That is quite true, the current incarnation of MMA has really shown that wrestlers who train and become competent strikers are the among the most formidable opponents. In the original MMA (the one-day tournament format, no time limit, no scoring), the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters had the most success (probably due to the no time limit).
And yes I doubt MMA will ever be a high school sport, but I have seen kids as young as five training in MMA and allowed to spar when they get a bit older. My 8-year old niece studies at one of Gracie family's gyms in Tampa. It's great exercise and teaches discipline and focus to kids. She absolutely loves it.
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creatorof2002
13 years ago
I am wondering what the bigger adjustment would be, a person with martial arts training (maybe kickboxing or karate or boxing) that involves a lot of striking but very little wrestling or grappling adding the wrestling or grappling to his or her repertoire to be an MMA fighter or a skilled wrestler having to learn the striking to be a complete MMA fighter? Which adjustment is more difficult?
Also, it could be argued that wrestling is MORE difficult in some ways than MMA fighting even though it SEEMS the other is more demanding because an MMA fighter can hope for a good punch or kick to knock out or at least damage an opponent to make the take down easier but at just wrestling you cannot rely on that and have to entirely take a person down.
It could be argued that boxing is less aerobically demanding than wrestling because i have seen boxers sort of put up defenses and get in clutches to buy time to catch breath and you get a full minute of rest after every 3 minute round.
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