Birth Of A Signature Submission: The First Estima Lock & Braulio Triangle

Braulio Estima is known for his signature foot lock and specialty triangle, but did you know both were born on the same day - in back to back matches?

Jun 19, 2023 by Joe Gilpin

Birth Of A Signature Submission: The First Estima Lock & Braulio Triangle

Braulio Estima is one of the most creative black belt champions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu history, winning titles in gi and no-gi, and he is remembered for his two signature submissions are the Estima Lock and the Braulio triangle. These powerful submission variations helped cement Estima as a unique grappling mind, proving both moves as effective on the elite level. Despite being so associated with these techniques that they are branded with his name, what often gets forgotten is that Braulio only hit each of these moves once - and he did it back to back to win an ADCC World Championship.

In the 2009 ADCC Worlds in Barcelona, Braulio Estima entered as one of the favorites for the gold at 88kg after a 2007 silver medal finish at -99kg. Known for a technical open guard and a strong front triangle, Estima managed to bring his creative grappling energy to the mats and it got results. Entering into the semifinals, Braulio faced Rafael Lovato, Jr. and made history with his win.

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After an early lumberjack sweep from Braulio to secure top position, Rafael chose to work from half guard. As he brought his top foot in front to frame with both legs, Braulio snatched up the limb and fell back, using his chest to fold the foot as he drove in with his hips. Lovato tapped and the Estima lock was born, a foot lock that is so devastating that IBJJF competition won't allow it until brown belt. The technique has earned a reputation for being a brutal, all-or-nothing move that can result in a serious injury fast.

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In the finals, Braulio took on Andre Galvao, one of the best ADCC competitors of all-time. After an innovative win in the semifinals, Estima struck gold again as he found a variation of his deadly triangle choke - now known as the Braulio triangle or inverted triangle. As Andre passed, Braulio threw his legs up from bottom side control and trapped Andre's head and shoulder, before cinching in the strangle by finding a better angle to lock up.

With the inverted 'Braulio' triangle, the head is behind the attacker similar to the side triangle that is so popular in judo. Unlike the side triangle, though, the knee is over one shoulder and the lock is made over the other shoulder - leaving your hips further away and making the angle even more important to the finish than in other variations. In seconds, Andre was tapping before nearly passing out in the hold - and Braulio was the ADCC World Champion at 88kg.

With back-to-back innovative submissions to win ADCC, Braulio may have authored the best creative run to gold ever. The Estima lock and Braulio triangle, as they would come to be known, not only worked but they worked against world class competition and they brought serious results. Lovato's leg was in serious pain after the match and Andre had nearly lost consciousness, signs that each move was a truly devastating finish.

Grapplers around the world took notice and began to imitate Braulio, and he has inspired the next generations to evolve their games with these moves in mind. We can see tons of examples of grapplers using them in modern competitions, and each one can be tied back to that day in Barcelona.