How to Escape a Triangle Choke in Mixed Martial Arts

The triangle choke is one of the most dangerous techniques in mixed martial arts. If an opponent traps your head and one arm inside a figure 4 lock with his legs, your oxygen supply will be cut off and you will pass out in a matter of seconds. There is a way to escape from a triangle choke, but it must be done the moment you are placed in a triangle hold. If you wait too long you will lack the air and strength to get away.

Instructions

1. Sink your hips down and away from your opponent. Most triangle chokes are performed by an attacker on his back and a victim on his knees. Sinking your hips down and away reduces your opponent's leg strength. The closer you are to the opponent's body, the tighter the triangle choke. Do this quickly. You don't have long to perform the escape.

2. Turn your head toward your trapped arm. This will take some pressure off of your larynx and may allow you to take a breath or two. Don't count on this position keeping you conscious for long, but it moves you in the right direction. This is something you must do as a part of one fluid motion in the escape. Do not move your head and pause.

3. Raise yourself up on the foot closer to your opponent's bent leg. Prop yourself up just knee high. Don't go any higher. It will look like you are standing on one foot and one knee.

4. Kick your other leg under your bent knee. Shoot it though the gap and straighten it with force. This motion is known as a "sit out." It transitions you from a kneeling position into a sitting position. It will also break the triangle choke around your head and arm. Since you must "out muscle" your opponent's legs, you must kick through with a sudden and forceful motion. Use the power of your entire body to twist out of the triangle choke.

5. Immediately flip your body over. When you break your opponent's triangle choke you will be sitting down with your back to him. This is a vulnerable position. Flipping over puts you face to face with you on top in side control.