Wrestling Vs. BJJ/Sambo

[Zapatista]

I'm interested in taking some sort of ground/submission work and I would eventually want to compete in amatuer MMA events. Knowing this I'd like to know more about the comparison between wrestling (probably greco-roman) and grappling arts such as BJJ and Sambo. I know that Sambo is also considered a wrestling "sub-genre" so to speak by some online sources.

Also, what is the considered strength of Greco-Roman wrestling? I've seen on UFC events that there are people who are very good at wrestling (such as Randy Couture, I believe it was him). But whenever there is a wrestler and he has somebody in his guard (forgive me if I mess this up, I'm not too familiar with guard, half-guard so I may mess up the position) usually the commentator (I don't remember his name, I just know it usually isn't Joe Rogan) says that wrestlers don't like to be on their back (I can understand this because of being pinned on the back in wrestling so they don't work on it) Is there a wrestling that works on the back, such as submission wrestling, or would the wrestler also have to work on the guard and such and take from BJJ or other arts?

That said, since Sambo is considered wrestling art, is there working on the back and in the guard?

Basically, I'm just wondering what Greco-Roman wrestling is missing from that is in other grappling arts. Is it just working on the back or is there more?

[Ego Assassin]

Sambo does work from the guard and ALL MMA fighters train BJJ even the wrestlers otherwise they will have no understanding of submissions and how to stay out of them.

[ravenzoom]

I wonder why you didn't include Judo in your choice of grappling styles?

[Zapatista]

I wonder why you didn't include Judo in your choice of grappling styles?

I don't know why I didn't include Judo. I was in class at the time of typing that up so I wasn't able to fully concentrate on the post. But yes, Judo should be included too.

[Muaythaiboxer]

well folk style wrestling has the best takedowns of any art by far and it gives you great mat awareness, BJJ and SW have the best submissions. judo has great throws and sweeps and there groundwork is pretty decent. Samboists have good takedowns as well with decent submissions but lack some holds, GRW is good in the standing tie-up and so is freestyle wrestling.

AMITABHA

[SubGrappler]

To address your other question- clinch work and takedowns are considered the strength of Greco Roman Wrestling.

Consider the quick differences between Greco, Folkstyle, and freestyle.

Folkstyle is the kind you see in high school and college- wrestlers get points for riding time, which is when you get on your opponents back with him belly down on the mat.

Freestyle doesnt award points for riding time and you could argue it is much more takedown oriented.

Greco doesnt allow you to make grips below the waist, as such the competitors learn to use throws and such (this basically becomes a no gi Judo match). This works exceptionally well in MMA due to the safety of attempting takedowns from the clinch as opposed to a shot attempt. If you watch Coutures matches, you'll notice he often takes people down with great throws and wraps from the clinch because hes a Greco guy. Someone whos a freestylist like Coleman or Kerr you'll often see shoot in to take people down.

[shogeri]

Just take Judo, and then compliment it with the basic principles (entry techniques and rapid takedowns and submissions) of wrestling.

Wrestlers do not always get on their back, whereas many judoka do.