The technique is either a type of tracheal compression restraint (wind choke) that prevents air flow to the lungs, or a blood choke depending on how and where pressure is applied, the trachea versus arteries respectively.[2] It can be applied both standing and from the ground, and can be used as a defense against a double leg takedown.[3][4]
When executed from the ground, the person applying it will try to control the opponent by the hips, for instance using a closed guard. This is done to prevent the opponent from escaping the hold, and to be able to apply additional pressure by extending the hips. It is a very effective maneuver when performed correctly.
The arm is wrapped around the trachea and the hands are clasped. Pressure is applied upwards to restrict blood flow to the head, eventually causing unconsciousness and, if applied for more time, even death. It is taught in various grappling martial arts and is considered universal to grappling, including Jujutsu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo, as well as in mixed martial arts competition and exists as one of the most instinctive chokes.[5]
The Guillotine can be applied either solely around the opponent's neck or including an arm, with the standard guillotine taking 8.9 seconds to render someone unconscious and an arm-in guillotine taking 10.2 seconds on average.[6]
Following the match between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, during UFC 264 where McGregor attempted a guillotine choke, fighter Israel Adesanya commented on why he avoids attempting the choke in matches.[7] Adesanya claimed that one of the choke's largest drawbacks was that it left the individual attempting it underneath his opponent.[8]
Description
The 2002 U.S Army Combatives field manual dictates that the fighter should first ensure that the enemy's head goes underneath one of their arms. The fighter wraps their arm around the enemy's head and under their neck. The fighter's palm should be facing their own chest. With the other hand, the fighter grasps the first hand, ensuring that they have not reached around the enemy's arm, and pulls upward with both hands. They now sit down and place the enemy within their guard, and finish the choke by pulling with their arms and pushing with their legs.[9]
