Types of Martial Arts

There are many types of martial arts from which you can choose when you are ready to be the baddest one on the block.

Good Ones vs. Bad Ones

If you talk to a number of martial arts students, you will find that they have one of two opinions – that their martial art practice is the best or that all others are just not as good as theirs. Martial arts can be a bit of a cult, so if you want to find out what the ‘best’ martial art is, you might not want to ask students who are testing to get into the higher ranks. They know their Sensei or Sempai is watching, so they’re going to say their practice is the best, even if it’s not.

In fact, it’s a better idea to talk to students who have already used different kinds of martial arts in the past. They will be able to compare the martial arts they have learned and compare them more effectively than just saying one is good and the other is bad.

Many Martial Arts

Since fighting is something that is inherent in the nature of being a human, it seems that all of the corners of the world have developed some sort of style of martial arts. Over time, these styles might have changed, but they still end with one person winning and another period not winning.

Africa

  • Tahtib (Egyptian Stick Fencing)
  • Kuta (Ancient Egyptian Fist Fighting)
  • Surma stickfighting
  • Dambe
  • Nguni Stick Fighting
  • Obnu Bilate
  • Laamb Wrestling
  • Istunka
  • Nuba fighting
  • Evala wrestling

The Americas

  • Tinku
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
  • Capoeira
  • Luta Livre
  • Maculele
  • Vale Tudo
  • Defendo
  • Wen-Do
  • Okichitaw
  • SPEAR System
  • Lucha Libre
  • Atlatl
  • Rumi Maki
  • Bakom/Vacón
  • American Karate
  • American Kenpo
  • Shootfighting
  • American kickboxing
  • Bojuka
  • Chun Kuk Do
  • Combatives
  • Combat judo
  • Danzan-ryu-
  • Gaidojutsu
  • Kajukenbo
  • Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo
  • Jeet Kune Do
  • Kajukenbo
  • Kapu Kuialua
  • Kyuki Do
  • Limalama
  • Lua
  • Marine Corps LINE Combat System
  • Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
  • Mixed Martial Arts
  • Model Mugging
  • Modern Army Combatives
  • Pit Fighting
  • Sanchin-ryu
  • S.C.A.R.S.
  • SeishinDo Kenpo
  • Shinkendo
  • Sli Beatha
  • Small Circle Jujutsu
  • To-Shin Do
  • Toso Kune Do
  • El Juego del Garrote

China

  • Bokator
  • Kbachkun boraan
  • Kbachkun Dambong-veng
  • Khmer traditional wrestling
  • Pradal Serey

India

  • Gatka
  • Inbuan Wrestling
  • Kalaripaya
  • Central style
  • Northern style
  • Southern style
  • Lathi
  • Malla-yuddha
  • Malyutham
  • Niyuddha-kride
  • Musti yuddha
  • Mukna
  • Sarit Sarak
  • Silambam
  • Kuttu Varisai
  • Varma Kalai
  • Thang-Ta

Indonesia

  • Kuntao
  • Silat
  • Bakti Negara
  • Cimande
  • Tapak Suci
  • Sindo

Japan

  • Sumo
  • Shorinji kempo
  • Nippon Kempo

Korea

  • Choi Kwang-Do
  • Chung Suk Kuhapdo
  • GongKwon Yusul
  • Gwonbeop
  • Gwon-gyokdo
  • Gyongdang
  • Haidong Gumdo
  • Han Mu Do
  • Hankido
  • Hapkido
  • Hoi Jeon Moo Sool
  • Hwa Rang Do
  • Kuk Sool Won
  • Kumdo
  • Kung Jung Mu Sul
  • Muye24gi
  • Shippalgi
  • Ssireum
  • Subak
  • Sul Ki Do
  • Taekkyeon
  • Taekwondo
  • Tang soo do
  • Yusul
  • Muay Lao
  • Silat Melayu
  • Lian padukan
  • Seni Gayung Fatani
  • Silat Cekak
  • Tomoi
  • Mongolian wrestling
  • Bando
  • Banshay
  • Lethwei
  • Naban
  • Karate
  • Kobudo
  • Tegumi
  • Malakhra
  • Pehlwani

Philippines

  • Arnis/Eskrima/Kali
  • Buno
  • Cinco Teros
  • Dumog
  • Espada y Daga
  • Kali Sikaran
  • Kombatan
  • Modern Arnis
  • Pananjakman
  • Panantukan
  • Pangamut
  • Sikaran
  • Tat Kun Tao
  • Yawyan
  • NihontoDo
  • Angampora
  • Cheena di
  • Krabi Krabong
  • Lerdrit
  • Muay Boran
  • Muay Thai
  • Silat Pattani
  • Boabom
  • Kateda
  • Viet Vo Dao
  • Vovinam
  • Tay Son
  • Binh Dinh
  • Qwan Ki Do
  • Cuong Nhu
  • Tu-Thân
  • Vo Thuat
  • Nhat Nam

Haiti, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago

  • Kalinda

Cuba

  • El Juego de Maní

Europe

  • Amateur Wrestling
  • Archery
  • Catch Wrestling
  • Fencing
  • Jousting
  • Freestyle fighting
  • Mixed martial arts
  • Baton Francais
  • Gouren
  • Greco-Roman wrestling
  • Kinomichi
  • La Canne
  • Savate
  • French school of fencing
  • Khridoli
  • German Ju-Jutsu
  • German school of fencing
  • Kampfringen
  • Nindokai
  • Unifight
  • Pygmachia (Ancient Greek Boxing)
  • Pale (Ancient Greek wrestling)
  • Pankration (Ancient Greek Hybrid Combat Sport)
  • Bataireacht
  • Collar-And-Elbow Wrestling
  • Italian school of swordsmanship
  • Roman Wrestling
  • Combat 56
  • Jogo do Pau
  • Sambo
  • Russian fist fighting
  • Khuresh
  • Real Aikido
  • Svebor
  • Canarian Wrestling
  • Destreza
  • Juego del Palo
  • Keysi Fighting Method
  • Yawara-Jitsu
  • Zipota
  • Schwingen
  • Sea jousting
  • Combat Hopak
  • United Kingdom
  • Bare-knuckle boxing
  • Bartitsu
  • Boxing
  • Chess boxing
  • Cornish Wrestling
  • Cumberland wrestling
  • Westmorland wrestling
  • Defendu
  • Devon wrestling
  • Dirk Dance
  • Lancashire wrestling
  • Quarterstaff
  • Scottish Backhold
  • Singlestick
  • Hokutoryu jujutsu
  • Glima
  • Runa Glima
  • Stav

Australia

  • GKR Karate
  • Zen Do Kai

New Zealand

  • Mau Rakau

Near Eastern

  • Koshti
  • Pahlavani
  • Kung Fu To’a
  • Kapap
  • Krav Maga
  • Yagli Gures
  • Jereed
  • Turkish archery
  • Kurash
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