Is Systema the same as SAMBO?
No, Systema and SAMBO are both Russian fighting styles, but the two differ considerably. Systema was developed from fighting styles from various Russian ethnic groups and eventually evolved into a style of instinctive/reflexive fighting. In comparison, SAMBO (SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya) was developed from the many folk styles of wrestling that existed in the fifteen republics of the former Soviet Union. SAMBO is very technique specific, prescribing set attacks and counters for various fighting situations. Although both systems are in use with the Russian military, fundamentally and philosophically, Systema and SAMBO are at different ends of the fighting spectrum.
