Grappling isn’t a single art but a family of arts that share one big idea: you control your opponent by touch, not by striking. Whether you’re clinching for position, sweeping from guard, or throwing someone onto their back, you are part of a global tradition that spans centuries and cultures.
From the belt-wrestlers of Central Asia to the jiujiteiros of Brazil, nearly every society on earth has developed its own form of unarmed grappling. Some styles focus on takedowns and pins. Others prize control on the ground. Some rely on jackets or belts; others are purely skin-on-skin. But all share one goal: to outmanoeuvre, overpower, or outlast the other person through direct physical engagement.
This A–Z guide takes you on a tour through the major — and some lesser-known — grappling styles from around the world. You’ll meet oil-soaked champions in Turkey, eagle-dancing wrestlers in Mongolia, and leg-lock savants in Rio. You’ll see how modern sports like Judo, BJJ, and wrestling trace their roots back to ancient battlefields, festivals, and village squares.
A
Ancient Greek Pankration
Pankration was a brutal no-holds-barred combat sport that combined grappling and striking. Introduced at the ancient Olympics in 648 BC, it allowed takedowns, chokes, and joint locks. It was considered the ultimate test of athleticism in classical Greece.
Akhara Kushti (Indian Pit Wrestling)
Practised in earthen pits called akharas, this style blends ancient Indian malla-yuddha with Mughal-era Persian techniques. Wrestlers (pehlwans) train using traditional methods like the gada mace and follow strict dietary and spiritual regimens.
Aarcha Wrestling (Tuva/Mongolia)
Aarcha is a traditional Tuvan and Mongolian grappling game performed at rural festivals. Wrestlers often grip jackets or belts and aim to unbalance each other, keeping a strong, upright stance. It reflects the nomadic heritage of the region.
B
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu evolved from early 20th-century judo after Mitsuyo Maeda taught in Brazil. The Gracie and Fadda families helped develop its unique focus on ground fighting, positional control, and submissions, including chokes and joint locks. It’s now a global sport with gi and no-gi formats.
Bökh (Mongolian Wrestling)
Bökh is Mongolia’s national sport, deeply rooted in nomadic warrior culture. Bouts are open-weight and end when any body part other than the feet touches the ground. It’s performed at Naadam festivals and is as much about respect and ritual as raw physicality.
Breton Gouren
Gouren is a traditional wrestling style from Brittany, France. Wrestlers wear a short jacket and aim to throw their opponent cleanly onto the back. Known for its sportsmanship and ceremonial grip ritual, Gouren has been formally taught since the early 20th century.
Buno (Philippines)
Buno is a tribal wrestling style practised by indigenous groups in Luzon. It incorporates clinch-based throws, trips, and sweeps, often in muddy terrain or shallow water. It’s sometimes taught alongside weapon-based Filipino martial arts like Kali.
C
Catch Wrestling
Originating in 19th-century Lancashire, England, catch-as-catch-can wrestling allows a wide range of holds, pins, and submissions. It prioritises control and pain-based tactics like neck cranks and leg locks. Catch wrestling influenced early pro wrestling and laid foundations for modern submission grappling.
Collegiate Wrestling
Also known as folkstyle wrestling, this is the dominant style in US high schools and colleges. It focuses on control and riding time, rewarding takedowns, escapes, and mat returns. Many top MMA wrestlers have a collegiate background.
Combat Jiu-Jitsu
Created by Eddie Bravo, this is a variation of no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where open-hand slaps are allowed on the ground. It aims to bridge the gap between sport grappling and MMA by introducing controlled striking elements.
Combat Sambo
Developed in the Soviet military, Combat Sambo adds striking to Sambo’s wrestling and submission framework. Practitioners wear jackets, shorts, and headgear, and compete with punches, kicks, throws, and submissions. It’s a proven breeding ground for MMA talent.
Combat Wrestling (Japan)
Revived by Japan’s Ichiro Hatta in the 1990s, Combat Wrestling is a no-gi grappling format with points for takedowns, pins, and submissions. It draws heavily from catch wrestling, judo, and sambo, and has regained popularity in recent years.
Cornish Wrestling
A historic English jacket wrestling style where competitors grip their opponent’s jacket and aim to throw them flat onto the back. It’s been practised for centuries at festivals and fairs, with records going back to the Middle Ages.
Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling
This traditional back-hold style from northern England requires both wrestlers to start chest to chest, gripping behind the opponent’s waist. The first to touch the ground with anything but the soles of their feet loses. It's still practised at county shows.
Collar-and-Elbow Wrestling
A 19th-century Irish style that began with both wrestlers gripping each other’s collar and opposite elbow. It emphasised balance, footwork, and sweeps. Irish immigrants brought it to America, where it influenced early catch wrestling.
D
Dumog (Philippines)
Dumog is the grappling component of Filipino martial arts, focusing on close-range clinch control, off-balancing, and takedowns. It uses head, shoulder, and arm control to disrupt posture and dominate in tight quarters—often integrated with strikes and weapon defences.
Dirghadanda (Ancient India)
Though less commonly practised today, Dirghadanda is referenced in classical Indian texts as a grappling method involving extended leverage and body entanglement. It's considered a historical ancestor of elements seen in Malla-Yuddha and Pehlwani.
E
Ethiopian Mekacha
Mekacha is a traditional Ethiopian wrestling style practised during festivals and community gatherings. Wrestlers grip each other’s belts or garments and use dynamic throws and trips. The matches are often accompanied by music, chanting, and celebratory rituals reflecting the sport's cultural roots.
Edirne Yağlı Güreş (See also: Oil Wrestling)
While more commonly classified under 'O', the Edirne variation is the most prestigious form of Turkish oil wrestling. Held annually since 1362, the Kırkpınar tournament in Edirne crowns the national champion, or başpehlivan, in one of the world’s oldest continually running sporting events.
F
Freestyle Wrestling
An Olympic sport since 1904, freestyle wrestling allows attacks on the entire body, including the legs. Points are scored for takedowns, exposure of the back, and control. It’s one of the most popular and widely practised wrestling styles globally, and a major foundation for MMA.
Folkstyle Wrestling (USA)
Also known as collegiate wrestling, this is the American school and university variant of amateur wrestling. It emphasises control and riding time on the mat, with a strong focus on escapes and reversals—making it a highly effective grappling base.
Finnish Kolkka Wrestling
A lesser-known style from Finland’s rural regions, Kolkka involves belt grips and upper-body throws. It is sometimes showcased during local festivals and cultural heritage events, though it has largely faded from mainstream practice.
G
Greco-Roman Wrestling
Developed in 19th-century France as a revival of classical wrestling ideals, Greco-Roman forbids attacks below the waist. Wrestlers focus on upper-body throws, clinches, and lifts. It became an Olympic sport in 1896 and remains a core discipline in international wrestling.
Glima (Iceland)
Glima is Iceland’s traditional Viking wrestling style, dating back over 1,000 years. Wrestlers wear special leather belts around the waist and thighs and aim to trip or unbalance their opponent while maintaining an upright posture. It’s still practised ceremonially and competitively today.
Gouren (Breton Wrestling)
Originating in Brittany, France, Gouren is a jacketed wrestling style where the goal is to throw the opponent flat onto their back. Matches begin with a formal grip and are governed by strict rules of fairness and sportsmanship, reflecting its Celtic heritage.
H
Huka-Huka (Brazil, Xingu Tribes)
Huka-Huka is an indigenous wrestling style practised by the Xingu peoples of Brazil. Matches begin from a kneeling position and quickly escalate to dynamic standing exchanges. A bout ends when one wrestler touches the ground with a knee, hand, or back. It is traditionally performed during the Kuarup funerary rituals.
Hungarian Birkózás
The Hungarian term for wrestling, birkózás encompasses both Greco-Roman and freestyle styles widely practised in Hungary. The country has a strong Olympic pedigree and incorporates traditional folk elements into its grassroots development.
I
Indian Pehlwani (Kushti)
Pehlwani, also known as Kushti, is a traditional Indian wrestling style practised in clay or dirt pits called akhara. It blends ancient malla-yuddha with Persian influences brought by the Mughals. Pehlwans train using bodyweight exercises, gada clubs, and strict dietary routines focused on milk, ghee, and almonds.
Irish Collar-and-Elbow Wrestling
This 19th-century Irish style began with wrestlers gripping each other’s collar and opposite elbow. It emphasised balance, timing, and foot sweeps. Immigrants brought it to the United States, where it helped shape the development of catch wrestling and early American professional wrestling.
J
Judo (Japan)
Founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, Judo evolved from classical jujutsu schools. It emphasises powerful throws, pins, and submissions such as arm locks and chokes. Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964 and played a foundational role in the development of both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Sambo.
Japanese Jujutsu (Traditional)
Jujutsu is the collective term for various classical Japanese martial arts used by the samurai. These systems include throws, joint locks, strangles, and ground control techniques designed for use in or against armour. Many modern styles—like Judo, BJJ, and Aikido—descended from these battlefield arts.
K
Kurash (Uzbekistan)
Kurash is a traditional Central Asian jacket wrestling style with origins dating back over 2,000 years. Wrestlers grip a heavy cotton jacket and aim to throw their opponent onto their back with speed and control. Today, Kurash is practised in over 60 countries and is recognised by United World Wrestling.
Kuresh (Tatar & Bashkir Wrestling)
Popular in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, Kuresh is a belt-wrestling style performed during festivals like Sabantuy. Competitors grip each other’s belts and aim for dynamic upper-body throws. Like Kurash, it emphasises upright posture and clean execution.
Khapsagay (Yakutia, Russia)
Khapsagay is a traditional wrestling style from the Sakha (Yakut) Republic in northeastern Russia. Practised during summer festivals, wrestlers compete shirtless and barefoot in open-air arenas, focusing on trips, clinch control, and upper-body throws.
L
Luta Livre (Brazil)
Luta Livre, meaning "free fighting," emerged in Brazil in the early 20th century as a no-gi alternative to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Influenced by catch wrestling and judo, it emphasises submissions, especially leg locks, and was historically practised by fighters from poorer communities who couldn’t afford a gi.
Lucha Canaria (Canary Islands)
Lucha Canaria is a traditional form of wrestling from the Canary Islands. Matches take place in a sand circle, with athletes gripping each other’s shorts and aiming to off-balance and throw their opponent. It has deep cultural roots and is still actively practised.
M
Mongolian Wrestling (Bökh)
Bökh is Mongolia’s national sport and dates back to the era of Genghis Khan. It features open-weight matches where the goal is to make any part of the opponent’s body (other than the feet) touch the ground. Ritualised entrances, eagle-arm stances, and stamina-heavy matches are key elements of its tradition.
Malla-Yuddha (Ancient India)
Malla-Yuddha is one of the world’s oldest recorded combat sports, referenced in Sanskrit texts over 2,000 years ago. It included four styles, from playful grappling to full-contact fighting with joint locks and strikes. It laid the foundation for modern Indian wrestling like Pehlwani.
Mekacha (Ethiopia)
A traditional Ethiopian wrestling form performed during festivals and celebrations. Wrestlers grip each other’s belt or clothing and use explosive throws and trips. Mekacha is accompanied by singing, drumming, and dancing, and reflects deep community and cultural values.
N
No-Gi Submission Grappling
No-Gi grappling is a modern evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission wrestling, practised without the traditional gi. It emphasises body control, speed, and leg entanglements. Competitions like ADCC and Polaris have helped elevate its global profile, blending BJJ, wrestling, and catch influences.
Naban (Myanmar)
Naban is a traditional wrestling style practised by the Chin and Kachin ethnic groups in Myanmar. It includes throws, scarf-hold neck cranks, and joint locks. Striking is sometimes integrated, and matches are performed during local festivals with ornate dress and musical accompaniment.
O
Oil Wrestling (Yağlı Güreş, Turkey)
One of the world’s oldest continuous sports, Turkish oil wrestling has been practised since at least the 14th century. Wrestlers wear leather trousers (kıspet) and cover themselves in olive oil, making grips slippery and technique crucial. Victory is typically achieved by controlling or pinning the opponent, often by reaching into the trousers for leverage. The prestigious Kırkpınar tournament has run annually since 1362.
Okinawan Tegumi (Japan)
Tegumi was the original grappling system of Okinawa, blending native wrestling with influence from Chinese martial arts. It involved clinch work, trips, and joint locks, and was often practised by children and young fighters. Tegumi played a historical role in shaping the foundations of Okinawan karate.
P
Pahlavani Wrestling (Iran)
Pahlavani wrestling is part of a broader Persian martial tradition that includes strength training, spirituality, and music. Practised in zurkhaneh (house of strength), it blends grappling with rituals, callisthenics, and Sufi-inspired philosophy. Wrestlers are called pahlevans, a term meaning both hero and athlete.
Pehlwani (Kushti, India & Pakistan)
Pehlwani is a form of traditional wrestling practised in dirt pits (akharas) across India and Pakistan. It evolved from malla-yuddha and was refined during the Mughal period with Persian influences. Wrestlers follow strict training regimes, vegetarian diets, and engage in early morning sessions of bodyweight training and grappling.
Pankration (Ancient Greece)
Pankration combined wrestling and striking into a no-holds-barred contest and was introduced to the Olympic Games in 648 BC. Fighters used takedowns, chokes, and joint locks, with very few rules—only biting and eye-gouging were forbidden. It was considered the ultimate test of a warrior’s all-around combat skill.
Q
Qazaq Kuresi (Kazakhstan)
Qazaq Kuresi is Kazakhstan’s national wrestling style, with roots stretching back over a thousand years. Wrestlers wear a belt and short jacket, aiming to throw the opponent flat on their back. It's a central part of national festivals and sporting culture, and modern rules have been formalised for international competition.
Qurash (Also spelled Kurash – Uzbekistan and Central Asia)
Though commonly filed under “K”, Qurash (or Kurash) is sometimes transliterated with a “Q”. This ancient form of jacket wrestling involves dynamic hip throws and fast-paced action. It remains popular in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia and is now overseen by the International Kurash Association.
R
Ringen (Medieval Germany)
Ringen was the grappling art of medieval and Renaissance Europe, especially in German-speaking regions. It included throws, joint locks, chokes, and even strikes, often trained alongside sword and dagger combat. Manuals from masters like Ott Jud and Hans Talhoffer show detailed techniques for both sport and battlefield grappling.
Ranggeln (Austria & Bavaria)
Ranggeln is a traditional Alpine wrestling style still practised in Austria and parts of southern Germany. Wrestlers wear white trousers and compete in sawdust rings during local festivals. Like many back-hold styles, Ranggeln values balance, leverage, and clean throws.
S
Sambo (Russia)
Sambo (short for SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya, meaning “self-defence without weapons”) was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s by combining elements of judo, catch wrestling, and regional folk styles. Sport Sambo focuses on throws, pins, and leg locks, but does not allow chokes. It remains a major combat sport in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Sport Sambo
A jacketed wrestling style within Sambo, Sport Sambo is fast-paced and rewards dynamic throws and control. Athletes wear kurtkas (jackets), shorts, and wrestling boots. Matches are won by points, submission, or a perfect throw landing the opponent flat on their back.
Combat Sambo
An extension of Sport Sambo developed for military training. It includes strikes—punches, kicks, and headbutts—along with takedowns and submissions. Combat Sambo was the primary training base for many legendary Russian MMA fighters, including Fedor Emelianenko.
Shuai Jiao (China)
Shuai Jiao is China’s traditional jacket wrestling art, dating back over 2,000 years. It focuses on upright throws using fast footwork, hip rotations, and gripping the opponent’s jacket. Variants exist across different regions of China, with Beijing and Mongolian styles among the most prominent.
Ssireum (Korea)
Ssireum is Korea’s national wrestling style, performed in a sand ring with competitors wearing a cloth belt (satba) wrapped around their waist and thigh. The aim is to bring any part of the opponent’s body above the knee to the ground. It’s a cherished cultural sport with professional leagues and televised tournaments.
Sumo (Japan)
Sumo is Japan’s iconic heavyweight wrestling sport with centuries of Shinto tradition. Wrestlers aim to push or throw their opponent out of the ring or make any part of their body (other than the soles of the feet) touch the ground. Sumo combines raw power with ritualised ceremony and strict hierarchy.
Scottish Backhold Wrestling
A traditional Highland style in which both wrestlers begin chest-to-chest, gripping each other behind the back. The first to touch the ground with anything other than their feet, or to break their hold, loses. It’s commonly featured at Highland Games events.
Schwingen (Switzerland)
Schwingen is a traditional Swiss wrestling style practised in a circular sawdust ring. Wrestlers wear heavy cotton trousers for grip and aim to throw their opponent onto their back. It’s deeply associated with Swiss national identity and rural sports festivals.
T
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu (USA)
Founded by Eddie Bravo, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a modern no-gi system that grew out of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It emphasises flexibility, control, and innovative positions like rubber guard, lockdown, and the truck. Designed for MMA and self-defence without reliance on the gi, it has its own unique terminology and culture.
Tegumi (Okinawa, Japan)
Tegumi is Okinawa’s native form of wrestling, predating the introduction of karate. It blends clinch work, throws, and simple joint locks. Traditionally practised by children and young men, it was both a competitive game and a method of developing fighting skills. Elements of Tegumi were later absorbed into early Okinawan karate systems.
U
Universal Sambo (Russia)
Universal Sambo is a modern rule set that combines elements of both Sport Sambo and Combat Sambo. It allows limited striking along with throws, pins, and submissions, creating a versatile format suitable for self-defence, competition, and law enforcement training. It aims to bridge the gap between sport and combat applications.
Ukrainian Folk Wrestling (Borotba / Navkolo)
Borotba refers to various regional folk wrestling traditions across Ukraine. Styles like Navkolo involve circular footwork, gripping the opponent’s shirt or belt, and off-balancing tactics. Though less standardised than international wrestling, these styles reflect a rich local heritage and have influenced Sambo’s development.
V
Vale Tudo Grappling (Brazil)
Vale Tudo, meaning “anything goes,” was a no-rules fighting format that emerged in Brazil in the early 20th century. While it included striking, grappling was the key to victory—particularly the use of takedowns, positional control, and submissions from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Early legends like Carlson Gracie and Waldemar Santana used Vale Tudo to showcase BJJ’s effectiveness in real fights.
Vajra Mushti (India)
A rarely practised Indian martial art combining wrestling with strikes using a knuckled weapon called a vajra. While primarily known for its armed aspect, Vajra Mushti matches historically began with grappling and included throws, joint locks, and submission-style controls. It was once used by warrior castes and referenced in ancient Sanskrit texts.
W
Westmorland Wrestling (England)
Often grouped with Cumberland wrestling, Westmorland Wrestling is a traditional English back-hold style. Wrestlers begin chest-to-chest, arms locked behind each other’s back, and the first to touch the ground with anything other than their feet loses. It's performed at county fairs and festivals and retains strong ties to local heritage.
Welsh Cnapan Wrestling (Historical)
Cnapan was a rough-and-tumble folk sport once played in medieval Wales. While the main objective was transporting a wooden ball between villages, it featured chaotic scrums and grappling between hundreds of players. Though not a formal wrestling style, it reflects the grappling traditions embedded in early Welsh culture.
West African Laamb (Senegalese Wrestling)
Laamb is Senegal’s national sport, combining traditional wrestling with striking. Competitors engage in high-intensity clinch work and spectacular throws, often accompanied by pre-match rituals and drumming. Some versions allow punches, blending grappling with elements of striking combat.
X
Xiangpu (China)
Xiangpu is one of the earliest documented Chinese wrestling forms, referenced in ancient Han dynasty records and tomb art. It is believed to be a forerunner of Shuai Jiao, featuring upright jacket wrestling with emphasis on balance, posture, and controlled throws. Over time, Xiangpu evolved regionally into multiple traditional grappling systems.
Xhosa Stick and Grapple (South Africa – Historical/Hybrid)
Among the Xhosa people of South Africa, traditional stick fighting (intonga) often incorporated grappling elements when fights moved into close quarters. While not a codified grappling system, these physical contests sometimes ended in takedowns and holds, showing how grappling instincts emerge across cultures.
Y
Yağlı Güreş (Turkish Oil Wrestling)
Also listed under “O,” Yağlı Güreş is Turkey’s most iconic traditional wrestling form. Wrestlers cover themselves in olive oil and wear heavy leather trousers called kıspet. The objective is to control and pin the opponent—often by reaching into the trousers to establish grip. The annual Kırkpınar tournament in Edirne has been held since 1362, making it one of the world’s oldest sporting events.
Yudo (Korea)
Yudo is the Korean adaptation of Japanese Judo, introduced during the early 20th century. While its technical base is nearly identical to Judo, Yudo has developed its own sporting system, terminology, and training culture. It is widely practised in Korea and has produced many successful Olympic-level judoka and MMA fighters.
Z
Zhua Jiao (China)
Zhua Jiao, meaning “raking wrestling,” is a northern Chinese variant of Shuai Jiao. It features aggressive jacket grips, powerful foot sweeps, and distinctive claw-like hand positions used to grip and off-balance opponents. Historically used in military training during the Qing dynasty, it emphasises explosive throws and battlefield practicality.
Zulu Stick Fighting & Grappling (South Africa – Hybrid)
While primarily a striking art, traditional Zulu stick fighting (ibheqe) often transitions into close-range clinching and grappling when fighters close the distance. Although not a formalised wrestling style, these contests frequently involve takedowns and body control, illustrating how grappling arises even in weapon-based systems.
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