arnisador
06-12-2008, 10:53 PM
Can judo stars find success across the spectrum in MMA? (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/2008-06-11-rousey-mma_N.htm)
The frenetic competition in the cage has enticed several accomplished college and international wrestlers — such as Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar and Urijah Faber — to sign up with MMA promoters. But MMA also has plenty in common with one of the Olympic martial arts — judo.
Judo resembles MMA's grappling aspects, particularly when both fighters are on the ground. MMA fans would easily recognize judo's submissions — a fighter might "tap out," or concede the fight, when caught in a chokehold or an armbar.
It's little wonder Ronda Rousey, known for winning many of her bouts by armbar, has heard people suggesting she could switch sports.
Federation hopes grappling takes hold (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2007-06-08-grappling_n.htm)
Last year the world governing body for Olympic wrestling noted the appeal of beach volleyball and held its first World Beach Wrestling Championship in Turkey (yep, headlocks in the sand). Now it aims to ride the wave of the mixed martial arts craze.
The new addition called grappling (yep, choking allowed) has been recognized by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles. Known by its French acronym FILA, it hopes to broaden its amateur appeal with a "new world of wrestling" theme.
Its first grappling world championship is set for Sept. 7-9 in Antalya, Turkey, along with the beach wrestling worlds. USA Wrestling will hold its grappling world team trials this weekend in Las Vegas.
FILA has eliminated some of the mayhem and danger of pro mixed martial arts circuits such as the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). Unlike the UFC, kicks and punches are forbidden in grappling. But submission holds, including some chokes, are permitted.
[...]
The rules say if a grappler "will not be able to escape without harm," the referee also can end the match instantly by calling "catch."
Moccos are looking to turn Olympics into a family outing (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2008-06-11-wrestling-mocco_N.htm)
Olympic berths in judo and wrestling will be up for grabs in the same arena this weekend. While judo hopeful Katie Mocco likes the new combined trials format, she is relieved she won't be competing on the same day as her wrestling brother Steve.
"Thank God I'm fighting on Friday and he fights on Sunday," she says. "I would have such a hard time focusing knowing Steve is fighting at the same time."
Twenty-six men and women will earn U.S. Olympic spots at the Thomas & Mack Center, 16 in wrestling and 10 in judo. Action will take place on three wrestling mats and one judo mat, with judo Friday and Saturday and wrestling Friday through Sunday.
"It's a great fit. There are a lot of similarities in the two sports. There's a great crossover in spectator appeal," says Rich Bender, executive director of USA Wrestling.
"Plus, it broadens our opportunity to attract people to the trials. In this day and age, wrestling and judo need to think out of the box a little."
[...]
Steve has long used judo to augment his wrestling. Judo moves such as the hip toss and foot sweep carry over into wrestling.
As a youth, Katie made a brief foray into wrestling and entered a tournament in which her brother also competed.
The frenetic competition in the cage has enticed several accomplished college and international wrestlers — such as Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar and Urijah Faber — to sign up with MMA promoters. But MMA also has plenty in common with one of the Olympic martial arts — judo.
Judo resembles MMA's grappling aspects, particularly when both fighters are on the ground. MMA fans would easily recognize judo's submissions — a fighter might "tap out," or concede the fight, when caught in a chokehold or an armbar.
It's little wonder Ronda Rousey, known for winning many of her bouts by armbar, has heard people suggesting she could switch sports.
Federation hopes grappling takes hold (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2007-06-08-grappling_n.htm)
Last year the world governing body for Olympic wrestling noted the appeal of beach volleyball and held its first World Beach Wrestling Championship in Turkey (yep, headlocks in the sand). Now it aims to ride the wave of the mixed martial arts craze.
The new addition called grappling (yep, choking allowed) has been recognized by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles. Known by its French acronym FILA, it hopes to broaden its amateur appeal with a "new world of wrestling" theme.
Its first grappling world championship is set for Sept. 7-9 in Antalya, Turkey, along with the beach wrestling worlds. USA Wrestling will hold its grappling world team trials this weekend in Las Vegas.
FILA has eliminated some of the mayhem and danger of pro mixed martial arts circuits such as the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). Unlike the UFC, kicks and punches are forbidden in grappling. But submission holds, including some chokes, are permitted.
[...]
The rules say if a grappler "will not be able to escape without harm," the referee also can end the match instantly by calling "catch."
Moccos are looking to turn Olympics into a family outing (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2008-06-11-wrestling-mocco_N.htm)
Olympic berths in judo and wrestling will be up for grabs in the same arena this weekend. While judo hopeful Katie Mocco likes the new combined trials format, she is relieved she won't be competing on the same day as her wrestling brother Steve.
"Thank God I'm fighting on Friday and he fights on Sunday," she says. "I would have such a hard time focusing knowing Steve is fighting at the same time."
Twenty-six men and women will earn U.S. Olympic spots at the Thomas & Mack Center, 16 in wrestling and 10 in judo. Action will take place on three wrestling mats and one judo mat, with judo Friday and Saturday and wrestling Friday through Sunday.
"It's a great fit. There are a lot of similarities in the two sports. There's a great crossover in spectator appeal," says Rich Bender, executive director of USA Wrestling.
"Plus, it broadens our opportunity to attract people to the trials. In this day and age, wrestling and judo need to think out of the box a little."
[...]
Steve has long used judo to augment his wrestling. Judo moves such as the hip toss and foot sweep carry over into wrestling.
As a youth, Katie made a brief foray into wrestling and entered a tournament in which her brother also competed.