How a Judo Specialist Became an MMA Specialist

Carretta’s journey into MMA began not in the octagon, but on the tatami. As a judoka, he competed at the highest levels, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (postponed to 2021), where he represented Italy. His judo background—particularly his ability to execute sacrifice throws and ne-waza (groundwork)—became the foundation of his MMA strategy.

Unlike fighters who train in boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu from childhood, Carretta’s late entry into MMA (he turned professional in 2018 at age 26) required him to adapt. “His judo is so refined that he doesn’t need to rely on traditional MMA grappling,” said Marco Ruah, a former UFC fighter and judo coach who has worked with Carretta. “He’ll take you down with a single motion, then lock you up before you even hit the mat.”

This unconventional path has made Carretta a study in specialization. While most lightweight fighters in the UFC or Bellator prioritize striking to avoid being taken down, Carretta’s record (as of May 2024) shows a 70% takedown rate in his professional fights, according to Sherdog’s fight metrics. His ability to chain throws together—often using uchi-mata (major inner thigh) and ko-uchi-gari (minor outer reap)—has left opponents struggling to adapt.

Signature Moves: Why Carretta’s Judo Translates to MMA

Carretta’s most dangerous weapon is his ne-waza (groundwork), which he uses to neutralize strikers. Unlike Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters who focus on submissions, Carretta’s ground game is built on positional dominance—keeping opponents flat on their backs and controlling their posture to set up throws or strikes.

In his 2023 fight against Leonardo Santos at Bellator 292, Carretta landed five takedowns in the first round, including a sei-nage (body drop) that left Santos unable to recover. “He’s not just taking you down—he’s taking you down in a way that makes it impossible to get back up,” said John Kavanagh, a former UFC lightweight and current analyst for Bloody Elbow.

Carretta’s clinch work is equally effective. He often uses knee cuts and body locks to close distance, then transitions into throws before opponents can counter. This style has made him particularly dangerous against fighters who rely on boxing—his 2022 victory over Marco Beltrán at UFC Fight Night 204 came after Beltrán’s striking was neutralized by Carretta’s relentless clinch pressure.

The Challenges of an Unconventional Path

Carretta’s judo-first approach isn’t without risks. MMA requires versatility, and his striking—while effective—isn’t as polished as fighters who trained in boxing from youth. “He’s not a puncher,” said Gianni Pezzuto, a former Italian national boxing champion who has analyzed Carretta’s fights. “But he doesn’t need to be. His game is about controlling the pace and wearing opponents down.”

One of Carretta’s biggest challenges has been adapting to the cardio demands of MMA. Judo matches are shorter (typically 4–5 minutes), while MMA fights can last five rounds. “He’s had to work on his conditioning to match the stamina of fighters who’ve been training in MMA since they were teenagers,” said Ruah. “But his judo background gives him a mental edge—he’s used to fighting under pressure.”

Carretta’s record (as of May 2024) stands at 12-3-1 in MMA, with 8 wins by submission or TKO. His losses have often come against fighters who can match his grappling—such as Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira—highlighting the limits of his one-dimensional approach. “He’s not a well-rounded fighter,” said Kavanagh. “But in the right opponent, he’s nearly unstoppable.”

What’s Next for Carretta?

Carretta’s next fight is scheduled for September 20, 2024, at Bellator 305 in Uncasville, Connecticut (UTC-4), where he will face Bryan Caraway. The bout will test Carretta’s ability to adapt to a fighter with a strong wrestling background—Caraway has a 65% takedown defense rate, according to Sherdog.

If Carretta wins, he’ll move closer to a shot at a title opportunity in the lightweight division. His judo expertise could make him a dangerous challenger for fighters who rely on striking, such as Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira. However, his lack of well-rounded skills remains a question mark. “He’s proven he can beat strikers,” said Pezzuto. “But if he faces another grappler, he’ll need to step up his game.”

Carretta’s coach, Massimo Amitrano, has indicated that Carretta is working on expanding his striking range. “We’re adding more boxing and Muay Thai to his training,” Amitrano told MMA Fighting. “But his judo is his identity—we’re not changing that.”

Key Takeaways: Why Carretta’s Story Matters

• Specialization over versatility: Carretta’s judo background has made him one of the most effective takedown artists in lightweight MMA, with a 70% takedown rate.
• Clinch dominance: His ability to neutralize strikers with body locks and throws has led to multiple submission wins.
• Challenges ahead: His striking limitations and conditioning demands remain hurdles for future title contention.
• Next fight implications: His September 2024 bout against Bryan Caraway will test his ability to adapt to elite wrestling.