UFC 2026 Half-Year Awards: Top Submissions From January to June

The UFC logged 44 submission finishes across the first six months of 2026, reversing a two-year slide in both volume and variety, according to UFC.com's half-year awards. Thirteen different holds appeared on the canvas between January and June, with rear-naked chokes leading the count but twisters, arm-triangles, and at least one capsule lock making the highlight reel.

Murtazali Magomedov claimed the top spot with a twister over Melsik Baghdasaryan just 71 seconds into his promotional debut. Baghdasaryan pressed early and prompted a grappling exchange, but after Magomedov secured back control and a body triangle, the Armenian turned inward and walked straight into the twister. UFC.com noted Magomedov cleared Baghdasaryan's right arm before the rotation, setting up the torque. The finish put Magomedov alongside Chan Sung Jung, Bryce Mitchell, and Da'Mon Blackshear as the only fighters to land a twister inside the Octagon.

Amosov and Bautista deliver statement wins

Former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov followed his late-2025 submission of Neil Magny with a first-round arm-triangle choke of Joel Alvarez at UFC 329. Amosov controlled the opening frame on the mat, then answered Alvarez's second-round aggression with a slam takedown and an instant choke. The welterweight division remains deep, but Amosov is now a factor in any conversation about contenders, per the report.

Mario Bautista rebounded from a loss to Umar Nurmagomedov with a second-round rear-naked choke of Vinicius Oliveira in his first main-event slot. Bautista controlled distance for two rounds, worked to a mounted crucifix late in the second, attacked a kimura, then climbed onto Oliveira's back as the Brazilian stood to defend. UFC.com called the sequence as slick as any finish expected this year.

Alice Ardelean landed the promotion's first capsule lock, trapping Polyana Viana's leg inside guard in the second round and torquing backward for the tap. The submission earned Ardelean May's Submission of the Month honors and extended her winning streak to three. Christian Rodriguez rounded out the top five with a guillotine choke over Hyder Amil, according to the awards list. The full rankings and fight clips are available on UFC.com ahead of the second-half schedule.

Source: ufc.com