Sherdog’s Top 10Sherdog’s Top 10: Bellator MMA Submissions
No. 1
Bellator 5
May 1, 2009 | Dayton, Ohio
It can only be described as jaw-dropping.
Imada choked Masvidal unconscious with a standing inverted triangle in the third round of their Season 1 lightweight tournament semifinal at Hara Arena. “Gamebred” was ahead on the scorecards heading to Round 3 and appeared ticketed for a tournament final against Eddie Alvarez. Imada had other plans.
A wrestling exchange saw Masvidal attempt to slam the journeyman. However, he failed to control Imada’s legs while attempting to stand, allowing him to move to an upside-down rear waist lock. Imada also snaked his legs into a figure four around the American Top Team’s stalwart’s neck. Masvidal showed no real signs of distress -- until he toppled over unconscious, his face having turned a grotesque shade of purple due to lack of blood flow.
“That move was taught to me when I was 15, when I was still training in judo,” Imada said. “It just happened that I was able to lock Jorge up with it while I was still on the feet. I’ve been able to finish bigger, better guys with that in the room. It wasn’t anything that I thought about; it was all instinct. It’s like riding a bike.”
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