Despite being not even one full month into the new year yet, 2018 has already provided us with some excellent fights, knockouts, and submissions in the world of MMA.

Let’s start with the submissions.

This month we saw everything from the simplistic rear naked chokes all the way to keylocks and calf-slicers. We saw fighters like Darren Elkins get arguably the biggest win of their career via choke, and we saw rising prospects like Rasul Shovhalov pull off an incredibly slick triangle-armbar out of nowhere.

MMASucka’s Submission of the Month for January 2018: Makhazhiev forces Lapilus to tap with a nasty calf-slicer

However, neither of those earned the nod this month.

At ACB 78 in Grozny, Russia, M-1 and ACB veteran Abdul-Rakhman Makhazhiev took on former BAMMA title-holder; Damien Lapilus.

Despite Makhazhiev having some nice submissions wins on his resume, early on in the fight it appeared to be a bit of a striker vs. grappler match-up, with Lapilus playing the role of grappler.

Makhazhiev was throwing heavy shots on the feet when not being held against the fence by the Frenchman. Following a Lapilus takedown, Makhazhiev began to work from guard, throwing up his legs looking for an arm or potential choke.

As Makhazhiev began to do so, Lapilus smartly stood up and forced the Russian to follow. Lapilus flew in with a flying-knee and held a brief clinch against the fence before being tossed to the mat by Makhazhiev.

Makhazhiev began to take over with excellent control and, eventually, Lapilus gave up his back and allowed the Russian the secure a side back control. Makhazhiev began to attack with a calf-slicer almost immediately, as Frank Mir called on commentary.

It’s a rare submission, and it’s a thing of beauty everytime we see it. This time was no different.

https://youtu.be/4RQNNt8Uo78?t=197

The first month of the new year featured some great submissions. Check out our honorable mentions below!

• ACB 78 | Adlan Mamaev def. Alberd Zhapuev via SUB3 (Anaconda Choke) 
• Invicta FC 27 | Vanessa Porto def. Mariana Morais via SUB1 (Rear Naked Choke)
• UFC FN 124 | Kyung Ho Kang def. Guido Canneti via SUB1 (Triangle Choke) 
• UFC FN 124 | Darren Elkins def. Michael Johnson via SUB2 (Rear Naked Choke)
• Shamrock FC 301 | Adam Cella def. Coltin Cole via SUB1 (Standing Guillotine)
• BFL 53 | David Perron def. Curtis Harriot via SUB4 (Heel Hook) 
• LFA 31 | Jordan Winski def. Mike Hamel via SUB1 (Armbar) 
• ONE: Kings of Courage | Sunoto Peringkat def. Rin Saroth via SUB2 (Keylock Armlock) 
• ONE: Global Superheroes | Rafael Nunes def. Eric Kelly via SUB2 (Brabo Choke)
• ONE: Kings of Courage | Joshua Pacio def. Ming Qiang Lin via SUB1 (Rear Naked Choke)
• ACB 79 | Rasul Shovhalov def. Clecio Oliviera via SUB1 (Triangle-Armbar)  
• LFA 32 | Carlo Prater def. Eric Scallan via SUB3 (Arm Triangle)
• Shooto Japan | Ren Takano def. Koichiro Kandai via SUB1 (Front Choke)
• Cage Titans 37 | Dan Cormier def. Michael Whaley via SUB1 (Flying Triangle Choke)
• GLADIATOR 005 | Toshio Mitani def. Shunji Kimura via SUB1 (Brabo Choke)
• Shooto Brasil | Davi Pigmeu def. Leo Speed via SUB1 (Armbar) 

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