| MMA, commonly called Ultimate Fighting, has | | | | like fighters. It will be a challenge for |
| evolved through various stages. Initially, | | | | those that have spent years honing skills to |
| Royce Gracie inspired an explosion where all | | | | championship levels; instinct takes over. |
| fighters absorbed as much Jiu Jitsu as they | | | | But, the same strong mind that makes one a |
| possibly could.This move to ground fighting | | | | champion can adapt and make some |
| made champion wrestlers confident that they | | | | modifications that can transform the champion |
| could excel in MMA. Wrestlers like Kevin | | | | wrestler into the most devastating MMA |
| Jackson proved the theory correct. He was | | | | competitor.A wrestler with decent skills can |
| very effective during the early | | | | nullify the skills of a world champion boxer |
| 1990's.Wrestling tactics will allow a fighter | | | | or martial artist with one simple take down. |
| to control his opponent, however; they need | | | | Once on the ground the entire arsenal of a |
| to be modified to be truly effective in MMA | | | | stand up fighter is depleted and the expert |
| where the desired result is to finish the | | | | is relegated to an ordinary fighter with no |
| opponent by knockout or submission.Pure | | | | training. Instinct will take over, and since |
| wrestlers have failed to succeed in MMA on a | | | | there has been no training; the results will |
| grand scale due to the ingrained training | | | | be that of an ordinary unskilled fighter. The |
| that is drilled into their heads from the | | | | wrestler, even just an average one, will have |
| first day they step on a wrestling mat. The | | | | an enormous advantage and should dominate the |
| biggest challenge that wrestlers face in MMA | | | | fight.If wrestlers can adapt the traditional |
| is the fear of having their backs or | | | | moves that are taught with slight |
| shoulders on the mat.Every wrestler fights to | | | | modifications focused on submitting, |
| stay off of his back. It's in our blood. | | | | punishing, and finishing their opponents; |
| Champion wrestlers have conditioned | | | | they will excel in MMA and take the sport to |
| themselves to keep from going to their backs | | | | the next level. |
| without having to think about it. We make it | | | | |
| become a reflex action.In a wrestling match, | | | | Wrestlers starting out today that desire to |
| a competitor risks giving up points or | | | | one day compete in MMA should prepare for |
| getting pinned when his shoulders are exposed | | | | both sports at the same time so that they |
| to the mat. This is not the case in MMA where | | | | will not have to retrain their minds to lose |
| the competitor on his back can actually have | | | | the fear of exposing their backs to the |
| the advantage, and finish the match.Wrestlers | | | | mat.Ray Mardo, a champion freestyle wrestler |
| who wish to excel in MMA need to stop | | | | and coach, has modified wrestling techniques |
| thinking like wrestlers, and start thinking | | | | as MMA finishing and submission maneuvers. |