What's the value of grappling?

In the movie, Redbelt, Chiwetel Ejiofor plays a Brazilian Jujitsu instructor who teaches his students how to defend themselves on the street. His mindset in not in the ring, but in the world around him.

So what does grappling have to do with self-defense? Plenty! Most proponents of the ground fighting game will tell you that most fights end up on the ground. Well, that is true, to the point that at the end one is on the ground and one is still standing. But the truth is that an attacker may knock you to the ground and you need to be able to defend yourself there as well.

But grappling is more than ground fighting. Joint locks, pressure points, throws-these all are grappling techniques that are used for self-defense. 9 times out of 10, a self-defense situation will involve grappling at some point. We have discussed earlier that most attacks do not resemble an MMA bout because you don't have two guys squared off like a boxing match. So, the attack will be close and a surprise. Controlling ones opponent is the chief goal in self-defense, once you gain control, you will defeat an enemy and can escape.

No style or system is the absolute "one". You should always learn whatever you can and add to your arsenal so that you can be prepared for any situation.