Wrestling is the most difficult sport on the planet.
Period.
Yet, this debate is somehow ongoing like the never ending barrage of trash Marvel movies after End Game.
A guaranteed way to get the online grappling community riled up is to put “Jiu-Jitsu vs Wrestling” in almost any headline.
Former high school, college, and even Olympic wrestlers will flock to put in their two cents, followed by every rank of Jiu-Jitsu peeps.
Occasionally, you’ll get some muggle who has never stepped foot on the mats to talk “UFC”….but they are quickly silenced by both sides of ACTUAL grapplers.
SOME BACKGROUND
Now to preface this….I trained gi Jiu-Jitsu exclusively for almost 7 years.
In fact it wasn’t until almost Brown Belt that I began Wrestling regularly.
It was like my first day in the gym all over again. 🙄
The movements were simpler but far more difficult to execute. And the price for failure was high.
Now 7 years into wrestling, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for it, while also simultaneously hating how hard it is.
Here are 5 distinctions that make wrestling so difficult:
1. THE STANCE
Your wrestling stance is your fortress, your foundation. Once that crumbles, the rest of the structure is done for.
Just to maintain a proper wrestling stance (bent knees, low hips, good posture, staggered feet, elbows tight) for 5-6 minutes is exhausting.
. . . Compared to the infamous guard pull of Jiu-Jitsu, which allows you to effectively “Netflix and chill” once your feet are locked.
2. THE OBJECTIVE IS INHERENTLY MORE DIFFICULT
One thing I point out to our team regularly, is you will not undergo a harder task than trying to takedown a 200lb human who doesn’t want to.
You need to push, pull, duck, shoot, and explode to capitalize on their small margin of error…..all simultaneously.
. . . While in the ground game of Jiu-Jitsu (especially in the gi), you can systematically claim space….and hold….
move to the next grip….and hold….
next grip…..hold….
until you’re in a submitting position.
3. GRAVITY IS A _________
The cost of a failed takedown is felt immediately.
When you shoot for a single/double leg and get sprawled on….you begin to question life choices.
I’ve been injured simply from the sprawl….without any follow up counters by my opponent.
The impact of a free falling grappler (especially one who knows how to distribute all their weight behind their shoulders) is rare to find in any other sport that doesn’t provide substantial protective gear.
Again to compare this to Jiu-Jitsu….a failed move can result in a worse position of course, but it’s usually not as physically uncomfortable as wrestling.
(Exempting the scarf hold…..that’s a real bugger).
4. THE PRACTICES ARE THE HARDEST GROUP WORKOUT YOU'LL EVER ENCOUNTER IN A GYM
I already mentioned I was 27 before I began Wrestling.
But my wrestling experience was in a Jiu-Jitsu gym. So it’s like, “Wrestling Lite.”
The format looked something like:
• 10 minute warmup
• 20 minute technique/drilling
• 30-45 minutes live rounds
• Followed by open gym
While even a high school wrestling practice would run 2.5-3hrs.
In that time you could expect a full body workout, extreme fatigue, 80 degree heat, and mats so wet you could literally have a slip and slide contest.
If we were to incorporate such practices into our gym today, most of the population couldn’t keep up…..and few would be willing to pay for such torture.
5. WRESTLING REQUIRES STRENGTH & CONDITIONING WORKOUTS OUTSIDE OF THE GYM
It’s pretty common to meet Jiu-Jitsu guys who don’t lift weights.
“The gym is my workout,” is the general mentality.
. . . While it’s almost impossible to find a wrestler who doesn’t actively lift.
This goes back to the objective of the sport.
A wrestler’s goal is to impose their will on you by moving you! (Violently and explosively)
A Jiu-Jiteiro’s goal is to impose their will on you by moving AROUND you.
One is difficult. The other….efficient.
You see the difference?
You’re gonna have your work cut out for you, attempting a double leg takedown, if you’ve never done squats or deadlifts before.
0/10 . . . don’t recommend. 👎
SO WHICH IS BETTER?
By now you’re probably thinking:
“Why is a Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt writing an article on outlining how wrestling is better than BJJ.”
I claimed no such thing…..Ricky.
I did say Wrestling is more difficult than Jiu-Jitsu.
(Just like busting up 30 yards of concrete by hand is more difficult than BJJ.)
But when it comes to the question of, “Which is better?” My answer might surprise you.
When teaching our BJJ group classes, I borrow a phrase from USPS a lot: “If it fits….it ships.”
Meaning: If a technique completes the objective, and is easily implemented by you, then adapt it.
All grappling arts borrow from each other; the idea of trying to place one specific style at the top of the hierarchy is foolish and a waste of time.
How you train will be entirely dictated by the ruleset you’re training for.
If you’re in a wrestling tournament, a guard pull will get you pinned immediately.
In a Jiu-Jitsu tournament, if you go for a sloppy double leg…..a blue belt is gonna take your neck home as a trophy.
If you’re going into mma, you better have some Muay Thai & Kickboxing experience because grappling alone will get you KO’d.
If you’re training for a gunfight…..I would advise you don’t bring a knife. 😏
WHICH DO YOU PREFER?
Personally, I train BJJ for 4 reasons.
1. Self defense
2. Personal fitness
3. Mental Discipline
4. Community
3 out of 4 of those boxes could be achieved with strict Jiu-Jitsu or Wrestling…..or even Yoga for that matter.
But for the Self Defense portion…..I prefer a mixed bag.
If someone is attempting to harm my wife or child……there’s zero chance I’m pulling guard. I’m playing takedowns all the way and attempting to do as much damage as possible.
Once it’s on the ground, I would use bjj from there to mount, control, and call for authorities.
Jiu-Jitsu is famous for its ability to control your opponent without beating them to a pulp.
So you can reduce liability while achieving the objective at the same time.
THE BOTTOM LINE
In reality….any gym you walk into today will teach wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu.
You’ll find a home at very nearly any Jiu-Jitsu gym in your city.
Just start training. You won’t regret it.
See you on the mats!
Written By David Fox
