Sambo is a Russian Martial Art. It is actually an acronym for the Russian phrase, "Self defense without weapons", (Som-oborona Bes Orusyia). It involves moves such as throws, takedowns, striking techniques, etc. This art is known as "Combat Sambo". The sport form of Sambo involves a lot of ground techniques, takedowns and throws. In recent years, this art form of sport has gained world wide popularity and is also recognized by the International Amateur Wrestling Federation in 1968.

Sambo was founded by Judo Master V.S.Oshchepkov and his students I.V.Vasilyev, L.B.Turin, N.M.Galkovsky, B.A.Sagatelyan, P.A.Shkolnikov, S.V.Dashkevich, and others during the 1920s and 1930s. This new martial art system was officially recognized as a legitimate sport in the USSR in 1938. Initially this art was known as "Free style wrestling” and later it was called “Free wrestling". In the year 1964, it was renamed as SAMBO.

Sambo is a combination of many other forms of martial arts from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This art was extensively used by the Soviet army during the World War II. It also involves various street fighting techniques and tactics.

As mentioned above, SAMBO comprises of three components, namely:

1. Sport SAMBO (Olympic sport)
2. Self-defense SAMBO and
3. Combat SAMBO

SPORT SAMBO is similar to Judo. It involves a lot of ground techniques, takedowns and throws. However, the difference between Judo and sport sambo lie in the different set of rules and disciplines pertaining the art.

SELF-DEFENSE SAMBO: This style of sambo can be compared to the Alike-jujutsu Martial Art. This form of sambo targets a whole different crowd of people like the taxi drivers, professionals, bank employees, bodyguards, etc. It teaches various self defense techniques which can be used in daily life as well. Women, in particular learn this art to protect themselves against any sexual assault.

COMBAT SAMBO: Combat Sambo involves techniques from both the above forms of sport sambo and self defense sambo to protect oneself against any unexpected situation. The main purpose of combat sambo is to survive. Generally this category of sambo is adopted by military people, police, marines, detective agencies, etc. It is one of the most comprehensive self-defense and survival systems in the world.

Ultimate Sambo offers training in both Combat & Sport Sambo. This art has various physical and mental benefits like the increased strength and energy, enhanced endurance, improved cardiovascular performance, muscle toning, improved focus and concentration, increases confidence and self esteem, improves tolerance and patience, etc.

In short, SAMBO training helps to prepare an individual both mentally and physically to react to any situation that is threatening without the reliance on weapons as his primary means of defense.