Tag: Combat

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts. It has the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, Evolve MMA is the top rated BJJ gym in Singapore.

Before the boom of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms in Singapore, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has already been renowned worldwide as the archetype of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Responsible for founding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the Gracie family is widely regarded as one of the most successful family dynasties throughout the history of martial arts. The tremendous influence this clan has had on the world has led to the production of World Champions for many decades. This long-lasting legacy continues to grow and inspire practitioners of all ages to take to the mat.

The Gracie success story stretches back to the early 1900s when the patriarch of the family would plant the seed from which generations of Gracie champions would flourish.

From the tough streets of Rio de Janeiro to the bright lights of Las Vegas, the Gracie family has literally fought their way to the top. Having achieved unsurmountable levels of success in combat sports, the Gracies and their pioneering efforts birthed BJJ, also know as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

From Carlos Gracie, the founder of the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy – to Royce Gracie who brought the eyes of the world to the discipline –  we will look into how the family name became synonymous with dominance in both grappling and mixed martial arts.

Origins And Early Development

Carlos Gracie was just a teenager when he watched his first Jiu-Jitsu display. Not long after, he quickly became intrigued with the martial art and went on to take lessons from the famous practitioner Mitsuyo Maeda. Gracie continued to study the art of Jiu-Jitsu, eventually working his way up the ranking system.

By 1925, Carlos had opened the doors of his first Jiu-Jitsu academy. From here, he went on to promote his style of Jiu-Jitsu and he put forward ”The Gracie challenge” – an open invitation for fighters to come and test their skills against him. The Gracie challenge was a great piece of propaganda and would stand for decades after.

Carlos taught his style of Jiu-Jitsu to his brothers Gastão, Jorge, Oswaldo, and the youngest brother, Helio. The young Helio Gracie initially struggled with some of the Jiu-Jitsu maneuvers – given his small and nimble frame, he was forced to adapt. They say innovation is the key to success, and this couldn’t be truer in Helios case.

Helio Gracie continued experimenting with techniques and leverage took priority over strength in his new fighting system. The changes Helio implemented were so effective that he began teaching the modified style to others – this was essentially the birth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Helio Gracie challenged boxers, wrestlers, and other grappling experts throughout the decades, firmly establishing his name amongst the martial arts world. Helio was key in the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a result. The brothers bore many children between them most who were trained from a young age. The next generation of Gracie fighters would take Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to a whole new level.

The Second Generation

The family continued developing their techniques throughout the generations and by 1978, Rickson Gracie – the third oldest son of Helio – was carving out his reputation as one of the best fighters in Brazil. Rickson, like his uncle Carlos, set down the now famous Gracie challenge – by offering, by open invitation, for any fighter to come and beat him at his gym.

Rickson had been fighting from a young age and received his black belt at just 18 years old. He gained national attention at the age of 20 when he beat the famous Brazilian brawler named Casemiro Martins. The young Rickson continued competing at the top level throughout his career, including fighting in Vale Tudo competitions at home and abroad.

One of the most popular combat sports of the time in Brazil was Luta Livre, and the Gracies developed a rivalry with the Luta Livre crew which spanned decades. Both camps were vying to take top spot in the national martial arts scene, meaning competition was fierce. Challenges arose regularly from both Luta Livre and the Gracies with most fights ending in disputes and controversy.

The ongoing rivalry ended in a riot which led to MMA being banned in Rio de Janeiro for a long period of time. The level of animosity between both camps lasted generations, and although it resulted in controversial outcomes, the competition only proved to motivate the Gracie family towards greatness.

The Gracies were competing at the highest levels and although they had fame in their native Brazil. Rorion Gracie yearned to promote BJJ on a worldwide scale, setting off for the United States with the ambitious aim of bringing BJJ to the world.

Roots To Riches

Rorion Gracie moved to the USA and left the Luta Livre rivalry to be fought out amongst other members of the family. He taught BJJ in California for years and had grown a large following. Gracie had many students in California and gained some good connections, which eventually led to him co-founding the famous UFC.

The entrepreneur realized that he would need to televise Gracie Jiu-Jitsu if he wanted to achieve worldwide attention. The UFC would host fighters from all over the world and from all fighting styles, there would be few rules and no weight classes. This new event was relatively unique and initially caused a stir in the USA.

Rorion put his brother Royce forward as the family representative, given that Royce was a successful BJJ artist, but he was relatively unknown. Royce became the underdog of the competition due to the pedigree of his opponents and, well, due to his size. Now, Royce wasn’t a small man, but some of his competitors were very large and had formidable records in their respective disciplines.

Gracie took on Art Jimmerson in the first leg of the competition and quickly brought the fight to the ground before pinning the boxer’s arm around his own neck, forcing the boxer to concede defeat. Royce then went on to defeat the legendary pioneer, Ken Shamrock, before finally tackling the Dutch Karate expert and world Savate champion, Gerard Gordeau.

The spectacle of Royce Gracie securing a rear-naked choke on the much larger heavyweight champion Gordeau raised eyebrows around the world. The new Ultimate Fighting Championship had just been dominated by the smallest man in the competition, catapulting the Gracie family to the pinnacle of martial arts.

Royce went on to contend for the UFC title four more times with great success. He also fought in the Pride and Bellator competitions. Royce Gracie was a BJJ master and enjoyed an illustrious career, but he will always be revered for his UFC 1 performance.

Mainstream Popularity

BJJ grew like wildfire and fighters who once trained under Luta Livre eventually started to transition over to the now dominant force in mixed martial arts. The huge success of the UFC further propelled the growth of BJJ, which has now become an integral part of mixed martial arts training.

Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms have cropped up all over the world. Aspiring fighters are drawn to BJJ due to its successful track record and it is now an imperative part of most MMA training.  The fighting style is also one of the most effective forms of self-defense. This is down to the various locks and submissions which allow a person to submit a much stronger attacker.

The Gracie family has revolutionized Jiu-Jitsu and exported their unique style worldwide. It has flourished to become one of the most dominant forces in mixed martial arts and continues to grow exponentially.

The great part is, it has even more growing to do.

If you are interested to learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Singapore, Evolve MMA is the largest BJJ gym in Singapore and is home to the first and only Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in Asia. Sign up for a trial class with us today!

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts. It has the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, Evolve MMA is the top rated BJJ gym in Singapore.

Submission grappling has gained a lot of traction lately. Many events have popped up and are focusing on no-gi style tournaments and super fights. The next ADCC is also looming on the horizon and has the world buzzing with excitement. The ADCC Worlds is the most prestigious submission grappling tournament and will hold an event for around 11,000 spectators live in 2022.

With these in mind, it is natural to ask this question: Will submission grappling become the next spectator sport? 

What Is Submission Grappling?

Submission grappling combines all grappling style martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Catch Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Greco-Roman, and Freestyle wrestling. It is a martial art that focuses on controlling and submitting the opponent with the use of submission holds. John Danaher, considered as one of the best coaches who changed the game in the modern era, said that it is the science and art of control that leads to submission. 

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the aim is simple: to submit the opponent. It can be done through either speed or control-based submissions. Grappling is a technical sport but can be highly entertaining as well. This is especially the case if the rules allow for more dynamic exchanges. For a spectator new to the sport, watching two grapplers relentlessly trying to get a dominant position in hopes of getting a submission later on is extremely exciting.

Exciting matches are what call and retain the attention of untrained eyes. However, it is not enough to win matches, especially if we look to make submission grappling a big spectator sport. Nothing is exciting about a match that is decided over a slight advantage. While it is not realistic to expect every match to be a headliner, perhaps the competition’s ruleset might help make things exciting for all people involved.

Submission Grappling Events To Watch

Submission grappling is fascinating to watch, especially for those who have trained in BJJ for years. However, it is safe to say that not all events are created equal. If you are new to the sport, these are our top recommendations for you to watch.

1) Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Submission Fighting World Championship

The original idea of ADCC is to supplement MMA training with various martial arts such as BJJ, wrestling, Judo, and Sambo. Its goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle by educating its members about nutrition and training in all types of martial arts for self-defense. Sheik Tahnoon, the president of ADCC, came across different styles of grappling martial arts. He came up with the idea of putting all types of grappling arts in a tournament to settle the question of which style is the best. He established a neutral set of rules, allowing all types of submissions besides spinal attacks. He invited the best practitioners of each art to compete without strikes, and from there, he created the first ADCC tournament in 1998. 

Submission grappling has been in a constant state of growth since its inception. According to David ‘Silverfox’ Karchmer, a BJJ black belt and one of the most experienced referees in the United States, ADCC will have to add some ideas to make the event clearer for everyone. Doing this may eventually attract more audiences. He pointed out that the ADCC has to produce a detailed written rule book and adopt border enforcement, preventing athletes from intentionally going out of bounds.

2) Quintet

The Quintet Grappling Team Survival Match was created by MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba and the promotional help of UFC Fight Pass. Its goal is to make grappling entertaining for the spectators, allowing slams but prohibiting heel hooks. Quintet introduced a unique format, with five grapplers on each team competing against each other. If a grappler wins his first match, he continues to face the next opponent from the opposing team. 

In case of a draw, both athletes will be removed. The match continues until the last grappler of the team loses. The total weight of each group must be under 430kg, with 8 minutes between matches. Matches could be reduced to 4 minutes if there is a weight difference greater than 20kg between the two competitors.

The first Quintet match was held in Japan in 2018. The first team match was excellent and featured Kazushi Sakuraba’s Haleo Dream Team against Satoshi Ishii’s Judo Dream Team. Team Haleo’s members were Kazushi Sakuraba, Josh Barnett, Daisuke Nakamura, Hideo Tokoro, and Marcus Souza. Judo Dream Team’s members consisted of Satoshi Ishii, Yoon Dong-Sik, Michihiro Omigawa, Kim Hyung-Ju, and Shutaro Debana.

3) Polaris Professional Grappling

Polaris is a UK-based grappling promotion established in 2015 that features the best Jiu-Jitsu fighters and grapplers worldwide. Similar to ADCC and Quintet, the goal of Polaris is to produce exciting grappling matches for the fans to indulge in. It is one of the first events that featured many high-level super fights.

Polaris played a significant role in the popularity of submission grappling in the UK and is known for its accommodating treatment towards its athletes. From the onset, Polaris has shown a lot of promise and is a great package overall, from its presentation, commentary, and booking. It has attracted many world-class athletes to compete and has gained many fans worldwide as well. 

One of the most exciting matches on Polaris was between Garry Tonon and Rousimar Palhares. Polaris referred to it as one of the best grappling matches of the modern era, with both athletes notorious for their exciting styles and leg lock game. You simply have to watch it to see what the hype was about.

Final Thoughts

Submission grappling is currently experiencing a resurgence, with many promotions getting new viewers at every event. Matches with explosive wrestling, throws, takedowns, and submissions might captivate casual fans. Still, it is not guaranteed that they’ll stay with the sport after the initial glitter is gone.

The key in making submission grappling a spectator sport is to find the right balance between a great ruleset so that athletes are free to express their game the best way possible, and attract the best competitors in the world. It is also essential to give these events a platform where many new viewers can see them.  

 So to answer the question – will submission grappling become the next spectator sport? The answer to this is that it is very possible, provided that proper education and exposure to the sport is executed well. 

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts. It has the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, Evolve MMA is the top rated BJJ gym in Singapore.

If you have been training BJJ or MMA for quite some time, you probably have heard the name, John Danaher. John Danaher is one of the most famous coaches and modern-day innovators in the grappling scene. Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra, even refer Danaher as the Einstein of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Danaher, being one of the best coaches of today, also has a Master’s degree in philosophy. Adding up to his wide array of skills, Danaher is full of practical knowledge, obtained through his earlier days working as a philosophy teacher by day and bouncer by night.

Danaher has coached the likes of Chris Weidman, Georges St-Pierre, who some consider one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, Eddie Cummings, Garry Tonon, Nicky Ryan, and one of the best, if not the best, modern-day no-gi grappler Gordon Ryan.

Danaher’s philosophy about life and BJJ are spread widely on and off the mats. Here are 7 John Danaher quotes that will help inspire us to become better grapplers and unprejudiced learners in life. 

1) “Training is about skill development, not about winning or losing. You don’t need to win every battle, you only need to win the battles that count.”

Danaher talked about the idea of winning, losing, and getting tapped out in training. He said that remembering the times you tapped out doesn’t matter. It is part of skill development, which he believes and imbues to his athletes during training sessions to start up from bad positions to get out of critical positions when it matters.

What matters is they’ve learned something from it, achieving that would mean the battle is already won. 

2) “There’s no shame in losing to a black belt when you’re a white belt, but when you have very similar skill levels, you’re going to come back to the techniques that are most likely to get you a win.”

When asked about the philosophy of training with lower belts, Danaher pointed out that training with athletes of similar skill levels will not benefit an individual who hates losing as they will always resort to their best moves.

It minimizes the chance of developing techniques, which Danaher emphasized the importance of training with lower belts. By training with lower belts, you expose yourself to a variety of techniques, allowing exploration and innovation to take place, all of which are necessary for growth and progression. 

3) “A truly resourceful mind can overcome the majority of what fortune throws at us and get to goals provided you’re sufficiently mentally robust”

Danaher tells us that our mindset determines everything. The world may be filled with uncertainties and roadblocks, but if we set our minds right, nothing can stop us from achieving our goals, not even what the world throws at us. Being mentally robust truly isn’t easy, but it is the most essential step before attempting anything. 

4) “The more a sport involves skills and tactics, the less you will see genetics playing a role.”

Danaher used Jiu-Jitsu as an example where you encounter athletes of different physiques. There is no dominance over the other, rather only advantages.

In a sport where skills are more involved, genetics play a lesser important role, with proper training and guidance, the results speak for themselves. John himself resonates with this because of the issues with his leg and hips. He understands that it’s not what you have, but what you can do that counts.

5) “Keep working hard at whatever level you currently are – keep your mind on technique and tactics, your energy on your workouts, and your vision on your dreams!”

Using his junior students as an example, Danaher used them to illustrate the journey to those who are new to Jiu-Jitsu. Always look at the bigger picture, don’t limit yourself based on where you are at. No matter what your current level in Jiu-Jitsu is, keep working hard, because someday you’ll get there.

6) “A big part of your confidence will come from having a plan of what you want to do in the match, but an even bigger part of your confidence will come from knowing you can handle anything that you didn’t want to happen in the match.”

As a believer of positional drilling, Danaher knows the importance of preparation. Preparation builds your confidence, allowing you to attempt more in matches and knowing that you can escape out of worst-case scenarios. The best part of preparation is not preparing just for the worst cases, but how it changes you.

You become so used to doing something until it becomes second nature. Similar to talking or walking, you can do these without even second-guessing, proper preparations not only provide you the confidence to execute what you practice but also provide assurance in knowing what you’re doing.

7) “Losing is never a pleasant thing, but losing and not knowing why is completely intolerable since it takes away the value of losing as a learning experience.”

It is important to reflect on how or why you have been beaten. According to Danaher, losing is entirely normal and forgivable, as long as you use it to create a better version of yourself. Every battle has a takeaway.

Losing is not necessarily a bad thing, it reveals areas we need to improve on, don’t let a failure tear you down completely. Learn and bounce back from it, these are lessons on how we carve better versions of ourselves. 

Final Thoughts

John Danaher is not only knowledgeable in BJJ, but also on the insights of life. We’ve gained not only technical knowledge but life lessons through his teachings. John himself is a living testimony of what it’s like never giving up.

If John were to throw the towel then, perhaps BJJ wouldn’t be what it is today, don’t give up, despite what you’re facing – be it a setback or roadblock, give yourself time, prepare and learn, in due time, you’ll be up and running again. 

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts. It has the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, Evolve MMA is the top rated BJJ gym in Singapore.

The sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its fair share of top athletes from all over the world. Every year, competitors face each other to earn the top spot, not only in their respective weight classes but also in their chosen field, whether it be Gi or No-Gi. 

In No-Gi grappling, only one event determines who the best of the best is – this is the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Fighting World Championship, more commonly known as the ADCC World Championship. The ADCC World Championship is considered the World Cup of No-Gi grappling and hosts combat athletes from many disciplines, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, Catch Wrestling, Sambo, Shooto, MMA, and others. 

This tournament was initially hosted in Abu Dhabi but is now held in other countries as well. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most memorable matches in the history of this legendary event. 

What Makes ADCC Matches Unique?

The ruleset of a typical ADCC match is different in that the first half of the match does not allow positive points, and the second half is open to both positive and negative points. This creates a more strategic battleground for athletes to use and take advantage of. 

Also, athletes can only compete in the ADCC World Championship if they place in the Regional Trials or get an invitation to join said tournament. This means that the ones who get in are the best the world has to offer. That said, here are some of the best matches in the history of the ADCC World Championship.

1) Ricardo Arona Vs Ricardo Almeida – ADCC 2001

This is a classic match between two OGs of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Ricardo Arona is a four-time ADCC Champion and is known for his undefeated record of 13–0, in which he never lost a point. On the other hand, Ricardo Almeida is a black belt under Renzo Gracie and has fought in the world’s largest organizations, such as the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championship, and Pancrase. The match was a back and forth affair showcasing Arona’s suffocating top game and Almeida’s technical Jiu-Jitsu. Ricardo Arona took the win, but it was certainly a great match from both grapplers. 

2) Dean Lister Vs Alexandre “Cacareco” Ferreira – ADCC 2003

This is an excellent introduction to the early beginnings of the leglock game in ADCC. Dean Lister is considered one of the central figures in developing the leglock game in modern grappling and MMA. Cacareco is a veteran of many organizations like the UFC, RINGS, and Jungle Fight. 

The match started with both competitors patiently sizing each other out with distance management, as well as fighting for wrist control. It was mostly a highly technical display for the duration of the match. The match’s highlight was Lister’s leglock attempt after the reset, where he immediately grabbed Cacareco’s right leg and went straight for the attack. He eventually secured the submission by catching Cacareco with an inverted heel hook.

3) Eddie Bravo Vs Royler Gracie – ADCC 2003

This match launched Eddie Bravo to the BJJ superstar he is today. The match was held in 2003 in São Paulo, Brazil. Eddie was still a brown belt at that time, and Royler Gracie was one of the favorites to win their division. 

The first half of the match was all Royler, with his aggressive knee cut attempts to pass Eddie’s guard. Eddie countered with his patented half-guard game to slow down Gracie. The key moment of the match was when Eddie was able to get an overhook from his jailbreak recovery and secured wrist control on Royler’s right hand. This allowed him to enter the triangle position and eventually secure the choke. Eddie Bravo eventually lost to Leo Vieira by points, but the sheer impact of this win was more than enough to prove that Eddie was here to stay. 

4) Roger Gracie Vs Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza – ADCC 2005

This was a clash of titans as the Gi GOAT, Roger Gracie, battled multiple-time IBJJF and ADCC World Champion Jacare Souza. The match started with both athletes working on collar ties to improve their position. Roger snapped Jacare’s head and went for the guillotine, but Jacare defended against that and they landed on guard. They engaged on guard, but no advancement in position was achieved. 

They reset to the standing position. Jacare was able to get Roger’s back from the standing position and took him down with a beautiful takedown. They go back and forth, only to go back to the stand up. Roger was able to get Jacare’s back from a failed takedown attempt. He got his hooks in, transitioned to a body triangle, and choked out Jacare with a standing rear-naked choke! An absolute masterclass from both Roger Gracie and Jacare Souza. 

Both went on to continue their careers in BJJ and made the jump to mixed martial arts competition a few years later, with Roger becoming the ONE Light Heavyweight Champion in 2016 and Jacare the Strikeforce Middleweight Champion in 2010.

5) Robert Drysdale Vs Marcelo Garcia – ADCC 2007

This is a stunning match with Brazilian-American Robert Drysdale beating the one and only Marcelo Garcia. The match was a technical battle, with both athletes employing their best techniques to gain an advantage. Marcelo gets the single leg from the armdrag, but Robert Drysdale defends, and they reset. Marcelo shoots for another single leg to his opponent’s right leg. Drysdale counters with a vicious D’Arce choke and secures the tap. A highly impressive win by Robert Drysdale. That same year, Gracie Magazine named him the best Submission Wrestler in the World.

6) Marcelo Garcia Vs Kron Gracie – ADCC 2011

This match was held in beautiful Nottingham, England. Here we see two of the best vying for the win. Kron Gracie is the son of Rickson Gracie and is a very accomplished grappler himself. Marcelo Garcia is a multiple-time IBJJF and ADCC champion and is widely considered one of the best gi and no-gi practitioners of all time. 

The match started with Marcelo securing a clean takedown from an armdrag. Most of the match was Kron working from his closed guard. Kron’s closed guard is one of his primary weapons, and this match showed how tough it is to crack. Eventually, the match ends with Marcelo getting the win via points.

7) Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu Vs Keenan Cornelius – ADCC 2013

This is a great match between the always game Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu and lapel wizard Keenan Cornelius. Cyborg is a veteran of the sport who competes in the heavier weight classes. He is known for his cat-like agility despite his large physique. Keenan is one of the innovators of the sport and has developed a tricky guard system based on using the lapel. 

The first half of the match was Keenan playing open guard while Cyborg tried to pass. There was a point where Cyborg was able to pass the guard and take the back. The latter part was more of a stand-up fight, where Cyborg was able to retake the back from a failed takedown and finished with a choke.

8) Davi Ramos Vs Lucas Lepri – ADCC 2015

Here we see multiple-time IBJJF champion Lucas Lepri competing against the very tough Davi Ramos. Both are highly accomplished grapplers, but Lepri was highly favored to win as he won many tournaments leading up to ADCC 2015. 

Both started the match aggressively, with Lepri working on his armdrags and Ramos applying heavy collar ties. Lepri sat down and waited for Ramos to attack. The ending was an absolute shocker as Davi Ramos got the tap via flying armbar while Lepri was playing guard. A short and sweet match that definitely deserves its place on this list.

9) Xande Ribeiro Vs Craig Jones – ADCC 2017

It was a clash of generations as one of the OGs, Xande Ribeiro, grappled the then rising star, Craig Jones. Xande Ribeiro is a bonafide icon of the sport. He has defeated the who’s who in the competition circuit, and his longevity is something that all grapplers should aspire to have. Craig Jones is an Australian grappler who burst onto the scene with his creative finishes from the ashi garami and back positions.

A considerable portion of the match was fought on the mat. Craig played his Z guard almost the whole match while Xande worked on passing. The key moment of this match was when Xande was able to complete a takedown, thus getting two points with a minute left on the clock. Craig tried to engage, but time ran out. Xande Ribeiro took home the win and the ADCC 2017 bronze medal. 

10) Gordon Ryan Vs Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida – ADCC 2019

Perhaps one of the most memorable matches in recent memory, as No-Gi superstar Gordon Ryan grappled the one and only Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida in the ADCC 2019 Absolute Finals. At that point, many considered Gordon Ryan as the best pound-for-pound No-Gi grappler on the planet. Buchecha, on the other hand, had already established himself as one of the greatest grapplers to ever live. 

It was a very technical match, with both athletes showing their skills for the world to see. Buchecha did a wonderful job of managing distance as Gordon tried to enter the ashi garami position. By the end of regulation, it was still 0-0, and the match went to overtime. Buchecha received a negative point for passivity in overtime. This was enough for Gordon Ryan to secure the win and claim ADCC gold.

Conclusion

The ADCC World Championship’s history is filled with excellent matches such as these. We recommend that you watch these 10 matches to gain new insights on techniques and have a deeper appreciation of the athletes who competed in this prestigious tournament. 

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts. It has the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, Evolve MMA is the top rated MMA gym in Singapore.

Wrestling is one of those martial arts that has been around for ages, and it is arguably the best base for mixed martial arts. There are two main styles of wrestling nowadays: Greco-Roman and freestyle.

A Brief History Of Greco-Roman And Freestyle Wrestling

Despite being named after two ancient civilizations, Greco-Roman style is actually quite recent. This style of wrestling began in France in the early nineteenth century to incorporate ancient values into the sport. The name “Greco-Roman” was used to purport that this style of wrestling is similar to styles used by ancient civilizations around the Mediterranean Sea, especially during the ancient Greek Olympics. Greco-Roman wrestling is practiced worldwide and was first part of the Olympic Games in 1896. It has continued to be part of the summer Olympics since 1908.

Freestyle wrestling is a grappling style that is also practiced worldwide. This style of wrestling has links to “catch-as-catch-can” styles of wrestling, which involve using almost any technique to throw down and pin your opponent in order to win. Freestyle wrestling brings together the different traditional wrestling styles of sambo and judo.

Differences Between Greco-Roman And Freestyle Wrestling

Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling have some key similarities but also differences. Both involve grappling with an opponent, takedowns, and turns with the aim of pinning an opponent. The major differences between these two styles of wrestling include the following:

1) Legs

One of the main differences between these two styles of wrestling is that Greco-Roman forbids any holds below the waist, but freestyle wrestling allows you to use your legs as both defensive and offensive weapons. You can also use a double leg or single leg takedown to pin your opponent to the mat. Because of this major difference, these two wrestling styles use vastly different strategies and techniques.

Since you cannot use your legs to secure a takedown in Greco-Roman wrestling, you will have to rely a lot more on headlocks, body locks, and arm drags. Most Greco-Roman wrestlers also rely on an offensive technique known as a suplex, during which you lift your opponent in a high arch while they fall backward. Even while on the mat, you are not allowed to use your legs. Therefore, you have to use other techniques, such as a gut-wrench and body locks, to turn your opponent’s shoulders to the mat.

2) Accompanying An Opponent To The Canvas

Another major difference is how you throw your opponent to the ground. In freestyle wrestling, you can simply toss the opponent and regain contact with them afterward when they are on the canvas in order to secure a favorable position. With Greco-Roman wrestling, however, you have to maintain contact with your opponent throughout the takedown for it to count. As a Greco-Roman grappler, you have to accompany your opponent to the canvas. If you lose contact with them, the referee will stop the illegal hold immediately.

3) Escaping A Hold

Escaping from a hold involves refusing any contact with an opponent to stop them from initiating a hold. If you do this during a freestyle wrestling match, the referee will charge you. This may also happen during Greco-Roman wrestling, but this style has rules regulating fleeing a hold while on the ground. Since you cannot grasp your opponent’s legs in Greco-Roman wrestling, your opponent has to ensure they do not put you in a position where you have to do so. This means that if your opponent ends up on the ground, they cannot move forward to escape because this action will force you to hold your opponent’s thighs.

4) Ordered hold

During freestyle wrestling matches, if you and your opponent do not score any points after wrestling for some time, the referee may grant an ordered hold. A random draw is held to determine which wrestler gets the advantage. If you lose this draw, you have to put a leg in the middle of the main circle, while the other leg stays outside. This gives your opponent a very clear chance to take you down, which would give them a score in that round. If, as a disadvantaged wrestler, you do not allow them to take you down, you win that round.

The rules are a bit different for Greco. If the two of you have not scored any points after wresting for some time, both of you will alternate going into a parterre position. This position involves one wrestler on their knees and hands in the center of a circle, while their opponent positions themselves behind, either with one knee on the ground or standing. The wrestler with the lead after the standing portion of that round wins the parterre advantage.

If you want to participate in mixed martial arts, a background in wrestling is a significant advantage. In the UFC, the most common takedowns are the single leg and double leg, which means that freestyle wrestling has been proven to be very effective inside the cage. Standing clinch positions are common in MMA, so Greco-Roman style wrestling skills can be very helpful as well.

Greco-Roman wrestlers are better at slamming bodies, but freestyle wrestlers typically shoot and defend shots better than their Greco-Roman counterparts. Despite their differences, both styles have been proven to be very effective inside the cage.

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts. It has the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, Evolve MMA is the top rated Muay Thai gym in Singapore.

Muay Thai has a fierce beauty evident in every strike, split-second block, and sweep. This is one of many reasons the discipline commands a loyal and enthusiastic following. Spectators also love the variety of techniques that come alive in your average Muay Thai fight.

Competitive Muay Thai fighters weave together technique and talent to showcase the grace, simplicity, and raw power of their craft. It would be interesting to see how the top fighters of the modern era add to the breadth and depth of Muay Thai. Today, we’ll take a look at the best professional fighters of this era.

Making The List

Skill and talent go a long way in making a professional martial artist. Hard work and consistency are equally important when pursuing a combat sport at a competitive level. There’s even an argument to be made that putting in the work trumps talent on many counts.

These qualities are common to the Muay Thai fighters that we talk about in the upcoming sections. Together, natural talent and a strong work ethic combine to give us Muay Thai warriors that continue to elevate the sport. Here are 20 of the best Muay Thai fighters of the modern era you must know.

1) Nong-O Gaiyanghadao

Nong-O is a seven-time Muay Thai champion who also happens to be an instructor at Evolve MMA in Singapore. After winning the titles, he went on a three-year hiatus to take up life as a Muay Kru, or instructor. He resumed his competitive career in 2018 and went on to win the ONE Muay Thai Bantamweight Championship.

A career that includes teaching and competing has given Nong-O a unique mastery of his craft. Nong-O fights with a calculated and technical style, punctuated with explosive yet surgical attacks. Many of his matches are masterpieces that belong in the annals of Muay Thai.

2) Panpayak Jitmuangnon

Panpayak is a martial artist and Muay Thai instructor from Thailand who is now an instructor at Evolve MMA in Singapore. He holds four Lumpinee stadium championship titles and two Rajadamnern titles. These achievements saw him win the Thai Fighter of The Year award three times in a row.

Panpayak often goes up against elite fighters like Superlek, and he wins way more matches than he loses. His current record stands at 247 wins against 41 losses. He uses an orthodox boxing stance and a tactical approach to fend off and counter his opponents.

3) Superlek Kiatmoo9

Superlek holds two Muay Thai world championship titles, and his kicking techniques play a large part in his success.

The fighter’s pedigree explains the start of his Muay Thai career. As the nephew of the famous Muay Thai World Champion Singdam, Superlek spent his childhood with his uncle at the Kiatmoo9 gym. So Superlek did what any kid would do at a Muay Thai gym: he trained.

Superlek started his training at the age of eight, which means that he spent years honing his technique. The result is kicks that are swift, precise, devastating, and absolutely fun to watch. A Superlek bout always comes through with a flurry of calculated strikes. 

4) Rodtang Jitmuangnon

Many elite Muay Thai fighters start martial arts training at a young age, and this includes Rodtang. The fighter started his Muay Thai training as a timid seven-year-old. He would soon attain the skill level to start making money off his craft. 

At 14, Rodtang moved from his home in north-east Thailand to Bangkok.  There he joined the Jitmuangnon gym as a full-time member of the competitive team.

Rodtang stands out because of his endurance and aggressive approach. This elite fighter loves going after opponents with a hail of strikes that lower their defenses and leave them open. He can absorb and fend off an attack with the same skill that he dishes out the pain. Rodtang is a fan favorite, and his fights will keep you at the figurative edge of your seat.

5) Janet Todd

Todd is an American Muay Thai kickboxer and the current ONE Kickboxing World Champion in her weight division. She also holds the 2017 Pan-American championship title in her weight division. The straw-weight fighter has 38 wins against 11 losses, with eight of her wins being knockouts.

She is an orthodox (right-handed) boxer with a calculated fighting style that serves her well in the ring.

6) Sangmanee Sathian Muay Thai Gym

Sangmanee holds multiple titles from the fiercely competitive Thai stadium circuit. His martial arts career boasts seven championship wins across several weight classes.

Sangmanee started his Muay Thai career as a six-year-old, training and competing in the countryside of northeast Thailand. His father personally handled training and arranged matches until young Sangmanee turned seven. The young fighter soon took up training at the Sor Tienpo gym. At age 15, Sangmanee would join the 13 Coins gym in Bangkok. He would go on to win many bouts as a member of the 13 Coins team.

Sangmanee is a southpaw and a strategic fighter, assets that deliver victories against the best Muay Thai fighters in the game. He holds wins against champions like Superlek, which is no easy feat. Sangmanee now trains at the Sathian Muay Thai Gym.

7) Rungkit Wor.Sanprapai

A seven-year-old Rungkit comes across children sparring and decides to join in. He started training and transitioned to competitive Muay Thai at 12. The rest is history, as the Muay Thai historians say.

Rungkit is a technical Muay Thai fighter who uses a combination of strategy and force to impose his will. His Muay Femur style won him five championship titles between 2016 and 2018. As an elite fighter, Rungkit has had classics against warriors like Superlek and Sangmanee.

8) Kongklai AnnyMuayThai

There’s a genre of Muay Thai fights where the underdog gains the upper hand in the end. Kongklai is the type of fighter who bounces back when his opponent seems to be winning. His fights keep audiences at the edge of their seats, wondering whether he’ll recover from his opponent’s continuous assault. In the end, Kongklai gets his fans on their feet with short, brutal comebacks.

This entertaining fighting style won Kongklai the 2020 Fighter of The Year Award from the Sports Authority of Thailand. Kongklai has more than five Muay Thai championship titles under his belt, thanks to a knack for serving knockouts and his tactical approach.

9) Capitan Petchyindee Academy

It’s no surprise that many champions on this list happen to hail from the Thai countryside. Muay Thai is an aspect of Thailand’s culture that goes beyond championship titles and flashing lights. It is into this culture that Anueng Khatthamarasri is born. He would grow up to become Capitan, one of the best Muay Thai fighters in the sport.

Capitan has an aggressive, strategic fighting style. He has a talent for learning and adapting to his opponents’ tactics on the fly. Capitan is also versatile, and he will use whatever opening and whatever ‘weapon’ that gives him an advantage. He can knock out an opponent with a precision kick or do it with a devastating punch. This skill set secures Capitan a place among today’s elite Muay Thai fighters.

10) Marie Ruumet

Ruumet is an Estonian kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter whose ferocious strikes unfold with the grace of a ballet dancer. She can mount a swift attack with a combination of powerful elbows, knees, and kicks. Her speed, reach, and technique combine into a devastating blitz that keeps you glued to your screen.

She is a strategic fighter who enters the ring with a plan and sets about destroying her opponent’s defenses. Ruumet will then switch up her fighting style to keep her opponent guessing. She is also flexible enough to counter and convert most strikes from her opponent. So far, Ruumet seems to have a bright future ahead of her.

11) Anissa Meksen

Meksen is a former Flyweight World Professional Muay Thai champion. She also holds two Glory kickboxing championship titles in the bantamweight division.

As a professional Savate, kickboxing, and Muay Thai fighter, Meksen has a powerful fighting style. She is swift, graceful, and precise with her strikes, which makes her a formidable opponent for most.

12) Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym

This is a technical, strategic fighter who anticipates and counters his opponent’s moves. Like most competitors who practice the Muay Femur style, Tawanchai leverages precision techniques and fight IQ to gain an advantage.

Tawanchai mounts a solid defense and will seize every possible opening to deliver devastating attacks. He changes his fighting style from one match to the next. After studying his opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, he crafts a unique game plan.

Tawanchai has taken his skills to the global stage as he looks for new adventures after winning multiple championship titles in his native Thailand.

13) Iman Barlow

Barlow practices Muay Thai and kickboxing, a combination that comes together to create an effective fighting style. The Barlows ran a Muay Thai gym in their backyard, and this is where young Iman got her first taste of the sport. She would hang out at the gym as a baby, learning how to kick and throw a punch as soon as she could walk on her own.

The British fighter would travel to Thailand to compete in Muay Thai tournaments as a child. She would soon gain years of experience and a pressing attack style that’s fun to watch. Barlow is a one-time Bantamweight World Professional Muay Thai champion. She has a talent for winning decisive victories, sometimes by knockout.

14)  Jonathan Haggerty

Haggerty is a British Muay Thai fighter who makes the list because of his tactical and strategic approach. He introduces his unique take on Muay Thai, which only adds to the richness of the sport. Haggerty has relatively few fights to his name, and yet he won the 2019 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Championship title against the more seasoned Sam-A.

Haggerty has an aggressive fighting style that involves a balanced mix of punches, elbows, and kicks. The Brit seems the type who learns and evolves with every match. His unique Muay Thai style makes him one of the more entertaining fighters to watch. 

15) Kiewpayak Jitmuangnon

The Sports Authority of Thailand awarded Kiewpayak with the 2019 Fighter of the year title. Kiewpayak also holds the 2016 Lumpinee Stadium Flyweight Championship title. He has a technical, right-handed (orthodox) fighting style with fast strikes. This fighting style allows Kiewpayak to mount blitz attacks that take a lot of skill to fend off.

16) Sawsing Sor Sopit

Sawsing is a featherweight Muay Thai fighter who started her training at nine. She is the 2013 World Professional Muay Thai champion in her weight class.

This technical fighter from northern Thailand uses a balanced mix of punches and powerful kicks to devastating effect. Her technique has won her five championship titles across different Asian and European Muay Thai tournaments.

17) Superbon Singha Mawynn

He is one of the best kickboxers of the modern era, thanks to his ability to land accurate and devastating kicks. Superbon is a veteran with years of experience who started in the amateur Muay Thai circuit. He got a lucky break as he struggled to balance school, finances, and a fledgling martial arts career.

Just as he was about to quit Muay Thai, Superbon met Buakaw Banchamek, a kickboxing and Muay Thai legend. Buakaw asked Superbon to train and compete under the Banchamek name.

The training paid off, and Superbon developed a swift, aggressive striking style. This evolution in Superbon’s skill secured wins against champions like Sittichai SitsongPeenong.

18) Prajanchai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym

Prajanchai holds six Muay Thai championship titles, with four wins coming from the super-competitive stadium circuit. He is a technical fighter with an adaptive fighting style that features right-handed boxing.

His technical approach to Muay Thai gives him a versatility that allows him to succeed as a boxer.

19) Tapaokaew Singmawin

Tapaokaew is a Muay Khao (knee) fighter with an explosive fighting style that is exciting to watch. He often mounts aggressive attacks to keep his opponents on the defensive. Tapaokaew competes and wins in the stadium circuit, often in the lightweight division.

20) Ferrari Fairtex

This welterweight Muay Thai fighter has an impressive record, winning fights against champions like Sangmanee Sor Tiempo and Tapaokaew. He competes in the Thai stadium circuit, and he continues to hone his technical fighting style with each bout.

Ferrari is a right-handed Muay Femur with graceful, fluid execution that makes for a solid defense. He also mounts pressing attacks that can end in the odd knockout victory.

Elite Muay Thai Fighters Showcase The Art In The Discipline

Watching elite Muay Thai fighters is almost as fulfilling as getting in the ring yourself. Each fighter in this list contributes to the evolution and growth of the sport. Check out their bouts for inspiration or tips on how to level up your Muay Thai game.