BJJ vs Wrestling: Key Differences and Why Many Athletes Train Both
How these two grappling arts compare — and why combining them creates a more complete martial artist.
Both BJJ and wrestling are ground-based grappling arts that have produced elite combat sports athletes. But they approach grappling from different angles — and understanding the difference helps you know what each brings to your game.
The Core Difference
Wrestling is primarily focused on takedowns, control, and top position. The goal in competitive wrestling is to take your opponent down, control them, and score points (or pin them). Ground submission holds are not part of the game.
BJJ starts where wrestling ends. While BJJ includes takedowns, it's primarily focused on what happens once you're on the ground — submissions (chokes, armlocks, leg locks), guard play, and reversals. BJJ has a complete system from every position, including from the bottom.
Where Wrestling Beats BJJ
- Takedowns and scrambles. Elite wrestlers have explosive, athletic takedown entries that most BJJ practitioners lack. Double-leg, single-leg, and level changes are deeply ingrained in wrestlers.
- Top control pressure. Wrestlers are trained to dominate from top position and make ground movement difficult — a skill that translates directly to MMA.
- Physical conditioning. Wrestling training is often brutally conditioning-focused, producing athletes with extraordinary physical capacities.
Where BJJ Beats Wrestling
- Ground submissions. Wrestling has no submission system. A BJJ practitioner can threaten chokes, armlocks, and leg locks from almost every position — including from the bottom.
- Guard play. BJJ's guard system (the ability to attack and control from your back) has no equivalent in wrestling. A BJJ practitioner on their back is dangerous; a wrestler on their back has typically lost.
- Longevity and accessibility. BJJ is practiced successfully well into middle age and beyond. The technique-over-strength principle makes it accessible for people of all sizes.
Why MMA Fighters Train Both
Look at the training camps of any elite MMA fighter and you'll see the same thing: a combination of wrestling (for takedowns, cage work, and control) and BJJ (for submissions and guard). The two arts are highly complementary.
A wrestler who adds BJJ gains a submission threat from every position. A BJJ practitioner who adds wrestling closes the biggest gap in their game: getting to the ground in the first place.
Which Should You Start With?
If your goal is self-defense, fitness, or the martial art as a lifestyle — start with BJJ. It's more accessible, has a clearer skill development path (the belt system), and is practiced by people of all ages and sizes.
If you're a former high school or college wrestler looking to add submissions to your game — BJJ is the perfect complement to what you already have.
At Gracie Barra Davenport, our MMA program incorporates wrestling fundamentals alongside BJJ and Muay Thai — giving you a complete game across all ranges.