MMA fans tuning into PFL Europe 2 in Brussels recently witnessed a sight as rare as a perfectly executed spinning heel kick knockout – a successful Ezekiel choke. On a night filled with various grappling exchanges and striking battles, the undercard bout between Levi Batchelor and Fahdi Khaled in the bantamweight division delivered a finish that had commentators and fans alike noting its extreme rarity.
The Ezekiel choke, a staple of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is notoriously difficult to apply effectively in mixed martial arts due to fighters typically not wearing the traditional gi (uniform). While not entirely unheard of in the professional ranks – heavyweight veteran Aleksei Oleinik built a significant portion of his career on this very technique, racking up numerous finishes with it – seeing it successfully implemented, especially in the fast-paced, less-grapple-dominant landscape of the lower weight classes, is a genuine rarity.
Operating from a dominant side control position, Batchelor initially threatened a more common submission, the arm-triangle choke. However, as Khaled defended effectively, Batchelor demonstrated high-level grappling intelligence and adaptability. Recognizing the opening (or perhaps just the potential for a very uncomfortable squeeze), he transitioned smoothly to the Ezekiel choke. This typically involves using one hand to grab your own sleeve/wrist while the forearm of the same arm pressures the opponent`s neck, with the other hand assisting. In MMA, without a gi, fighters adapt by using their own wrist or even just forearm pressure against the carotid artery, often leveraging the opponent`s clothing (rashguard, shorts) for a modicum of grip.
As Batchelor cinched the submission, utilizing the available fabric and raw pressure, a brief moment of confusion ensued. Khaled appeared to make some desperate motions – perhaps an attempt to tap, or perhaps a last-ditch, flailing effort to escape or punch. Batchelor momentarily released the hold. However, the outcome was immediately undeniable: Fahdi Khaled was already unconscious, having gone “to sleep” from the sudden deprivation of blood flow to the brain. The referee recognized the state of the fighter and waved off the bout without controversy.
Batchelor`s victory by this ultra-rare Ezekiel choke stands out as a truly unique highlight from PFL Europe 2. It serves as a potent reminder that the deep well of grappling techniques from arts like BJJ can still produce unexpected and spectacular results, even in the modern MMA arena where striking often dominates highlights. It wasn`t flashy kicks or devastating punches that sealed the deal; it was pure, old-school choke artistry, adapted for the cage, resulting in a memorable finish that won`t soon be forgotten.
