What is the Paper Cutter Choke?
The paper cutter choke feeds a far collar from side control, then uses the near-side forearm like a blade across the neck while you drop weight. It punishes opponents who turn into you and leave lapels available under chest pressure.
Setup
- From side control, feed a deep far-collar grip behind the neck.
- Clear or pin the near arm so it cannot frame your chest.
- Place your near forearm across the neck line with the blade oriented to cut.
Execution
- Drop your chest and walk hips slightly toward their head.
- Pull the far collar while pressing the near forearm blade into the neck.
- Keep shoulders heavy so they cannot shrimp out of the channel.
Finishing
- Maintain collar depth; shallow feeds become jaw pressure.
- If they turn away, follow to north-south choke or back exposure.
- Release on tap.
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Safety Note
Poor collar depth can crank the jaw and neck. Prioritize a deep far-collar feed and stop immediately on tap.
Primary Targets
- Neck
Key Concepts
- Far collar + near blade creates the cutter.
- Chest weight finishes more than arm strength.
- Clear the near frame before you squeeze.
Primary Entries
- Side control when they turn in with a reachable far lapel.
- Knee-on-belly drops back to side with collar already fed.
- Failed americana chains that leave the collar available.
Defenses & Counters
- Expect two-on-one peels on the far collar — retake depth before cutting.
- Watch for shrimps that free the near shoulder; re-pin before finishing.
- If the blade is on the jaw, reset rather than ripping.
Follow-Ups
- Baseball bat choke when both collars become available.
- North-south choke if they turn away from the blade.
- Americana when the near arm posts high to defend.
Training Drills
- Far-collar feeds from side control
- Paper-cutter finishes to a light tap
- Frame-clearing rounds before allowing the squeeze
Related Techniques
Deepen your study with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Paper cutter choke is far-collar depth plus a near forearm blade under chest pressure. Clear the frame, drop your weight, and finish cleanly — or transition when they turn away.