From an overlooked fighting practice, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) rapidly surged to fame as a dominant combat style globally, favored for its effectiveness during the early mixed martial arts (MMA) days, even when bizarre techniques like groin attacks, eye gouging, and headbutts were permissible.
Back in the day, BJJ appeared unbeatable, especially as Royce Gracie claimed victory in three out of the first four UFC tournaments. The Gracie legacy didn’t stop there, with figures like Rickson Gracie also asserting their dominance in promotions such as Pride FC.
Post those early triumphant days, BJJ has garnered a reputation as an essential martial art for self-defense, thanks to its early success in today’s celebrated combat sport, MMA. It’s often noted that MMA, as a sport, closely resembles real-life fighting, and during its inception, BJJ stood out as the preeminent fighting technique.
Then came Kazushi Sakuraba, a Japanese wrestler who ended Royce Gracie’s reign in a historic MMA bout. It was a grueling match spanning over 90 minutes until Gracie’s corner called it quits. This legendary encounter highlighted a critical truth: BJJ’s effectiveness wanes without a successful takedown.
Since that era, a rivalry has brewed between wrestlers and BJJ practitioners, sparking debates over which style reigns supreme. Let’s delve into each style’s strengths and weaknesses in the realm of modern MMA.
Exploring Wrestling vs. BJJ in Today’s MMA
The MMA landscape has evolved significantly since Royce Gracie’s times. Fights are now structured with five-minute rounds, and disqualifications await anyone attempting eye gouging.
With the Unified Rules adoption in MMA, a 10-point scoring system became the norm, with three judges assessing fights based on criteria like effective striking or grappling, control of the fighting area, and effective aggression.
This scoring framework tends to favor wrestlers, as executing takedowns and maintaining ground control secure points. Meanwhile, BJJ enthusiasts seeking submissions from the bottom don’t earn points unless there’s a clear threat to end the fight.
By implementing these rules, wrestlers have found an environment where their style is often favored over traditional BJJ practitioners in contemporary MMA.
Wrestling in Modern MMA: A Closer Look
There are several perks to being proficient in wrestling within the modern MMA context:
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Point Scoring and Round Winning: Wrestlers can often edge out rounds by securing takedowns and controlling opponents on the ground, even if their striking isn’t the strongest. A strategic takedown near the end of a close round can sway judges’ perceptions.
- Fight Control: Besides racking up points, exceptional wrestling skills grant the ability to dictate the fight’s pace and location. Wrestlers can keep fights standing against superior grapplers or force better strikers into grappling exchanges, offering them an advantage even when staggered.
However, wrestling in MMA isn’t without its challenges:
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Finishing Limitations: Wrestlers often focus on ground strikes over submission efforts, which can backfire later in a fight. BJJ practitioners have an upper hand here because they can execute submissions from numerous ground positions, ending fights abruptly.
- Energy Demands: Wrestling is physically taxing, necessitating excellent cardiovascular conditioning. Executing takedowns and chaining them requires significant stamina, a crucial trait for successful wrestlers in MMA.
BJJ in Modern MMA: Advantages and Shortcomings
Though BJJ dominance has somewhat faded in MMA due to opponents’ improved submission defenses, it remains a vital grappling foundation.
BJJ’s strengths in modern MMA include:
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Rapid Fight Resolution: BJJ shines due to its capacity to turn fights around quickly. A skilled practitioner can clinch victory from nearly any ground or clinch position.
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Complements Striking: For elite strikers aiming to stay off the ground, BJJ offers complementary skills. It equips them with techniques like sweeps, submission defenses, and reversals, enabling a swift return to their feet.
- Effective Grappling: While BJJ fighters may struggle against expert wrestlers, their grappling skills often overpower others with different grappling foundations. Some gyms now even emphasize takedowns and positional grappling more than ever.
Yet, BJJ does encounter setbacks in the modern MMA setting:
- Takedown Challenges: BJJ’s primary weakness lies in its comparatively ineffective takedown capability against seasoned wrestlers. A notable example was Reinier de Ridder’s struggle against Anatoly Malykhin, where ineffective takedowns led to a title loss.
Optimal Modern MMA Strategy?
Both BJJ and wrestling offer essential techniques for modern MMA. Wrestlers often dictate fight scenarios, while BJJ teaches submission execution and setups. Combining both skill sets is valuable in today’s MMA landscape.
Start with a style that feels intuitive and expand your skills by cross-training in the other. Modern MMA’s best grapplers excel in securing takedowns, executing submissions, and defending against both approaches.
Interested in more? Check out "Explosive Takedown Transitions: When And How To Mix Wrestling Into MMA Striking."
About Evolve Mixed Martial Arts®: Evolve MMA stands out as Asia’s leading martial arts championship brand, featuring world champions in various disciplines including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Lauded by major outlets like CNN, Yahoo! Sports, and ESPN, Evolve MMA is committed to delivering unparalleled martial arts instruction globally.
