Greco-Roman wrestling is a combat sport which focuses on grappling. This form of wrestling does not permit holds below the waist and emphasizes upper body throws and slams such as the suplex etc. Unlike freestyle wrestling, a wrestler is not allowed to trip an opponent nor hook the opponent’s legs for blocking/avoiding throws.

Greco-Roman wrestling is a combination of arm drags, bear hugs, headlocks etc; all of these techniques have great importance in Greco-Roman wrestling. Similar to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Greco-Roman wrestling also focuses on controlling the opponent on the ground, thus rendering him ineffective on his back.

Greco-Roman wrestling is said to be developed mainly on lands east of the Mediterranean Sea, mostly considered to be lands where the Ancient Greeks resided. In ancient Greece wrestling was not considered as a martial art but a regular exercise for men and boys and was made compulsory in school’s physical education curriculum. Initially Greco-Roman wrestling made its way through Europe and became very popular over there. However due to its many restrictions it lost its popularity in Britain and the United States to free-style wrestling.

In Greco-Roman wrestling one can win by:

1. Fall: When one wrestler is successful in pinning the shoulders of his opponent to the ground/mat and maintaining the position for 1-2 seconds.
2. Technical fall: When one wrestler leads by 6 points from his/her opponent, the judges declare the wrestler ahead in points the winner.
3. Decision: At the end of the match if neither wrestler gets pinned the judges base their decision on points and the one with the most points win.
4. Forfeit/Disqualification: One may also win if the other wrestler forfeits due to injury or withdrawal and by disqualification due to getting multiple warnings or by carrying out un-sportsman like conduct etc.

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The training regimen in Greco-Roman wrestling mostly focuses on conditioning and flexibility. One should be at the peak of his condition due to the quickness and the strength which is involved in wrestling, having to keep your opponent on his back, slamming/suplexing him etc. Flexibility is also a key factor in wrestling due to the high level of arches, turns, twists one must make to slam an opponent.
Also quickness and agility are main components which make a wrestler what he is.

Wrestling is a very demanding sport that requires the best from each athlete that steps onto the mat. The expectations and techniques remain relatively unchanged even though almost 3000 years have passed. Greco Roman wrestling is a true link makes it possible to connect the past history of this sport with its modern day incarnation.

Greco-Roman wrestling has played a prominent role in MMA. Since UFC 4 there have been many wrestlers that have entered the octagon/ring and dominated their opponents by taking them or slamming them to the ground. Notable Greco-Roman wrestlers in MMA include:

• • Dan Severn
  • Randy Couture
  • Dan Henderson
  • Chael Sonnen
  • Matt Hamil

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