Top 10 Global Submissions of 2014

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Paul Redmond vs. Alexis Savvidis
Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 70
Aug. 16 | Dublin, Ireland
Chris Nelson: The past year was a big one for MMA in Ireland, as the country’s interest in the sport boomed alongside breakthrough star Conor McGregor’s rise in the UFC. But while McGregor was making waves for his striking stoppages, fellow Dubliner Paul Redmond was recording one of 2014’s slickest submissions. Faced with a whirling, hyperactive opponent in Greece’s Alexis Savvidis, Redmond was patient in setting up his finish. He got a chance at a leglock late in the opening round, but the horn sounded before Redmond could put Savvidis’ leg in any significant danger. But, Redmong stayed at it.

His opportunity came less than a minute into round two. Redmond lay prone from a slip with his opponent standing over him, the Irishman slyly hooked his right foot around Savvidis’ left ankle before grabbing hold with his hand. Savvidis unwisely leapt atop Redmond, seeking to set up a leglock of his own; within seconds, Redmond was belly-down on Savvidis’ limb, torquing the ankle with all his might. Savvidis gave up on his submission attempt, grimaced in pain and tapped out, giving “Redser” his third victory by way of toe hold.

James Goyder: While this is Paul Redmond's moment in the sun, you can't overlook how Savvidis' own offense helped set it up. In just over six minutes, Savvidis attempted an audacious flying armbar, a flying triangle attempt, a flying knee and finally a rolling toehold. The latter move proved to be a serious error of judgement on behalf of the Greek fighter, as Redmond instantly secured a footlock of his own. Redmond had won two previous fights by the same submission, but Savvidis failed to heed this warning signs and instigated a footlock competition which he lost emphatically. While Savvidis was still working out exactly what to do with his opponent’s foot, the Irishman was already cranking on his toes for a submission which brought first a grimace, then the tap. Consider it a lesson in doing your homework on your opponent.

Jordan Breen: Cage Warriors has along promoted tons of Europe's top talent to the big show, and in the best way possible. They're also streaming all over the web and on cable, so they're incredibly accessible. You don't need a reason to watch the promotion other than that, but if you did, it's a promotion where you still get a wacky amount of leg lock battles and leglock finishes. You just don't see it that often, and it's awesome.

Obviously, there's tangible reasons. A lot of western European grapplers, even if they're BJJ guys, end up influenced by catch wrestling on the whole. Plus, a good amount of Baltic and Eastern European fighters, who also emphasize leglocks. In this case, we've got an Irishman and a Greek, but the European grappling flavor remains the same and so we get rewarded with not just a couple good rounds of footsies, but a damn good toe hold finish for Paul Redmond, who is emerging as a darn fun watch on the regional scene, largely due to his leglocking prowess.

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