MMA and Jiu-Jitsu: Building Strength and Skill at Moeller
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has surged in popularity over the past two decades, and its influence continues to grow. At Moeller High School, MMA has taken shape in two key forms: Greco-Roman style wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the latter offered through the school’s Jiu-Jitsu Club. The club is led by Mr. Lynch and Mr. Page, both of whom bring personal experience in Jiu-Jitsu to the program. On the varsity wrestling side, Coach Germane Lindsey leads the charge.
Jiu-Jitsu is a centuries-old Japanese martial art that originated with the samurai, who needed a way to defend themselves without weapons. Rather than relying on strikes, Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes technique—using an opponent’s force against them through throws, joint locks, and grappling. Its focus on leverage over strength makes it accessible to people of all sizes. Over time, Jiu-Jitsu evolved into various styles, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), which is especially known for its ground fighting and submission techniques.
Both Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling are grappling-based disciplines, meaning they focus on takedowns, holds, and controlling opponents rather than striking. The key difference is that BJJ centers around submissions—chokes and joint locks—while wrestling emphasizes takedowns and pins. Other martial arts like boxing and Muay Thai focus on striking, while Judo shares similarities with Jiu-Jitsu but places more emphasis on throws. Many MMA fighters train across multiple disciplines to become well-rounded competitors.
Jiu-Jitsu has proven its effectiveness both in competition and real-life situations. One of the most iconic examples is Royce Gracie, who dominated early UFC events despite being smaller than many of his opponents. His success showcased the power of technique over brute strength. In modern MMA, fighters like Demian Maia have used Jiu-Jitsu to control opponents with minimal damage. Outside the cage, Jiu-Jitsu has helped countless individuals—especially women—escape dangerous situations. Law enforcement and military personnel also use Jiu-Jitsu techniques to safely subdue individuals without excessive force. While it’s not foolproof—especially in situations involving multiple attackers or weapons—it remains one of the most practical self-defense systems available.
At Moeller, Coach Lynch leads the Jiu-Jitsu Club with passion and experience. He began his MMA journey with Muay Thai and later focused on Jiu-Jitsu. When asked how long it takes to effectively defend oneself, he said, “Depends on the person. For someone who trains somewhat consistently, in about half a year they will be able to defend themselves from an untrained individual within reason.” On the topic of conditioning, he added, “Like any sport, being strong helps. The first time I did a round on the mat, I was gassed. It’s a different type of conditioning than other sports. It takes time to get your breathing down.” He also emphasized the value of a wrestling background: “Takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu are key, so having that background is super valuable—essentially giving you a leg up when you start.”
This year, Moeller is launching MoeTerm, a new immersive learning initiative that begins after Christmas break. For one week, students will attend a single specialized class outside the traditional curriculum. Options include cooking, coaching, forensic studies—and a full week of Jiu-Jitsu. Mr. Lynch and Mr. Page will lead the MoeTerm Jiu-Jitsu class, joined by a guest instructor who holds a black belt. Thirty-five students will participate, spending time on the mat and eventually progressing to live sparring sessions.
Overall, MMA and Jiu-Jitsu have made a meaningful impact at Moeller and beyond. Through the Jiu-Jitsu Club and varsity wrestling team, students gain more than just physical fitness—they learn discipline, confidence, control, and real-world self-defense. Whether training to compete, stay in shape, or simply become more prepared for life’s challenges, the lessons from these martial arts are practical and lasting. As interest continues to grow, Moeller’s support for these programs offers students a powerful way to grow stronger, both physically and mentally.