Is Wrestling a Martial Art?

Is Wrestling a Martial Art?

Many coaches agree that wrestling is indeed a martial art. In fact, wrestling is one of the words oldest, most popular and most effective form of fighting! Unlike many other martial arts, the goal of wrestling is to pin and submit an opponent with the use of joint locks and choke holds. There is no striking in wrestling but the devastating finishing techniques of this grappling style can end any fight quickly! There are many styles of wrestling including Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Folkstyle, Turkish and more. In fact even Judo and Jiu Jitsu are forms of wrestling from Japan.

The style we practice at Fusion MMA is known as "Catch as Catch Can" or simply Catch Wrestling. The goal of Catch Wrestling is to use any means necessary to either pin your opponents shoulders to the floor or force them to submit. Popular submission holds from Catch Wrestling include the Double Wrist Lock, Toe Hold, Coil Lock, Key Lock, Ankle Lock and Hammer Lock. Other popular techniques used to pin and control an opponent include the Full Nelson, Half Nelson, Cradle and Body Triangle.

Unlike Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Catch Wrestling emphasizes take downs and top control (often called "riding"). By taking our opponent down to the floor, you have a much greater chance of submitting them as well as have an opportunity to effectively strike in a self defense situation. Popular takedowns include the Double Leg, Single Leg, High Crotch and Ankle Pick. Throws are also a large part of the takedown and clinch game of Catch Wrestling including the Hip Throw and Head & Arm Throw. Riding (or controlling the top position) allows a good wrestler to maintain various top positions, transitioning from Side Control, Mount and Back Mount.

The strengths of Catch Wrestling as a martial arts style are the crushing top control, aggressive hunt for submissions, takedowns and unorthodox submission holds. All of these make for excellent self defense and MMA skills. Many of today's top MMA fighters in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and Bellator train in Catch Wrestling (or some variation of it) as their primary grappling style. Famous Catch Wrestlers include Frank Gotch, Martin "Farmer" Burns and Karl Gotch. Modern MMA fighters known for their Catch Style include Randy Couture, Kazushi Sakuraba, Kamal Shalorus, Takanori Gomi, and Josh Barnett

Fusion Mixed Martial Arts of Port Jefferson Station, NY on Long Island offers a complete grappling program including Catch Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Students learn to combine these grappling skills in our MMA program for use in sport or self-defense. Our expert staff of trainers are the only coaches in the area to have proven their skills in the cage, ring and on the mat, using their skills in MMA and Vale Tudo.

Our students get the chance to compete as well though most of our members train simply for fun and self defense.

If you would like to learn Catch Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Port Jefferson Station check out our website at http://LongIslandMMATraining.com or call 631-219-8965.

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