Sherdog’s Top 10: MMA Wrestlers

Jose Aldo’s defensive wrestling is second to none. | Photo: Marcelo Alonso/Sherdog.com

5. Jose Aldo

Although he has no formal wrestling background, Aldo is without question the finest defensive wrestler in MMA history. He has effortlessly shucked off shots from some of the best takedown artists in the sport, including Division I competitors Urijah Faber, Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes, to name only a few of the talented wrestlers he has shut down over his long and illustrious career.

Aldo’s takedown defense relies on a strategy known as “feeding the single-leg,” which fighters like B.J. Penn, Junior dos Santos and teammate Renan Barao have also employed. Aldo takes a relatively wide stance, which makes it difficult to get all the way onto his hips for a double-leg but allows his opponent to grab a single without much difficulty. Aldo then creates head pressure, uses his incredible balance and limp-legs out of his opponent’s grip. Against the caliber of competition Aldo has faced, that is no mean feat, but he makes it look easy.

Although we rarely see it, Aldo is also an outstanding offensive wrestler. He shoots an awesome blast double, with great drive, lift and an authoritative finish. His control and ability to do damage from the top ride is also fantastic, and that is a pure wrestling position, not something adapted from his Brazilian jiu-jitsu repertoire.

Do not be surprised if a major part of Aldo’s strategy against Conor McGregor at UFC 189 consists of getting the Irishman to the mat and working him over.

Continue Reading: Number 4 » His wrestling skills have translated well to MMA. A cardio freak, he rarely has to worry about running out of gas mid-fight, and that translates into an absurd volume of takedowns for someone of his size and physical gifts.