In an insightful discussion with Justin Flores, a high-level judo black belt coach and former coach of Ronda Rousey, the question of which grappling art is best to start with and which to retire with was explored. Flores, who also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has a background in Division 1 wrestling, provided a comprehensive analysis of judo, BJJ, and wrestling.
The Best Grappling Art to Start With
Flores emphasized the value of judo as the foundational discipline for young combat athletes. He highlighted the respect element intrinsic to judo, such as bowing and mutual respect for opponents, as key in shaping character traits. He mentioned, “Judo is the best base…for shaping a young potential combat athlete’s life and helping them have mutual respect for both their teammates and opponents themselves.”
Transitioning Between Disciplines
He explained that skills learned in judo, like flexibility, coordination, and balance, are easily transferable to wrestling and BJJ. Flores suggested that wrestling could be a good secondary sport to pick up after judo. He noted, “Wrestling would be a good secondary sport and jiu-jitsu would be a great one to just ride off into the sunset with.”
The Ideal Sport for Retirement
Regarding a discipline to retire with, Flores advocated for BJJ due to its versatility and lower impact on the body. He stated, “Jiu-jitsu would be a great one to just ride off into the sunset with…you can develop your own [style]…whether you are really beat up, you can still find a way.”
Impact of Rule Changes in Judo
Flores also touched upon the effects of rule changes in judo, specifically the removal of leg grabs, noting that this has altered the nature of the sport. He suggested that, due to these changes and the physical demands of judo, there is an age at which it becomes difficult to continue practicing it effectively.
Wrestling Culture and Its Limitations
He critiqued the culture in wrestling, describing it as “more brutish” and “blue-collar.” He pointed out that in the U.S., there’s a lack of recreational opportunities for wrestling beyond high school, college, or Olympic aspirations.
Transition of Skills to MMA
Regarding the transition to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Flores considered folk style wrestling to be the most effective due to its emphasis on control post-takedown. He stated, “Folk style wrestling…translates the best to mixed martial arts…you have to remain in control for a duration of time.” He also noted that Greco-Roman wrestling has elements that are quite effective in MMA.
Justin Flores provided a nuanced perspective on the comparative benefits of judo, BJJ, and wrestling, considering factors such as character development, skill transferability, and suitability at different stages of life and career.
