WHY RUSSIAN FIGHTERS ARE SO GOOD

What's up, guys? Today we're diving into a topic that's been on the minds of many in the martial arts and combat sports community: Why are Russian fighters so incredibly successful? As someone who's been around the block in martial arts, I get this question a lot. So let's break it down!

The Early Start: Sambo's Influence

Russian fighters often have their roots in Sambo, a martial art that serves as both a national pastime and a rigorous training ground. Sambo splits into two main types: sports sambo and combat sambo.

Sports sambo is just wrestling, judo throws, and submissions with joint manipulation.

Sports Sambo

In sports sambo, you won’t see techniques such as rear naked chokes or guillotines. The focus is on joint manipulation — wrist locks, arm bars, and leg locks, combined with judo throws and wrestling. This makes it an excellent foundation for mixed martial arts (MMA). Imagine starting these complex techniques at a young age!

Combat Sambo

Combat sambo, on the other hand, introduces striking elements like kickboxing into the mix. Fighters often engage in hundreds of combative matches, closely mirroring MMA. This gives Russian fighters a tremendous reservoir of experience before they even think about entering the UFC.

If someone comes into MMA and they have 200 Sambo fights, they basically have 200 fights because Sambo is very close to MMA.

Technique Mastery: Beyond McDojos

Russian fighters bring phenomenal techniques to the ring. From those who have watched various fighters from across the globe, the consensus is that Russian fighters stand out in terms of technical ability.

The Problem with McDojos

In some regions, you might hear about "McDojos," which you shouldn't confuse with high-caliber training facilities. These places often promise accelerated progression to black belts or similar accolades but can't truly prepare fighters to compete at the highest levels.

It's almost like there's hardly any McDojos over there.

In Russia, the culture of combat sports emphasizes real skill development. Fighters gravitate toward gyms that focus on developing actual competitive skills.

The Complete Fighter: Striking to Grappling

When you look at Russian fighters, one thing becomes clear: They're well-rounded. Their skill set includes everything from wrestling and judo to boxing, kickboxing, and even Muay Thai.

Striking Skills

Their boxing skills can be extraordinary — evident from their technique of keeping hands up and turning punches over. Russian fighters often explore Muay Thai, as Thailand isn't too distant and offers world-class training camps.

I've been to Thailand five times... every camp I went to, there were Russians training.

Grappling Prowess

From a grappling perspective, Russian fighters excel due to their lifelong dedication to sambo and related disciplines. Competing in countless sambo and judo tournaments ingrains systems into their muscle memory.

Why Start Early?

Starting combat sports young creates a lifelong competitive edge. Thousands of repetitions in various martial arts forms lead to mastery. You know the saying, "Practice makes perfect!" This principle is alive and well in the Russian martial arts scene.

When you start at a young age, thousands of reps added up over time make a great fighter.

Russian Fighters in Global Combat Sports

Their commitment and dedication translate into success on the world stage. Notably, many fighters who aren't even in the UFC could likely hold their own against current roster members.

They have champions and a lot of good fighters... some of whom might never be in the UFC but could still beat many UFC fighters.

Lessons to Learn

Watching Russian fighters offers valuable insights into what dedication and a strong foundation in combat sports can achieve. They're living proof of the saying, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

Conclusion

Russian fighters dominate the realm of combat sports due to their early start, dedication to technique over shortcuts, and a well-rounded approach to fighting disciplines. It’s a testament to their hard work and the combat-loving culture in which they are raised.

For those new to martial arts or looking to join a gym, it's wise to seek training facilities that focus more on skills than quickly churning out accolades. Want more tips on this? Check out my book, "The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School and Instructor."

Got any questions or something you’d like me to delve into next? Leave a comment below.