Combat Sambo is a dynamic Russian martial art and combat sport combining powerful striking with wrestling, throws, takedowns and submission grappling. Developed from the Soviet Sambo system, it has had a significant influence on modern Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), producing some of the sport’s most successful competitors. Khabib Nurmagomedov, a former UFC Lightweight Champion, demonstrated the effectiveness of Sambo-based grappling through his dominant wrestling, relentless pressure and ground control. Other notable fighters with Sambo backgrounds include Islam Makhachev, Fedor Emelianenko and Oleg Taktarov, who have helped showcase the effectiveness of Russian combat sports on the world stage. Combat Sambo’s emphasis on seamlessly combining striking, takedowns and ground fighting makes it highly relevant to MMA, where the ability to transition between different ranges of combat is essential.