Hey, I'm on the wrestling team at my high school but i've always been interested in trying another art off season. What do most mma fighters train in? brazilian jiu-jutsu? judo? and how different is bjj from jj? What does each art focus on?
I agree with Killa_Cs. FYI: Judo is probably better for wrestling, since many of the best wrestlers on my high school team were also judokas. It involves some throws and pins that can applied (with modification) to wrestling. It is also originally based on several forms of Japanese ju-jutsu. However, Judo has gone through many changes throughout the years. Most MMA fighters train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (different traditional spelling; same meaning) as well for its superior emphansis on ground work from the guard. In my limited experience, BJJ has more wrestling like live-grappling (called randori) than Judo; although, that may just be a factor of the clubs and schools that I attended. Here is a good page on the history of Judo and BJJ.
different is bjj from jj? bjj has more ground game (ie. leg locks) Judo has more throws and less ground game. Look into sambo too.
Standup - Muay Thai/Boxing Grappling - Sambo, BJJ, Judo, FS/GRwrestling or "subwrestling" classes Specific MMA classes to tie it all in together Your choice to start. Personally, I'd do MT for standup and crosstrain Judo/BJJ for takedowns/subs. If I had to choose between Judo & BJJ I'd probably choose BJJ, but then again - it depends on what is available in your area.
BJJ is great, but it might give you some bad habits in wrestling competition, though your wrestling will give you a good start in BJJ with some bad habits of course. I wouldn't really bother with Judo since you've already got the take-down aspect down.
True, kinda. In wrestling you'll learn a very narrow band of the take-down spectrum, but you will learn it very, very well. Mostly shoots, double legs, singles, fireman carries, that kind of thing. But, if you want to add some dynamics to your throws and takedowns, then judo is your choice (or Sambo). If you want to really develop your ground game, then BJJ is your choice. By far, most MMA'ers today study BJJ as their ground discipline. But rememeber, a huge number of wrestlers have done extremely well in MMA, many of them out grappling bjjers. Your wrestling core will take you far.
in bjj , when you get your blue belt, you have to "walk the earth" and get into adventures that can be solved in 29 mintues, for about a year, like Caine in Kung Fu
brazilian jiu jitsu is focused on self defense and controlling your opponent with superior positioning until you submit him, mostly on the ground. Judo focuses on throwing and projecting your opponent, though sometimes groundgame will be incorporated. The ground part it is extremely limited. What are you looking for? Do you want to be a better wrestler? Try judo. Want to be a better fighter? I
Ok, Jiu Jistu can give you some bad habits for Wrestling if you are not smart, and leave your Jiu Jitsu home when going to wrestling practice. With that said, I personally think you should take Jiu Jitsu. If you are already training wrestling, then you have a good base, aggressive attitude, and good takedowns and takedown defense. Cross training BJJ will make you a very dangerous grappler. It will compliment your wrestling training more then Judo, and make you a better ground fighter, with emphasis on submissions. However, if you are looking or an added advantage to your current Wrestling training, then judo would be better suited for you.
Ruick, Everyone here has made great points. But one thing you have not made clear is exactly what you are looking for. If you are wanting to be a person who can submission grapple then take BJJ. BJJ+Wrestling=great! If you want to be a takedown specialist then take Judo. You will be able to shoot, defend shots, throw, defend throws etc.. You will also still be focusing on taking control positions and holding them. Not bad IMO. You will also get familiar with a few subs that you can practice during live sessions but in comps you wont have more than 30 seconds or so to show progress on the mat. If you want to be a brawler then take an art like Muay thai or kickboxing. If you are good, the takedown defense wrestling teaches you will keep you on your feet against most other stylists while you pound away with punches and kicks. So what ARE you looking to do?
I vote no on that. BJJ will in NO way make you a better wrestler. Wrestling will make you a better BJJ'er but its a one way street. I have enever seen a great BJJ'er get top position over a great wrestler. You won't get points for triangling someone from gaurd when you start back wrestling. You will become great at submissions but you can't use submissions in amateur wrestling. Wrestling is based on the takedown and control(pinning). BJJ will not better either of these two aspects. Judo will add a lot to your wrestling. BJJ will add nothing that you can use when the season starts back. If you want to go into MMA eventually, do BJJ or Muay thai/boxing. If you want to improve your wrestling, go straight to a good Judo dojo.
