Georgia Wrestling & MMA: Training Grounds for Champions

Having spent considerable time around Georgia’s martial arts scene—actually, let me be more specific—I’ve witnessed firsthand how this state has quietly become one of the most dominant forces in both wrestling and mixed martial arts. When people think of Georgia sports, football usually comes to mind first. But honestly? The grappling arts have deeper roots here than most realize.

Georgia’s wrestling tradition stretches back decades, while the MMA explosion of the past fifteen years has created something pretty remarkable. What strikes me most is how these two worlds intersect—veteran wrestling coaches now teaching takedowns to aspiring cage fighters, high school wrestling champions transitioning to professional MMA careers. It’s fascinating, really.

The Foundation: Georgia’s Wrestling Heritage

Let’s start with something that might surprise you—Georgia consistently ranks among the top ten states for high school wrestling participation. According to the Georgia High School Association, over 12,000 students participate in wrestling programs across more than 180 schools annually. That’s a massive foundation.

What really gets me excited about Georgia wrestling is the coaching culture. Take someone like Cliff Ramos at Collins Hill High School—the man’s built a dynasty. His program has produced multiple state champions and numerous college recruits. When I spoke with Coach Ramos last year, he mentioned something that stuck with me: “Wrestling teaches kids how to handle adversity in a way that translates to everything else in life.”

The college scene? Even more impressive. Georgia Southern University’s wrestling program has become a powerhouse in recent years. They’ve consistently placed wrestlers in NCAA tournaments, and—here’s where it gets interesting—many of their graduates have transitioned successfully into MMA careers.

University of Georgia doesn’t have a wrestling program anymore (budget cuts in the ’90s, unfortunately), but that hasn’t stopped Georgian wrestlers from excelling elsewhere. North Georgia University’s program continues producing quality athletes, while many Georgia wrestlers earn scholarships to programs across the Southeast.

High School Wrestling Dominance

Here’s where Georgia really shines—and honestly, where I get most passionate about this topic. The high school wrestling scene here is absolutely bonkers. I’m talking about programs that would make college coaches jealous.

Camden County High School has won multiple state championships, producing wrestlers who’ve gone on to compete at Division I levels. Their training facility? Let me tell you, it rivals some college programs I’ve visited. Collins Hill, which I mentioned earlier, has become synonymous with excellence—they’ve won seven state team titles since 2010.

What’s fascinating—and this really demonstrates the culture here—is how these programs have adapted training methodologies from collegiate and even professional levels. Many incorporate strength and conditioning protocols that were once exclusive to college programs. The nutrition education, injury prevention strategies, mental preparation techniques… it’s sophisticated stuff.

The Coaching Philosophy Evolution

Something I’ve noticed—and this reflects broader changes in youth sports—is how coaching has evolved here. The old-school “break them down to build them up” mentality is giving way to more nuanced approaches. Coaches like Tim Hartley at Buford High School emphasize technical excellence alongside mental resilience.

“We’re not just teaching wrestling moves. We’re developing young men who understand discipline, respect, and how to overcome challenges. The wrestling is just the vehicle.” Tim Hartley, Buford High School Wrestling Coach

This philosophy shift has produced remarkable results. Georgia wrestlers are increasingly recruited not just for their technical skills, but for their character and work ethic. College coaches consistently mention that Georgian wrestlers arrive better prepared mentally than many of their peers.

The MMA Revolution in Georgia

Now here’s where things get really interesting—and honestly, where I spend most of my time these days. Georgia’s MMA scene has exploded over the past decade in ways that would’ve been unimaginable when I first started following mixed martial arts.

The numbers tell part of the story. According to industry reports, Georgia now hosts over 85 licensed MMA gyms, up from just 12 in 2010. But the real story isn’t just quantity—it’s quality. We’re talking about world-class training facilities producing UFC-caliber fighters.

Georgia’s MMA Champions

Let’s talk about the fighters who’ve put Georgia on the MMA map. Obviously, there’s Aljamain Sterling—the guy’s a former UFC Bantamweight Champion from Uniondale originally, but he’s been training in Georgia for years. His work ethic? Absolutely insane. I’ve watched him train, and the intensity is something else entirely.

Then you’ve got fighters like Ovince Saint Preux, who’s been a perennial contender in the UFC light heavyweight division. OSP (that’s what everyone calls him) represents something special about Georgia MMA—technical excellence combined with that Southern grit. The man’s fought virtually every top light heavyweight of his era.

• Aljamain Sterling – Former UFC Bantamweight Champion
• Ovince Saint Preux – UFC veteran with 15+ promotional fights
• Court McGee – TUF winner and UFC veteran
• Katlyn Chookagian – Top-ranked UFC flyweight contender
• Santiago Ponzinibbio – Elite UFC welterweight striker

But honestly? The fighters making headlines are just the tip of the iceberg. What excites me more is the depth of talent developing in gyms across the state. Places like Team Jesus MMA in Morrow, Strongstyle MMA in Atlanta, and Hard Knocks 365 in Fort Moore are producing prospects who’ll be household names in a few years.

The Wrestling-to-MMA Pipeline

Here’s where Georgia’s wrestling heritage really pays dividends in MMA. The transition from wrestling mats to MMA cages has become increasingly common, and Georgia wrestlers are particularly well-suited for this evolution.

Take someone like Court McGee—former Ultimate Fighter winner who cut his teeth wrestling in Utah but honed his MMA skills training in Georgia facilities. The technical wrestling base provides such a solid foundation for MMA success. Control, conditioning, mental toughness… all wrestling fundamentals that translate perfectly.

“Georgia wrestlers understand how to grind. They’ve been taught to push through when their bodies want to quit. That’s invaluable in MMA where fights can turn on who wants it more in the final round.” Marcus Morrison, Head Coach at Team Jesus MMA

The numbers support this trend. Approximately 60% of Georgia’s professional MMA fighters have wrestling backgrounds, significantly higher than the national average of 38%. This wrestling foundation has contributed to Georgia fighters maintaining a 67% win rate in professional competition over the past three years.

Elite Training Facilities

The infrastructure supporting Georgia’s martial arts scene is genuinely impressive—and I’ve trained in facilities across the country, so I’m not just being regional-biased here. The investment in proper training environments has been substantial.

Strongstyle MMA in Atlanta deserves special mention. Their facility spans 8,000 square feet with multiple training areas, professional-grade equipment, and coaching staff that includes former UFC fighters. What really sets them apart? The integration of sports science into training protocols. Heart rate monitoring, nutrition planning, recovery optimization—it’s comprehensive.

Hard Knocks 365 at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) brings a unique military precision to MMA training. The discipline and systematic approach they’ve developed appeals to both military personnel and civilians seeking structured, results-oriented training.

Community Development and Youth Programs

What gets me most excited—honestly, this is where I become genuinely passionate—is the community development aspect. Martial arts programs across Georgia are transforming communities, particularly in underserved areas.

Programs like the Atlanta Wrestling Foundation work directly with inner-city youth, providing not just athletic training but mentorship, academic support, and life skills development. Their success stories are incredible—kids who discovered discipline through wrestling, earned college scholarships, and returned to coach the next generation.

1. Youth character development through discipline and respect
2. College scholarship opportunities for dedicated athletes
3. Community building through shared training experiences
4. Economic development through sports tourism and events
5. Health and fitness promotion addressing childhood obesity

The economic impact shouldn’t be overlooked either. Wrestling tournaments and MMA events bring significant tourism revenue to host communities. The Georgia High School Wrestling Championships alone generates an estimated $2.3 million annually in economic activity.

Looking Forward: The Future of Georgia Martial Arts

As I wrap this up, I’m genuinely optimistic about where Georgia martial arts is heading. The foundation is solid—excellent youth programs, world-class training facilities, and a culture that values hard work and technical excellence.

The integration between wrestling and MMA will likely deepen. We’re already seeing high school programs incorporating MMA-style conditioning, while MMA gyms are bringing in wrestling coaches to strengthen their ground games. This cross-pollination benefits everyone.

Georgia’s martial arts scene isn’t just about producing champions—though we’re certainly doing that. It’s about building character, creating opportunities, and strengthening communities. From wrestling mats in rural high schools to state-of-the-art MMA facilities in Atlanta, we’re developing more than just athletes. We’re developing leaders.

And honestly? I can’t wait to see what the next decade brings.