Former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan -- SUBDUES Burglar ... WITH SUBMISSION HOLD!!

4:30 PM PT: Daniel Bryan and his wife Brie spoke about the incident during a press conference ... and the wrestler said he sprung into action because he was worried about their dog, Josie, who was in the house.

The wrestling star says it wasn't difficult to subdue the burglar because the guy wasn't in great shape. However he wouldn't say if the thief was rendered unconscious.

Bryan also got incredibly emotional while talking about the bracelet his father gave him that the burglars attempted to steal.

Daniel Bryan is a bona fide bad ass ... chasing down a burglar on foot, then locking him in a submission hold until cops arrived.

Daniel and his wife Brie Bella had just come home Thursday night when they saw 2 men on their way out of their house. The burglars dropped the stuff they were stealing and hightailed it down the street.

D.B. gave chase ... the bad guys had a big head start but the champ caught up with one of them and locked him in a rear naked choke for 5 minutes until cops arrived.

Daniel's feat is all the more impressive because the guy he caught is facing kidnapping charges in another case.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ... Daniel's wife Brie retrieved the loot the guys were in the process of stealing, including a bracelet that belonged to the wrestler's recently deceased dad.

The second guy is still on the loose, but there's one less bad guy on the streets, thanks to D.B.

YES! YES! YES!