Grappling, like rocket tag, depends on who gets hit first: It's hard to get out of a grapple and once you're in you're pretty much done for. Unless you specked for character to counter grapplers most don't have much to do to defend themselves. You could block or parry a sword swing, but it's harder to dodge out of an arm bar. Hence why Malakaus unarmed skilled is with wrestling, to counter or at least be able to put up a fight in grapples while giving him an unarmed option.