Is Wrestling the LEAST effective discipline in MMA?

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Chael Sonnen wonders if wrestling is the least effective discipline in MMA on this episode of Beyond the Fight.
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[@jonathanspark9028]

The least effective would be competing against Uncle Chael

[@wmtaylor6705]

Yes!!! Nailed it!

[@ryang9973]

I need Chael to write my essays to get the word count up

[@alexbrooker6922]

Lmfao

[@RambleOn07]

Start stealing his filler sentences lol

[@ryang9973]

@@RambleOn07 "I offer you this"

[@Comin_at_U_Live]

Just use a lot of adjectives.. you can use 2 or 3 for every noun

[@Comin_at_U_Live]

Concrete, vs.. cold hard concrete...

[@TonyKalashnikov]

I'd argue its the most effective along with Mooy Thay and Jew Yeetso

[@jasonstevens9401]

Moo tie

[@dayligs]

*chewjitsu

[@Victor0328]

@@jasonstevens9401 mooey thai

[@masrr3678]

Yoels *ditty boxing*

[@zomiwater6209]

Muay Thai, sometimes referred to as "Thai boxing", is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. JiuJitsu and ju-jitsu, is a family of Japanese martial arts and a system of close combat (unarmed or with a minor weapon) that can be used in a defensive or offensive manner to kill or subdue one or more weaponless or armed and armored opponents.

[@Turner_Perez]

Maybe ask almost every UFC welterweight champion if wrestling is effective or not

[@demilich867]

Shit you're right lol, maybe not Lawler but everyone else is mostly a wrestler, if you count twood that is.

[@DeMelly__]

Heavyweights too maybe? Stipe, DC, Couture, Leanar, Cain, etc..

[@garrywhitelaw8723]

I'm a two bit wrestler but I would never lose to a two bit boxer/kickboxer. I'd say two bit BJJ guy but it's not fair as I am a two bit bbj guy seeing as we are talking. Having said all that I'm a two bit guy as far as knowing what a two-bit guy actually is. What the fuck does it mean?

[@youretotallyrightbut463]

@@demilich867 the funny things is, lawyer might not be a wrestler, but he was known as a guy who matched up well with wrestlers. He was always a guy who gave wrestlers a hard time. Lawler is a great wrestler. Just not offensively. Wrestling defence is still wrestling. That’s like saying Floyd isn’t a great boxer because his offence isn’t quite what other top boxers offence is.

[@demilich867]

@@youretotallyrightbut463 I just mean he didn't purposely use wrestling, preferring to stand and bang, like Gaejthe, a good wrestler for sure but could you call him a wrestler when he hasn't gone for a single takedown in the ufc.

[@johnfilipini4299]

Person: orders a taco Chael as a delivery guy: I bring this to you because Person: Thanks Chael: Ok great

[@petewest3122]

Delivery Chael: "I'm only offering you this." Person: "B-but I can't get close enough to accept"

[@undinism69]

Here try this rice, as an example.

[@colinhoffman9092]

There needs to be understanding of boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and bjj. Don't have to use all of them but everyone needs to understand and control each area

[@lastreetobserve8611]

The most important thing is the ability to mix it up

[@burglecutt1447]

That's why they said wrestling is a good base for fighting. You need to pair it with other martial arts.

[@TheGrooviestRudy]

To be fair, there aren't many purists left of any discipline. Most fighters train at least two

[@kennytaco4474]

You hit the nail right on the head. Askren proved that very well. Without striking now, you’re screwed. Especially w all the crazy good strikers around now

[@jakeasterisk2694]

Stipe dominated Francis with almost exclusively wrestling technique

[@jakeasterisk2694]

@A biological product of the Cosmological Universethat is true but it shows that without any grappling vs experienced grappler. Your screwed like JDS Cain

[@kennytaco4474]

@@jakeasterisk2694 true but I think to Chaels point is those days are going away. Wrestling will always be one of the best bases in mma but the way that it can dominate and shut an opponent down fully is slowly goin he away because of better takedown defense

[@jaymichaels2416]

“I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler.” - Socrates

[@xombi213]

"All we are is dust in the wind, dude." - Ted Theodore Logan

[@lous8619]

@@xombi213 *air guitar*

[@Supabom15]

I’d certainly argue that becoming a fighter today based on a strict wrestling background would still put you ahead of most if not all people who could come from strict Karate, Kung Fu, or even Taekwondo striking backgrounds. The ability to catch a kick and drop that striker into a realm that they cannot fight out of would make wrestling superior to those styles at the very least.

[@kickboxing3728]

That’s quite a low bar

[@b.nash.7778]

Wrestling with boxing is always a great combo.

[@zarrukhadashev6516]

The best combo, you control the fight you win the fight. Wrestling controls the grappling better than any other grappling art and Mexican style boxing has the best ring generalship of any striking martial art.

[@jacksquat8677]

Watching and listening to uncle Chael have a conversation with himself is arguably the most satisfying thing I did today

[@Steven_Edwards]

Same for me. I was never a huge MMA fan but I always watch Uncle Chael to learn the mental disciplines of fighting.

[@adriankalitka3762]

Tony Ferguson is the type of guy to show Tito how not to tap

[@holesgetsdome4467]

"Khabib enters chat"

[@uncleiroh7967]

How many fighters are in mma and how many have khabibs level of wrestling?

[@kd9452]

@@uncleiroh7967Edgar, cejudo, dc, Romero, Weidman, rockhold etc etc

[@jasonstevens9401]

@@kd9452 i disagree

[@fleshen]

Khabib is also better judo than wrestling!

[@kd9452]

@@jasonstevens9401 why?

[@flochfitness]

My two cents: folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco Roman wrestling are the three main types a of wrestling around. All three forbid striking, submission, and strangulation. If you are only allowed to use wrestling then yes, it is nearly impossible to win an MMA fight. However, a world class wrestler with novice skill any of the striking, strangulation, or submission disciplines is a very very good fighter.

[@ericcomstock2249]

I think wrestling gives you an understanding of positioning that other martial arts dont give you.

[@flochfitness]

@@ericcomstock2249 agreed, but it can also be to a detriment as going belly down after being taken down in MMA will result in disaster.

[@roejogan1507]

Depends on the opponent a great bjj fighter would win if the wrestler didn't understand all the submissions

[@roejogan5212]

@@roejogan1507 nice name bud

[@pikkon899]

Submission wrestling does exist. It's called Catch Wrestling and other Grapplers like Judoka have known about it for years.

[@roysamuelexcellent310]

Arent most of the goats (Jones, Khabib, GSP, DC, Mighty Mouse etc) wrestling based? Stupid question bruv..

[@aryan4493]

Forgot DC

[@scorpiodragonfly]

GSP was not wrestling based. He never even competed in wrestling before he was in the UFC

[@rollcity9244]

@@scorpiodragonfly but he wrestled everybody.

[@ShayanKhanbazzinga]

@@scorpiodragonfly MMA wrestling

[@ToastedFlowers]

You realize wrestling ends once the takedown happens. It’s jujitsu afterwords.. and it’s combat jujitsu at that point. You can’t punch in wrestling or jujitsu. Way to put yourself as a casual with no idea of fighting.

[@princevegeta-son]

Conor Mcgregor: "Let's Wrestle"

[@colingriffin6181]

You've made me search a mojahed let's wrestle compilation

[@chrisordonez9896]

Guess this person. “ Oh your a wrestler now.”

[@shubhamchaturvedi4858]

@@chrisordonez9896 Nate Diaz ❤️

[@thepancakemann]

@@colingriffin6181 Mojahed is a national treasure and I don't even know what nation he's from.

[@Noneblue39]

conor could not outwrestle khabib

[@MalevolentMonkeyGod]

Given that wrestling started as a less injurious training for other martial applications, it stands to reason that other martial applications would reabsorb wrestling as they become more sports oriented.

[@arizonatea3734]

Wrestling is by far more "dangerous" then other disciplines. Look around most fighters get hurt just from wrestling.

[@Kaosu10]

Depends on what type of injuries we are talking about. Wrestling certainly has high joint damage with shoulders and knees. If we are talking about injuries in general, tae Kwon do pretty much blows everything out of the water outside of mma related events. NCAA level results in a average of 19.6 per 1000 events (injuries). Tae Kwon do is anywhere from 26 to 130 per 1000. MMA is at a super high 23 to 28 per 100.

[@MalevolentMonkeyGod]

@@Kaosu10 certainly less injuries than say fighting with swords.

[@MalevolentMonkeyGod]

@@arizonatea3734 i have studied injury rates in sports. I also understand the comment I made is in regard to the sports origins. You are both wrong regarding injuries and completely off subject. Please read my comment thoroughly before replying

[@jakewindham2023]

Wrestling is the oldest sport of all time, with so much more history than any other martial art will ever have. It always has been and will be the best base for fighting. It won’t be be reabsorbed through any other sport.

[@rajunaidu7751]

Wrestling dictates where the fight takes place. And the training and weight cuts make their transition easier than other styles.

[@ikilledxxxtentacion6311]

I'd let uncle chael double leg me into 2021

[@thebruh4589]

I can't let you get close

[@arizonatea3734]

You'd let chael and another wrestler DP you too

[@arizonatea3734]

@@ikilledxxxtentacion6311 wow sir you are too generous, but you already stated chael can double you into the next year

[@boogiemonster2038]

Careful what you wish for, most can’t but cheal P can and will

[@GBLynden]

It is highly effective Chael. You are too kind to the dork that asked such a stupid question.

[@sagetmaster4]

Did...did you watch the video?

[@bane3991]

He said it's effective. He's saying it might be the least effective of the effective martial arts.

[@Jordanthecool7]

The understanding of wrestling is still good, not only to take people down and to have good control on the ground while you transition into using jiujitsu , but it’s also good for strikers to help them avoid getting taken down, and to stop people from taking you to the ground so you can keep the fight standing

[@TK-fc8rh]

That’s a fact. What advice would u give to someone starting out wrestling in their 20s? How do you learn?

[@Mr-E.]

I think "coach" Joshua Fabian's discipline (The School of Self-Awareness) is the least effective discipline in MMA. For some reason, I don't think Diego Sanchez running around in cage with a knife is that effective in MMA. Jus'sayin'

[@dfpguitar]

playing devil's advocate, I think that kind of fruity experimental psychological training can be perfectly appropriate for someone who is already an experienced and skilled MMA fighter. the problem with Fabian is that he is a delusional, insecure , dickhead. One of these general movement coaches could probably improve some already experienced MMA fighters.

[@Ms.Fowlbwahhh]

I’m glad that Chael mentioned Mark Kerr. A lot of people forget about him and how elite he was. NCAA champ(beat Randy Couture in that match if I remember right) and he’s a 3 time Abu Dhabi champion. He was also probably the scariest guy I’ve ever seen in MMA. I’d rather face a fully roided out Brock Lesnar than 1999 Mark Kerr lol.

[@theshape3988]

Kerr was okay. He was a great wrestler. Back in the day he was one of the best MMA fighters. However he used PEDs and that automatically to me tarnished anything hes done.

[@Ms.Fowlbwahhh]

@@theshape3988 the only person who wasn’t on something mma wise back in the day was Dan Severn. 99% of the people at Abu Dhabi were on something then too.

[@s.sarjonmahmud6231]

BJJ is the most effective art, if you add wrestling with that you are a monster. GSP showed it to the world

[@derekmcaleer2386]

But GSP had KARATE as a base. His distance control was on a whole other lever than wrestlers, because of his background in karate.

[@nabeeldin3544]

@@derekmcaleer2386 gsp dont use much karate in mma. he used wrestling. he learn it of course

[@s.sarjonmahmud6231]

@@derekmcaleer2386 but he also ended up being the best wrestler MMA has seen till date

[@derekmcaleer2386]

@@s.sarjonmahmud6231 no argument there. I just mean: without the distance control and timing he learn from his karate base... I doubt he’d be as effective with his wrestling. Not even to mention how often he uses spinning back kicks and superman punches etc.

[@s.sarjonmahmud6231]

@@derekmcaleer2386 the GOAT for a reason

[@matthinz8346]

You need a mix of striking, grappling, and takedowns/takedown defense for MMA, the better question might be what split is ideal rather than what you can do without. You’d struggle to find success against high quality competition if you didn’t have some experience in each of the three categories

[@jessetorres550]

Get some rest, Chael

[@demented_robot3571]

He can’t. He’s been drinking Mean Street Coffee, so he’s always alert

[@demented_robot3571]

Wrestling is easily the LEAST effective discipline in MMA... at not losing to all the other disciplines

[@uncleiroh7967]

Yet askren is the quickest person to be stopped ever 😂

[@FH-pn1tm]

That would mean that Wrestling loses to all other disciplines...

[@uncleiroh7967]

@@FH-pn1tm you right tho 😂 he could have done without the word 'not'

[@Dean_stoonts]

Usman is a bum can’t wait for him to retire

[@kd9452]

@@Dean_stoonts a "bum" that pretty much beat everyone at 170 lol

[@rrai-]

Bro the dagestani style is just now coming in. Theres like 4 khabibs in bellator

[@demilich867]

People need to stop doing this thing with Dagestanis, because of Khabibs skill and excellency they think all dagestani fighters are great, exact same thing that happened with the irish.

[@derbistheeternal2947]

On its own, yes. You cannot knockout or submit someone just with wrestling. But paired with other disciplines, that is when it is critically important.

[@chatz8024]

Thanks Chael for always giving us the answers we deserve, but don't need

[@TheBrooklynBeastLeo]

Everyone is well rounded now, to the point where answering this question is moot. Pure kick-boxers like Izzy still have really good takedown defense. Jui-Jitsu guys like Burns have a stand-up. But if you were to go back to the days of UFC 1 and pit styles against each other, wrestling would still be king. Put a guy like Askren, who knows nothing but wrestling against a guy who's just a kick-boxer or just a Muay Thai guy, wrestlers would wreck shit every time.

[@kaydembennett450]

You sir are confusing wrestling with BJJ, Royce gracie*

[@kanehtm]

@@kaydembennett450 many wrestlers dominated in early UFCs, even winning tournaments, Dan Severn*

[@kaydembennett450]

@@kanehtm definately no question there but to say it was more dominant than bjj might be a stretch

[@loganmiller6039]

@@kaydembennett450 in today’s rules where the scoring is different and the fights are generally more active, wrestling would beat bjj.

[@bre4kd0wn1]

​@@kaydembennett450I would really, REALLY, have loved to see a fight between Aleksandr Karelin and Renzo Gracie. We would have Greco-Roman Wrestling vs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, back then.

[@CHopkins73]

It's by far wrestling. If I can get you on the ground and control you, I have you. Plus, I think wrestling is harder to teach than striking for a reason.

[@kd9452]

Striking is harder and more risky

[@the_destroyer_mma2204]

Uncle Chael: Wrestling is the least effective. Khabib has entered the chat

[@userunknown3761]

Khabib comes from sambo or judo. Judo is basically where sambo and BJJ came from. So khabibs not really a wrestler originally

[@KuntryBoyCitySlick]

@@userunknown3761 finally someone with a brain.

[@zachcampbell4726]

“I’m left stuck to produce an answer” Video ends

[@abyssalspecter93]

Thanks, now I don't have to watch it.

[@JohnnyAppleseed333]

An excellent analysis

[@tarobaap420]

The biggest issue with wrestling is that we're all uncomfortable being on our backs, and using jui jitzu can be a tough transition of mindset. But if you are able to overcome that mental hangup and learn BJJ/sambo it makes for a powerful combo. I still think there's nothing like wrestling to build mental toughness, and instill a will to win and survive.

[@ismailabdukadir1130]

My father told me two advises to do when I fight other kids: 1. To make the first punch on jaw or nose or back of ears 2. To take my opponents to the ground and be better there I had full understanding of the first punch but I used to wonder why he wants me to take them on ground but I do understand now because when you are good at ground, you are one who controls the fight!

[@kitnoman]

the 1st one is a good advice. While the 2nd one is not always the best option. Taking someone to the ground is only good on one on one, be it in a street fight or in a sport that allows it. However, if you have more than one opponent, it is always better to never stop moving, be it defending or attacking.

[@ivopopov517]

Chael is the best at captions.

[@lukelang46]

As far as excitement goes, yes least effective

[@MMA-VET170]

That's like saying oxygen is the least important thing you need to live

[@GBLynden]

Exactly!

[@dogsbreakfast4952]

Chael thinks he’s smarter than he is a lot of the times. Wrestling is without a doubt the most important just ask gsp or khabib

[@MMA-VET170]

@@dogsbreakfast4952 cloture, randleman, jbj,Usman,Sherk,Hughes,Caine,Lesnar, Hendricks, Kos,Edgar,Mendez, coleman Fitch,severn,Kerr, Rampage,barnett,Rico,Weidman,Yoel,Woodley,Colby,

[@mikkelfnn9699]

@@dogsbreakfast4952 i think mcgregor and israel adesanya would tell u different, cant use that argument

[@bigpapavee]

I love Chael! It takes some stuff to be objective enough to even ponder the fact, against his own basic foundation. Atta Boy Chael!

[@Steven_Edwards]

You can tell how serious Uncle Chael is by that leg cross. It was made with the authority of a man who never lost a round.

[@matthewfon3649]

Wrestling is by far the best for transitioning from standing to the ground from takedowns, and also keeping it standing. However, the best controlling aspect comes from BJJ. Any position where you are controlling, defending from, or moving between positions, where the opponent or you has his back on the floor (I.e. mount, side control, guard, crucifix, back etc.) is BJJ because a wrestling match would be over in 3 seconds. For some reason BJJ tends to only be credited with the submission aspect and guard, but it also has amazing top and positional control.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

Wrestling will always be a core skill in mma, but if take down defence develops to a level where everyone can stop most takedowns from most people, mma will be decided by who the best strikers are

[@RumplestillSkin99]

Wrestling was fun in highschool won some matches lost some matches I was decent but it helps for the way you carry yourself in any situation

[@Rogue615]

Ten years ago it was the most effective IMO now I think its jiu jitsu that's the least effective. 20 years ago that was the most effective. I'd say wrestling defense is up there 100% obviously

[@gokushkameha-ha-ha9344]

*Laughs in masvidals knee*

[@eveningstar7812]

Now I think no gi jiu jitsu and wrestling have kinda merged together to essentially be catch wrestling. Take Khabib for example his ‘grappling’ is takedown, pass the guard and mount or crucifix. Then get the submission after smashing for a while. You can’t call that wrestling or jiu jitsu (it isn’t sambo either). It’s the next generation of grappling.

[@guillermoreyes1030]

Arguing which martial art is like arguing which style of painting and drawing is the best. Regardless of what your answer is it’s still an art form that people spend years studying and developing just to have some person come up to you and say “well your art is stupid because there’s not enough striking”. I think a better question to ask is “which style of combat is the most effective to be able to quickly and effectively take out your opponent?”

[@MalevolentMonkeyGod]

I have had conversations with Izzy’s wrestling coach. We are both wrestlers and agree that wrestling is no more than the basis on which you need to launch your attack

[@mohammedhussain6749]

BJJ is the least effective as everyone learns how to counter it but whose who rely on it usually gets outclassed as fighters counter bjj takedowns and choose not to go the ground. Wrestling is the most effective just from the sheer number of champions in has in it.

[@roejogan1507]

Jiu-jitsu is the only counter to wrestling but the great jiu-jitsu players usually have bad takedowns so find it difficult to get to higher ranks while wrestlers can rely on their wrestling as they choose to take down or not

[@freddietamura]

You need it all brotha that’s my answer. Everyone fights differently depending on their own strengths and Weaknesses If you’re a standup you need to know how to stay up if you’re a ground fighter you learn how to get them down and if you’re a wrestler well you wrestle and even the people who are very well rounded the opponent will always have SOMETHING whether it’s 1 thing or a arsenal of things when up against someone who mainly only trains one or the other can also be a big problem

[@freddietamura]

Ps. Love your talks, and much respect for you as a fighter as well 🙏

[@freddietamura]

Also say Thompson vs Masvidal, he bested him when fighting you don’t see him trying to do a spin hook kick, side kick so on. So my conclusion it depends on the fighter

[@freddietamura]

Last comment sorry Branch off that statement with Wonderboy and Masvidal just cause Thompson is a world class kickboxer but that doesn’t mean he goes oh I’m not going to practice that cause I’m not going to stand with him, no he trained his hands and feet too so he can better his game to either not get kicked or to learn to avoid the onslaught of a kickboxer like Thompson. Not speaking of how it ended but I’m putting names into perspective to better state the training aspect of everything

[@colinhoffman9092]

Cejudo, Edgar, Khabib, Colby, Usman, Cormier. And the undisputed undefeated himself

[@arafatlone1162]

Jones, GSP, DJ...... The list goes ON🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chronometa]

The better question is which style is most effective. I'm gonna go with the greco style for taking down because it's more energy efficient.

[@davidhall3894]

Haven’t even watched the video yet only read the thumbnail and I’m dumbfounded. Wrestling is the most versatile discipline in mma because of how many ways you can utilize is whether it’s punching from the clench preventing takedowns making your own takedowns being able to submit opponents etc. quite frankly it’s more effective than striking so long as the wrestler has enough stamina to keep it on the ground.

[@MrMurphc13]

I see the Barbell apparel T!Have you got any spare Magic Spoon Tees?

[@Docinaplane]

It's much easier for a wrestler to learn BJJ than the other way around.

[@LOVEBUNNNY]

CHAEL WE LOVE YOU--- PLEASE GIVE US MORE TITO STORIES ... we want to hear all about that awesome dual meet match you had years ago PLEASE THANK YOU

[@bigdave1302]

I've always thought to be a great mma fighter the thing you need to be really good at is........................wrestling. Wrestlers usually out-grapple very good bjj practitioners.

[@Laughingman9432]

You can combine wrestling and jiu jitsu and be a monster both are crucial skills needed for submission grappling and mixed martial arts

[@albertalexander2347]

125-135 King is a wrestler (Cejudo); who uses it. 145- Champ has good takedowns when he wants to use them, but he wins with good stand up too. 155- Champ... We all know uses wrestling. 170 Champ.. Wrestler. 185- Izzy has good takedown defense. 205.. IDK about Jan's grappling, but Bones is the 205 King (best when using his wrestling). 285- Stipe wouldn't be champ if he didn't wrestle Ngannou.. I'll give you 205 and 145, and it's still 5-3 for wrestling. Still seems pretty effective to me. But Dana also gets rid of "boring fighters" so... 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@Rand8688]

Its not about wrestling as a base its absolutely necessary but as far as the effectiveness goes you have to define effectiveness in my opinion to get a real answer

[@danielespinoza8069]

You are able to wrestle someone and put yourself in a position to submit someone. You can’t wrestle someone into a KO unless you use the other discipline to knock them out. Statement being wrestling is the best conduit you can have to use your other martial arts. A better wrestler is allowed to lean towards that base and any other practices a fighter has from there is a plus. It’s the most effective when it comes down to the lifestyle of 1 on 1 competing, and weight cutting, etc etc! 🤼‍♂️

[@josephsage3524]

Dan "the beast" Severn....definitely one of Michigan's favorite son's. Depends on the version of wrestling. Wrestling is a pretty broad term. What version of wrestling are we talking about? Khabib and other's have proven that if you have a good ground game....your king

[@timm5970]

id say boxing + wrestling are the 2 most important martial arts period. The other martial arts cant be effective without first addressing these 2 where these 2 can beat other disciplines without addressing them.

[@jamieMccarthy4Good]

+chaelsonnen ha! I can testify that in the 40+ amateur MMA group I participate in often as one of three kick boxers, I get mauled by the wrestlers almost every time. Now, because it’s an “executive” spar, turns out it’s also the best work out by far, which is really why we’re all there. For pros? I think wrestling is just as huge.

[@blakedove2263]

Chael, do you believe that western boxing with some modifications for mma (mainly stance) is overall the most effective style of striking in mma? Nick Diaz had comment that boxing with leg kick defense is the most effective form of striking, is he right? When watching mma i often wonder if the risks of kicking outweigh the rewards. It seems like the foundation of being a good fighter is being good at punching, not getting punched & grappling.

[@edgarramos3807]

It’s not the most ineffective think about it being able to stop take downs is important in any fight being able to take control is super important

[@brianbell139]

Straight up fight a leg catch with a slam is the go to.

[@TomorrowsDan]

It’s not that wrestling is or will ever been ineffective, but like almost all fighting arts the purpose and principles get lost over time. All fights start on the feet but most end on the ground and wrestling teaches you two fundamental truths, body weight control and joint submission. Understanding how to utilize your own body weight while off your feet and using hands to lockdown elbows and feet to hook around knees these are the things wrestlers learn that make them masters of off balance combat. Wrestling gives you a firm foundation and if nothing else you’re going to better balanced from the ground up having taken wresting as a discipline

[@SkizVids]

in theory yeah, wrestling is the least effective, because it's only used for a small part of the fight. But god damn is there something terrifying about fighters that have a strong wrestling base, very explosive and strong. having a strong wrestling base almost makes people completely drop the thought of a ground game, e.g. aint nobody want to try and wrestle Romero or Khabib when they fought them

[@trevolutionone]

I think it is safe to say Uncle Chael that the Least effective discipline in MMA is letting them get close.

[@senecaplattlaw164]

in my opinion it's the most vital skill to have in MMA but alone it doesn't really do much. if we're judging effective by what finishes a fight then absolutely it's the least effective.

[@MrWadevideos]

Wrestling is the most effective in determining where the fight happens. In war, that’s the equivalent to being able to pick where the battle happens. I don’t think it can be understated how important that is. In another context, it would be like me being able to choose which topic we are going to argue about. The advantage is massive. Yes, in my opinion I think it’s easily one of the most effective, if not the most effective.

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

There was a time I would’ve only expected the opposite question to be asked from MMA royalty like Uncle Chael

[@enriquemontanez445]

Pro wrestling would be the most effective martial art in MMA

[@FVCK-]

As long as you’re eating your vitamins and saying your prayers, there’s really nothing you can do when a pro wrestler runs wild on you. OOooooooOOhhh yeeeeeaaaahhhhh!

[@noahmontgomery9902]

Facts, look at no further than the Gracie killer himself, sakuraba was a pro wrestler

[@FVCK-]

@Critical thinker I was a boxer for 11 years and from my experience I would say no. Every combat sport is going to be physically and mentally demanding, but with boxing I only had to learn how to throw punches. Footwork, head movement, coordination is all used as well but you never have to worry about getting slammed to the ground and having your arms and legs twisted like pretzels lol. With MMA there is so much more to train for and to learn its ridiculous. That’s why you never see an elite MMA guy look that great against a boxer in the ring, because the boxer has mastered their one discipline. But you’ll never see a pure boxer last more than 30 seconds in the octagon when all his opponent has to do is take him to the ground and it’s over. But MMA is obviously going to be harder to train for when you have to learn 3 or 4 disciplines to even have a chance at a high level.

[@shable1436]

@@FVCK- bet you got lots to say about Dillon danis vs jake paul then

[@FVCK-]

@@shable1436 I’m not really a fan of this whole KZbin celebrity vs real fighter nonsense haha. But I’m not sure what to make of this one; Jake actually looked like he’s been taking training seriously after watching him knock out Nate Robinson. And to be honest if its strictly boxing then Dillon is pretty shitty on his feet. Of course, he’d absolutely murder Jake if it were an MMA match. Dillon’s grappling is legendary. But if I had to pick a winner I’m still going with Dillon just based off of his many more years of experience. He’s no tomato can like Robinson was, and I’ve never actually seen Jake or Logan fight before that Tyson PPV. I’ve read that the Paul’s do have a wrestling background but jake still ain’t messing with Dillon in that department. This whole trend has got to end though, it’s tarnishing the sport with this circus sideshow bullshit that’s going on. And it’s just as much the athletes fault for entertaining the offers in the first place. I respect and consider Floyd to be one of the greatest P4P fighters ever, but this thing with Logan is the biggest embarrassment and money grabbing stunt he’s ever done. I can’t really respect him the same after seeing him take this joke of a shitshow to pad his pockets some more. He’s actually probably broke and needs this more than we know haha. At least when he fought Coner he was taking on a real combat sport athlete in his prime. Not some fucking KZbinr lol. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@markb3451]

I trained kickboxing for years and I’ve been training jiu jitsu for the last 4 years and I absolutely hate rolling with wrestlers.

[@pepepotamo1116]

Is wrestling the MOST effective discipline in MMA? Yes.

[@amarbesic_]

NO LMAO

[@amarbesic_]

I would say jiu jitsu

[@dabom445]

Wrestling is the most valuable thing when it comes to fighting. If you can dictate where a fight takes place you win that fight. Someone with good striking and no wrestling background gets beat by a wrestler with no striking background in a fight.

[@wilhelmkrauss2946]

@@dabom445 tell that to jorge and ben

[@kd9452]

@@dabom445 lol no a striker with TDD will beat a guy with wrestling and no standup.

[@markdesmond3659]

Stipe, JJ, Kamaru, Khabib, Volk, all wrestlers...5/7 champs

[@DJPrince2032]

The way I view it, Wrestling is a vital key to being a top player in the sport of MMA. If you don't have it, you won't ever make it near the top. But if that's all you have then you'll make it there but never get to the summit. Even Khabib the greatest wrestler had to incorporate ground and pound, and BJJ, and added some stand up as well. Look on the flip side of Connor, he has the magic left hand, but he even had to add some pretty good take down defense to get to the top.

[@dayligs]

I believe Boxing and Wrestling are the best base disciplines for MMA.

[@The-fs5wn]

Ask every UFC Champion in lightweight and above what the MOST effective discipline is and they will say wrestling. Top level wrestlers can easily escape guillotines, are practically invulnerable to Jiu Jitsu after a bit of submission defense training, control the pace of the fight, and have built up insane cardio. This is why most UFC champs have a background in wrestling. Jon Jones, Tyron Woodley, Stipe Miocic, Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, DC, Usman, and the GOAT Georges St. Pierre all have a base of wrestling and all are champs. I’m sure there are more that I’m missing. Edit: Also Nurmagomedov, Edgar, Dillashaw, Cejudo, Johnson, the Shamrock bros, Severn, Rockhold, Yan, Sterling and Hughes.

[@JuanSanchez-fq7kl]

Jacare “Shoot if you don’t succeed try try again” Souza

[@danielskillings5477]

He'll know it's something a lot of people don't know how to do especially if they didn't trying from a young age.

[@roejogan1507]

I don't think we should even look into the differences between jiu-jitsu and wrestling anymore I'm mma they should just be reffered to as grapples with either good takedowns or submissions

[@King-jq5vt]

Wrestling is objectively the most successful single style along with the most successful base to build upon. The list of belts and the greats almost literally never ends. Dan Severn Coleman Coture Hughes Gsp Barnette Sakuraba Henderson Mark kerr Ortiz Chandler Cain Dc Khabib.... Even excluding the obvious picks the reverse wrestling is very apparent in others who are successful like jones, chuck etc....

[@BrainFuck10]

Short answer: No. Chael's roundabout answer: "Let me talk a lot while saying nothing at all"

[@jmartinez1674]

I need that type of talent to finish my final essays

[@albertabdmintuit2277]

I think you had it when you said that Wrestling is about controlling your opponent. If you can't control the fight you have no chance.

[@brianhume1514]

It's about the change of what mma is... it used to be a competition of a mix of martial arts... and now mma is it's own martial art and a collection or competitors who practice it.. Which is more exciting to watch a bbj blackbelt win a title fiģht on their feet...or visa versa

[@chaumeloco]

Wrestling is an enabler of all other martial arts. it let's you jump from one to another

[@manaspandit2947]

Wrestling is the transitional art. Offensive wrestling takes you from standing to grappling. Defensive wrestling takes you from grappling to standing.

[@hollismallory2757]

You can’t build a skyscraper without the scaffolding, Unc.

[@elzian4975]

Looking at Khabib, Usman, and Covington, and how dominant they are, no not really. Even then, a lot of the fighters don't have a single discipline that they use much more than the others, many rely on two or three disciplines, like Oliveira you mentioned, who uses jiu-jitsu and striking. For instance, I could not think of the same number of people that focus mainly on BJJ at the highest of levels. And, you then have to remember that wrestling unfortunately always has the issue that it's the discipline with the least amount of flashiness, so many fighters are encouraged to focus more on striking to get a bigger crowd watching them.

[@j_the_don5160]

Wrestling could be a very good base for defending takedowns and transitioning in between guard, but after that I’d say you’re screwed if you met a Jiu Jitsu expert

[@moonman5543]

Chael is the man, has fighter intelligence

[@___XY____________0]

It’s effective but at that point you are better off learning jiu jitsu since that’s what comes next, wrestling is gonna help you only get more takedowns and prevent others, but what happens when your on the ground? You need jiu Jitsu.

[@bm-goodboy6367]

Stipe- Wrestler Jan Blachowiz- wrestler/jits (Jon Jones- wrestler and better) Izzy- Striker Kamaru- Wrestler Khabib- wrestler Alexander- wrestler/striker Yan- Striker Devisen- both. ( Cejudo and DJ both better and wrestler) The best base in MMA is wrestling

[@kd9452]

Stipe is a boxer/wrestler If he was just a wrestler he would've got slept by ngannou like cain and blaydes did.

[@Dean_stoonts]

Wow. A bum got access to the internet and left a comment. Good job bum.

[@tonybowen455]

Hahaha Chael ur so nice to the random media people. gsp, khabib, cejudo, usman, cormier, chael p sonnen. woodley and covington as honorable mentions. 170 so stacked with wrestlers.

[@paredox9972]

Chuck knew something about sprawl and brawl......

[@danspie]

I think wrestling is so effective, that everyone prepares for it. Everyone knows what happens if your wrestling is not up to scratch in modern MMA. So i'd say that wrestlers find less success because its importance is understood. Go check out Mickey Gall vs CM Punk if you want to see what happens when you dont know how to do it

[@bane3991]

Mickey Gall sucks at wrestling. He's a jiu jitsu guy.

[@danspie]

@@bane3991 and he crushed punk with his mediocre wrestling.

[@bane3991]

@@danspie No, he crushed punk with his very good jiu jitsu.

[@Nich_B23]

It’s the safest path to victory, But also the longest. Edit:with the exception of slam ko’s

[@zeaferjones1404]

Top position is still very important. Wrestling allows you to control where the fight is. Justin uses it to stay on his feet unless he is against a better wrestler like Khabib.