Darce Choke: The Ultimate No-Gi & MMA Guide
By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts | Last Updated: February 1, 2026
The Darce Choke (or Brabo Choke) is one of the most devastating submissions in modern grappling.
Popularized by Joe D’Arce and later refined by the Ruotolo Brothers and Tony Ferguson in the UFC, this choke is a nightmare for opponents who leave their underhook exposed. It works by cutting off the blood flow on both sides of the neck using your arm and the opponent’s own shoulder.
In this guide, we break down the mechanics, setups, and finishes for the Darce Choke.
Table of Contents
What is the Darce Choke?
The Darce Choke is an arm-triangle variation where you thread your arm under the opponent’s armpit and across their neck.
- The Thread: Your choking arm shoots from the armpit to the neck (Under-to-Over).
- The Lock: You lock a Figure-Four grip (Rear Naked Choke grip) on your own bicep.
- The Pressure: You drop your weight onto their head to crunch their chin to their chest, cutting off the carotid arteries.
As Evolve MMA explains, the mechanics are similar to an arm triangle, but the entry is versatile enough to hit from Top, Bottom, or Standing.
Darce vs. Anaconda: What’s the Difference?
Beginners often confuse these two. Here is the easiest way to remember:
- Darce: You thread Under the armpit and Over the neck. (Think “D” for “Down-to-Up”).
- Anaconda: You thread Over the neck and Under the armpit.
Top 3 Darce Entries
You can find the Darce anywhere, but these are the highest percentage setups.
1. From the Sprawl (Turtle)
When an opponent shoots for a takedown and you sprawl:
- The Overhook: As they turtle, thread your arm under their near armpit.
- The Shoot: Shoot your hand all the way through until it touches their neck on the far side.
- The Roll: Lock your hands and roll them onto their side to finish.
2. From Half Guard Top
If the opponent gets an underhook from the bottom:
- Action: Whizzer their arm (overhook it).
- The Dive: Dive your whizzer arm deep under their armpit and lock the choke. Drop your chest heavy to flatten them.
3. The “Marce” Finish (Vice Grip)
Sometimes, you can’t roll them.
- Action: Instead of rolling, walk your legs toward their hips and squeeze your elbows together. This is often called the “Marce” variation (named after Marc Laimon) because it uses pure leverage without the roll.
Famous Darce Choke Competitors
If you want to master this move, study these athletes:
- Kade & Tye Ruotolo: They have revolutionized the “Standing Darce” in No-Gi grappling.
- Tony Ferguson: Used the Darce to wreak havoc in the UFC lightweight division.
- Jeff Glover: Known for hitting the “Darce Knight” from wild scrambles.
Troubleshooting: Why It’s Not Working
Mistake #1: Too Shallow
If your hand isn’t deep enough, you won’t reach your bicep.
The Fix: Use your non-choking hand to push their head down (Japanese Necktie grip) to feed your choking arm deeper.
Mistake #2: Opponent is Flat
If they are flat on their belly, it is hard to finish.
The Fix: You must force them to their side. Use your legs to hook their legs and tip them over.
Mistake #3: Short Arms
“I have short arms, can I do the Darce?”
The Fix: Yes! Instead of the full bicep grip, use a Gable Grip (palm-to-palm) and drop your elbow high. It works just as well.
Conclusion
The Darce Choke is the ultimate punishment for a lazy underhook. It is a submission that is always there, waiting for the opponent to make a mistake.
Start hunting for it from the top Turtle position. Once you feel the lock, it’s game over.