When it comes to the success of different martial arts in MMA, some would inevitably perform better than others. At the top tier sit disciplines like jiujitsu for grappling or Muay Thai for striking, while at the bottom lie the more esoteric and situational systems. Sumo is one of these, which, while a highly lauded and incredibly sport, is famed for less-than-stellar performances on the MMA stage.
So, why does this happen? Which elements of sumo can be integrated into MMA, and why does it still capture our imaginations in MMA despite no major winning performances? There’s some curious history and reasoning here, so let’s take a look.
Sumo Had a Chance
You might not see it so much these days, but dedicated sumo wrestlers did once have some time in MMA. This happened more in the early years, when the mix in mixed martial arts often referred to different “pure” disciplines directly competing.
The best example was seen all the way back in UFC 1, where successful sumo Teila Tuli competed against savate expert Gerard Gordeau. By all accounts, this fight went poorly for Tuli, ending after just 26 seconds in the first round. Despite his mass and strength, Tuli’s limited skillset put him at the mercy of Gordeau’s striking, costing Tuli several teeth and resulting in ongoing issues of blurred vision.
Better success is more reliably seen in fighters who pivot from focusing on sumo, or rely on some of sumo’s key techniques in balance and controlling an opponent via the clinch. Tsuyoshi Sudario is one of the best examples, with a current record of 13 wins and four losses. Starting in sumo, Sudario continues to build his skill-set, and in doing so has become an exciting, loved, and successful fighter.
Sumo’s Place Going Forward
It’s unlikely that we’ll ever see another pure sumo wrestler in professional MMA, but some degree of representation in this sphere is inevitable. The clinching skills play a part in this, but just as important is the visibility and fame that sumo enjoys in popular culture. It’s well known, it’s broadly fascinating, and it’s a key part of Japanese culture that helps draw eyes back to MMA as a whole.
Even if most people aren’t familiar with the key rules of sumo, its fame has led it to become a common target for everything from food brands like Sumo cookies to interactive entertainment. Online casinos are a popular example, where sumo games are used in conjunction with slot machine bonus offers like free spins and deposit matches to help bring in new players. Titles such as Big Sumo and Sumo Supreme have remained long-time favourites in this space, thanks to the sport’s timeless appeal across nations and cultures.
Exactly how much sumo’s contributions to grappling in an age of MMA dominated by BJJ remains to be seen, but even if it’s a small component, it’s likely to be mentioned heavily. Sumo is one of those things that MMA is better off including; it’s just a matter of finding the best method of integration. It’s a matter of both MMA and sumo benefiting from the connection, so while we don’t know what form it will take, we do know it’s not going anywhere.
