If you’re an MMA fan (or even just a jiu-jitsu fan), you remember when Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje with a triangle choke back in October at UFC 254. With the submission, Nurmagomedov retained the UFC lightweight title and subsequently announced his retirement with a record of 29-0.
Nurmagomedov’s triangle choke was certainly remembered when it came time for fans to vote for the UFC Honors Submission of the Year title. Ultimately, he beat the other three contestants in the category — Ariane Lipski for her kneebar over Luana Carolina; Mackenzie Dern for her kneebar over Hannah Cifers; and Jimmy Flick for his flying triangle over Cody Durden — to win the honor, and the person who presented it to him was none other than his teammate, Daniel Cormier.
Cormier surprised Nurmagomedov with the award, and the two friends shared some banter. Cormier teased that he’d taught Nurmagomedov the jiu-jitsu he needed to win that fight, and Nurmagomedov shot back that Cormier’s legs would prevent him from doing a triangle choke in the first place.
You can watch the moment below:
You voted!
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 27, 2021
We got @DC_MMA to surprise @TeamKhabib with his #UFCHonors Submission of the Year award! ? pic.twitter.com/L7uy8rt0Fw
