I can't really speak to pure BJJ vs pure wrestling being more difficult. However, I can tell you that it's easier to learn to defend against a guy like Demian Maia than to defend against Khabib's takedowns.
I find that interesting. Being Judo based,,, and getting a start.
They are both elite level in their respective sports. But submission defense is just easier than takedown defense (both are a lot of hard work, obviously).
Well beg to differ being a Judo beginner, and losing both of my two initial randori matches. But I'm not really in a position to make any statement.
From what I observe in MMA, the takedown vulnerability stems from the repeat, wash, rinse, repeat type of shortcut drilling the MMA guys do. Judo you have to get into the details all he way down to the technique & all the way up to philosophy,,, MMA is just "Let's brawl, let's get it on......"
But with that said, offensive BJJ is much, much more difficult to master than landing MMA trips/take downs. So I guess it's a mixed bag.
I mentioned just this very impression when I began posting about taking up Judo. The MMA trips & take downs again I feel are from training MMA thinks is dynamic but which is mentally stale.
Dunno. Judo throws work ONLY when you get the whole package together, otherwise slop results which don't work right, and no score. People just don't understand you can't force Judo... you can force someone down outside of good Judo. Judo itself is art in action.
I think BJJ is more complicated technically, and has that as a plus. But technical complexity can also be a trap, as that Girl BJJ Brown Belt video v. the Japanese Guy Black-belt in Judo, kinda played out. When he caught the throw... she just went flying while she struggled to get BJJ technique to keep ahead of him.
The vast majority of elite athletes started their sports before the age of 10. Kids training MMA from an early age will DEFINITELY translate into championships.
I guess, maybe so. Keep seeing this theme here over & over. Dunnno.