Tag: Combat

A no contest is one of those fight results you don’t see much in the UFC or MMA. New UFC fans may be confused and not know exactly what a no contest is.

Let’s clear up the confusion and break down the question of what is a no contest in the UFC. Covering the exact definition of a no contest from the unified rules of MMA and listing notable no contests in UFC history.

What Is A No Contest In The UFC? 

To answer, what is a no contest in the UFC, let’s go directly to the ABC’s unified rules of MMA. On page 8, under the definition of types of decision, this is the ABC’s definition of a no contest.

“No Contest: When a contestant is prematurely stopped due to accidental injury and a sufficient amount of time has not been completed to render a decision via the score cards.”

When a fight is ruled a no contest, this means that neither fighter is the winner of the bout. On their records, the fight is listed as a no contest.

Examples Of A No Contest 

A no contest can be declared for a number of reasons. Here are some of the reasons that a fight in the UFC can be ruled a no contest.

Accidental Illegal Strike 

Sometimes a fighter will hit their opponent with an accidental illegal strike. It could be anything from kicking a downed opponent, low blow, eye poke, or accidental headbutt.

If a fighter is incapacitated or too injured to continue, the referee can declare the fight a no contest.

Outside Interference 

If a third party interferes in the fight, the bout can be ruled a no contest. A third party could be anyone from the referee, cornerman, or even a fan interrupting the bout.

Failed Drug Test 

Fighters who win a fight but fail a drug test will result in the fight being overturned. Instead of a win, the fight will be switched to a no contest along with a heavy fine and suspension.

Post Fight Appeal

If a fighter feels that their fight was unjustly stopped, they have the right to appeal the fight. They take their case to the athletic state commission that oversaw their fight. If the fighter wins their appeal, the fight will then be overturned to a no contest.

Double KO

The ultra-rare double knockout, where both fighters knock each other out will be marked as a no contest. 

Fixed Fight

Another rare instance of fights being ruled a no contest can be from a fixed fight. If an athletic commission discovers a fight was fixed, this will lead to a fight being overturned to a no contest.

Broken Cage

It has never happened in the UFC, but broken cages or rings have happened in smaller promotions. When this happens during a fight, the bout will be stopped and declared a no contest.

What Do Fighters Get Paid If The Bout Is A No Contest?

In fights that result in a no contest, the fighters will receive their contractual show money for participating in the fight. Since neither fighter won, they don’t receive a win bonus.

If a fight is overturned to a no contest after an event, it’s unknown if the UFC recoups the win bonus. Although for positive drug tests, the fighter is fined a substantial amount along with a suspension.

What Happens To Bets If A Fight Is Ruled A No Contest?

When a fight ends in a no contest, any bets placed on the fight are null and void. Meaning that the existing bets are canceled, and funds are returned to the better.

No Contest vs. Technical Decision

Sometimes, a fight ending early can also go to a technical decision instead of a no contest. Here is the definition of a technical decision from the ABC’s unified rules of MMA.

“If an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout after ½ of the scheduled rounds, plus one (1) second of the fight has been completed, the bout will result in a TECHNICAL DECISION awarded to the fighter who is ahead on the scorecards at the time the bout is stopped.”

Notable No Contests In The UFC 

There have been quite a few fights that have ended in a no contest in the UFC. Here are some of the most notable fights in the UFC that resulted in a no contest.

Nick Diaz vs. Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz had a memorable battle in 2015 that was considered one of the year’s best fights. Silva walked away with a decision win until the results of pre-fight drug tests came in after the fights.

Both fighters failed their drug tests, with Silva testing positive for steroids and Diaz for Marijuana. The fight was immediately overturned to a no contest. Diaz was also handed a lengthy suspension that subsequently ruined his fighting career.

Jeremy Stephens vs. Yair Rodriguez

Jeremy Stephens vs. Yair Rodriguez was one of the most anticipated featherweight bouts of 2019. Fight fans’ expectations were completely destroyed as Rodriguez poked Stephens in the eye in the bout’s first 15 seconds. The fight was never rescheduled.

Bobby Moffett vs. Chas Skelly

In 2018, Bobby Moffett fought Chas Skelly, which Moffett initially won by submission. The problem, however, was that Skelly never tapped out.

Skelly appealed the results to the Colorado State Athletic Commission and won his appeal. Resulting in the fight being overturned to a no contest.

Gray Maynard vs. Rob Emerson

On the TUF 5 Finale event, Gray Maynard slammed Rob Emerson to the mat. Emerson would submit, but Maynard knocked himself out, hitting the mat. Since both fighters were incapacitated, the ref had no choice but to declare the fight a no contest.

Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 2

In the last fight of their blood feud, Jones dominated Cormier and won the fight by TKO. However, like most everything in Jones’ career, controversy followed him after the fight. Jon would fail another drug test, which resulted in the fight being overturned to a no contest. 

Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus

The most recent no contest happened just this year. Kevin Holland cut down to welterweight to fight Kyle Daukaus at UFC Fight Night 193.

It was a highly anticipated fight that had a disappointing finish. The two fighters clashed heads, which resulted in Kevin Holland getting knocked out. An obvious accident that resulted in a no contest.

Conclusion

We don’t often see a no contest in the UFC, but they happen from time to time. Now that we’ve cleared up the definition of a no contest, you’ll understand the decision the next time one happens.

Modern martial arts would not be what they are today without the work of Judo Grandmaster Jigoro Kano. Kano not only created the art of Judo, but he changed how martial artists view and practice self-defense.

Here is the complete story of the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano. Detailing how his rough childhood led to a lifelong love of martial arts and his development of Judo. We’ll also detail his professional life and how he was able to introduce Judo to an international audience.

Jigoro Kano’s Early Life

Jigoro Kano was born in 1860 and grew up in a Japanese village called Mikage. He was born on December tenth, but Japan switched its calendars to the Gregorian-based system in 1873. This switch is why Kano’s birthday is celebrated on October 28th in Japan and not in December.

He came from a rich family that earned their wealth from brewing sake. Since Kano’s father was an adopted son, he didn’t get into the family business.

Instead, his father would work as a lay priest and clerk for a shipping line. Kano’s father believed in the power of education and put his son in the best schools.

He would be taught by everyone from neo-Confucian scholars and learn multiple languages, including English and German.. After his mother died when he was nine, Kano’s father moved to Tokyo and enrolled him in private schools.

Jigoro Kano’s Introduction To Jujutsu

Jigoro was a small child that stood at 5 ft 2 in(1.57 m) and only weighed 90 lbs(41 kg). His small stature made him an easy target for bullies, and he would constantly get beat up as a child.

Kano’s father ignored the bullying and told his son to focus on his studies. Despite his father ignoring the situation, Jigoro wanted to learn to defend himself.

A friend of his father named Nakai Basai, who was a shogun guard, would show Kano a few jujutsu techniques. An old form of grappling with techniques designed to beat bigger and stronger opponents.

This intro sparked an interest in martial arts within Kano, but his father discouraged his son from pursuing this idea. But thanks to Jigoro’s insistence, his father finally agreed under the condition that he mastered jujutsu.

Jigoro Kano’s Time Learning JuJutsu

When Jigoro was seventeen, he began attending Tokyo Imperial University. There he began looking for bonesetters, which were doctors that generally also practiced jujutsu.

He met Yagi Teinosuke, a jujutsu practitioner who referred Kano to Fukuda Hachinosuke. Another bonesetter who taught Tenjin Shin yo-ryu in a small room next to his practice.

Fukuda would take on Jigoro as one of his students, which would be the start of Kano’s formal training. Hachinosuke’s teaching methods consisted of newer students taking falls for senior students.

This was to enable new students to learn how to fall correctly and see the mechanics of the technique. Fukuda also believed in free-form training, which allowed Jigoro to try different methods.

He began trying various techniques due to having trouble against his sparring partner, Fukushima Kanekichi. Kano initially tried sumo techniques that didn’t work and would later try western wrestling techniques from a book he discovered.

One of those techniques that proved to be incredibly effective was the fireman’s carry. This move would later be called the kataguruma within Judo when Kano started developing his own martial art.

Jigoro Kano Changes Instructors

Three years after learning under Fukuda, Kano participated in a jujutsu demonstration in front of Ulysses S. Grant. The current US president was visiting Japan for meetings and taking in the country’s culture.

This demonstration took place in the home of Shibusawa Eiichi, who is considered the father of capitalism in Japan. Another jujutsu instructor named Isa Masatomo also participated in the demonstration.

Kano’s instructor Fukuda Hachinosuke would die shortly after the demonstration and Jigor would begin training under Masamoto. Isa Masatomo was 62 and short, but incredibly strong from years of training.

Due to the years of rigorous training under Fukuda, Kano became Masatomo’s teaching assistant.

Jigoro Kano’s Time Training Under Iikubo Tsunetoshi

In 1881, Iso passed away, and Kano searched for another teacher. This time, he would find a teacher named Iikubo Tsunetoshi, who was proficient in throwing techniques. The type of jujutsu that Tsunetoshi practiced was called Kito-ryu.

Jigoro believed that these throwing techniques were some of the most effective moves that he ever learned. They would later play an important role when Kano began developing Judo.

Under Tsunetoshi, Kano would receive his only verifiable jujutsu rank and teaching credential. Specifically, the teaching credential called a Menkyo in Nihonden Kito Judo.

It was dated October 1883, and the document is on display at the Kotakan Judo HQ in Tokyo, Japan.

Jigoro Kano Begins Developing Judo 

Once Kano became a certified teacher, he opened his own school with the support of his teacher Tsunetoshi. His master would attend his students’ classes and would later become Kano’s student after being consistently beaten in sparring.

This was when Kano started transferring away from jujutsu to create his own martial art. When deciding the name of his martial art, Kano would combine the “ju” and “do.”

“Ju” means piliancy and “do” meaning the way. He would take the throwing techniques from Kito-ryu and the pinning techniques from Tenjin Shin yo-ryu.

Kano stressed the importance of his martial art being self-defense and that anyone of any size could learn Judo. Instead of strength, Judo would stress the importance of technique and timing.

Since Jigoro was of smaller stature, his ability to administer these techniques on larger opponents proved Judo’s effectiveness.

Jigoro Kano Opens The Kodokan 

When Jigoro Kano set off on his own to teach, he opened his own school in 1882. He would call his school the Kodokan Judo Institute.

Initially, the Kodokan was a small room with only twelve mats owned by a local Buddhist temple. In 1890, the school moved to a larger location to a space that could hold sixty mats.

The school would move two times during the 1890s. In 1897 to a 207-mat space, and again in 1898, to a space that held 314 mats.

Twelve years later, Kano would incorporate the Kodokan to enable the school to reconstruct to benefit future students. The Kodokan would move one more time during Kano’s lifetime in 1934 to a space that held 510 mats.

Kano’s school would move one more time to its permanent residence in 1958. An eight-story building that not only holds 1200 mats but is also the home of the International Judo Federation (IJF).

Judo Spreads Through Japan

Judo was able to spread throughout Japan due to Jigoro Kano’s professional life. When he wasn’t teaching Judo, he was a lifelong educator that taught at numerous private schools and universities.

Kano’s work led to him earning a position as the director of primary education at the Ministry of Education in 1898. This position allowed Kano to travel throughout Europe and learn different teaching methods, as well as share his martial art.

Jigoro would use his connections to influential members of Japanese society to his benefit. These connections would lead to Judo and Kendo being officially taught in Japanese schools.

In less than thirty years since creating Judo, Kano had spread his martial art throughout Japan.

Judo Spreads Internationally

Grandmaster Kano wasn’t just satisfied with spreading the teachings of Judo throughout Japan. At the same time, he was spreading Judo throughout the world.

He used the same methods of how many religions were able to spread internationally to spread Judo. Kano would appoint his best students to different places around the world to teach Judo on various continents.

There would also be many international students that would travel to Tokyo to learn at the Kodokan. In only a few decades, the art of Judo would become internationally practiced worldwide.

Jigoro Kano Invents The Martial Arts Kimono

Not only did Jigoro Kano develop Judo, but he also developed the very first martial arts kimono or Gi. To meet the grappling demands of Judo, Kano realized that specialized training clothes needed to be created.

Kano would get inspiration from the heavy hemp jackets that Japanese firemen would wear during the late 1800s. The Judo uniform he created would become known as the “Judogi.”

Martial arts developed later on, like BJJ, Karate, and Sambo, would also adopt variations of the martial arts Gi.

Jigoro Kano’s Professional Life

As mentioned in the previous section, Jigoro Kano was a lifelong educator. The two biggest passions in his life were martial arts and teaching.

Throughout his life, he taught at the most prestigious schools in Japan. Also serving in multiple positions within Japan’s Ministry of Education.

Along with being a lifelong teacher, Kano was also the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee(IOC). He served on the IOC from 1909 to 1938 and was instrumental in making Judo an official Olympic sport.

The very first Japanese martial art/sport to be given this honor.

Jigoro Kano’s Influence On Other Martial Arts 

Not only did Kano create Judo, but his influence had a hand in helping various other martial arts develop. Those other martial arts include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sambo, and Karate. Freestyle wrestling would also adopt techniques from Judo.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a direct descendant of Judo and adopted most of its techniques from the martial art. Without the creation of Judo, BJJ would not exist.

Sambo 

Sambo is another martial art directly influenced by Jigoro Kano’s martial art. One of the key developers of Sambo, Vasili Oshchepkov, spent years at the Kodokan learning under Kano.

Oshchepkov would take what he learned from Judo to help develop the Russian martial art of Sambo.

Karate

Believe it or not, Jigoro Kano also had a hand in helping Karate become nationally practiced in Japan. Karate co-founder Gichin Funakoshi traveled to Tokyo to do a Karate demonstration in front of the Ministry of Education.

Kano was in attendance for this demonstration and was impressed by what he saw. He would invite Funakoshi to do another Karate demonstration at the Kodokan, which was a big success. Leading to the further growth of Karate within Japan.

Jigoro Kano’s Definition Of Judo 

When developing Judo, Jigoro Kano had three ideas in mind for his martial art. He created Judo to encompass self-defense, a physical culture that stressed good health and moral behavior.

“Since the very beginning, I had been categorizing Judo into three parts, rentai-ho, shobu-ho, and shushin-ho. Rentai-ho refers to Judo as a physical exercise, while shobu-ho is Judo as a martial art. Shushin-ho is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue as well as the study and application of the principles of Judo in our daily lives. I therefore anticipated that practitioners would develop their bodies in an ideal manner, to be outstanding in matches, and also to improve their wisdom and virtue and make the spirit of Judo live in their daily lives.

If we consider Judo first as a physical exercise, we should remember that our bodies should not be stiff, but free, quick and strong. We should be able to move properly in response to our opponent’s unexpected attacks. We should also not forget to make full use of every opportunity during our practice to improve our wisdom and virtue. These are the ideal principles of my Judo.”

JIGORO KANO

The Legacy Of Jigoro Kano

Grandmaster Jigoro Kano not only created Judo but also trained how people viewed and practiced martial arts. Modern martial arts would not be as they are today without the work done by Kano. 

If you’re a grappling practitioner of any kind, you must pay respect to Jigoro Kano. Because without him, BJJ, Sambo, and even MMA would probably not exist.

The Harai Goshi is one of the core throws within the martial art of Judo. It’s a simple yet powerful throw that is great to add to your grappling game.

Here is what you need to know about the famous Judo throw. We’ll review different setups and important tips for hitting the throw.

Who Invented Harai Goshi? 

Harai Goshi was of course, developed by the creator of Judo, Grandmaster Jigoro Kano. It is one of the core hip throws that Judokas must know to advance in belt rank.

When Kano developed the throw, he based it on the same principles as every other technique in the martial art. Using the principles of leverage and timing to execute Harai Goshi.

The throw’s simplicity is what makes the move so effective. So much so that numerous other forms of grappling have adopted Harai Goshi into their martial arts.

Today, there are numerous setups in both the Gi and No-Gi.

How Does Harai Goshi Work? 

Like all of the throws within Judo, Harai Goshi functions on the same principles. It’s all about timing, body positioning, and footwork.

For the the throw to work, you must move the opponent forward and get your hips under their hips. When you’re able to pull them off-balance, this gives you the opening to go into the throw.

You get your opponent up and over as they come forward by reaping at or below their knee. When done correctly, your opponent goes over with ease.

Harai Goshi vs. Uchi Mata

Those new to Judo or grappling will often confuse the Harai Goshi with the Uchi Mata. While they have similar setups, there are two big differences between them. 

The most obvious one is the legs you sweep. With the Harai Goshi, you sweep the outside leg, while with the Uchi Mata, you sweep the inside leg.

You also step a bit deeper in with the Uchi Mata setup than you do with the Harai Goshi. Both throws complement each other very well, and it would give you an advantage to know them. 

It will enable you to create different setups and fakes, going from one throw to the other.

Basic Harai Goshi Set Up 

The basic Harai Goshi setup, like all basic Judo throw setups, starts with a collar and sleeve grip. You grab high on your opponent’s collar with one hand, and you grip at their elbow with the other.

Once you get your grips, you start the setup by pulling and lifting your opponent. Each grip will be moving in unison to pull your opponent off-balance.

Your sleeve grip hand lifts their arm up and pulls them forward. Rotating your elbow up is important to give you the opening to step into the throw.

At the same time, you’re also pulling your opponent off balance with your collar grip. Turn your elbow in and punch at a slightly upward angle to the side to knock them off-balance.

The footwork will be a 180-degree pivot where you face your opponent the same way. Step in and turn with your sweeping foot first, with your support foot following behind.

Remember to always step in between your opponent’s feet for this throw. Stepping to the outside is incorrect and will open an easy counter for your opponent.

When you sweep the leg, you must reap/kick at knee level while keeping your toes pointed down.

To complete the throw, you put all of these steps in one swift motion as you continue driving forward.

Harai Goshi Defense Counter

The common defense against Harai Goshi is to drop your hips and lock out your knees. Doing this prevents your opponent from doing the basic setup.

If your opponent does this defense, you can still do an alternate version of the Harai Goshi. You won’t be able to lift your opponent up, so you will have to shift your weight differently.

Connect the calf of your sweeping leg to your opponent’s outside knee to lock it out. Next, instead of trying to lift your opponent, you’re going to make them lean forward and rotate them.

Using your grips to pull them down as you roll to take your opponent over.

No-Gi Harai Goshi

The No-Gi version of Harai Goshi is commonly used in freestyle wrestling and has also proven effective in No-Gi Jiu Jitsu. Since you don’t have a Gi to grab, the gripping will be slightly different.

You start the setup by grabbing a collar tie on your opponent’s head with your backhand. Use this collar tie to pull their head down and take an underhook with your other arm.

Naturally, when you get this collar tie, your opponent is going to lock their elbow in to prevent a go-around. Your free hand will take wrist control on your opponent’s other arm.

Once you get these two points of control, you can go into the steps. Do a back step in and turn while pulling your opponent forward, then sweep below the knee, and complete the throw.

O Soto Gari To Harai Goshi

You can easily set a trap for your opponent by attempting O Soto Gari to get Harai Goshi. Start with a grip on the opponent’s elbow and reach behind their body to grab hold of their belt.

Once you grab these grips, you will quickly step in and hook your leg behind your opponent’s leg. They will instinctively defend O Soto Gari by bracing, creating an opening for your Harai Goshi.

Step your plant foot back between your opponent’s feet as you turn them and throw them over.

Harai Goshi Vs. Dominant Collar Grip

When your opponent takes a dominant high-collar grip, you can use this as an entry into a Harai Goshi variation. Start the setup by blocking the high grip by gripping under the arm.

Next, bring your back elbow up and over your opponent’s arm. Be sure to sink your weight down and grab hold of your own lapel to keep the arm in place.

When you do this, the opponent will try to recover their posture, which gives you the opening for Harai Goshi. Pull their arm down and sweep the leg to complete the throw.

Misdirection Harai Goshi

This Harai Goshi setup has slightly different footwork to create misdirection before attempting the throw. Grab a collar grip with your backhand and step across your body with the same side leg.

This first step is a fake to create misdirection. You’re then going to step back in with your other foot and grab hold of your opponent’s head. Continue breaking their posture by pulling them forward and completing Harai Goshi. 

This video shows you the steps for the previous three Harai Goshi variations.

Important Tips For The Harai Goshi

The mechanics for Harai Goshi are simple but must be exact to complete the throw. Here are the important tips to remember.

• Sleeve Grip: When you start your Harai Goshi, remember to rotate the elbow of your sleeve grip up. This gives you the opening to step in while lifting your opponent off balance.
• Collar Grip: You must turn your collar grip inward while punching at an angle upward. This, along with the pulling of your sleeve grip, helps make your opponent off balance.
• Step And Turn: For the footwork, step in and turn with your plant foot following behind.
• Stay Between Opponent’s Legs: Always keep your feet in between your opponent’s legs when attempting Harai Goshi or any other hip throw.
• Stay On Your Toes: It’s important to stay on the toes of your sweeping leg. Doing this will allow you to execute your throw with more speed.
• Don’t Align With Opponent: Never stand directly aligned with your opponent. Always be at an angle and more aligned with their back hip.
• Hook Below Knee: Always hook below your opponent’s knee and never above.
• Break Opponent’s Posture: For Harai Goshi to work, you must break your opponent’s posture. Pull their head down by pulling their collar or hugging their head.
• Get Under Opponent’s Hips: For Harai Goshi and all hip throws, you get your body under your opponent’s hips. Doing this enables you to lift them up and over to complete the throw..
• Keep Driving Forward: Remember to keep driving forward until you complete your throw.

The most popular and most practiced form of wrestling in the world by far is freestyle wrestling. Along with Greco Roman wrestling, it is the only other form of wrestling that is an Olympic sport.

Let’s dive into the history of freestyle wrestling and see how it became the world’s most practiced style of wrestling. Going over how it grew after becoming an Olympic sport and an overview of the style.

The history of freestyle wrestling

Freestyle wrestling’s development in the late 1800s 

Freestyle wrestling is only a little over a century old. It was developed off of numerous styles of wrestling that were practiced in Europe. 

Some of the most influential styles of wrestling that helped form freestyle were catch wrestling, Lancashire wrestling, and Irish collar wrestling.

Many practitioners of these styles would travel to the US and practice against one another. When the US Civil War ended was when freestyle wrestling really started to form.

It took many of the techniques from catch wrestling, as well as Lancashire wrestling. The all fours or turtle position would be adopted from Irish collar wrestling.

During the 1880s, many US cities started to hold wrestling tournaments. Freestyle wrestling would be one of the main forms of wrestling done at these competitions.

The style paled in comparison to Greco Roman wrestling during this time, but would slowly start to gain traction.

Freestyle wrestling becomes an Olympic sport 

In 1896, Greco Roman style wrestling would be the first style of wrestling included into the Olympic Games. When the Olympic Games were to be held in 1904, the committee wanted to add another wrestling style.

They were initially going to add catch wrestling, but would omit the style at the last minute. Mainly because submissions were included in catch wrestling and the Olympics didn’t want them used.

This left an opening, which freestyle wrestling filled, which was exactly what the Olympic committee was looking for. Freestyle wrestling would make its debut in 1904.

The only competitors were 40 American wrestlers, but the rest of the world would catch on to freestyle wrestling.

The UWW creates official freestyle wrestling rules 

After an impressive debut at the Olympics, the number of athletes participating in freestyle wrestling would grow dramatically. This would lead the United World Wrestling committee(UWW) to create an official rule set for freestyle wrestling.

They created and drafted their rules in 1921, which the Amateur Athletic Union(AAU) would also adopt.

A freestyle wrestling point system was created

Twenty years after the adoption of the freestyle wrestling formats, a point system would be created. The person responsible for coming up with the point system was Oklahoma State wrestling coach Art Griffith.

Coach Griffith introduced his point system to the UWW and AAU, which were accepted. All freestyle wrestling tournaments both national and international would go by Griffith’s point system. 

The first freestyle wrestling world championship

Almost fifty years after freestyle wrestling made its Olympic debut in 1904, the first freestyle wrestling championship would be held. United World Wrestling held the first freestyle world championship tournament in Helsinki, Finland in 1951.

That year, Turkey would win the first world team championship.

Freestyle wrestling took over

Over time, freestyle wrestling surpassed Greco Roman wrestling as the practiced and popular form of wrestling. Today, all young wrestlers dream of winning world titles in freestyle wrestling. 

The rules of freestyle wrestling

• No striking
• Takedowns from the head to toes are permitted
• Permitted techniques: single legs, double legs, throws, suplexes, and trips
• The goal of a match is to pin your opponent or win by points

The format of a freestyle wrestling match 

• 3 periods
• Each rounds is 2 minutes long
• 30 second rest between each round
• Two wrestlers start the match from standing and later go into riding positions.

Ways to win in freestyle wrestling match 

• Pin
• Technical Fall
• Points
• Default 
• Disqualification

The freestyle wrestling point system 

• Takedowns: (2-5 points) Five points being a perfect takedown to a near pin position. Four position is a perfect takedown, but not to a near pin position. Three points is a takedown at a shorter amplitude to a near pin position. Two points is a short amplitude takedown, where an opponent does not land in a near fall position.
• Reversals: 1 point
• Exposure: (2-3 points) Three points is awarded when an opponent’s back is on the mat for several seconds and two for a shorter time.
• Penalty: (1-2 points) Depending on the penalty and if it’s a first or second offense.
• Out of bounds: 1 point
• Passivity: 1 point

The format of weigh-ins in freestyle wrestling

All weigh-ins are done on the same day of competitions like with any other style of wrestling. In Olympic freestyle wrestling, competitors must weigh in two hours before their match

Freestyle wrestling weight classes 

Men’s Freestyle Olympic Weight Classes

• 57 kg (126.6 lbs)
• 65 kg( 143.3 lbs)
• 74 kg (163 lbs)
• 86 kg (189.5 lbs)
• 97 kg (213.8 lbs)
• 125 kg (275.5 lbs)

Women’s Freestyle Olympic Weight Classes

• 50 kg (110.2 lbs)
• 53 kg (116.8 lbs)
• 57 kg (125.6 lbs)
• 62 kg (136.6 lbs)
• 68 kg (149.9lbs)
• 76 kg (167.5 lbs)

Men’s Freestyle Weight Classes(World Championship/Pans)

• 53 kg  (115 lbs) 
• 57 kg (125 lbs)
• 61 kg (134 lbs) 
• 65 kg (143 lbs)
• 70 kg (154 lbs) 
• 74 kg (163 lbs)
• 79 kg (174 lbs) 
• 86 kg (190 lbs)
• 92 kg (203 lbs) 
• 97 kg (214 lbs)
• 125 kg (276 lbs)

Women’s Freestyle Weight Classes(World Championship/Pans)

• 50 kg(110 lbs)
• 53 kg(117 lbs)
• 55 kg(121 lbs) 
• 57 kg(126 lbs)
• 59 kg(130 lbs) 
• 62 kg(137 lbs)
• 65 kg(143. lbs) 
• 68 kg(150 lbs)
• 72 kg(159 lbs) 
• 76 kg(168 lbs)

Notable freestyle wrestlers in MMA

• Henry Cejudo: Henry Cejudo is one of the most successful combat sports athletes of all time. Winning Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling and two UFC championships in two different weight classes.
• Daniel Cormier: Cormier was a six time US national freestyle champion before winning multiple UFC titles in MMA.
• Sara McMann: Sara McMaan was the first US woman to medal at the Olympics before having a successful MMA career.
• Kevin Jackson: Kevin Jackson was one of the first Olympic gold medalists to fight in the UFC. He won the UFC 14 light heavyweight tournament and retired with a record of 4-2.
• Mark Schultz: The Olympic gold medalist fought in the UFC one time in 1996. Beating Gary Goodridge by TKO.
• Yoel Romero: Yoel Romero won numerous championships in freestyle wrestling and an Olympic silver medal before transitioning to MMA.

The two most practiced forms of wrestling in the world are freestyle wrestling and Greco Roman wrestling. Two styles of wrestling that are currently the only ones that are officially an Olympic sport.

They both get compared to the other a lot and while they do have some similarities, they are very different. Here is everything you need to know about freestyle wrestling vs Greco Roman wrestling.

We’ll detail the history of each wrestling style and see how they compare between rules, point systems, and ways to win.

The history of freestyle wrestling vs Greco Roman wrestling 

Both freestyle and Greco roman wrestling seem like they’re older than they are, but each style is around the same age. They just had different paths to being developed.

The history of Greco Roman Wrestling

Greco Roman wrestling was developed during the late 18th century in Europe. The person credited with developing this style of wrestler was a French soldier named Jean Exbrayat.

After serving in the French army, Exbrayat would wrestle in fairs and traveling carnivals throughout France. Laying down open challenges to anyone that wanted to test his wrestling skills.

He began developing his own style of wrestling that he called French wrestling or open hand wrestling Exbrayat would begin altering the rules for his style of wrestling to set it apart from other styles. 

In his style, you could only do takedowns above the waist and no submissions were allowed. His style of wrestling became quite popular in Europe.

A Greek wrestler named Basilio Bartoletti coined the term Greco Roman wrestling. Although modern Greco Roman wrestling is nothing like ancient Greek wrestling. 

Either way, the name stuck and this style of wrestling became widely popular in Europe. This would lead Greco Roman wrestling to become one of the first Olympic sports in 1896.

The history of freestyle wrestling

Freestyle wrestling started to be developed a little after Greco Roman wrestling was being created. It was mainly based off of catch as catch can wrestling and other types of wrestling like Irish Collar wrestling.

The rules of freestyle would be a bit different than catch as submissions were deemed illegal. An all fours or turtle position was established whereas it wasn’t used in catch wrestling.

This style of wrestling would grow slowly, but pale in comparison to the growth of Greco Roman wrestling.

Freestyle wrestling would grow in popularity thanks to becoming an Olympic sport in 1904. Catch wrestling was actually supposed to become an Olympic sport, but was excluded due to submissions.

The rules were altered to exclude submissions and that’s how freestyle wrestling became an Olympic sport. Freestyle wrestling would ride this wave of momentum and become incredibly popular.

In the last century it has surpassed Greco Roman as the most popular and practiced form of wrestling in the world. Almost every country in the world practices freestyle wrestling and aims to win gold at every Olympic and world championship. 

The match formats of freestyle wrestling vs Greco Roman wrestling

Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling actually have the same match format.

• 3 periods
• 2 minutes a piece
• 30 second break between rounds
• Win by pins, technical fall, or points 

The point systems of freestyle wrestling vs Greco Roman wrestling 

Freestyle wrestling point system 

• Takedown with no back exposure: 1 point
• Takedown below the waist with back exposure: 3 points
• A throw from the feet to the floor with back exposure: 3-5 points
• Nearfalls: 1 point
• Turning opponent’s shoulders to the mat: 1/2 point
• Pushouts or stepping out of bounds: 1 point

Greco Roman wrestling point system

• Takedown with no back exposure: 1 point
• Takedowns below the waist: Illegal
• Takedowns from the feet to the back: 3-5 points
• Nearfall: 1 point
• Turning opponent’s shoulders to the mat: 1/2 point
• Escape: 1 point
• Pushout or step out of bounds: 1 point

Ways to win in freestyle wrestling vs Greco Roman Wrestling

Ways to win in freestyle wrestling 

• Pin
• Technical Fall
• Points
• Default
• Disqualification

Ways to win in Greco Roman Wrestling

• Pin 
• Technical Fall
• Points
• Default 
• Disqualification

The similarities between freestyle wrestling and Greco Roman wrestling

While freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling do seem very different, the two styles do have some similarities between each other. Here are some of the most notable similarities that the two styles of wrestling share.

Same match formats

Both freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling have the same match formats. Two periods of three minutes with a thirty second break in between.

They start in a neutral position and then each wrestler starts in a dominant riding position in the second round.

Same ways to win

The methods of victory are the same in both styles of wrestling. Pin technical fall, points, default, or disqualification.

Rules for locking hands

You can lock your hands together on an opponent at any point during either type of match. This is different than in folkstyle wrestling, where you can only lock your hands during pin attempts.

Technical Superiority

You can win in both styles of wrestling by gaining a six point lead on your opponent at any point of a match.

Both are Olympic sports

Both freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling are both official Olympic sports. They are the only styles of wrestling to have this honor.

The difference between freestyle wrestling and Greco Roman wrestling

Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling have one big difference and that is the rules of their competition. In freestyle wrestling, you can take your opponent down by attacking their upper or lower body.

Greco Roman’s rules state that wrestlers can only do techniques from the waist up. Making sprawls non-existent within Greco Roman wrestling.

How has freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling affected MMA

Wrestling as a whole, which includes freestyle and Greco Roman changed the landscape of MMA. They showed the importance of knowing how to land takedowns, defend them, and control an opponent on the ground.

Statistically, there have been more wrestlers to win championships than any other fighting discipline. A fighter with a background in either freestyle or Greco Roman wrestling will have an advantage over their competition.