Joe D’Arce is a well-known Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie, and a competitor whose name has become permanently associated with one of the most popular submission holds in grappling—the D’Arce choke.
Although he did not invent the technique, his use of it in competition helped popularise the submission to the point where it eventually took on his name.
In this interview-style overview, we look at Joe D’Arce’s background, his training, and how the choke became linked to him in the grappling world.
Training background
Joe D’Arce began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the legendary Renzo Gracie in New York.
He was part of a generation of grapplers coming up in a highly competitive environment where techniques were constantly being tested, refined, and applied in live sparring and competition.
Under Renzo’s system, students were encouraged to explore what worked in live rolls rather than rigidly sticking to tradition, which helped shape D’Arce’s practical and pressure-based style.
Competition career
D’Arce competed in numerous grappling tournaments and became known for his strong top pressure and submission-oriented style.
While he was not the most decorated competitor of his era, he built a reputation as a dangerous grappler who could finish fights when given the opportunity.
It was during this period that the choke now bearing his name began to appear frequently in his game.
The D’Arce choke connection
The submission known as the “D’Arce choke” (sometimes called the Brabo choke in Brazil) is a variation of the arm-triangle choke applied from front headlock positions.
Joe D’Arce did not create the technique, but he became strongly associated with it due to how effectively he used it in competition.
According to accounts from his training environment, the choke was originally developed and taught within his gym by John Danaher during early experimentation with front headlock systems.
D’Arce became particularly skilled at finishing with it, and opponents began referring to it informally as “the Darce” when defending against him in competition.
Over time, the name stuck and spread through both the MMA and grappling community.
How the name spread
As D’Arce competed and the technique became more visible in tournaments, other grapplers and coaches began using his name to refer to the choke.
Because “D’Arce” is also his surname, and because it was easier to say quickly in competition settings, the term “Darce” became standard shorthand.
From there, it entered mainstream grappling terminology and is now one of the most commonly used submission names in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.
Joe D’Arce’s own view
D’Arce has consistently stated that he did not invent the choke and does not claim ownership of it.
He has also noted that he simply used it as a practical finishing tool and that the naming was something that emerged organically from competition and coaching environments.
For him, the technique is just another variation of a head-and-arm choke used in live grappling.
Legacy
Today, the D’Arce choke is one of the most common and effective submissions in both gi and no-gi grappling, frequently seen in high-level competition and MMA.
Joe D’Arce’s legacy in the sport is less about invention and more about association—his successful application of the technique helped cement its place in modern grappling vocabulary.
