Five Keys to Victory in the Octagon

There are five specific changes that can be made to one's training regime and mindset that can help grapplers become more successful in MMA. One theme that holds true in all five of these keys is: being on top is better than being on bottom.

1. Incorporate More Wrestling. Wrestlers are now training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, so BJJ practitioners need to do the same with wrestling. When it comes to MMA, being on top is always better than being on bottom. However, wrestling has more to offer than just takedowns. Wrestling training can add a lot to your scrambles, transitions, and top game control. Starting your grappling training from your feet will give the participants much better feel for the standup to ground transitions of MMA.

2. Focus on Sweeps. If you end on bottom, sweeps are your path back on top. In addition, sweeps are a great way to set up your submissions. a failed sweep often opens up a related submission attack. As an example, hip-bump sweep, guillotine, and kimura all work in unison. A successful sweep in MMA can immediately change the entire fight.

3. Perfect Your Escapes. Training to escape is one of the least enjoyable aspects of BJJ. However, no BJJ practitioner would argue that escapes aren’t an important aspect of grappling. Being on the bottom in an MMA fight, outside of the guard, is a dangerous position. All fighters must learn to stay relaxed on bottom, defend themselves from strikes, and work back to a more suitable position. Training in bad positions and learning to survive is important.

4. Train with Strikes. Carlson Gracie once said, “Punch a Jiu-Jitsu black belt in the face once and he becomes a brown belt, punch him in the face twice and he becomes a purple belt”. Punches and elbows make top positions more dominant and some bottom positions and techniques downright dangerous. Train for MMA with grappling gloves while allowing strikes.

5. Learn To Get Up. Being able to stand up can help negate the advantages a great MMA fighter possesses. No one has been better at this skill than the number 1 ranked George Rush St.Pierre.