As an incredible year of jiu-jitsu and grappling comes to a close, we look back on the most popular articles that appeared on FloGrappling. Click the titles to read the story. 

13. Purple Belt Wins Submission-Only Match With Super Weird Choke

Say the name Vance Barksdale and most grapplers have no idea who you’re talking about. Mention the purple belt who got that weird choke in Fight To Win Pro superfight and most people know exactly who you mean, largely in part thanks to his “bunny choke” going viral.  

12. Yep, Joao Miyao Got His Guard Passed For The First Time In 3 Years At Euros

Stories like this don’t come around very often! A Miyao getting his guard passed? It’s almost unthinkable — until it happened before our very eyes in Portugal at the beginning of the year. The crazy thing is it happened again shortly after in New York, proving lightning can strike twice. 

11. The REAL Fastest Submission At IBJJF Pans 

We originally thought Michael Musumeci’s tendon-ripping achilles lock was the fastest, but it was actually a little-seen choke from Alliance’s Victor Genovesi that held the record. Watch for yourself. 

10. After Garry Tonon’s Savage Kneebar, How Badly Injured Is AJ Agazarm’s Knee?

One of the contenders for gi match of the year, the showdown between Garry Tonon and AJ Agazarm (in the gi, no less) was dramatic for many reasons: Tonon’s last-minute acceptance of the match, AJ’s stubborn refusal to tap to a sickening kneebar, and a post-match incident that saw Agazarm and bitter enemy Jake Shields get into (another) scuffle. 

9. Paulo Miyao Admits To Failed USADA Test, Issues Statement 

Rumors had circulated for some time as to why Miyao wasn’t competing in IBJJF or UAEJJF events, and the reason eventually came to light: a failed doping test relating to the IBJJF 2017 World Championships. His confirmation of the failed test allowed us to comprehensively examine the situation — read everything you need to know here and here. 

8. Gordon Ryan’s Amazing Physical Transformation In Photos 

One of the most talked-about things of the year was Gordon Ryan’s physique. Whatever your opinion, take a look at the severe weight loss and massive gains Ryan has subjected himself to over the last couple of years. 

7. Beatriz Mesquita Submits Mackenzie Dern In 64 Seconds In Rio

The title says it all really — we were mat side to film the encounter and it blew us away how aggressive Bia came out and how quickly she dispatched Dern. 

6. Lightweight Wins Absolute Gold At Worlds, Beats Three Ultra Heavyweights 

Atos prospect Jonnatas Gracie (no relation) was a little-known purple belt (albeit a super talented one) until this happened. The lightweight competitor was crowned absolute world champion after taking on some of the biggest and baddest in the entire world. It's no surprise his amazing achievement caught people’s attention. 

5. Results & Recap: Dillon Danis vs. Jake Shields At Submission Underground 4

If there is any grappler guaranteed to move the needle, it’s Dillon Danis. Love him or loathe him, people can’t help but follow the notorious grappler’s every move. His highly anticipated submission-only bout with Jake Shields didn’t disappoint (the fans, at least). 

4. Jiu-Jitsu Match Of The Decade Ends With Decisive Finish: Roger vs. Buchecha 

It’s no exaggeration to call this the match of the decade — Roger’s return from semi-retirement to face the reigning world champ resulted in an epic clash that set the grappling world on fire and gave us one of the most memorable submissions we’ll ever see. 

3. The Most Controversial And Dangerous Moment Of The IBJJF 2017 Europeans 

Yikes, it’s kind of uncool that this infamous moment from the beginning of the year became one of the most-read stories, but when something like this happens it is bound to turn heads. The IBJJF took this incident very seriously and immediately reviewed what happens to ensure the safety of competitors. 

2. Rickson Gracie Promoted To Red Belt

Considering it takes over 30 years AFTER getting your black belt to be promoted to red belt, news likes this literally comes along once in a lifetime. Rickson’s surprise promotion (which came out of nowhere when he was ambushed at a seminar in Las Vegas) was a historic occasion that fans were unsurprisingly dying to see. 

1. Dillon Danis And Mansher Khera Suspended From Marcelo Garcia’s Gym

Put some of the biggest names in jiu-jitsu together and throw in a ton of drama and what do you get? The No. 1 story of the year. The parties involved probably would have preferred it if a more positive article got the most attention, but that’s life — people love drama.