This Brazilian mixed martial artist competes primarily in the bantamweight/featherweight divisions in promotions and fights out of X-Gym, building a reputation as a finisher, especially on the ground.
Throughout his professional career, Nascimento has shown a clear preference for finishing fights with submissions, which accounts for the majority of his wins. His ability to combine wrestling with MMA striking and grappling has made him a threat once the fight comes to the mat.
🥋 Submission wins: Breakdown of his finishing moves
Rafael’s record highlights a variety of submission types, ranging from classic chokes to more rare leg entanglements.
1. Naked Rear Choke (RNC)
This is perhaps the most common and effective entry in Nascimento’s arsenal. He has repeatedly secured rear naked chokes to end fights – often after taking an opponent’s back after a scramble or grappling. His multiple RNC wins showcase his skill in back control and choke mechanics.
📌 Main strength: tight control from the back, s
seamless transition to the finish.
2. Arm bar
Nascimento has used the arm bar to great effect, demonstrating his ability to isolate an opponent’s limbs once he has established an advantageous position. This submission reflects his technical wrestling ability and timing under pressure.
3. Calf cutter
One of the signature highlights of his career was a calf cutter submission, a relatively rare finish in MMA. This move involves grabbing the opponent’s leg and pressing the calf against the shin or knee, forcing a tap due to pain and pressure. Nascimento’s use of this technique shows creativity and versatility in his submission game.
4. Ninja Choke / Other unique finishes
More recently, he scored a ninja choke – another less common but highly effective submission – which highlighted his evolving wrestling skills and willingness to employ different techniques during a fight.
🧠 What makes his submission game effective?
Nascimento’s submission game stands out for a few key reasons:
Position Control: Whether he’s scrambling or securing a top position, he consistently transitions into dominant spots (such as back control or mount) that define his entries.
Variety: While rear naked chokes are his bread and butter, he has also shown a hunger for unique submissions (veal slicers and ninja chokes, for example) that catch opponents off guard.
Aggressive Mentality: With a high finishing percentage, he tries to end fights early instead of relying on the judges’ decisions.
🔥 Career snapshot
Submission Wins: The majority of his wins come via submission, including rear naked chokes, armbar, calf chop, and ninja choke.
Balanced Fighter: While submissions define his finishing ability, he also has punching power (as evidenced by his lone KO/TKO win) and cardio for longer fights.
Rafael do Nascimento’s submission skills make him one of the most exciting wrestling-focused finishers in regional MMA – combining traditional jiu-jitsu techniques with MMA strategy to keep opponents guessing and fans entertained.
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