Takedown Success Rate Calculator
Calculate takedown success rate with our free tool. See your stats, compare against averages, and track progress over time.
Reviewed for accuracy by Sher, Sports Science & Nutrition Specialist
Takedown Success Rate Calculator
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Formula: Success Rate = (Successful Takedowns / Attempted Takedowns) x 100
Worked example — Overall: 58.3% (Advanced) | Best: Double Leg 75.0% | 4.0 attempts/round | Est. 315 sec control time
Formula
Success Rate = (Successful Takedowns / Attempted Takedowns) x 100
The overall success rate divides total successful takedowns by total attempts. Type-specific rates (single leg, double leg, trip) are calculated independently to identify the most effective technique. Efficiency scoring weights each type by its attempt volume.
Worked Examples
Example 1: MMA Fight Takedown Analysis
Problem:In a 3-round fight, a wrestler attempts 12 takedowns (5 singles, 4 doubles, 3 trips). They land 3 singles, 3 doubles, and 1 trip. Calculate success rates.
Solution:Total: 7/12 = 58.3% Single Leg: 3/5 = 60.0% Double Leg: 3/4 = 75.0% Trip/Throw: 1/3 = 33.3% Failed: 5 attempts Attempts per round: 12/3 = 4.0 Best type: Double Leg at 75.0%
Result:Overall: 58.3% (Advanced) | Best: Double Leg 75.0% | 4.0 attempts/round | Est. 315 sec control time
Example 2: Wrestling Coach Comparison
Problem:Fighter A: 8 attempts, 5 successful (all doubles). Fighter B: 15 attempts, 6 successful (mixed). Who is more efficient?
Solution:Fighter A: 5/8 = 62.5% success rate Fighter B: 6/15 = 40.0% success rate Fighter A is more efficient per attempt Fighter B landed more total takedowns (6 vs 5) Fighter A estimated control: 225 sec Fighter B estimated control: 270 sec
Result:Fighter A: 62.5% efficiency (Elite) | Fighter B: 40.0% (Above Avg) but more total takedowns and control time
Frequently Asked Questions
What is takedown success rate and how is it calculated?
Takedown success rate is the percentage of attempted takedowns that result in successfully bringing the opponent to the ground and establishing a dominant position. It is calculated by dividing successful takedowns by total takedown attempts and multiplying by 100. This metric is one of the most tracked statistics in MMA and wrestling because it directly measures a fundamental skill that determines where the fight takes place. A high takedown rate indicates effective wrestling ability that can dictate the pace and location of a fight. In the UFC, FightMetric tracks this statistic for every bout, and career takedown accuracy is a key metric used to evaluate fighter capabilities and predict matchup outcomes.
What is considered a good takedown success rate in MMA?
In professional MMA, takedown success rates vary widely based on fighting style and the quality of opposition. The UFC average hovers around 38 to 42 percent across all fighters. Success rates above 50 percent are considered above average and indicate strong wrestling credentials. Elite wrestlers competing in MMA often maintain rates of 55 to 70 percent. Khabib Nurmagomedov maintained a career rate of approximately 48 percent but his effectiveness was amplified by his chain wrestling and pressure style. Daniel Cormier averaged approximately 44 percent but against elite competition. Context matters significantly because a 35 percent rate against top contenders may be more impressive than a 60 percent rate against lower-ranked opponents with poor takedown defense.
How does single leg differ from double leg takedown effectiveness?
Single leg and double leg takedowns have distinct mechanical advantages and tactical applications. Double leg takedowns involve shooting with both arms to grab both legs simultaneously, providing more control and power but requiring greater commitment and closer distance. They typically have slightly higher success rates of 40 to 50 percent in MMA because the attacker secures a stronger base position. Single leg takedowns target one leg and allow the attacker to maintain better posture and defensive position during the attempt, resulting in lower success rates of 35 to 45 percent but lower risk when they fail. The single leg is more versatile and can be initiated from various angles and distances. Elite grapplers often use the single leg to set up chain wrestling sequences rather than relying on completing the takedown on the first attempt.
What factors most influence takedown success rate?
Multiple factors significantly affect takedown success rate in competitive settings. Timing and setup are the most critical factors because a well-timed shot off a striking combination succeeds far more often than a telegraphed single entry. Level changes preceding the shot help disguise the takedown attempt. Cage positioning dramatically affects success rates, with takedowns against the cage succeeding approximately 15 to 20 percent more often than open-mat attempts. Physical attributes including strength-to-weight ratio, hip flexibility, and leg drive power all contribute. The quality of opposition is perhaps the most significant variable, as elite takedown defenders can reduce even great wrestlers' success rates below 30 percent. Training volume and specificity in live takedown drilling directly correlate with competitive success rates.
How does takedown defense relate to takedown success rate?
Takedown defense and takedown success rate are inversely related metrics that represent opposite sides of the same exchange. A fighter's takedown defense percentage equals 100 minus the opponent's takedown success rate for that specific matchup. High-level takedown defense combines several skills including sprawling ability, hip defense, underhook fighting, cage positioning, and the ability to wrestle back to the feet after being taken down. In the UFC, fighters with takedown defense above 75 percent are considered elite defenders. Notable defenders like Jose Aldo maintained defense rates above 85 percent throughout their careers. The interaction between a great wrestler's offense and an elite defender creates some of the most compelling matchup analysis in MMA, as it determines whether the fight will be contested standing or on the ground.
Why do takedown attempts against the cage have higher success rates?
Cage-assisted takedowns succeed more frequently than open-mat takedowns for several mechanical and tactical reasons. The cage wall prevents the defender from retreating backward, which is the primary defense against level-change entries. This compression of available defensive space forces the defender to primarily rely on hip sprawling and underhook battles rather than distance management. The cage also provides the attacker with additional leverage to complete takedowns by pinning the opponent against the wall and working trips, lifts, or drags from the clinch position. Studies of UFC statistics show that cage takedowns succeed at rates approximately 45 to 55 percent compared to open-mat success rates of 30 to 40 percent. This explains why skilled wrestlers frequently work to pressure opponents toward the cage before initiating takedown sequences.
How do trips and throws compare to wrestling-based takedowns?
Trips and throws originate from clinch positions and judo or sambo backgrounds, offering different tactical advantages compared to wrestling-style shot takedowns. Trips succeed at variable rates of 25 to 50 percent depending on the specific technique and the practitioner's skill level. The inside trip is one of the highest-percentage takedowns in MMA when executed from a dominant clinch position. Throws like hip tosses and suplex variants are lower percentage attempts at typically 20 to 35 percent success but can produce spectacular results and significant damage on landing. The key advantage of trips and throws is that they can be initiated from clinch positions where wrestling shots are not practical. Fighters with judo backgrounds like Ronda Rousey and Karo Parisyan built their careers around trip and throw takedowns rather than traditional wrestling entries.
What is chain wrestling and how does it affect takedown statistics?
Chain wrestling is the practice of linking multiple takedown attempts together in rapid succession, transitioning between different techniques when initial attempts are defended. A chain wrestling sequence might start with a double leg attempt, transition to a single leg when the opponent defends, move to an ankle pick when the single is sprawled on, and finish with an inside trip from the resulting scramble. This approach dramatically increases overall takedown success rates because defenders must successfully defend multiple consecutive attempts. Studies show that chain wrestlers who attempt 3 or more linked techniques in a sequence have approximately 25 to 35 percent higher cumulative success rates compared to single-attempt wrestlers. Khabib Nurmagomedov exemplified chain wrestling by maintaining relentless pressure with multiple technique transitions.
How should fighters use takedown success rate data to adjust their game plan?
Takedown success rate data provides actionable intelligence for game plan development. Fighters should analyze which takedown types have their highest success rates and emphasize those techniques in competition. If single leg success is above 60 percent but double leg success is below 30 percent, training should focus on improving double leg setup and execution while continuing to lean on the single leg in competition. Positional analysis showing higher success rates against the cage versus open mat should influence footwork and pressure strategies. Round-by-round analysis often reveals that takedown success increases in later rounds as opponents fatigue, suggesting that wrestlers should be patient and increase takedown volume in championship rounds. Opponent-specific data helps identify defensive tendencies that can be exploited with specific technique selections.
What is the relationship between takedown volume and winning fights?
Research analyzing thousands of MMA bouts reveals a strong correlation between takedown volume and winning, though the relationship is more nuanced than simply more takedowns equals more wins. Fighters who attempt more than 5 takedowns per fight win approximately 60 percent of bouts when at least 2 are successful. However, high-volume, low-success takedown attempts can actually hurt a fighter's scorecard if they expend significant energy on failed shots. The key metric that best predicts winning is total control time resulting from successful takedowns rather than raw takedown numbers. A fighter who lands 3 takedowns and maintains top position for 8 minutes is significantly more likely to win than one who lands 6 takedowns but allows immediate scrambles back to standing. This is why modern MMA analytics increasingly focus on control time as the more meaningful ground game statistic.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Sher, Sports Science & Nutrition Specialist · Editorial policy
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