5 Reasons Why Wrestling is the Best MMA Base
5 Reasons Why Wrestling is the Best MMA Base
If you think of some of the best MMA fighters of all-time, you’ll find out a lot of them are based in amateur wrestling. Think Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, Chuck Liddell, Rashad Evans, Dan Henderson, Jon Fitch, Frankie Edgar, Josh Koscheck and the list can go on.
There’s no secret that wrestling is a huge part of the grappling game and if you’re able to master that — a lot of your troubles are gone. Here are some reasons why amateur wrestlers have a huge advantage when fighting in MMA:
1. Wrestlers are naturally strong
Wrestlers train hard. They are built to be explosive, to endure constant pressure, and to be extremely fit. All of these combined provides a tank of a fighter and when you match them up with non-wrestlers — you can always see the difference in strength.
2. Wrestlers usually have heavy hands = knockout power
Along with being naturally strong, most wrestlers match that strength with heavy hands. It’s easier to teach a wrestler to box than to teach a boxer to wrestle, and with simple boxing training — you can turn a wrestler into a heavy handed striking machine. You create MMA monsters like Dan Henderson with his killer right hand and knockout artist in Shane Carwin.
3. Wrestling is hard to learn and just pick up
You’ll notice a lot with fighters who don’t have the wrestling background or even a background in grappling (i.e. brazilian jui-jitsu, judo, sambo, etc.) — they’re usually taught takedown defense instead of pure wrestling. The reason is because it’s difficult to learn. You can do it and improve your game, but compare that to an amateur wrestler who’s done it since he was 14 years old — you’re going to be way behind.
4. With wrestling, you can dictate where the fight goes
As a wrestler, you dictate where the fight goes. If you want to stand, you can stand. But if you start lose standing you have the ability to takedown your opponent or shove them against the cage. Opponents are at your mercy when you’re a skilled wrestler — just look at the #1 UFC Middleweright Contender, Chael Sonnen. He got there because of his supreme wrestling skills.
5. Wrestlers are ingrained with impecable work ethic
Wrestling is a martial art. Wrestlers start training when they’re in their teens and learn all of the intracacies of cutting weight, training, discipline and more importantly work ethic. They’re the hardest workers around and you’ll notice commentators always mention “grinders” with wrestlers because they work to take the will out of their opponents. They usually outwork you.
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