Renato Carneiro's Top 5 Submission Wins

The Brazilian fighter's most memorable tapout victories in the UFC and beyond

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:00am

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A cubist-style painting depicting the explosive energy and dynamic movement of Renato Carneiro's submission victories, with sharp geometric shapes and vibrant colors representing the intensity of his grappling techniques.Renato Carneiro's mastery of the submission game has earned him several memorable tapout wins in the UFC and beyond.Los Angeles Today

Renato Carneiro, the American Top Team standout, has delivered some of the most impressive submission finishes in his UFC career. From his rear-naked choke victory over Cub Swanson to his quick submissions of Niinimaki, Hadzovic, and Riddell, Carneiro has proven himself to be a master of the grappling arts. As he prepares to face Chris Duncan at UFC Fight Night 272, a look back at Carneiro's top submission wins showcases his versatility and finishing ability.

Why it matters

Carneiro's submission skills have made him a threat in the UFC's featherweight and lightweight divisions. His ability to capitalize on openings and secure fight-ending chokes has earned him performance bonuses and highlighted his evolution as a well-rounded mixed martial artist. As he continues his climb up the rankings, Carneiro's submission prowess will be a key factor in his future success.

The details

Carneiro's most memorable submission win came against Cub Swanson at UFC 227 in 2018, when he secured a first-round rear-naked choke. He has also earned impressive submission victories over Marretta in Jungle Fight, Niinimaki in his UFC debut, Hadzovic in just 44 seconds, and Riddell at UFC 281. In each case, Carneiro demonstrated his grappling expertise, transitioning smoothly to dominant positions and capitalizing with fight-ending chokes.

  • Carneiro defeated Cub Swanson via rear-naked choke at UFC 227 on August 4, 2018.
  • Carneiro won the interim Jungle Fight featherweight title with a first-round rear-naked choke of Marretta on July 19, 2014.
  • Carneiro submitted Niinimaki with a second-round rear-naked choke in his UFC debut on December 20, 2014.
  • Carneiro finished Hadzovic with a first-round rear-naked choke on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.
  • Carneiro defeated Riddell via first-round rear-naked choke on November 12, 2022 at UFC 281.

The players

Renato Carneiro

A Brazilian mixed martial artist who fights in the UFC, competing in the featherweight and lightweight divisions. He is known for his impressive submission skills, particularly his mastery of the rear-naked choke.

Cub Swanson

An American mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC's featherweight division. He was defeated by Carneiro via first-round rear-naked choke at UFC 227 in 2018.

Marretta

A Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in Jungle Fight, where he was defeated by Carneiro via first-round rear-naked choke in 2014.

Niinimaki

A Finnish mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC's featherweight division. He was submitted by Carneiro via second-round rear-naked choke in his UFC debut in 2014.

Hadzovic

A Bosnian-born mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC's lightweight division. He was defeated by Carneiro via first-round rear-naked choke in 2020.

Riddell

A New Zealand-born mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC's lightweight division. He was submitted by Carneiro via first-round rear-naked choke at UFC 281 in 2022.

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What they’re saying

“Danger lurks in every nook and cranny for those who have to deal with Renato Carneiro in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.”

— Brian Knapp, Author

What’s next

Carneiro will look to continue his submission dominance when he faces Chris Duncan in the main event of UFC Fight Night 272 on Saturday in Las Vegas.

The takeaway

Renato Carneiro has established himself as one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the UFC, with a penchant for securing fight-ending rear-naked chokes. His ability to capitalize on openings and transition smoothly to dominant grappling positions has made him a threat to any opponent he faces.