Mma Grappling

MMA grappling refers to the control of the opponent in full contact mixed martial arts sports, which can be achieved by handling, holding or gripping. There is no mixed martial arts match without grappling, and no matter the combat style that you practice, MMA grappling will be always there. From judo and Sambo to wrestling and jiu-jitsu, grappling is ever present. Considered a mode of fighting, grappling does not make a style in itself or a separate martial art. It has similarities with striking and it includes throws, pinning techniques and joint locks. MMA grappling can include all of these or just one depending on the athlete's training.

There are MMA grappling locks that use throws, and a pin may be created out of a throw; therefore, there is no clear-cut distinction between the various aspects of grappling in terms of technique. This kind of fighting can also improve the ground position of the fighter by what we know as sweeps and escapes. This is usually the case when the athlete needs to get loose from a grappling position or when he needs to move into a position that would enable better pinning for example. The examples of MMA grappling possibilities are countless, and they most often differ according to the martial art practiced.

Integrated into mixed martial arts, grappling suffers little changes. While it mainly characterizes sports that rely on grappling arts exclusively, as it is the case with judo, submission wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, MMA grappling could be just one of the many techniques that you'll see in an ultimate fighting combat. Martial arts such as kickboxing, boxing, karate and taekwondo are less likely to use MMA grappling because by technique and training they will avoid gripping. These latter martial arts do not allow grappling, making the fighters focus more on kicking or punching.

In mixed martial arts training, MMA grappling should be introduced as part of the self-defense tactics or for attack/striking strategies. Although armed grappling is specific to many Chinese martial arts and aikido, in mixed martial arts sports only non-armed MMA grappling is allowed. The presence of a weapon would make confrontations highly dangerous and it would certainly require a different kind of training. Martial arts practitioners that master both techniques have more chances of success in full contact combat thanks to their advanced skills. Yet, it is highly unlikely that armed grappling will ever be introduced in mixed martial arts.