Submission of the Year 2013: Rose Namajunas’ flying armbar

Just like any other year, there were a ton of great submissions in 2013. This year, I’m simply going to give this award to the one that was always the first to come to mind throughout the year whenever I thought to myself ‘hey, who deserves best sub of the year so far?’

Rose’s flying armbar finish of Kathina Catron at Invicta FC 5 may not have been the most important submission of the year, it wasn’t for any title and it didn’t headline a PPV, but it was certainly was the most pleasing to the eye. Also, who at this level goes for a flying armbar right off the hop, and actually succeeds at it?

2014 is going to be a huge year for the women’s strawweight division. The biggest yet. Watch out for Namajunas to be a dark horse for that UFC strap when TUF 20 finally hits the airwaves next September.

Honorable Mentions: Burkman sleeps Fitch via guillotine (WSOF 3), Carl sleeps Burkman via triangle (WSOF 6), Robertson stops Jardine via Suloev stretch (UFC 157), Rousey armbars Tate, again (UFC 168), Barao finishes McDonald via triangle choke (UFC on Fuel TV 7), Waterson takes Penne’s belt via armbar (Invicta FC 5), Faber guillotines McDonald, RNC’s Jorgensen, and backpack RNC’s Menjivar (UFC on FOX 9, TUF 17 Finale, UFC 157). Rousey armbars Carmouche (UFC 157), Sonnen taps Shogun (UFC on FOX Sports 1:1), Pettis puts another stain on Henderson’s soul (UFC 164)