“Both sports are incredible” - Uali Kurzhev explains the advantages of both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and sambo

Multi-time sambo and judo champion Uali Kurzhev will face ONE grappling sensation and the youngest ADCC world champion Kade Ruotolo at ONE on Prime Video 3. The October 21 bout, which will be for the inaugural ONE lightweight submission grappling world title, will be Kurzhev's ONE Championship debut.

It's going to be a tough task for the Russian as he will lock horns with one of the fastest-rising stars in submission grappling today.

Since he is largely known as a sambo practitioner, Kurzhev's fight against BJJ black belt Ruotolo is being chalked up as part of the on-going rivalry between sambo and jiu-jitsu. MMA legend and former sambo champion Khabib Nurmagomedov famously wore a shirt that said, "If sambo was easy, they would call it jiu-jitsu."

Needless to say, various BJJ superstars have come to defend their discipline, including ONE athletes Danielle Kelly and 13-time BJJ world champion Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida. Both athletes gave statements that were leaning more towards jiu-jitsu.

Uali Kurzhev, however, has a more neutral take on the debate.

In an interview with ONE Championship, the former sambo champion was asked if he felt any pressure to prove that his discipline is superior to jiu-jitsu. To this, Kurzhev responded:

“I don’t feel [any pressure to prove sambo is better]. I respect all the sports and BJJ is one of them. Both sports are incredible."

Many will love Kurzhev's wise take on the matter. Both disciplines pose different threats as well as weaknesses. It's not much about martial arts, but more about martial artists.

---

Uali Kurzhev reveals what he thinks is the difference between sambo and jiu-jitsu

In the same interview, Kurzhev also pointed out the main difference between sambo and jiu-jitsu. It largely has something to do with which position each discipline thrives in.

Kurzhev said:

“When it comes to sambo, there’s a harmony where you’re standing as well as being on the ground to grapple. But in jiu-jitsu, it’s more on the ground. That’s the difference, I guess, and that’s their [advantages].”

Though many will argue Kurzhev's simplistic look into it, is not without some truth to it.

BJJ is largely a ground-based discipline that focuses on leverage, position and technique. Sambo, however, employs a more balanced approach as it heavily utilizes strikes, throws and powerful ground fighting.

It will be interesting to see how Uali Kurzhev translates his hard-hitting sambo background with the relentless jiu-jitsu attacks of Kade Ruotolo. October 21 can't come any sooner.