Granted, it's not the largest of sample sizes, but there's now Ilia Topuria, Merab Dvalishvili, Islam Makhachev, Magomed Ankalaev and now Khamzat Chimaev who've made it to the pinnacle. For the US, there's Nick Piccininni who wasn't able to make it past the contender series and Bo Nickal and Aaron Pico who both have recently lost in devasting fashion. Chimaev and Topuria would've just shredded the opponents they faced. And while Nickal and Pico to be sure weren't at the level of Burroughs, Snyder or Taylor, they were clearly world level competitors in wrestling. And they and numerous others have faltered or likely will; NCAA champ Jordan Oliver isn't looking like he has much of anything for the UFC"s top 5 FWs.

So with grapplers from the US and grapplers from the Caucasus at similar levels, the Caucasus grapplers seem to be leaving US grapplers in the dust. And even going from Nickal and Pico to, say the level of Aaron Brooks or Spencer Lee doesn't seem like it would help. In fact, beyond a certain level, with MMA being what it is, amateur wrestlers might struggle even more to make the transition.

Is it because Caucasus wrestlers are also cross raining at an early age and have better game plans for transitioning from grappling to the complete MMA game? And US grapplers by contrast are still suck years past? Or other factors?

Hey everyone, I’m Justin. I’ve been involved in wrestling for over 40 years—first as an athlete, now as a coach, and most importantly, as a dad.

I coach my sons, and one of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is figuring out where “Dad” ends and “Coach” begins. Sometimes my boy needs correction and pushing; sometimes he just needs his dad to tell him he’s proud. That balance isn’t easy, but it’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever been given.

I’ve seen wrestling shape kids into resilient, confident young men (and women). But I’ve also had to remind myself: their goals need to be their goals, not mine. I can help them reach for it, but I can’t live through them.

I wanted to share this because I know I’m not the only parent who struggles with that balance—whether it’s in sports, school, or life.

💬 For the parents here—have you ever coached your own kids (in sports, music, anything)? How did you handle the Dad/Mom vs. Coach balance?

18 pounds in 2 months should be really easy, but I've never had a point where I had to lose weight over a long term. Like I know how to cut throughout a week, but how do I even do this. For context, I wrestle 132 but weigh 147 right now lol.

Ive been at my college for 2 weeks going onto my 3rd week and Ive been dead basically every single day. Even if it’s JUCO the college level is so drastically different but it just makes me hungry for more every single time. My team and I got a good bond already too and the coaches genuinely care about everyone especially when it comes to injury

So this is the first time since the late 70s that the US has won freestyle u20 two years in a row and the first time ever they've won it in that dominating of a fashion, If there was any doubt the US can create pipelines for bringing in the best possible wrestlers, just as they could for, say, track and swimming, I would think it's gone now. The days of US wrestlers having to concern themselves with support as they would've in the 90s and earlier are over and the youth sports machine has clearly made huge strides in getting the best possible wrestlers as it would for other sports.

Now to be sure, there are a multitude of factors to consider. I imagine we won't get the full picture until both u23 and senior Worlds this year when essentially how well the college system and Olympic training after it works. And there has been countries that have excelled at u20 and faltered going to higher ages; Iran is perhaps a chief example. Plus, Russia may still be losing some of their best wrestlers ad legionaires for other countries we don't get to see. Seeing as how last year, Russian legionaires won half the golds and numerous bronze, we can see that with some of these Russian phenoms even when separated from Russia's training systems they can still shine at the world stage.

That said, getting the best possible talent is now there for wrestling as much as it is for other sports; that much is clear. At the very least, the whole football and basketball are poaching all the best athletes claim is no longer an excuse. So looking at all this together, what are likely paths for US wrestling going forward? A second Burroughs/Snyder/Taylor era in the making or mixed success with some phenoms dominating the stage and others less so?

I know this might be a very question, but I'm interested to hear as what your diet is like. The reason being is because I either:

• burn out too quickly due to lack of glycogen
• am too full during and get exhausted quickly
• rarely hit the sweet spot where I have maximum performance but am not too full

Do you have any tips for this? My diet consists of lean meats, fatty fish, organ meats, rice, mixed berries, various fruits, greek yoghurt, protein powder, creatine and other supplements.

I try to minimize my food before training and eat quick digesting carbs like rice and bananas with a little protein before, then eat fat, fiber and more protein right after. However I am still facing the mentioned issues.

Looking at the big five who more or less brought the US into a completely unprecedented golden era of wrestling, I had gotten to wondering, what would their capabilities have been in a number of sports? Are their talents and physical abilities such that wrestling may be the only sport they could really go all the way in or with their type of obsessive focus, talents and physical abilities are there other sports they could've been best in the world at?

Looking at combat sports that aren't solely grappling based, boxing and MMA chiefly, if they had gone through training and preparation from their youth onward for these, the way they did with wrestling, how far could they have gotten? Could they have reached the level of Mayweather or at least Alvarez, Klitschko brothers or Pacquaio? In MMA could they have gotten UFC titles with the level of competition being wat it was 5-10 years ago?

And for Snyder and Steveson, if they had gotten through a football youth to pro pipeline, as they did with wrestling, could they have made the NFL and even been a starter for at least a few seasons? It's certainly possible that at that level there are specific skills they may not have been able to learn. That said, the contention that wrestlers in the US are not as high level athletes as NBA/NFL/MLB players has, in recent years, sounded more ridiculous the more one thinks about it.

As more than a few recent senior and junior worlds performances go, with wrestling the US's youth to college pipeline is getting as good as it's been for American led sports such as track and swimming. And for support after college. Yes, they're not bringing in eight figure salaries; neither are over 99.9 % of athletes in any sport, at least not consistently. Burroughs/Dake/Snyder/Steveson/Taylor came about at a time when wrestlers get financial backing and opportunities to train round the clock which would've been unfathomable n, say, the 90s or so. And in more ways then one, I would imagine these five represent thew absolute pinnacle of human athletic capabilities.

First of all I am not a wrestler But I love and respect this sport

I am a gym guy, 5’10 going from 162lbs to 186lbs in like 14 monthes of going to the gym and lifting heavy

However, How can I be 5’10 and 220 or 225 wihtout being so fat, I mean sadulaev is not even a bodybuilder and he is heavy but not fat

Any advices ? Also I will go and learn wrestling but I am waiting to be a big guy cause this is my current goal

Preferably lankier/taller wrestlers. Im 6’2 @ 180lbs and wanna tape study some sweep singles

Which one works better if they got us into an underhook? Should i handfight out of my way, or do fireman carry?

Got the sudden urge to buy a pair but I underestimated how rare they really are. Are they really that scarce or am I not looking hard enough? (Specifically the white and black ones)

Im a bjj athelete but i will be starting to wrestle soon so I just needed help with my current takedown system and wanted to know if it would work in wrestlings pace.

Start of the match i immedaitly go for my collar tie and hopefully a wrist control, ill start snapping him while circling in hope to get him to posture up while square in which ill drop down into my double leg. If he doesnt posture up and stays low and forward then ill go for my snap down go behind or a snap down head lock position. This works most of the time in Bjj but would the pace of wrestling disrupt this system? should I throw in some fake after circling to get a reaction? maybe fake and then snap the head and the double? idk im not an exper so lol.

Any help is much appreciated!

In terms of the capabilities they showed in wrestling, the level their technique plus athleticism and grit was at, their career success on the world stage and impact, how would you rate the following wrestlers 1-10? With 10 being that you can make a case for them being the best freestyle wrestler to ever compete for any country?

Jordan Burroughs

Kyle Dake

Abdulrashid Sadulaev

Akhmed Tazhudinov

Zaurbek Sidakov

Kyle Snyder

Geno Petriashvili

Zaur Uguev

David Taylor

Gable Steveson

Rei Higuchi

Takuto Otugoro

MagomedKhabib Kadimagomedov

How is everyone feeling about the Stevenson vs Jones jiu jitsu match next weekend in Vegas (CJI 2)? Predictions?

Hey, I am a 14 year old girl who is heading into high school this year and have been wrestling guys since sixth grade. I have won all but 4 of my matches (all but one of those being in 6th grade) and was undefeated in 7th grade. I lost one match in eighth grade due to forfeiting from a dislocated shoulder. I have healed but want to know what I can expect as an incoming freshman looking to be varsity for the 175 weight class. Thanks!

I realize there are a ton of variables. But in general, if you were coaching a guy you knew was an inferior wrestler to his opponent, what strategies or concepts would you have them employ to give them the best chance and maybe even steal a win? If you have actual references or matches on YouTube that’s great too.

In 2 weeks my first highschool wrestling season will start with my school, and my club, aside from being more competent, is wrestling diffrent in highschool? And if yes, how so?

Forgot mine at home once and ended up wrestling in my teammate’s extra — two sizes too big.

I really like these UWW training set kits and irans singlets. What do you guys think, they ship to Canada for 40usd.

What’s your guys opinion on this, and the pricing? Is it worth it, is this my best choice? Would appreciate ur comments.

When I first started wrestling, I remember feeling completely lost. I didn’t really understand the underlying concepts behind the takedowns or tie ups. I decided to try and break down those core concepts in a way that makes sense for beginners.

If you’re new to the sport hopefully this will help you get your footing a little faster. Would love to hear what you think or if there’s something I missed.

I’m going into sophmore year and I did two wrestling classes but sprained my ankle like I have no prior ANYTHING to wrestling also I’m 14 f (will be 15 then) and 102 lb. I’m lefty if that’s something that could be included

But like I wanna know a bit more before season starts like how fucked am I? Ik no one’s great their first year but starting so late am I just gonna get destroyed every match when I am determined I will do it and I’ll be going to this wrestling place mlre but yeah sprained ankle right now. And also tips help 😅

Basically im wondering if not wearing ear guards means i will 100% get cauliflower ear

Hi guys! I need some advices on my wrestling push day workout!

Strength/Power Section

1. Barbell Bench Press (Brute Strength) 5x5 (progressive, heavy, explosive tempo on the rise)
2. Standing Dumbbell Military Press (Stability/Throw) 4x6-8 reps (focus on core strength and explosiveness)
3. Weighted Dips (Triceps/Grappling Push) 4x8-10

Explosive Power Section

1. Landmine press 3x6-8 per arm (explosive, not slow)
2. Medicine Ball Chest Throw (explosive double-leg push) 5x3-5 max power throws

Assistance

1. Ring/Unstable Push-Ups → 3x12 (shoulder stability work)
2. Strict Lateral Raises → 3x15 (prevention) shoulders)
3. Dynamic core (plank + shoulder taps) → 3 x 40 sec

Finisher 3-4 round circuit: 10 slap push-ups 10 burpees with sprawl 10 wall ball shots 1 min jump rope (combat rhythm)

Pretty self explanatory really, (I'm a jiu jitsu guy btw) who figured I'd try and get better at wrestling because having good wrestling seems to be the current meta in no gi but no matter what i do, how hard i try, or how much I lower my level, whenever I shoot for a takedown i just can't stop bashing my fukin knees on the mat for the life of me, and I'm really just about to say fuk it and just be a filthy guard puller forever unless someone here can actually tell me how to fix what I'm doing wrong.

(I've watched hundreds of videos explaining how to do a proper level change and pentration step and i still don't know what I'm doing wrong btw.)