The 7 Levels of MMA Grappling

Summary

This video explores the different levels of grappling in MMA, from the raw strength of Level 1 grapplers like Derrick Lewis, to the elite skills of Level 7 fighters like Islam Makachev and Hamza Chimaev. It outlines six levels of grappling progression, from basic survival tactics and lack of technique in Level 1, to highly refined and complete grappling mastery in Level 7. The video highlights the importance of well-rounded grappling, featuring notable examples like Cyril Gane, Kamaru Usman, and Charles Oliveira, with a focus on the strengths and weaknesses that define each level.

Takeaways

• 😀 Level 1 grappling is characterized by fighters who rely on strength and desperation to escape bad positions, with little to no technique. Derrick Lewis is the prime example of this level.
• 😀 Level 2 grapplers have basic grappling technique but still struggle against elite competition. Ciryl Gane, despite being a great striker, has poor wrestling and submission defense.
• 😀 Level 3 grapplers are competent in grappling, focusing on defensive tactics and scrambling to get back to their feet. Sean O'Malley exemplifies this level with strong takedown defense and scrambling ability.
• 😀 Level 4 grapplers are skilled in one specific grappling area, such as wrestling, but lack well-rounded skills. Bo Nickal, despite his elite wrestling, is still working on expanding his grappling game.
• 😀 Level 5 grapplers are elite in all aspects of grappling—wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and scrambling. Kamaru Usman is a perfect example, with a complete grappling game that includes elite takedown defense and submission defense.
• 😀 Level 6 grapplers are generational talents with almost no weaknesses in their grappling game. Charles Oliveira is an example, but his defensive wrestling against the very best, like Islam Makhachev, is the only gap in his game.
• 😀 Level 7 represents the absolute pinnacle of grappling, featuring fighters who are transcendent in their abilities. Hamza Chimaev and Islam Makhachev are examples of this level, with no weaknesses in their grappling.
• 😀 Level 1 grapplers survive in the UFC by avoiding grappling situations or by fighting in divisions where most opponents have similar grappling skills.
• 😀 Level 2 grapplers, like Gane, can occasionally perform submissions but struggle against top-tier grapplers who expose their weaknesses.
• 😀 A major difference between level 3 and level 2 grapplers is the ability to scramble and work back to the feet, rather than simply being controlled.
• 😀 The key to moving from level 4 to level 5 is building a well-rounded grappling game, not just excelling in one area. Elite grapplers like Usman demonstrate the importance of blending different aspects of grappling.

Q & A

What defines level one grappling in MMA?

Level one grappling in MMA refers to fighters who lack technique and fundamentals on the ground, relying mostly on strength and desperation. They have minimal grappling skills and their ground game often consists of using raw power to escape positions, like Derrick Lewis, who uses brute strength to stand up and get back to his feet.

Why is Derrick Lewis considered a level one grappler?

Derrick Lewis is considered a level one grappler because his grappling technique is extremely basic, and he relies solely on his immense strength to escape from positions. While he is able to stand up from bad positions using raw power, he lacks effective jiu-jitsu or any sophisticated ground game.

What separates level two grapplers from level one grapplers?

Level two grapplers have some basic technique, unlike level one grapplers, who rely purely on strength. While their grappling is still flawed, they possess some level of jiu-jitsu or wrestling ability that allows them to execute basic techniques, like Ciryl Gane, who has some submission wins but struggles against elite grapplers.

How does Ciryl Gane exemplify level two grappling?

Ciryl Gane exemplifies level two grappling by having poor wrestling and takedown defense but decent jiu-jitsu. He can win against lower-level grapplers through submissions, but against top fighters like Jon Jones, his grappling falls apart, as he is easily controlled and outclassed on the ground.

What distinguishes level three grapplers from level two grapplers?

Level three grapplers are competent enough to defend takedowns, survive in bad positions, and scramble effectively to get back to their feet. Unlike level two grapplers, who are often controlled after being taken down, level three grapplers like Sean O'Malley are able to keep the fight on their feet or escape positions quickly.

Why is Sean O'Malley considered a level three grappler?

Sean O'Malley is considered a level three grappler because, while his takedown defense is solid, it is not elite, and his ground game is primarily defensive. He can survive on the ground and scramble to get back up but is not a threat with submissions or top control.

What is the key characteristic of level four grapplers?

Level four grapplers possess excellent skills in one area of grappling, such as wrestling, but lack complete, well-rounded grappling. They can dominate with one specific technique but struggle when faced with fighters who can neutralize their specialty, like Bo Nickal, who has exceptional wrestling but limited submission or ground-and-pound skills.

How does Bo Nickal demonstrate level four grappling?

Bo Nickal is a level four grappler because his wrestling credentials are elite, but his MMA grappling is incomplete. He can dominate with wrestling, but outside of that, his submission game and top control are average, and his overall grappling lacks the diversity needed to be truly elite.

What separates level five grapplers from level four grapplers?

Level five grapplers are well-rounded and have a complete grappling game, excelling in multiple aspects such as wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and scrambling. They can defend against the best grapplers in the world and perform at a championship level, as seen with Kamaru Usman, whose wrestling, submission defense, and top control are all elite.

How does Kamaru Usman exemplify level five grappling?

Kamaru Usman exemplifies level five grappling by combining elite wrestling, superb submission defense, and top control. He can shut down elite grapplers and control high-level competition. His performance against Hamza Chimaev, where he neutralized one of the best grapplers, shows his well-rounded and elite grappling ability.

What is the defining trait of level six grapplers in MMA?

Level six grapplers are generational talents with dominant grappling skills. They excel in nearly every aspect of grappling, including submissions and positional control. However, they may have small weaknesses that elite fighters can exploit, like Charles Oliveira, who has the best jiu-jitsu but struggles with defensive wrestling against elite wrestlers.

How does Charles Oliveira represent level six grappling?

Charles Oliveira represents level six grappling due to his exceptional jiu-jitsu, holding the most submission wins in UFC history. His ability to finish fights from any position makes him dangerous. However, his defensive wrestling has been exposed by fighters like Islam Makhachev, showing that even level six grapplers can have small weaknesses.

What is the highest level of grappling in MMA, and who exemplifies it?

Level seven is the pinnacle of MMA grappling, where fighters have transcendent grappling skills. These fighters dominate in all aspects of grappling, leaving no room for weaknesses. Hamza Chimaev and Islam Makhachev exemplify level seven grappling with their unstoppable takedowns, elite wrestling, and flawless submission defense, making them among the greatest grapplers in MMA history.