Want to be an MMA fighter? Start wrestling

I’m not trying to take anything away from Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or any other martial art that makes up MMA, but having a wrestling background could help future fighters build a strong base on several levels. Chances are, if you grew up in the U.S., you were probably exposed to wrestling in either middle school or high school; however most of you probably just blew it off as another P.E. class. Wrestling not only teaches the mechanics of the human body, but also gives prospective fighters an idea on the amount of conditioning and weight management it takes to become successful.

In the U.S., high school and collegiate wrestling isn’t considered a ground based martial art, but it opens the door to ground fighting. Many MMA top contenders and some champions have a wrestling background ; Joseph Benavidez, Diego Sanchez, Rashad Evans, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Ben Henderson, Brock Lesnar, GSP, and the list goes on. In technical skills, wrestling teaches proper shooting and defense techniques from a standing position, along with hip control and escape strategies from the ground. Wrestling also demonstrates the power of leverage and shows how to isolate and control limbs. The one major drawback to wrestling is the lack of strategy from the defensive guard position. Putting a wrestler’s back to the mat is like holding a cat in water. Wrestlers are trained to go to their stomach, which exposes the back… and back exposure usually leads to tap out.

The conditioning and weight control aspect to wrestling is on a level all its own, when compared to other high school or collegiate sports. Not only is the wrestler trying to build cardio endurance, but they are also managing a diet to maximize nutrient intake, while minimizing weight gain and maintaining a balance between the two. Indeed, wrestling takes a special form of mental endurance that sometimes feels like insanity, which is surely just a taste of what it takes to be a professional fighter.

If you’re past high school age, then wrestling probably isn’t an option to start (wish you had taken wrestling as a P.E. class or joined the team now don’t you?), however if you are in high school and have thought about starting MMA, it might not hurt to check out a wrestling practice…besides, it’s free.

~ Ghetto

Ghetto is a Heavy Hands guest blogger. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .