The strategy employed by a submission fighter is to score a takedown on the opponent.  From there he will work to get himself into a dominant position.  Finally, from his superior position he will apply a submission hold.  After that he just waits for the tap.

 

What takedowns, positions, and submissions the fighter gravitates toward are greatly determined by his training background.  Both the styles he has trained in and who he has trained with will makeup his background.

 

Some of the many arts that would be termed a submission fighting style are...

 

·   Brazilian Jujitsu - Style developed from classical jujitsu and judo by the Gracie family.

 

·   Sambo - Russian grappling art with many similarities to judo.

 

·   Judo - Japanese martial art with a heavy focus on throws and sweeps from the clinch.

 

·   Catch Wrestling - American form of submission fighting with origins in both Europe and Asia.

 

·   Shoot Wrestling - Japanese submission grappling style with roots in catch wrestling.

 

Many fighters pick and choose certain elements from all of these styles.  Then put them together under one name which is usually referred to as submission wrestling, submission grappling, or submission fighting.

 

These days the trend is moving toward practicing some kind of hybrid art with elements of all the styles used.  Although that is the case, you can still find many fighters who specialize in just one art.  The most common example of that is the MMA fighter who uses only BJJ for his ground skills.

 

To use the classical submission grappling styles in MMA the practitioner needs to make some adaptations.  In most MMA fights you and your opponent will not be allowed to wear a uniform (Gi).  That means a lot of the moves in BJJ, Judo, and Sambo will need to be changed.  Grabbing the Gi when throwing your opponent will need to be replaced with holding onto the limbs or trunk of the body.  Using the Gi for handles to maneuver both your opponent and yourself, while on the ground, will not be available.  Once again you will need to use the opponent's actual body.

 

In Sambo the practitioners wear wrestling shoes.  This will have an effect on a couple of things.  Whoever is wearing the shoes can lock their legs together in the guard position much more securely.  Also, whoever is wearing them is more susceptible to ankle locks.  So someone with a background in Sambo who wishes to use it in a MMA fight will need to be aware of a few things.  They will need to realize that both their guard and their opponents may be easier to open.  They must also be aware that the man they are fighting could slip out of an ankle lock more easily.

 

Another factor to consider when training for MMA submission wrestling is strikes.  There are techniques used in both classical styles and modern hybrid arts that could leave you open to being struck.  When training for MMA, make sure you get in a lot of grappling sessions that also allow strikes.  This will give you a good idea of what moves can put you in harm's way.  From there you can make a decision about whether it is worth the risk.

 

 

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MMA Submission Fighting