Ask any mixed martial arts analyst which single discipline gives a fighter the best foundation, and the answer is almost always the same: wrestling. From the UFC to local competitions, wrestlers consistently demonstrate an ability to dictate where a fight takes place — and in combat sports, that's the ultimate advantage. Here's why wrestling is widely considered the best base for martial arts.

The Power of Dictating Position

The most valuable skill in any martial arts context — whether competition or self-defence — is the ability to choose where the action happens. A wrestler can decide to keep a fight standing or take it to the ground. They can pin an opponent against a wall or create distance to escape. This positional control is the foundation of everything else.

In MMA, we've seen elite strikers neutralised by superior wrestling, and we've seen skilled grapplers unable to implement their game because they couldn't get the fight to the ground. Wrestling sits at the intersection of standing and ground fighting, making it the ultimate connector between disciplines.

Takedowns: The Great Equaliser

Wrestling develops takedown skills that are unmatched by any other martial art. Single legs, double legs, body locks, and trips — wrestlers spend years perfecting the art of putting opponents on the ground. These skills translate directly to:

BJJ: Many BJJ matches are won or lost in the takedown exchange. A wrestler entering BJJ has an immediate advantage in getting the fight where they want it.
MMA: Takedowns score points and create opportunities for ground-and-pound or submissions.
Self-defence: The ability to take someone down and control them — or stay on your feet when someone tries to take you down — is invaluable in real-world situations.

Takedown Defence Is Equally Important

The flip side of offensive wrestling is the ability to stay on your feet. For Muay Thai practitioners and boxers, wrestling training develops the sprawls, underhooks, and hip position needed to avoid being taken down. This is why many professional strikers incorporate wrestling into their training camps, even if they never intend to wrestle offensively.

The Mental Toughness Factor

Wrestling is arguably the most physically demanding of all martial arts. The pace is relentless, the positions are gruelling, and there's nowhere to hide. Training wrestling builds a level of mental toughness that transfers to every other area of life.

Wrestlers are known for their work ethic, pain tolerance, and refusal to quit. These attributes aren't genetic — they're forged through training. When a wrestler transitions to BJJ or MMA, they bring this conditioning advantage with them.

Top Control and Pressure

Wrestlers develop crushing top pressure. The ability to ride an opponent, make them carry your weight, and prevent them from escaping is a core wrestling skill. In BJJ, this translates to dominant positions and the ability to wear opponents down. In self-defence scenarios, top control allows you to restrain someone without causing unnecessary harm.

This pressure-based style is exhausting to deal with. Even technically superior grapplers often struggle against the relentless top game of an experienced wrestler.

Conditioning and Athleticism

Wrestling training develops an athletic base that serves every martial art:

Explosive power: Takedowns require rapid, powerful movements from the legs and hips.
Cardiovascular endurance: Wrestling rounds are among the most physically demanding in all of sport.
Flexibility and balance: Defending takedowns and working from awkward positions develops exceptional body awareness.
Grip and upper-body strength: The constant pushing, pulling, and gripping builds functional strength.

Wrestling at Nakama BJJ

At Nakama BJJ in Keilor East, Melbourne, we offer dedicated wrestling classes alongside our BJJ and Muay Thai programmes. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist looking to add wrestling to your skill set, our coaching team can help you develop the takedowns, defence, and conditioning that make wrestling such a powerful foundation.

Many of our members train wrestling as a complement to their BJJ or Muay Thai training, and the crossover benefits are immediately apparent on the mats.

Get Started

If you're in Melbourne and interested in building the strongest possible martial arts foundation, wrestling should be part of your training. Check our timetable for wrestling class times, and book a free trial to experience the intensity and effectiveness of wrestling training first-hand.

Why Wrestling Is the Best Base for Martial Arts