# MMA: Does the omoplata ever work? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 11, 2009, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mma-does-the-omoplata-ever-work/502659 "2009-07-11T07:11:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mma-does-the-omoplata-ever-work/502659/1 "2009-07-11T07:11:15Z")
In mixed martial arts, [shoulder locks](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omoplata#Omoplata_.28Ashi-garami.2Fsankaku-garami.2Fude-garami.29) are frequently-attempted submissions. It’s rare to get through an entire episode of any UFC show without hearing Joe Rogan exclaim, “Oh, he’s going for an omoplata!” The thing is, with the sole exception of [Royce Gracie vs. Akebono](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POJ2T023M4I), I can’t recall anybody ever tapping out as a result of one. It seems like any fighter with even the most rudimentary ground skills (read: not Akebono) can always spin out or pull his arm free. Does the move have any use at the professional level, other than as a [sweep](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweep_(martial_arts)) to escape from a bad position? Have I just been watching the wrong fights? ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mma-does-the-omoplata-ever-work/502659/2 "2009-07-11T08:13:14Z")
I’ve seen it before but it is rare. I think it’s important to consider how easy these things are to apply. Why go through all the crap to apply the Omoplata or Gogoplata when a simple armbar or triangle choke will do?