Ezekiel Choke: The Sneaky Submission from Anywhere

Ezekiel Choke: The Sneaky Submission from Anywhere

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts specializing in versatile choke systems | Last Updated: January 12, 2026

The Ezekiel Choke (sode guruma jime in Judo) is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most versatile and underrated blood choke—the only submission you can apply from mount, side control, half guard, and even from inside your opponent’s closed guard. Named after Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Paraguassú, this choke uses one arm behind your opponent’s head and your sleeve (or wrist in no-gi) to compress the carotid arteries, creating a submission that catches opponents completely off-guard.​

According to Evolve MMA’s Ezekiel guide, the Ezekiel choke is a technique that can be applied from many positions, top pins, and even from the bottom. The usage of gi sleeve makes it easier for people who do gi BJJ as it is used as a rope to make the choke tight. However, this move has been adapted for no-gi grappling as well. An easy way of visualizing the no-gi Ezekiel is to do a rear naked choke while facing your opponent.​

Elite Sports emphasizes that in the sport of BJJ, Ezekiel Choke is considered to be the easiest choke of all. It is the most effective tool in the BJJ arsenal, but unfortunately, it is an underrated submission method. The execution of this submission method is very easy and it has the highest percentage.​

After coaching hundreds of students and using Ezekiel in gi and no-gi competition, I’ve found it’s the opportunistic choke—appearing when opponents feel safe, especially from positions where they don’t expect submissions. The Ezekiel proves that versatility and surprise often beat perfect position.

Whether you’re a white belt learning fundamental chokes or a brown belt refining sneaky attacks, mastering Ezekiel mechanics gives you the submission that works from more positions than any other choke in BJJ.

What Is the Ezekiel Choke?

The Ezekiel choke is a blood choke where you wrap one arm around the back of your opponent’s head while using your other hand (gripping your sleeve in gi or wrist in no-gi) to compress their neck from the front.​

Core Ezekiel Components:

• One arm wraps behind opponent’s head
• Other hand grips your own sleeve (gi) or wrist (no-gi)
• Blade of wrist/forearm against front of neck
• Compresses carotid arteries
• Works from mount, side control, guard, half guard
• Can be applied from top OR bottom
• Blood choke (not air choke)
• Gi and no-gi applications

Elite Sports explains: The blade of the arm will restrict the blood by the pressure over the arteries. Maintain the pressure and keep the same placement until the opponent submits a tap.​

Understanding what is guard in BJJ helps you see why Ezekiel is so valuable—you can even attack it when stuck inside someone’s guard.

The Ezekiel Choke History

Ezequiel Paraguassú’s Innovation

Evolve MMA describes: Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Paraguassu is one of the proponents of the choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.​

Historical Timeline:

• Origin: Judo technique “sode guruma jime” (sleeve wheel constriction)
• 1988: Ezequiel training for Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
• Problem: Couldn’t pass closed guards of BJJ training partners
• Solution: Started attacking necks from inside guard
• Success: Absolutely annihilated everyone with choke
• Legacy: Taught technique throughout Rio de Janeiro
• Named After Him: “Ezekiel choke” became standard terminology

Elite Sports notes: Later it was named the Ezekiel after the fighter named Ezequiel Paraguassu who was the juduka player. Paraguassu was associated with Carlson Gracie’s academy, he found difficulty in the execution of the jiu-jitsu techniques, so he used the method of Sode guruma jime to pass the guard in BJJ.​

Aleksei Oleinik’s MMA Dominance

Evolve MMA highlights: UFC fighter Alexey Oleynik is known for using the Ezekiel choke in high-level MMA bouts. He has finished opponents with the said choke in the UFC, and has fourteen submission wins via the Ezekiel choke overall.​

Oleinik’s Record:

• 14 total Ezekiel choke submissions
• Multiple UFC finishes
• Tapped opponents from TOP mount
• Even tapped opponents while stuck IN mount!
• Modified no-gi version for MMA

Elite Sports explains modification: Instead of holding the lapel of the opponent the fighter needs to make a hook of its arm, and the grip is made by holding the wrist.​

Executing the Perfect Ezekiel

From Mount Position

Elite Sports teaches top mount: Ezekiel choke can be applied from the top position when the fighter is sitting in the dominant position.​

Mount Setup:

1. Establish Mount

• Secure mount position
• Knees on both sides of opponent
• Control their movement
• Restrict leg escape

2. Thread First Arm

• Slide one arm around back of their head
• Hand reaches to opposite side
• Secure deep position

3. Grip Your Sleeve/Wrist

• Gi: Four fingers inside your own sleeve, thumb out
• No-Gi: Grip your own wrist with other hand
• Creates choking leverage

4. Position Blade of Wrist

• Blade of wrist against front of neck
• Not grabbing their gi
• Your own sleeve/wrist creates pressure

5. Finish the Choke

• Move forward
• Drive weight down
• Pull with arm behind head
• Push with blade of wrist
• Compress carotids
• Opponent taps

BJJ Fanatics notes: This can be an extremely brutal choke, as not only can it surprise an opponent, but it is a choke that an athlete can set up quickly, and finish quickly.

​

From Inside Closed Guard (Most Unique!)

BJJ Fanatics emphasizes: The best time to set up an ezekiel choke is from the guard position, because the athlete can use their guard to trap their opponent, making it extremely hard to escape from the choke.​

Inside Guard Setup:

1. Control Posture

• You’re inside opponent’s closed guard
• They control you with guard
• Hard to pass
• Ezekiel becomes available!

2. Thread Arm Behind Head

• One arm wraps behind their head
• Even if they have good posture
• Grip your sleeve/wrist

3. Apply Blade to Neck

• Other hand’s blade against their neck
• Choke doesn’t need to go under chin!
• Can attack even with chin down

4. Finish from Guard

• Pull with arm behind head
• Push with blade of wrist
• Use their guard against them
• They can’t escape (trapped by own guard!)

BJJ Fanatics notes key advantage: Setting up an ezekiel can be a great solution, as the choke does not have to go under the chin for it to be effective. Athletes can begin pummelling for a choke, as they sneakily grab their wrist, and pull back hard into their opponent’s neck region.

​

From Side Control

Elite Sports describes: The fighter can reach the opponent from the side to target the neck.​

Side Control Application:

1. Establish Side Control

• Standard side control position
• Chest-to-chest pressure
• Control their torso

2. Thread Arm Around Head

• Arm wraps behind their head
• Hand reaches opposite side
• Grip your sleeve/wrist

3. Position and Finish

• Blade of wrist to front of neck
• Pull and push simultaneously
• Compress carotids

From Half Guard (Top)

Elite Sports notes versatility: The fighter can also execute it from the top half guard which is the most terrific method.​

Top Half Guard Setup:

• Control from top half guard
• Thread arm behind head
• Grip sleeve/wrist
• Apply pressure
• Leg trapped helps finish

From Bottom Half Guard (Advanced!)

Reddit highlights bottom half guard Ezekiel: Beautiful. Ironic that finally “escaping” the guard is what moved his body position higher relative to the bottom guy and sunk in the choke.​

Bottom Application:

• You’re on bottom half guard
• Opponent tries escaping
• Their posture moves higher
• Ezekiel becomes available
• Advanced technique

Gi vs. No-Gi Ezekiel

Elite Sports explains difference: Note that there is a difference in the execution of this choking method in the No Gi competitions.​

Gi Version

Mechanics:

• Grip your own sleeve (four fingers in, thumb out)
• Sleeve acts like rope
• Easier to grip
• Tighter choke
• More reliable

No-Gi Version

Reddit discusses no-gi challenges: No Gi Ezekiel is effective when you’re threatening high mount and forcing their hands to get defensive.​

No-Gi Modifications:

• Grip your own wrist instead of sleeve
• Requires more setup
• Must be fast when applying
• “Punch” both hands through simultaneously
• More difficult but still effective

Reddit technique detail: The “punching” fist doesn’t end up against their neck. It goes across the throat and far out the other side. The No Gi Ezekiel end up like a teeny tiny triangle, but instead of legs the three points are your right shoulder/bicep, right forearm and left forearm.

​

Critical Ezekiel Details

Blade Position (Not Grabbing Their Gi!)

Common Mistake:

• Beginners try grabbing opponent’s collar
• That’s different technique
• Ezekiel uses YOUR sleeve/wrist

Correct Technique:

• Blade of YOUR wrist against their neck
• Grip YOUR sleeve/wrist
• Your arm creates pressure

Blood Choke vs. Air Choke

Elite Sports explains mechanism: The blade of the arm will restrict the blood by the pressure over the arteries.​

Proper Target:

• Target carotid arteries (sides of neck)
• Not trachea (front of neck)
• Blood choke more effective
• Faster tap
• Safer technique

Doesn’t Require Under Chin

BJJ Fanatics emphasizes: The choke does not have to go under the chin for it to be effective.​

Key Advantage:

• Can attack even with chin tucked
• Blade against neck works
• Doesn’t need perfect position
• Sneaky application

Common Ezekiel Variations

Arm-In Ezekiel

Elite Sports describes: After taking control over the upper part of the fellow fighter, he needs to place his arm instead of the hand in the front part of the neck.​

Variation:

• Use entire forearm instead of wrist blade
• More crushing pressure
• Different finish
• Highly effective

Rolling Ezekiel from Guard

BJJ Fanatics teaches dynamic finish: The second version involves the athlete to roll over their own shoulder after securing the hold.​

Rolling Finish:

• Secure Ezekiel from inside guard
• Roll over your shoulder
• More dynamic movement
• Tighter choke
• Forces quicker tap

Defending the Ezekiel Choke

Elite Sports warns: The Ezekiel choke is a sneaky choke that can target the opponent from multiple sides.​

Defense Priorities

1. Don’t Lift Your Head

• Elite Sports: If the opponent is in the mount position and has taken control over you don’t lift your head, this is the biggest mistake​
• Lifting head allows arm underneath
• Keep head down
• Deny initial setup

2. Prevent Arm Threading

• Don’t let them get arm behind head
• Hand fight aggressively
• Block the setup early

3. Restrict Movement

• Stop hand from reaching front of neck
• Fight for wrist control
• Don’t allow grip completion

4. Bridge and Trap

• Lift hips upward
• Move to one side
• Remove hand from under chin
• Trap their arm

5. Wrist Lock Counter

• BJJ Fanatics teaches sneaky counter: The athlete quickly uses their other arm to trap over the top of their opponent’s elbow, which will stop them from straightening their arm​
• Bridge and push weight into their wrist
• Forces wrist lock
• They’re not expecting it
• Highly successful

Training Ezekiel by Belt Level

For White Belts: Building Foundations

Start with basics:

Priorities:

• Master from mount first
• Learn proper blade positioning
• Understand gi vs. no-gi differences
• Practice sleeve grip (gi)
• Practice wrist grip (no-gi)

Resources about first BJJ class expectations help beginners understand progression.

For Blue/Purple Belts: Expanding Applications

Develop versatility:

Development:

• Learn from side control
• Practice from half guard
• Study from inside guard (unique!)
• Perfect sneaky applications
• Develop submission chains

Exploring blue belt development goals helps structure integration.

For Brown/Black Belts: Mastery

Perfect opportunistic timing:

Advanced Focus:

• Study Aleksei Oleinik footage
• Master all positions
• Develop invisible setups
• Create fear (prevents closed guard)
• Use as positional tool

Competition Strategy

IBJJF Gi Competition

Underrated weapon:

Strategic Advantages:

• Legal at all belt levels
• Works from many positions
• Catches opponents off-guard
• High percentage when practiced
• Creates passing opportunities

MMA and No-Gi Grappling

Aleksei Oleinik’s Success:

• 14 Ezekiel submissions total
• Multiple UFC finishes
• Works when both fighters tired
• Devastating from mount
• Can finish from bottom!

Integration with Position Game

Evolve MMA notes strategic use: You can use the Ezekiel choke to smother your opponent and force them to react, allowing you to transition to other submissions.​

Positional Tool:

• Threaten Ezekiel to create reactions
• Force guard opening
• Set up other submissions
• Keep offensive pressure
• Stay safe while attacking

The Ezekiel Legacy

From Judo’s sode guruma jime to Ezequiel Paraguassú’s Olympic training innovation and Aleksei Oleinik’s 14 MMA submissions, the Ezekiel choke represents BJJ’s most versatile blood choke. What makes it special is the ability to attack from positions where opponents feel safe—even from inside their own closed guard.

The Ezekiel proves a fundamental grappling truth: the most dangerous attacks often come when opponents least expect them. While they focus on preventing guillotines, triangles, and armbars, the Ezekiel appears from mount, side control, half guard, or even their own closed guard.

Whether you’re smothering from mount, controlling from side control, or attacking from inside guard, the Ezekiel provides the submission that works when others don’t—creating the element of surprise that wins matches.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Ezequiel Paraguassú historical documentation, Aleksei Oleinik MMA footage, Roger Gracie instructional content, and contemporary Ezekiel specialists. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts using Ezekiel in gi and no-gi tournament settings. Historical information verified through Judo sode guruma jime documentation and BJJ integration. Strategic applications based on IBJJF, UFC, and submission grappling analysis (1988-2025).

Sources Referenced:

• Evolve MMA Ezekiel choke guide
• Elite Sports execution mechanics
• BJJ Fanatics technical analysis
• Aleksei Oleinik MMA footage
• Roger Gracie techniques
• Reddit community discussions

Last Updated: January 12, 2026