Rudson Mateus is best known for being one of the few modern black belts with a powerful old-school closed guard. 

With a regularity that defies the odds, he commonly hits sweeps most people learn as a white belt. Good, old-fashioned basic jiu-jitsu done really, really well. 

The FloGrappling 2018 Gi Submission of the Year, however, was one of those rare standout moments that will have you rewinding the tape again and again to try and see how he did it. 

Competing against Matheus Spirandlli in the quarterfinal of the IBJJF 2018 World Championships, Rudson yanked his opponent’s arm up and secured the submission in a rarely-seen counter to the 50-50 guard. 

With 36% of the vote, Rudson’s spectacular armbar captured the attention of the jiu-jitsu community to be deemed worth of the title of FloGrappling 2018 Gi Submission of the Year. 

WATCH: Rudson Mateus vs Matheus Spirandeli