João Miyao delivered another masterclass in submission artistry at the 2025 Masters showcasing the technique that has become his signature calling card in recent years. The Brazilian grappling legend secured victory with a beautifully executed baratoplata adding yet another highlight to his growing collection of this unorthodox submission.
At 33 years old Miyao continues to demonstrate why he remains one of the most technically gifted competitors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The submission itself was a thing of beauty – flowing seamlessly from his guard work into the intricate leg-and-arm entanglement that defines the baratoplata. What makes these performances even more impressive is that opponents know exactly what’s coming yet they still fall to Miyao‘s precision.
“This is impressive as h-ll. They are making it look way easier than it really is and there is no doubt everyone they face knows what they want to hit and yet they hit it anyway,”
observed one seasoned black belt highlighting the technical mastery required to execute such submissions against high-level opposition.
The baratoplata has become something of a calling card for both Miyao brothers in their recent competition appearances. This isn’t just a lucky submission – it’s a systematically developed weapon that João has been perfecting and teaching at seminars worldwide. The technique requires exceptional flexibility timing and understanding of leverage points that few grapplers possess.
What sets Miyao apart isn’t just his offensive capabilities but his defensive awareness as well. His ability to prevent opponents from executing their game plans while simultaneously setting up his own attacks demonstrates the complete grappling IQ that has made him a legend in the sport.
The technique itself flows naturally from Miyao‘s guard-based game particularly from positions like k-guard and matrix. For practitioners looking to add this submission to their arsenal the entry requires careful attention to controlling the opponent’s arm – a detail that separates successful attempts from mere scrambles.
Miyao previously taught a baratoplata setup in a short instructional video.
The setup begins from a double under position, where control is paramount. Miyao emphasizes the importance of controlling his opponent’s grip to prevent hand crossing while keeping his legs heavy on the opponent’s biceps. The initial positioning involves placing feet on the opponent’s hips and maintaining one grip while executing what he describes as a shrimp movement.
The transition becomes more dynamic as Miyao demonstrates coming up to perform an arm drag, positioning himself behind his opponent’s shoulders. A crucial element involves maintaining a seated position while connecting both hands behind the opponent’s shoulders. The technique progresses as he passes his hand to his leg and threads the leg over his opponent’s head.
The finishing sequence requires precise positioning and leverage. Miyao places the attacking leg heavy over the opponent’s shoulders while positioning his foot on their hip. The submission is completed through a turning motion, moving the hip slightly outside of the opponent’s leg while placing a hand on their leg for additional control. The turning continues until the tap is secured.
What makes Miyao’s baratoplata particularly effective is its similarity to a triangle choke in its mechanics. He creates the triangle-like position before transitioning to the finger grip, sliding his hand underneath the opponent’s arm to control their legs. The combination of leg pressure on the head and the turning motion creates the devastating shoulder lock that has become Miyao’s calling card.
The effectiveness of this technique in Miyao’s competition arsenal is undeniable. In 2022 alone, he secured ten baratoplata submissions in tournaments, likely setting a record for this particular finish. This remarkable success rate demonstrates not only his technical mastery but also his ability to consistently create opportunities for the submission during live competition.
