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Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai - What’s in a South Asian Fighter’s Toolkit?

ByAyesha Sana

15 June 2025

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Introduction

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has exploded in popularity around the world, and South Asia is no exception. Countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal are producing fighters who are training harder than ever before. But what makes a good MMA fighter in South Asia? What skills are they mastering to survive in the cage?

Three main combat styles have become essential in the toolkit of a South Asian MMA fighter: Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai. Each of these fighting styles brings something unique to the game. Together, they form a powerful combination that helps fighters compete not just locally but also on the international stage.

Let’s take a deep dive into how these three martial arts have become key pillars of MMA in South Asia.

1. Wrestling – The Old Warrior's Strength

Ancient Roots, Modern Impact

Wrestling has been part of South Asian culture for thousands of years. Known locally as "kushti" or "pehlwani", this traditional form of wrestling was practiced in mud pits with strict discipline, diet, and training. Indian and Pakistani pehlwans were once global legends, winning medals and international fame.

Today, this ancient tradition is finding a new home in MMA.

Why Wrestling Matters in MMA

Wrestling is the art of controlling your opponent. In MMA, this skill is important for:

  • Takedowns: Bringing the fight to the ground.
  • Takedown Defense: Stopping others from taking you down.
  • Control: Keeping an opponent pinned or limiting their movement.
  • Ground and Pound: Using position to strike safely on the ground.

Wrestling helps fighters set the tone of a fight. If you’re a good wrestler, you decide where the fight happens – on the ground or standing up.

South Asian Wrestlers Entering MMA

Wrestlers from India and Pakistan are slowly crossing into MMA. Their strong base gives them an edge, especially in local fights where many competitors still lack strong takedown defense.

  • In India, wrestlers are often spotted at events like Matrix Fight Night (MFN).
  • In Pakistan, athletes from traditional akharas (wrestling gyms) are now training for MMA with coaches who understand the sport’s global demands.

Some South Asian fighters start as wrestlers and then add striking or submissions to complete their skill set.

2. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – The Mild Art

What is Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that emphasis on ground fighting, submissions, and chokes. It’s about using technique, leverage, and timing rather than brute strength.

In a BJJ fight, you don’t have to throw punches. You win by making your opponent tap out through joint locks (like arm bars) or chokeholds (like rear-naked chokes).

Why Jiu-Jitsu is Crucial in MMA

MMA fights often end up on the ground. Once there, Jiu-Jitsu is your best friend:

  • Submissions: You can end the fight without throwing a punch.
  • Sweeps: You can escape from bad positions and turn the tables.
  • Defense: You avoid damage by defending from your back.
  • Control: You learn to dominate from the top without getting reversed.

Many MMA champions, including legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, used BJJ to finish fights with technique.

Growth of Jiu-Jitsu in South Asia

In the last decade, BJJ has started growing in South Asia:

  • India has seen a rise in BJJ academies, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
  • Pakistan has schools like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pakistan, Karachi Combat Academy, and others that focus entirely on grappling.
  • International BJJ black belts now hold seminars across the region.

Most top-level South Asian MMA fighters now include BJJ in their training. Even if they don’t wear the traditional gi, they practice “no-gi” Jiu-Jitsu for MMA purposes.

3. Muay Thai – The Art of Eight Limbs

Origins of Muay Thai

Muay Thai comes from Thailand and is known as the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it uses:

  • Two fists
  • Two elbows
  • Two knees
  • Two shins

Muay Thai is considered one of the most dangerous and effective striking arts in the world. It’s not just about punches – it’s about using your whole body as a weapon.

Why Muay Thai is Powerful in MMA

In MMA, striking is just as important as grappling. Muay Thai helps with:

  • Powerful leg kicks: To slow opponents down.
  • Clinch fighting: Controlling your opponent close-up with knees and elbows.
  • Elbows: Dangerous strikes that can cut and end fights quickly.
  • Defensive striking: Blocking, countering, and managing distance.

A fighter with good Muay Thai can end a fight in seconds with a clean shot.

Muay Thai in South Asia

While Thailand is the homeland of Muay Thai, the sport has influenced the entire South Asian region:

  • Indian fighters often go to Thailand to train at elite gyms.
  • Pakistan’s MMA community has welcomed Muay Thai coaches, and local striking gyms are developing talent.
  • Nepal and Sri Lanka have hosted Muay Thai events, building regional connections.

Today, a complete South Asian MMA gym is likely to have a Muay Thai coach or striking program inspired by Thai techniques.

4. The South Asian MMA Gym: A Hybrid Hub

A typical modern MMA fighter in South Asia doesn’t just train one style – they mix it all. Let’s look at how their week might look:

  • Monday: Wrestling drills – takedowns, chain wrestling, ground control.
  • Tuesday: Muay Thai – pad work, combinations, clinch striking.
  • Wednesday: Jiu-Jitsu – submissions, guard passes, positional drills.
  • Thursday: MMA sparring – combining striking and grappling under fight conditions.
  • Friday: Strength & conditioning.
  • Saturday: Fight strategy and mental preparation.
  • Sunday: Rest or active recovery (light rolls, yoga, etc.)

The fighter’s body is trained like an athlete. The mind is sharpened like a chess player. They prepare for every situation – standing, clinching, or on the ground.

5. How Fighters Choose Their Base Style

Every MMA fighter has a base – the style they’re best at. In South Asia, fighters often begin with one of the three:

  • Wrestling Base: Strong in takedowns and control, but needs to learn submissions and striking.
  • Jiu-Jitsu Base: Good at defending and finishing on the ground, but needs to improve takedowns and striking.
  • Muay Thai Base: Great striker, but must build takedown defense and ground game.

The goal is to blend these styles. A pure wrestler will struggle if they can’t strike. A striker with no grappling can be taken down and submitted.

The most successful South Asian fighters are hybrids who’ve trained across all disciplines.

6. Fighters to Watch from South Asia

Let’s highlight a few examples of fighters who are making use of these styles:

India:

  • Anshul Jubli – UFC lightweight, strong wrestling and ground control.
  • Puja Tomar – Former wushu champion with Muay Thai-style striking.

Pakistan:

  • Ahmed Mujtaba – ONE Championship fighter with a BJJ background.
  • Uloomi Karim – Pioneer of Pakistani MMA, mixes kickboxing and wrestling.

Bangladesh:

  • Fighters like Abir Rahman are using Muay Thai as their base and adding ground training slowly.

These fighters are building well-rounded skills to compete with the best in Asia and beyond.

7. Challenges in Training All Three Styles

Training in Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai is expensive and physically demanding. Here are some common challenges:

Lack of Coaches

  • There are only a few qualified coaches in each discipline.
  • Many fighters have to travel abroad or watch online tutorials to improve.

Limited Training Partners

  • You need sparring partners with skill. But in many places, there aren’t enough experienced fighters to train with.

Facilities

  • Good mats for BJJ, rings for striking, and clean wrestling spaces are hard to find in small towns.
  • Equipment like gloves, pads, gis, and cages are costly.

Financial Burden

  • MMA training is not cheap. Most South Asian fighters train part-time while working jobs to support themselves.

Despite these challenges, the passion is growing fast.

8. How South Asian Fighters Are Adapting

Many fighters are finding creative ways to master all three styles:

  • Online Learning: Watching UFC fights, YouTube breakdowns, and training videos.
  • Short Camps Abroad: Going to Thailand for Muay Thai, or Singapore for BJJ.
  • Local Camps: Fighters and coaches from different backgrounds train together and exchange knowledge.

Even social media has become a tool. Fighters showcase their techniques, get feedback, and build connections globally.

9. The Future of MMA Training in South Asia

The future looks bright for South Asian MMA. Here’s what we can expect:

1. More Gyms

Gyms that offer full MMA programs – wrestling, BJJ, and Muay Thai – are opening in major cities like Lahore, Mumbai, Dhaka, and Colombo.

2. International Exposure

More fighters are joining international promotions like ONE Championship, UFC, and BRAVE CF.

3. National Federations

Countries are starting to recognize MMA officially and may support it like boxing or wrestling.

4. Homegrown Heroes

As local fighters succeed, they inspire the next generation. Kids now dream of being MMA stars.

Conclusion: A Dangerous and Dynamic Mix

South Asian MMA fighters are no longer just beginners. They’re warriors building their weapons carefully. Wrestling gives them control. Jiu-Jitsu gives them submissions and defense. Muay Thai gives them striking power.

Together, these styles form a complete fighting toolkit that can compete with the best in the world. South Asia’s fighters are still underdogs in many ways, but they’re training smarter, fighting harder, and dreaming bigger than ever.

And in the years to come, don’t be surprised if champions from Delhi, Karachi, or Dhaka step into the global spotlight – armed with takedowns, chokes, and crushing kicks.

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