Brabo
Choke
The D’Arce’s compact cousin. Thread under the armpit, grab your bicep, and squeeze from a tighter position.
Shorter Arm.
Tighter Choke.
The Brabo is a compact D’Arce. Instead of reaching all the way behind their head, you grab your own bicep and use your other arm to close the choke. Perfect for shorter arms.
Thread The Armpit
Your arm goes UNDER their near armpit, just like a D’Arce. Wrap around their neck. The arm traps their shoulder against their neck.
Grab Your Bicep
The hand that comes through grabs your OTHER arm’s bicep. This is the key difference from D’Arce—shorter, more compact grip.
Close With Head Arm
Your other arm goes behind their head. The bicep being gripped creates the back of the choke. Squeeze everything together.
3 Setups.
Same Grip.
The Brabo appears when you’re passing or in side control. The compact grip makes it accessible from more angles.
Half Guard
Pass Brabo
As you pass half guard, their underhook creates the opening. Thread under the armpit as you pass, lock the Brabo, finish from side control.
Side Control
Brabo
From side control, they frame or try to turn away. Use their movement to thread the arm. The Brabo catches them mid-escape.
D’Arce To
Brabo Switch
D’Arce isn’t deep enough? Switch to Brabo. Grab your bicep instead of completing the figure-four. The shorter grip often saves the choke.
The
Bicep
Grip
The Brabo grip is what makes this choke work for shorter arms. You don’t need to reach all the way around—just grab your own bicep.
-
Thread Under Armpit
Arm goes under their NEAR armpit, wraps around the neck. Same entry as D’Arce.
-
Grab Your Own Bicep
The threading hand grabs your OTHER arm’s bicep. Not behind their head—grab the bicep.
-
Head Arm Closes
Other hand goes behind their head. Your bicep + their trapped arm + head arm = complete choke.
3 Mistakes
That Kill Your Brabo
Shallow Arm Thread
If your arm doesn’t go deep enough under their armpit, there’s no choke. Thread until your elbow is past their shoulder line.
Wrong Arm Behind Head
The arm behind their head is what closes the choke. If you skip this or position it wrong, they slip out. Lock it in tight.
No Shoulder Pressure
Your chest needs to drive into their trapped shoulder. The shoulder pressing their neck is half the choke. Don’t just squeeze arms—drive the shoulder.
4 Entry
Windows
The Brabo appears when they give you the underhook or try to turn away. Recognize these moments.
Half Guard Pass
They underhook during your pass. Thread the arm as you clear the leg.
Turtle Breakdown
They turtle up. You’re beside them. Thread under as they protect their neck.
Side Control Escape
They turn into you from bottom side control. The Brabo catches them mid-escape.
Failed D’Arce
D’Arce won’t lock? Shorter arms? Switch to Brabo grip and finish.
Related Techniques
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