This was certainly an unusual sight in the world of mixed martial arts.
At PFL Europe 2, held in Brussels, Belgium, on Saturday, an exceptionally rare submission unfolded on the undercard. During his bout, Levi Batchelor defeated Fahdi Khaled by securing an Ezekiel choke.
The Ezekiel choke is a common technique in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition, but it`s a rarity in MMA due to the absence of the gi, which provides crucial grip points. However, it`s not entirely unheard of in the sport; the heavyweight Aleksei Oleinik notably finished 14 opponents using this very choke throughout his career, making it somewhat of a signature move for him. Still, seeing it applied effectively, especially in a lower weight class bout like this bantamweight clash, is highly uncommon. But that didn`t deter Batchelor.
As their fight was nearing its conclusion, Batchelor had Fahdi Khaled in a dominant side control position, initially threatening an arm-triangle choke. When Khaled successfully defended the initial attack, Batchelor skillfully transitioned to the Ezekiel choke. He locked in the submission tightly and applied significant pressure. A brief moment of confusion arose when Khaled appeared to tap, but also potentially striking Batchelor simultaneously, leading Batchelor to momentarily release the hold. Fortunately, there was no lingering controversy regarding the outcome, as when Batchelor rose to celebrate, it was immediately clear that Khaled had been rendered unconscious by the choke.
Murray Blackwood