Best Grappling Dummies For BJJ & MMA: Top 5 Reviewed

As an aspiring MMA fighter, you will often need to polish your skills.

Understandable.

But it is not always possible to get a volunteer at your disposal. While a fellow trainee may help you out every now and then, it is not a consistent solution.

This is where grappling dummies come to the rescue.

Older dummies were often simple bags without limbs. Many current models have arms and legs shaped like a person, which makes drilling feel more realistic.

My personal favorite of the lot is the CBC MMA & BJJ Grapple Dummy 2.0, but there’s much more from where that came from.

Stay tuned and I will share my top picks.

Review Of The Best Grappling Dummy Models

Let’s not wait any further, here are my top picks:

1. CBC MMA & BJJ Grapple Dummy 2.0 – Best Overall

![CBC MMA] BJJ Jiu Jitsu Grapple Dummy 2.0 (70" in Height) for Submission Drills Like Leg Locks, Heel Hooks, Ankle Locks, Wrist Locks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PP68BLT/?tag=k2-promos-20 "CBC MMA] BJJ Jiu Jitsu Grapple Dummy 2.0 (70" in Height) for Submission Drills Like Leg Locks, Heel Hooks, Ankle Locks, Wrist Locks") If you’ve ever had some experience with grappling dummies, you will be better able to appreciate the attention they put to detail in this one. It is perfect for practicing your moves as you would with a friend. Shoot your best punches and kicks at this CBC Grapple bad boy, it is meant to take them all.

What I liked most about this dummy was that I could drill leg lock and toe hold entries with good realism. A dummy can't react or tap, though, so save the finishing mechanics for a live partner and a coach.

My point is, that even if you don’t have a friend willing to spare some time for your practice, you don’t have to compromise on honing your skills, and the CBC MMA & BJJ Grapple Dummy 2.0 will see to it.

The material and craftsmanship that went into making this dummy are both equally impressive.

Moreover, as someone who likes to get a lock on my opponents from their shoulders, if the opportunity presents itself, I was amazed by the straps that reinforce that area, making the dummy perfectly immune to rough handling.

Filling it is simple: open the zipper and pack in dry fabric such as old towels, shirts, or cotton batting. Overall, this model scores well on durability, versatility, and realism.

Pros

• This is the best overall option on my list
• The realistic human-like design with limbs articulated with the frame is much appreciated.
• It works like a charm for leg-locks and grappling
• You can use it with or without a Gi
• The quality level and performance excellence are unparalleled at the given price point.

Cons

• It is not filled when you first buy it, you’ll have to do that yourself

Verdict

This model is the best grappling dummy for its price. Some people prefer a pre-filled model, but I had no problem stuffing it with old towels.

Use dry filling only. Damp towels add weight, but mold grows where there is moisture, and a sealed dummy can hold that moisture for weeks.

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2. DEAGLE Grappling Sitting Dummy – Best Budget

Want a decent MMA grappling dummy without spending a lot? This low-budget model is worth a look.

Affordability should not mean that you are forced to compromise with quality, and the DEAGLE Grappling Submission Sitting Dummy is here to prove it. While it may not be the best one in the lot, it certainly does offer a tantalizing host of features given its price tag.

The model has a realistic body design with extended arms, good for drilling grappling positions and leg-lock entries.

Just like the previous dummy, this one is sold unfilled. Pack it with dry towels, shirts, or cotton and start drilling.

Pros

• This model is surprisingly affordable
• It is perfect for beginners to start grappling with a sense of realism
• The appendages have been decently articulated, making it perfect for MMA and BJJ training.
• You can execute leg-locks with no issue

Cons

• It is unfilled, which may be a bummer for some
• This product does not compare well against high-end models

Verdict

Given its versatility and heap of features, this DEAGLE product is easily the best BJJ grappling dummy for people seeking an affordable option.

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3. Suples Wrestling Dummy – Best For Rough Handling

Want something that stands out in resilience because you are training for hardcore fighting? Then the Suples Wrestling Dummy may be just the kind of product for you, not because it offers realism (they all do), but because this one can take whatever you throw at it!

Whether you are training for BJJ, MMA, or Judo, feel free to kick, grapple, takedown, leg-lock, punch, and pretty much everything you can think of, at it. Since it offers premium-grade manufacturing, it is virtually immune to rough treatment because it is meant to take it.

Whether you place it on the ground or mount it on a hook, you will find it equally impressive in both scenarios. Best of all, you can find this model in a range of sizes starting from extra small and ending at large.

Suples is a wrestling brand whose training system was used by Ivan Ivanov, a former head wrestling coach at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, so its dummies are built with wrestlers in mind.

The only downside is that its high quality comes at a higher price too.

Pros

• Made by a wrestling-focused brand with Olympic coaching roots
• It is prefilled, so that is a relief
• The construction is "iMMAculate", both visually and quality-wise
• It is available in a variety of sizes
• This product is suited for taking rough handling

Cons

• It is a bit pricier in comparison to other products
• You won’t be able to do much BJJ guard (advanced) training but overall, it is excellent for MMA.

Verdict

The Suples Wrestling Dummy is perfect for rough training, this product will withstand heavy blows and grapples, and best of all: it comes pre-filled. You will have to pay a fair price for it though.

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4. Combat Sports Grappling Dummy – Best Prefilled Option

Whether you wish to make your opponent submit in the ring, or execute a tricky grapple move, you will need to practice realistically. This is exactly what the Combat Sports Grappling Dummy is here to do: to help you train realistically with minimal preparation.

Since it comes prefilled, you won’t have to go through the painstaking process of filling it up to your satisfaction before you start, just unpack it and get grappling! It works well for BJJ, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and similar grappling-type wrestling genres.

The construction is highly durable, and since this dummy is based upon a military-level vinyl material, you don’t have to worry about durability. As for the realism, this bad boy can help you do everything that you would be able to with a practice partner, except that it won’t cry out in pain.

Several sizes are available, so you can match the dummy to your own size.

Pros

• You can land some heavy blows to it without worrying about a thing
• It is cost-effective when considering the features afforded
• It allows you to strike, grapple, leg-lock, and so on
• It comes prefilled, saving you the hassle of filling it up yourself
• The joint movements are very accurate

Cons

• While it is perfect for MMA training, it can only serve beginner-level BJJ training

Verdict

If you are a beginner level BJJ apprentice, then this Jiu Jitsu training dummy will help you go a long way in your training, especially if you don’t have a friend who can spare the time to help you train better.

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5. Celebrita MMA Grappling Dummy – Best For Beginners

Looking for an affordable Jiu Jitsu training dummy to master a few beginner-level moves? This one might be able to help if you don’t mind filling it up by yourself.

Nevertheless, Celebrita MMA Grappling Dummy performs perfectly, offers excellent results, and is available in a host of sizes, so you can match it to your size.

Its human shape and curved legs give beginners realistic positions to drill.

Moreover, since it allows you to train for grapples and leg-locks with ease, and that too for an affordable rate, you don’t have much to complain about. Yes, it may not parallel the excellence of high-end products, but the same can be said about its price tag.

Pros

• It is very affordable
• Perfect for beginners
• You can train for BJJ as much as you want
• If you like to execute leg-locks, then this one will be perfect for you

Cons

• It is not prefilled

Verdict

Overall, the Celebrita MMA Grappling Dummy is as good as it gets at its price tag, a perfect beginner’s option for BJJ training and executing leg-lock maneuvers.

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What Sets Apart The Best BJJ Grappling Dummy?

The grappling dummy reviews above may have convinced you that there is something for you out there even if you’re on a low budget or just starting with your BJJ training. And you should get one because it will help you train better.

In this section, I will share with you some major points that you should consider while buying your product, and which helped me pick my top products:

Is It Flexible?

Flexible dummies can be molded into various positions, and their limbs return to how they were before you twisted or bend them in a lock. This is more or less of a practical thing but if you’re buying online, ask the manufacturers beforehand.

Flexibility adds to the realism and makes the training more fruitful.

Height & Weight

Most grappling dummies come in several sizes. Pick one close to your own height so positions feel realistic.

As for the weight, this is again something that varies from person to person, just be sure to choose an option that is neither too lightweight nor too heavy for you. This way, you will be able to train well without injuring yourself.

Filled/Unfilled

If you can afford to, get prefilled dummies as they don’t require any labor to set up. However, if you feel like adjusting the weight of your dummy yourself and don’t mind some laboring around then unfilled ones can work well too, and they are cheaper as well.

Ask for your peers’ advice when stuffing your dummy.

Limb Articulation

If you can choose between a dummy with limbs and one without them, go for the former, because limbed dummies are far superior to non-limbed ones and offer greater realism.

Also make sure that the limb articulation is realistic, meaning that they allow you to grapple or execute locks just as you would to a person.

Affordability

This is a no-brainer, but I’ll still say it:

Set a budget before you shop and stick to it. Some budget management basics help you spend on the features you will actually use.

And that goes the same way with all the other stuff that you need to buy. Whether it be your best sports outfit or things like your sports bag, water jugs, the best BJJ mats, or whatever it is that you need to throw money on... again, don't compromise the quality, but be a wise spender.

We’re almost done here, but before leaving, take a look at some grappling throws you can practice.

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Bottom Line

All of the dummies on this list are solid choices for solo drilling.

My favorite is the CBC MMA & BJJ Grapple Dummy 2.0 due to its resilience, but for those who’re running a little low on cash, DEAGLE Grappling Submission Sitting Dummy will also do a fine job.

Just keep in mind the points I’ve mentioned in the value section when buying a product, and you’ll be fine.

A dummy is a great tool for reps between classes, but it does not replace live training with a partner and a coach.

Sources

• Mold, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Suples Training Systems, Suples