The world of combat sports often sees specialists venturing into different arenas to test their skills. Here are five notable instances when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners stepped onto the wrestling mat.
Linus von Schrenk
Linus von Schrenk, a 90kg BJJ competitor, recently made headlines by entering the 130kg heavyweight wrestling division, facing significantly larger opponents. Trained by B Team coach Dima Murovani, von Schrenk demonstrated that technique and experience can challenge sheer size, drawing praise for his ability to neutralize opponents nearly 40kg heavier. His performance sparked online debate and admiration, highlighting BJJ’s core belief that precision often trumps power. Competing well above his usual 76.9–91kg range, von Schrenk aimed to prove that mastery of movement and strategy can overcome brute force—reminding fans that, as he joked,
“if size mattered, the elephant would be king of the jungle.”
Rafael Lovato Jr.
Multiple-time BJJ world champion and former Bellator MMA middleweight champion Rafael Lovato Jr. made an impressive showing at the freestyle wrestling masters nationals earlier this year. Displaying versatility that has marked his combat sports career, Lovato secured a third-place finish against dedicated wrestling specialists.
Ryan Hall
While known primarily as a BJJ specialist who often pulls guard in competition, UFC’s Ryan Hall has actually demonstrated solid wrestling skills throughout his BJJ career. Contrary to his reputation as exclusively a guard player, Hall has competed in wrestling matches and shown considerable takedown ability. His coach has noted that Hall’s wrestling fundamentals are much stronger than many casual observers realize.
Mica Galvão
Mica Galvão, already a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion at just 20, has once said he has his sights on Olympic wrestling, aiming to qualify for the 2028 Games. Following a landmark year that included winning the ADCC and completing the sport’s super grand slam, Galvão isn’t slowing down—instead, he’s planning to add wrestling to his competitive schedule. He cites his familiarity with wrestling over Judo and the more accessible Olympic path via Brazil as key motivators, along with inspiration from his girlfriend, Amit Elor, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist in wrestling. Galvão acknowledges the challenge but is optimistic, with Olympic qualifiers still a few years away and ample time to prepare. Of course, considering USADA tests Olympic athletes, the transition seems a very unlikely yet an exciting prospect.
Lachlan Giles
Australian BJJ black belt Lachlan Giles competed in the Australian Wrestling National Championship and took third place.
What makes this particularly impressive is that Giles was already an established black belt when he decided to test his skills in freestyle wrestling. The video evidence shows Giles executing various wrestling techniques with surprising proficiency, including a beautiful inside trip that would make any wrestling coach proud.
His success demonstrates how high-level grapplers can adapt their skills to different rule sets when they commit to learning the technical nuances of related sports.
These crossover performances highlight the overlapping skill sets between different grappling arts and show how elite practitioners can transfer their abilities across disciplines with dedicated training.
