Sweat is the lubricant of success. – Erik Paulson

Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW) is a cross-training curriculum that integrates three areas of fighting, which for decades had remained clearly delineated from one another in the martial arts world (with the exception of Jeet Kune Do as conceived by Bruce Lee in the 1960s and early 1970s). These areas are: striking, throwing/clinching and groundwork.

A system that develops reflexes, mobility, adaptability, endurance, flexibility, as well as locking and choking techniques and groundwork placement and evasion, CSW is sometimes referred to as “Combat Cross-training” or “Martial Athletics”. Created by Erik Paulson, this unique synthesis of Judo, Sambo, Catch as Catch Can, Dumog, Greco-Roman wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Shooto, and both Thai and French boxing is a revolutionary cross-training method for anyone who practices or wants to practice freestyle fighting or grappling.

Erik Paulson, based in Southern California, has practiced diverse martial arts for more than 25 years: Judo; Taekwondo; Boxing; Grappling with Larry Hartsell; Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts with Magulang Na Guro Dan Inosanto; Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Rorion, Royce and Rickson Gracie, as well as with the Machado brothers; Thai Boxing with Ajarn Chai Sirisute; and Shooto with Yorinaga Nakamura.

In 1996, Erik became the first American to ever fight and win in Shooto, stripping the Japanese of this once time-honored national belt. Moreover, he went on to hold the title for five years before voluntarily retiring from professional fighting.

In Switzerland, the Martial Institute Geneva is the only school that offers certified instruction of Combat Submission Wrestling.