FMA Dumog: The Grappling Art of the Filipino Warrior

Dumog is the indigenous Filipino art of grappling—often referred to as Filipino wrestling. While FMA is widely known for its stick and blade fighting, Dumog provides the equally important element of close-range control, clinching, and takedowns.

Origins and Philosophy

Rooted in tribal combat and evolved through centuries of battlefield and real-world encounters, Dumog emphasizes manipulation of the opponent's structure, not just brute strength. Using leverage, sensitivity, and body mechanics, it teaches how to control posture, break balance, and dominate the clinch.

Key Elements

• Body Manipulation: Controlling the head, neck, shoulders, elbows, and hips to off-balance the opponent.
• Footwork: Angling and shifting to maintain superior position and generate force.
• Locks & Controls: Joint manipulations, tie-ups, and clinch tactics to restrict or set up takedowns.
• Takedowns: Simple, effective throws and trips using leverage and timing.
• Weapon Integration: Dumog seamlessly blends with blade, stick, and empty-hand transitions.

Application in Real Combat

Unlike sport grappling, Dumog is designed for chaos. It thrives in environments with concrete floors, multiple attackers, or armed threats. This makes it a perfect match for Jeet Kune Do and Rapid Assault Tactics (RAT), especially when closing the gap from striking to clinch.

If you're training for real-world effectiveness and want to complete your skillset, Dumog is essential.