Should BJJ practitioners learn wrestling?

Wrestling addresses the biggest weakness in most BJJ practitioners games: standing work. Competition matches and real encounters begin standing, and having takedown ability gives you the choice of where the fight takes place. Wrestling also develops an incredible base and top pressure that translates directly to BJJ guard passing and control. The conditioning demands of wrestling build cardiovascular fitness that helps in every aspect of BJJ. You do not need to become a competitive wrestler. Learning basic shots, sprawls, and clinch work provides enormous returns. Many BJJ gyms now offer wrestling classes or incorporate wrestling into their curriculum. If your gym does not offer wrestling, attending a wrestling class once or twice a week or drilling takedowns with partners before class can fill this gap. The scrambling instinct developed through wrestling is particularly valuable because it keeps you active and aggressive during transitions.