BJJ

Is There A Grappling Art That Could Beat BJJ?

Is There A Grappling Art That Could Beat BJJ?

1. What is Grappling Art and Why is it Important?

Grappling refers to competitively grabbing and gripping an opponent with both hands. Different martial arts like BJJ, wrestling, and judo make use of grappling techniques. Grappling can include throwing your opponent and subduing an opponent by using locks and chokeholds to make them submit. Traditionally, grappling can be used when fighting standing up or on the mat. Everything in grappling involves hand-to-hand combat skills that fighters employ to take their opponents to the ground and maintain control. Today, some martial arts competitions allow the use of various fighting and grappling styles. Most grappling techniques are more refined than others. These techniques are often used in the Ultimate Fighting Champion Leagues.


Grappling is crucial for developing martial arts skills as it can teach a variety of important skills including:

  • Fighting on the ground
  • Making an opponent submit using chokeholds and joint locks
  • Escape from an opponent’s hold
  • Pull off reversals and bends to get in a superior position during combat

Most forms of grappling training help you become stronger and improve physical conditioning. As you practice grappling techniques, you learn to move more effectively and strengthen the entire body. Improving the strength of your joints and muscles will help you better adapt to grappling's continuously dynamic nature of grappling. Certain techniques engage multiple muscles during exertion. Grappling is used at close range to extend your reach around an opponent by putting them in a difficult position that restricts movement. Martial arts that include grappling can be used for sports, combat, and self-defense. The rules for grappling involve the use of takedowns and having proper ground control, with victory or defeat being determined by pulling off a successful submission or tapping out. Grappling martial arts do not allow striking or the use of weapons. However, grappling has proven effective compared to striking as it is possible to de-escalate a violent situation with minimal injuries to yourself and your assailant.

2. List of the Various Grappling Art

2.1. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Evolution

The story of BJJ begins in Japan, where the earliest form of jiu-jitsu was developed to help samurai fight hand-to-hand. BJJ was first introduced in Brazil, in 19 fighters gained 20. Carlos and Helio Gracie were the pioneers of BJJ. They created BJJ by drawing inspiration from Japanese jiu-jitsu.


The main purpose of BJJ is to help smaller an advantage over taller opponents. BJJ techniques focus on gaining leverage rather than relying on sheer power to throw an opponent off balance. BJJ became aspopular as Muay Thai and Luta Livre. In the early 1990s, BJJ practitioners took part in the UFC to demonstrate techniques and increase BJJ’s popularity.

BJJ Techniques

  • As BJJ can be a form of self-defense, it primarily focuses on grappling and ground fighting.
  • General yet effective techniques include takedowns and throws.
  • Submission holds are usually the techniques that secure victory.
  • Locks performed in BJJ include chokes and joint locks.
  • Ground techniques help you control your opponent’s movements, allowing you to make them submit or tap out.

How Do BJJ Players Use Grappling?

In BJJ, there are countless positions, transitions, and pins that have been developed. BJJ’s focus on ground fighting means this martial art is not very helpful when fighting standing up. BJJ also tends to be a more technical and complex form of grappling, making it harder to learn compared to other grappling martial arts.

2.2. Wrestling

Evolution

Wrestling is a versatile form of grappling that uses a variety of techniques to gain an advantage over the opponent. Wrestling is a combat sport famous for its characteristics. Wrestling originated in Greece, in 1878. However, most people agree that wrestling became more well-known in North America towards the end of the 19th century.


Wrestling is probably the oldest martial art, believed to be roughly as old as 20,000 years. Many people credit wrestling for forming the backbone of the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Foundation as most champions come from a wrestling background.

Techniques in Wrestling

Wrestlers work on various grappling techniques, focusing on clinch and ground fighting as they try to secure a submission hold.

  • Wrestling competitions allow takedowns, throws, joint lock, pins, and other grappling holds.
  • Aerial techniques in wrestling are popular.
  • Getting past your opponent's guard is the most crucial maneuver in wrestling.
  • To pin in wrestling, the opponent must be face down on the mat and their head pushed onto the ground.
  • You should know how to escape when you are pinned.

How Do Wrestlers Use Grappling?

Unlike BJJ, wrestling requires getting in the top position in an attempt to force your opponent to the ground. To be successful in wrestling, it is important to learn ground control and how best to pin an opponent.

2.3. Judo

Judo
Photo credit: @femexkarate

Evolution

Judo was founded by Kano Jigoro in Japan, in 1882. Jigoro was a jiu-jitsu student who drew inspiration from jiu-jitsu to create his fighting style. In the early 1800s, the popularity of jiu-jitsu started to fade due to its brutal nature. Jigoro made sure to design judo so that it would be safer, healthier, and less violent. Thanks to his efforts, Jigoro made this martial art popular in a short period.


Today, judo is a popular martial art that employs grappling for self-defense and competition. Judo became a part of the Olympic Games for men in 1964 and women in 1992.

Techniques in Judo

  • Judo does not rely on punches or kicks.
  • Judo can only be done at close range.
  • Judo includes joint locks, arm locks, leg locks, etc.
  • Judo includes grappling on the ground and using specialized holds and pins.
  • Judo requires expertise in doing clinches and holds.
  • Capitalize on the opponent’s fatigue and maintain control of the match until the fight is over.

How Do Judo Players Use Grappling?

Judo has a wide variety of throws, sweeps, trips, and submission techniques that can be done when standing or on the ground. Judo’s grappling techniques were based on BJJ techniques. Judo strengthens your muscles and joints so you can overpower your opponent.

3. Reasons Why BJJ is Better than Other Grappling Art?

BJJ is considered the best grappling martial art in Western culture. History has shown that jiu-jitsu was one of the earliest martial arts and inspired the creation of other martial arts like BJJ. BJJ relies solely on grappling techniques to execute submissions and master ground control. The purpose of grappling techniques is to immobilize the opponent on the mat by making use of your joints and muscle. There are plenty of reasons to argue that no other grappling martial art can equal BJJ.

3.1. Anyone Can Practice BJJ

BJJ is safe for kids, adults, and even the elderly. Both men and women can practice BJJ.

3.2. Best Bases for MMA

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is considered the most effective grappling art and the base for all other grappling martial arts. Both judo and wrestling owe much of their evolution to influences from BJJ.


Many martial schools and academies trace the roots of their art to BJJ. Fighters should study grappling techniques and develop a fighting style that plays to their strengths and exploits their opponents’ weaknesses.

3.3. Self-Defense

The skills BJJ fighters learn are useful when practicing self-defense. BJJ fighters hone techniques that can protect them in dangerous situations while causing minimal damage. BJJ teaches self-control and to only fight when it is necessary. It is useful as self-defense because BJJ practitioners can control the movements of their attackers while avoiding getting hit themselves. Kids can use their knowledge of BJJ to help them stand up to bullies.

3.4. Culture

BJJ grew in popularity during the 20th century due to not having a strict code of conduct like other martial arts. In other grappling martial arts, practitioners must wear a traditional uniform. In BJJ, the fighter can choose to fight while wearing or not wearing a gi. Both BJJ culture and training environment tend to be friendly and safe.

4. Conclusion

Grappling martial arts have different strengths and weaknesses. But is there any grappling art that could beat BJJ? The answer is no, there is no other grappling art that is a match for BJJ in terms of culture, self-defense, and grappling techniques. BJJ is the best grappling martial art because it focuses on individual strength and fitness. In general, BJJ is more technical and complex whereas judo and wrestling focus more on speed and power. Though BJJ is slightly better, all of these grappling martial arts are excellent choices for MMA fighters to help them improve their strength, speed, technique, and overall fitness.

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