I don’t think anyone can deny MMA’s explosion in the past few years. The growth of the UFC, and the addition of various other MMA groups such as the WEC, EliteXC, StrikeForce, IFL, etc. have made mixed martial arts an almost mainstream sport. (Almost.) This has led to people flocking to the sport, and the opening of several MMA gyms - heck, you can even franchise Xtreme Couture.
To be a great fighter, you need discipline, excellent physical conditioning, and a willingness to make contact with an opponent. Where is the best place for a child or teenager to learn these skills? Right here:
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If you want to be the next Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Georges St. Pierre, Josh Koscheck, Roger Huerta, Clay Guida, Matt Hughes, Dan Henderson, etc., then start where they started: on the wrestling mat. Wrestling taught them the basic grappling skills, but beyond that, they learned skills vital to a successful MMA career.
Indeed, a great crop of fighters coming up through the ranks had their start in a wrestling roon. In an article on MMA Junkie, Kevin Iole takes a look at the next generation of wrestlers turned MMA fighters, led by Oklahoma State Cowboy Jake Rosholt. Fellow Cowboys Johny Hendricks and Shane Roller have also started with the Xtreme Fighting League. Three former Division I wrestlers, Paul Bradley, Gerald Harris and C.B. Dolloway are all cast members for next season of the Ultimate Fighter. Mo Lawal, a current US freestyle team member, has recently signed with Team Quest. Ben Askren, the two time NCAA champion for Mizzou, has stated his intent to have a career in MMA after the Olympics.
So you want to be a fighter? Follow in the footsteps of some great fighters, and wrestle.
