Great point

Aikido uses wrist locks to obtain the control over the shoulder structure, in case when direct ikkyo is not possible or has failed for some reason. That is an intermediate step that should be normally avoided.

Self defense aside, I would add that even partially successful wrist locks tend to have a deterrent effect. Once you get one you’ll find that your opponents grip fighting gets a lot more tentative.

My thoughts on why you don’t see it in sports martial arts, its because there is no intention to do it, the focus is on gross motor movements and being reactive to opportunity. That opportunity is rare and because of that specific training to pull it off is at a cost of opportunity on the training you could have done on a skill you need a lot, like a sprawl or double leg. So unless you have a TMA background like Aikido its unlikely you will see it and if its just training you might be concerned in not breaking your training partner as they may not react in a way that prevents injury due to unfamiliarity.

Wrist locks can work, but as you said they are very low percentage and defending against them is easily done. You would see a lot of wrist lock finishes in black belt BJJ tournaments if they were highly effective since they are legal. But you don't. What you do see is rear naked choke being the most dominant, and that's because it is as of right now the most effective way to disable an opponent. Also a note: a lot of people will fight through the pain of a damaged wrist/arm/shoulder but nobody can withstand losing blood flow to the brain.

Wrist locks do work very well but not as well as finger locks and breaks they work even better :)

good video. By now we shouldn't be talking about "Aikido wrist locks" or Judo throws" just what the technique (or underlying principle is) and how and when it might be used appropriately. Defining the effectiveness of a biomechanical process merely by the art its mainly associated with shows a complete lack of understanding but is common when you see broad critiques of the various arts.

We don't see wrist locks in MMA because small-joint locks aren't permitted. As a moneymaking sport, it's not good to break your champion fighter's wrist or cause other permanent damage.

1. Why don’t we see (standing ?) wrist locks in fighting sports often like MMA A. Because unless it’s Judo or Wrestling people rarely grab but rather strike one another. B. Because they’re Illegal !….WHY you ask! BECAUSE THEY’RE DANGEROUS! Why? C. Because just like an “Armbar” or “leglock” if done correctly or with enough force they become: leg/arm/ wrist BREAKS!!! D. Usually when we see these performed they are taken by people that know how to receive the technique (ukemi) Ugh 2. Now are they practical against a knife A No A gun? Depends C we All know that it isn’t always necessarily the art someone trains I. But HOW and how often repeat a technique a few thousand times and one becomes proficient with it