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When pitting two fighting styles against each other, it’s worth taking a closer look at their unique traits, moves, and purposes. And that’s exactly what happens when wrestling and Jiu Jitsu are thrown into the mix - often compared side by side to other martial arts, getting a sense of how they stack up against each other can give you a real idea of how effective they are and where they can be applied. We’ve explored how BJJ compares to Karate, Judo and Muay Thai, looking at the grappling intensity of BJJ versus the striking-oriented nature of Karate and Muay Thai - and these comparisons give you a good idea of the different martial arts out there, each with its own set of techniques and philosophies. But for this article, we’re shifting focus to a sport that shares a similar grappling style but has a whole different approach - wrestling. Along with BJJ and Judo, wrestling is a part of the same family of combat sports that’ve evolved over time. The debate over wrestling vs Jiu Jitsu has really taken off as more and more people get into both sports. In this piece we’re going to delve into the core differences between these two arts, looking at their techniques, philosophies, training structures, and applications in both sport and self-defense. Here, we’ll break down all the differences between wrestling and Jiu Jitsu to give you a comprehensive understanding of what sets these two fighting styles apart.
Wrestling has a long history that dates back to the earliest civilizations. At its core, wrestling is all about takedowns - typically launched from standing position, control, and physical dominance. Wrestling is considered an aggressive sport and a combat sport, known for its explosive, demanding, and physically intense nature. Wrestlers use a variety of wrestling techniques - takedowns, pins, holds, throws - to get control and pin their opponents to the floor. Over time, wrestling has evolved into different wrestling styles - including high school, collegiate, and international competitions, each with specific rules and formats. For example, even freestyle wrestling allows holds above and below the waist, whereas Greco wrestling is all about upper-body techniques and doesn’t allow holds below the waist. And then there is catch wrestling - a traditional and pretty unique style that’s well-known for its creative grappling techniques.
What also sets wrestling apart from Jiu Jitsu is that there are no submissions allowed. The goal is to pin your opponents shoulders to the ground to win, which really makes wrestling about physicality, brute power, and explosiveness. In a wrestling match, competitors face off under strict rules and intense physical conditions, focusing on takedowns, pins, and quick, explosive action to score points or secure victory. A wrestler will push to stay on top, using their weight and leverage to imobilize their opponent - whereas BJJ practitioners tend to use a more strategic approach, often from the back. It’s clear that wrestling is effective in MMA and real-world fights, where a wrestler’s training and experience in control and takedowns can really give them an edge.
Wrestlers put in a lot of effort to develop brute strength, agility and stamina. Wrestlers work tirelessly in training and competition, focusing on mastering techniques like takedowns, controlling positions, and applying pins. Wrestling training is really all about developing both physical and mental toughness - the kind that helps you build the explosiveness and resilience needed to dominate in both sport and self-defence situations.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about the idea that a smaller, weaker person can defend themselves against a bigger opponent by using technique, leverage and submissions. BJJ focuses on using leverage, positional control and submission techniques to neutralize opponents - and let’s be honest, its not about relying on strength or being too explosive. In BJJ, the goal is to get your opponent to tap out by locking them in a joint or choking hold. This creates a whole different mindset compared to wrestling. BJJ is all about patience, technique and position strategy - rather than relying on brute force to get things done. The technical side of BJJ allows practitioners to use strategy and skill to overcome size and strength differences, making it highly effective for a wide range of people. As a grappling martial art, BJJ is all about ground fighting and controlling and submitting opponents from all sorts of positions.
One major difference between wrestling and BJJ is the guard. In BJJ, if a practitioner is taken down or finds themselves on their back, they have loads of tools to control their opponent, reverse the situation or finish off with a submission. A good BJJ fighter is trained to escape, defend, and attack from any position - making them pretty flexible in both sport and self-defence scenarios. Wrestling, on the other hand, doesn’t really focus on guard work, as the rules tend to push you towards staying on top and avoiding the ground at all costs.
And when it comes to submissions, BJJ practitioners have a pretty wide range of techniques they can use - including chokes and joint locks to finish off fights. The ground game is what makes BJJ tick, allowing practitioners to control and defeat opponents even when they’re on their backs. BJJ fighters are known for their mastery of submission moves, which force an opponent to tap out whether they’re big or small. This approach to Jiu Jitsu is one of the things that makes it so effective for self-defense. In practical scenarios, bjj techniques focus on ground fighting, submissions, and leverage, allowing you to counter attackers even if they are physically larger. Practitioners of BJJ aren’t just learning to avoid getting put in bad positions, they’re also getting better at being a threat even when they’re in tough spots. I reckon that’s a big reason why BJJ is so highly recommended for real-world self-defense - because it teaches you some practical skills that can really help you out in a scrap. Plus, it’s particularly handy in situations where the other guy might be bigger and stronger. The Gracie family played a huge role in developing and popularizing BJJ as an effective self-defense system, moulding its curriculum and techniques into something that works for both competition and real life. That’s partly why BJJ for kids is so effective - it teaches them how to protect themselves without relying on brute strength, as we touched on in our article about why BJJ is good for kids. Learning BJJ not only improves self-protection but also helps kids and adults develop essential skills for personal safety and confidence.
All in all, understanding the differences between wrestling and BJJ - from their techniques to their strategies and how they get used in self defense - can really help you figure out which martial art is the best fit for you.
When it comes to uniforms and ranking systems, wrestling and BJJ show off their personalities in different ways. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, practitioners go for the iconic Gi - a pretty basic but sturdy jacket and trousers combo, held together by a colored belt that not only looks cool but also shows off the wearer's rank and how far they've come. The Gi is a piece of kit that's used for training and competition, and it's way more than just a fancy outfit - it's a tool for helping you learn and defend against all sorts of grappling techniques like joint locks and submission holds. You don't have to worry about the Gi though - you can also do BJJ without one, which is known as no-gi training. That's where you wear a rash guard and some shorts instead, and it's a whole different ball game.
Wrestling on the other hand takes a much more minimalist approach. Wrestlers wear a pretty slick spandex singlet, along with some wrestling shoes and a bit of headgear for safety. That allows them to focus on the all important stuff like explosive power, takedowns and keeping the other guy down on the mat without getting in the way of their gear. The uniform is pretty much designed for getting the job done, and that reflects the wrestling way of doing things - it's a super physical, in-your-face kind of sport.
The ranking systems for these two grappling arts are probably the most different of all. In BJJ, you progress through a colored belt system - starting with white, then blue, purple, brown and eventually black. Each belt is a sign of a new level of skill, experience and commitment. Getting a BJJ black belt is a real achievement - you're talking about a decade or more of hard work, training and just generally getting better at BJJ. This structured approach means you're always focusing on improving your technique, understanding the ground game and developing a winning mindset.
Wrestling doesn't really use a belt system, however. Instead, they rank wrestlers on their performance in matches and tournaments - right from high school wrestling all the way up to the big international competitions. Winning matches is the key, and getting titles and being able to outwork the other guy on the mat is what gets you ahead. Wrestlers do tons of drills to get the takedowns just right, constantly pushing themselves to be better. This performance-based system builds a culture of grit, hard work and a desire to keep getting better - something you can see in all the top wrestlers and BJJ players out there.
Despite these differences, both BJJ and wrestling have this shared commitment to being great at grappling. Whether it's the technical stuff of BJJ, or the explosive, control-based wrestling, both martial arts demand a lot of discipline, hard work and a willingness to push yourself to the limit. As Joe Rogan once said "Martial arts are a great way to get discipline, hard work and self-improvement into your life", and both BJJ and wrestling have got all that in spades.
For anyone looking to train wrestling or get into BJJ, getting to know the uniforms and ranking systems is about more than just tradition - it's a window into the culture and philosophy of each martial art. Whether you prefer the structured progression of BJJ or the competitive fire of wrestling, both are a great way to get better at grappling, learn self defense, and get some serious personal development going on. In the end, it's all about what you want to get out of it and what kind of martial artist you want to be.
Embarking on the journey of learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or wrestling is a test of both mind and body, no matter your starting point. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for your first class or eyeing the path to black belt, both BJJ and wrestling demand a commitment to mastering the basics before moving on to the more advanced grappling techniques that define these martial arts.
For those new to jiu jitsu, the early days are all about getting comfortable with foundational positions—like guard, half guard, and mount—and understanding how to use leverage and timing rather than brute strength. BJJ athletes quickly learn that technique is king, and that even a white belt can start to develop submission techniques and joint locks that work against larger, stronger opponents. As you progress, you’ll add more complex submission holds to your arsenal, refine your transitions between dominant positions, and start to see the technical aspect of BJJ come alive. The journey from white belt to black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a long one, often taking years of consistent training, but each step brings a deeper understanding of the ground game and self defense.
Wrestling, on the other hand, kicks off with a focus on explosive power, agility, and mastering essential wrestling moves. Beginners start with the basics—think double leg takedown, single leg, and simple pins—before moving on to the more intricate techniques found in Greco Roman and freestyle wrestling. Wrestlers drill takedowns extensively, building the kind of physical conditioning and mental toughness that’s the hallmark of the wrestling community. As you advance, you’ll develop the ability to control opponents from the standing position and on the mat, always pushing your physical limit and sharpening your competitive edge.
For those with ambitions in MMA, combining both BJJ and wrestling is a huge advantage. The best UFC champions often have a background in both, blending the relentless takedown skills of wrestling with the submission mastery of BJJ. This combination creates a well-rounded MMA fighter who can dictate where the fight goes—whether it’s keeping things standing, taking the fight to the ground, or finishing with a submission.
No matter which path you choose, the key to mastering either BJJ or wrestling is finding a great coach, training regularly, and being patient with your progress. Both martial arts offer a challenging but rewarding journey, whether your goal is self defense, competition, or just becoming the best version of yourself. Stick with it, and you’ll find that the lessons learned on the mat go far beyond grappling—they’re lessons in discipline, resilience, and personal growth.
The main technical difference between wrestling and Jiu Jitsu is the focus on takedowns and submissions. Wrestling and BJJ are two completely different fighting styles with two completely different approaches - wrestling is all about getting the takedown and then controlling the other guy on the mat, while BJJ is all about getting the submission. Wrestlers are trained to take their opponents to the ground using takedowns like double-legs, single-legs and throws - its all about driving forward and dominating on the ground. It’s this kind of explosive move that really decides wrestling matches. In Jiu Jitsu, takedowns are a part of the sport, but they’re not the main event. Ground fighting is really the core of BJJ - that’s where practitioners focus on control and submissions. Techniques like the armbar, triangle choke, and rear-naked choke are what it’s all about. These submissions are looking to target joints or your opponents ability to breathe , and that’s what forces them to tap out.
And to make submissions work, BJJ practitioners are trained to use positions like guard, half-guard, and mount to set up their moves. Achieving the top position is especially important in BJJ, as it allows for greater control over the opponent and creates more opportunities to finish with submissions. The idea is to methodically work your way from one position to another, slowly tightening up your control until a submission becomes available. In wrestling, once you’ve got a takedown, the goal is to pin the guy or just maintain control - that’s it.
The way BJJ and wrestling train is worlds apart. Wrestling focuses on building up physical conditioning, strength and just raw power. Wrestlers train super high-intensity with lots of drills to boost their cardiovascular endurance, speed and power. It’s fast-paced, with loads of rounds of live sparring that simulates competition. Having a wrestling background is pretty valuable for MMA fighters, as it gives them skills like takedowns, control and ground-and-pound techniques that are super important in mixed martial arts.
Now Jiu Jitsu is physically demanding too, but it puts a much bigger emphasis on drilling techniques, strategy and just plain old positional sparring. BJJ practitioners will often spend a chunk of a class just drilling a single technique or a sequence of moves, focussing on the tiniest details. That focus on technique over power makes BJJ super accessible to people of all shapes and sizes, which is another reason why its a favourite among kids and those looking for a self-defence art. For MMA fighters, BJJ experience is super valuable too, as it helps you develop ground control and submission skills in the cage. Many athletes choose to practice BJJ alongside wrestling or other martial arts to become more well-rounded grapplers and improve their overall MMA performance.
Focus is a key part of all martial arts, and if you look at taekwondo for example, the taekwondo focus is well-known for helping improve mental and physical concentration, which enhances technique, discipline and overall performance. The taekwondo focus is primarily on stand-up striking techniques, which sets it apart from the ground-based grappling and submission emphasis found in wrestling and BJJ.
For kids, Jiu Jitsu’s got a real safety advantage over wrestling. Wrestling can be pretty high-impact and can be tough on the joints - thats why many wrestlers transition to BJJ later in life. BJJ on the other hand is all about technique and control, so you can practice it safely for life.
The real difference between wrestling and Jiu Jitsu is what you use it for. Wrestling is primarily a sport, with clear rules and a time limit - the goal is to score points and win the match. Jiu Jitsu on the other hand is often practiced both as a sport and as self-defence. In a BJJ match, the goal is to submit the guy, which is pretty similar to how a self-defense scenario would play out. That’s why BJJ is often considered one of the best martial arts for self-defense.
Both wrestling and Jiu Jitsu are popular martial arts, widely practiced and recognized for their effectiveness in fitness, self-defense, and competitive sports. Their widespread appeal makes them top choices for people looking to train in martial arts.
In a real fight or street fight, BJJ practitioners can use chokes and joint locks to neutralize an aggressor - its a bit different to wrestling, which relies on takedowns and control to dominate unpredictable situations. Both arts are put to the test in street fights, where the effectiveness of different martial arts becomes clear.
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is the perfect example of both wrestling and Jiu Jitsu being super important. Both come from the same combat family tree, sharing roots with other grappling disciplines like judo, but each has its own unique techniques and philosophies. Wrestlers often dominate with takedowns and control, while Jiu Jitsu practitioners are the ones who really shine once the fight hits the ground thanks to their submission skills. The combination of different martial arts, including wrestling and BJJ, is what makes a well-rounded MMA fighter.
At the end of the day, it's all about what you want to achieve. Wrestling's great for those looking to develop strength, control and a competitive edge - and for some people that's what it's all about. BJJ on the other hand is focused on submissions and technique, and it's got a real strategic approach to both sport and self-defense.
Whether you're more of a wrestling fan, or prefer the technique-driven philosophy of Jiu Jitsu, both martial arts have loads to offer.
