diaz's win over Paul Daley in April and his move to the UFC. But Diaz was in trouble in January, with Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos dropping him, hurting his lead leg with kicks and showing off the power he had to shock most for the first nine and a half minutes of the fight. Cyborg attempted to seal the second round with a takedown late, but that proved to be his undoing, as Diaz locked in an armbar at the end of the round and forced Cyborg to tap with just ten seconds left in the round. It was a dramatic and exciting end to the first major Strikeforce card of the year.