you guys are underestimating the relentless versatility of the Ezekial. Nothing else even comes close. Take all the positons listed above and add some inferior ones like: under mount inside guard and this can even be applied to fortify and enhance another submission like the arm-triangle (or Darce). This is how Kron actually got submitted at the worlds last year. And what I wrote barely scratches the surface. Ezekial easily takes this one. The argument can be made for 3rd, and maybe 2nd place.
my bad... however, I don't really see the arm-triangle as much of threat from those inferior positions unless there's a major difference in strength/skill. Not only is it very difficult to finish with the limited leverage you'd have, but it's also very difficult to apply from there. The ezekial on the other hand has to be taken seriously from anywhere, and it's easy to hit.
I'd have to pick the kimura over the armbar. While they are both extremely versatile, the kimura sets up sweeps more often. Gives it the edge.
I focused on the Ezekiel Choke because of its versatility. There are good modifications for the street as well. If no jacket or long shirt, variations can be done with an attacker's T Shirt.
Hard question to answer, all the basic submissions: kimura, keylock, armbar, guillotine ,traingle can be hit from virtually any position, top or bottom, and in transition. Kimura and guilltoines can be used to pass the guard and to stop guard passing. There is more than one correct answer to this question
This thread got bumped from when I was a purple belt Anyway I think my argument would have been that attacks like the kimura would be more versatile if we are talking about positional gains, but many of the unorthodox positions people can grab those attacks the threat of impending submission is very limited even though you are being forcibly manipulated positionally, where as when an Ezekiel is locked on from anywhere you are fighting for your life against a submission. You don't see an Ezekiel used often to gain a positional advantage, it's a kill shot. I agree that there is definitely more than one right answer, and even the art Has kind of evolved since this thread was made almost 9 years ago.
If you want to talk about extreme versatility, the wrist lock gets it "hands down". You can hit them from any position, and you can hit the lock both directions.
I like to use an Americana to reverse side control. I can reverse even good black belts with it if I catch it in transition before they settle. Actually finished a very game white belt with it the other day
The guillotine/front headlock awesome to hit standing, love to threaten with it then switch to dirty boxing when they pull out. Great position of control while standing with lots of takedown and reversal options. Triangle, as good as an attack from mount/side mount/back mount as it is from guard. Kimura, there's almost never a wrong time to use a this move to submit or advance position.
I goose necked a guy from inside his closed guard very recently. It might be the only submission I remember doing from inside someone's guard.
Did you see the guy who hit it in the UFC from under mount? He got the hand position while the guy was in top side and let him mount. When he transitioned, the bottom man adjusted his grip and squeezed. Dude must have thought he was going to die.
Kneeee baaaar. No seriously you can hit it from anywhere and then you can transition to other leg locks or take the back.