What would it feel like to train in a place where judo, wrestling, and brazilian jiu jitsu all meet but never lose what makes them special?
I’ve been asking myself that since I first started coaching here at Extreme MMA. Over the years, I’ve had wrestlers walk into the gym thinking their takedowns would carry them through, only to find themselves caught in a triangle choke. I’ve had judokas throw beautifully but then look surprised when the fight continued on the ground. And I’ve had BJJ students blown away by the pace and intensity that wrestling brings. Each art brings something unique, and that uniqueness is exactly why they’ve never fully merged into a single “hybrid”.
why brazilian jiu jitsu stands apart
For me, *brazilian jiu jitsu* is about patience and precision. Wrestling and judo often end with control or the throw, but BJJ takes you deeper to the submission. That’s where the mental game shines. I remember coaching a wrestler who dominated positions with ease. The first time he got caught in an armbar, though, he realised there was a whole new layer to learn. That’s the magic of BJJ: you can be strong, you can be fast, but if you don’t think your way through, you’ll tap.
There’s solid science behind this too. A systematic review looked at BJJ athletes and found unique demands like grip endurance and anaerobic conditioning. It proves that this isn’t just an extension of other grappling styles it’s its own complete discipline. That’s why I love sending new students to our brazilian jiu jitsu classes. They quickly learn that BJJ doesn’t just test the body, it tests the mind too.
the beautiful overlap with wrestling and judo
Still, I’ll be the first to say you can’t train BJJ in isolation. Wrestling takedowns set up half the matches I’ve seen end in submissions. Judo throws? They give you the element of surprise. I’ve encouraged plenty of students to join our wrestling classes in melbourne to sharpen their stand-up game, and the difference is incredible. Suddenly they’re not just pulling guard they’re dictating where the fight happens. That combination of arts is exactly why our mixed martial arts program thrives. Each piece of the puzzle matters.
In conversations online, people often ask why there isn’t one “unified grappling style” that merges them all. My answer is simple: the rules are different, and rules shape the art. Wrestling rewards pins, judo rewards throws, and BJJ rewards submissions. If you mashed them together, you’d lose the character of each. And honestly? Watching someone execute a perfect double-leg, or pull off a slick guard sweep, deserves to be celebrated on its own.
what bjj really gives you
I’ve seen BJJ transform people’s lives. Kids come in shy, unsure of themselves, and leave with confidence after a few weeks. Adults use it as an outlet to release stress, to focus, to build resilience. There’s research to back it too: *this study on life skills* (read here) showed how BJJ builds persistence and teamwork. I’ve seen it every single day. A white belt struggles, gets frustrated, comes back, and slowly learns that progress isn’t about winning it’s about showing up and improving.
For anyone curious, I usually point them to our own breakdown of the benefits of brazilian jiu jitsu. It lays out exactly what I’ve witnessed for years: BJJ teaches you far more than how to fight. It teaches you how to live better.
getting started without feeling lost
I know those first classes can be intimidating. Shrimping drills, hip escapes, guard passing none of it feels natural at first. That’s why I remind new students that every black belt started out clumsy too. We even put together tips for bjj beginners in melbourne to make those early steps easier. Stick with it, and suddenly those movements become second nature. And trust me, there’s nothing like the first time you successfully hit a sweep or defend a choke.
Science gives us another reason to keep training. Researchers have shown that BJJ supports long-term brain health, which you can see in this article. Grappling challenges the brain in ways that go beyond physical exercise it forces problem solving under pressure. That’s a skill I’ve carried into every part of my life.
why extreme mma is different
What sets us apart here isn’t just the quality of coaching. It’s the community. You can train BJJ one night, sharpen your striking with muay thai the next, and lift in our strength gym the day after. We’ve built a space where people of all levels feel welcome. And that’s something I’m proud of. We’re not just producing fighters we’re building friendships, resilience, and healthy lifestyles.
If you’re curious, I’d love to see you on the mats. You can always get in touch for a free trial. Come roll with us and see what makes this place special.
wrapping it up
So why isn’t there one big judo-wrestling-BJJ hybrid? Because the beauty is in the differences. Each art teaches you something unique. And together, they make you a complete martial artist. For me, that’s what keeps training fresh after all these years. Every day, there’s something new to learn, someone new to spar with, and another reminder of why I fell in love with this sport in the first place.
About the Author
Lachlan James
Marketing Coordinator at Extreme MMA
Lachlan James is the Marketing Coordinator at Extreme MMA, responsible for creating engaging content and building the brand’s online presence. With a passion for mixed martial arts and digital marketing, Lachlan combines his knowledge of the sport with strategic marketing expertise to help grow the Extreme MMA community. He works closely with coaches and fighters to share their stories and expertise with both current members and aspiring martial artists.
When he’s not creating content or managing social media campaigns, Lachlan can be found training at the gym, always looking to improve his own skills while gaining deeper insights into what makes Extreme MMA special.
When he's not creating content or managing social media campaigns, Lachlan can be found training at the gym, always looking to improve his own skills while gaining deeper insights into what makes Extreme MMA special.