Wrestling - The New BJJ?

Underground
1

As MMA evolves, it's clear that wrestling is becomming the new BJJ of the sport. Already, we're seeing a shift in this direction with fighters like Ortiz, Hughes, Fitch, Couture, Lindland, Henderson, Marrerro, Hamill, Koscheck, Sherketc.. All these fighters have beat and neutralized some of the best BJJ black belts by staying in guard or half-guard and delivering strikes.

It seems as if the new trend of eliete fighters are those who have great takedowns, excellent base, scrambling and GNP ability. The need to pass the guard or half guard is quickly becomming a thing of the past.

2

Please don't include Marrerro in that group.

3

Why not Marrerro? His BJJ is horrible, but that's the point. A guy who can take someone down at will and then control with wrestling can win in MMA. He did exactly that last night.

4

hummmmmmmmm... perhaps it is also because the BJJ of Kongo sucks bad....justa thought.

any good Bjj fighter would have put a beating on Marrerro on the ground....

5

JawBreaker - is Henderson a UFC fighter??? I don't think so. Read more carefully before you pop off!

6

"1993 called."

Oh, be fair, it was more recent than that.

But 1995-1996 called.

Today's fighter is more about standup + takedown defense, on the average, although defensive standup + wrestling + subs also is dominant.

7

It kind of goes in cycles. This is gonna force the BJJ guys to get better and better, and over time great wrestling ability will be neutralized.

8

I'm not saying BJJ isn't effective or a must know for MMA. I just think it's evident that eliete level wrestlers are neutralizing some of the best BJJ guys with their ability to takedown, control and advance the fight without having to pass the guard, etc..

9

This new generation of elite fighters DOES have a guard pass. It's not well known in Brazil, but it is very effective in the UFC. The name of the move is the "referee stand up" and it is part of the larger discipline "Ref Stan Do".

So I agree that wrestling is the new BJJ, but only when you cross train in Ref Stan Do.

sd

10

MMA = cross training imo.

11

"So I agree that wrestling is the new BJJ, but only when you cross train in Ref Stan Do."

Took has a good point. It's the modern rules that allow certain styles to dominate.

12

Standups are bad for wrestlers if they lack standup. Sherk would have dominated even more if it wasn't for the standups.