REVERSE TRIANGLE

The reverse triangle is the figure-four leg strangulation executed from a side-on top position, with the attacker's legs closing around the opponent's head and trapped arm from above rather than from the conventional guard position. The body geometry is rotated relative to a standard triangle — the attacker is perpendicular to the opponent rather than facing them — which makes the entry require specific positional setups (typically a kesa-gatame or side-control configuration with the opponent's arm pre-trapped across the neck).

The technique has dual status as both an advanced BJJ submission (requiring substantial flexibility and angle awareness) and a common MMA transition (where kesa-gatame style top control naturally exposes the configuration). Demian Maia famously submitted Chael Sonnen with the reverse triangle at UFC 95, and Tainan Dalpra has used it in IBJJF competition. The finish involves swinging the far-side leg over the opponent's head, closing the figure-four with the near-side leg, and rotating the hips downward to compress the calf onto the far carotid against the opponent's own shoulder.