From ancient techniques to modern combat systems, the world of martial arts offers countless ways to protect yourself! Join us as we explore the most effective fighting disciplines designed for real-world self-defense. Our countdown features everything from brutal military training to graceful traditional arts that have stood the test of time. Which martial art would you choose to master?
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most effective and
00:08historically popular martial arts disciplines that are often learned for self-defense.
00:18Number 20. Pankration. They call them classics for a reason, right? The roots of Pankration run
00:24all the way back to ancient Greece, where this combination of boxing and wrestling was introduced
00:28during the Olympics. And in Greek means all, and kratos is the word meaning power or force or
00:37violence. And so the Pankration was a sport, a sort of all-in brand of fighting. Contests of this sort
00:46were essentially no-holds-barred fights. This meant that other than biting or gouging of the eyes,
00:51almost every combat technique was fair game, whether it was strikes, chokes, or grappling.
00:58The variety of the style helped pave the way for modern MMA. Meanwhile, Pankration matches in
01:11the city of Sparta were known to be even more brutal, since eye-gouging and biting were totally
01:16legal. Number 19. Tai Chi. Today, this historical Chinese martial art is primarily known for its
01:31relaxation and meditation properties. Tai Chi was initially developed with self-defense in mind.
01:36So I'm watching my dad train, and like, finally the laughter just erupts out. And he's looking over
01:41me like, what's so funny? And I go, it just looks really funny, dad. I mean, like, he goes, don't
01:47laugh. This is martial art, which I thought was even funnier. However, some English translations
01:51describe it as the art of shadowboxing. So as you're here, like, whether it's on my biceps. Yeah.
01:56Even if it's like a lapel grabber. Right.
02:00There are also psychological and physiological applications to consider, since everything from
02:05philosophy and medicine to breathing and repetitive choreography come into play. Those who study Tai
02:11Chi are basically welcome to seek out whatever they want from this martial art, adapting its
02:16teachings to everyday life in order to boost their health and wellness. Well, thank you so much. This
02:20was a true pleasure and honor, and I hope all of you enjoyed that. Number 18. Sumo. It's all about
02:26center of gravity when it comes to the Japanese art of sumo. Highly ritualized, this sport dates back more
02:32than a thousand years, originating as a rite of the Shinto religion. The country's national sport is
02:38known for its grappling and wrestling, as two competitors seek to push the other out of an
02:42established ring. The stereotypical size and strength of sumo wrestlers are notable, even to
02:48those unfamiliar with the sport. Each match is an opportunity for sumo wrestlers to move up the
02:53complex ranking system, or down. Meanwhile, video games such as the Street Fighter series helped keep
02:59sumo's cultural profile alive via the character of Edmund Honda. There is also plenty of ritual and
03:05cultural significance behind sumo's importance to Japan, including the traditional rules that follow
03:10those who seek to live this life and learn its ways. Number 17. KC Fighting Method. There are many
03:17forms of martial arts that retain histories dating back hundreds of years. This is what makes the rise of
03:23the KC Fighting Method so intriguing, since it's a comparatively recent style that emerged in Spain in the
03:281980s. It was initially designed for self-defense in close combat and confined spaces, making it suitable for real-life
03:38situations where traditional martial arts may not apply. There's little, if any, connection to philosophy or
03:44traditional competition when it comes to the KC Fighting Method. One of the key principles of KC is to use your
03:50environment to your advantage. Instead, originators Justo Diegath and Andy Norman created it to react to real-world
03:57threats in a manner that feels decisive and final. Cross, elbow, hammer. Hook, elbow, hammer. The notion of
04:04what if is at the heart of this style, basically asking, what if a fight broke out? Would you be able to
04:10defend yourself? The results are an intense close-quarters focused style that's designed to be used against
04:16multiple attackers.
04:21Number 16. Chinese Martial Arts, Kung Fu. We realize that the blanket term of Kung Fu isn't very specific,
04:29but we're using it with a certain focus in mind.
04:34We're referencing the martial arts explosion that occurred back in the 1970s, particularly thanks to the
04:40international success of Bruce Lee. Interest in just about any form of Chinese martial arts grew
04:45rapidly, just as films exploiting this interest began to hit drive-ins and grindhouses in places
04:51like the United States. Kung Fu schools and teachers were now in demand, with many variations being taught
04:56to students, movie stars, and everyday citizens who became interested in centuries of Chinese cultural
05:01history.
05:16Number 15. Wrestling. What do you think of when somebody says the term wrestling? Maybe it's WWE,
05:23high school wrestling, college wrestling, or something else.
05:26If I pull him down, but don't get behind him, this is not a takedown yet. It only becomes a takedown.
05:32Wrestling is essentially an umbrella term for a myriad of sub-styles, from Greco-Roman and
05:38Pahelwani to the Sambo style that's taught in Russia. What they all have in common is grappling.
05:44And we had a nice body drop by the Russian athlete.
05:50Wrestlers are highly experienced in utilizing leverage and strength in order to pin or toss their
05:55opponents. Incapacitation, joint manipulation, and more all exist within a wrestler's arsenal,
06:00and they're all keen ways to dispatch an opponent.
06:04Number 14. Ninjutsu. We wouldn't blame you if you simply assumed that ninjutsu was a made-up
06:10martial art solely for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.
06:13Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
06:15Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Heroes in a half shell. Turtle power.
06:18The reality, however, is a bit more complicated than that.
06:21When it comes to avoiding problems, I say yes. Ninjutsu has a rich philosophical component to the
06:27training that when followed, it'd keep most of the people out of situations where you may need to use
06:32violence. There's been a lot of back-and-forth dialogue when it comes to both its history and
06:36authenticity. Ninjutsu was reportedly utilized by, you guessed it, the ninja, and focused upon stealth,
06:43survival, and assassination techniques. The Bujinkan Martial Arts Organization, based in Japan,
06:48recognizes the validity of ninjutsu today, adapting modern-day techniques and introducing
06:53aspects of ritual and competition.
07:08Number 13. Kickboxing. There's a wonderful international flair to the sport of kickboxing
07:13that helps make it feel unique and varied depending upon the country.
07:17I want to switch my lead. Doesn't change anything. Front kick. Front kick. Front kick.
07:24French savate is definitely its own thing, while traditional kickboxing progressed from its roots
07:29in antiquity into proliferation via Japanese expertise and culture. Today, it is a truly global
07:35industry, featuring tough kickboxers from all over the world. Traditional American boxing remains a
07:40major draw for sports fans, many of whom flock to the sweet science for their martial arts and combat
07:45sports fix. Classic kickboxing has also been featured heavily in the movies, particularly during the action-obsessed
07:52heyday of the 1980s.
08:01Number 12. Tang Soo Do. The next martial art on our list is at once both a hybrid and a symbol of tradition.
08:08Now we do five double punches. Still rotating those hips.
08:14Tang Soo Do originated in Korea, bringing together elements of Chinese karate and kung fu.
08:19It's something of an easily adaptable discipline, with many modern taekwondo styles borrowing heavily
08:25from Tang Soo Do. I would say Tang Soo Do is still the more traditional in the sense that we're still
08:31using the old Chinese forms. Action legend Chuck Norris took elements of Tang Soo Do for his own system
08:37of martial arts, lessons he learned while serving during the Korean War. Additionally, the Netflix
08:43series Cobra Kai utilizes many tenets of Tang Soo Do within the martial arts fight choreography of its star,
08:48William Zabka.
08:49Number 11. Penchak Silat. The term Penchak Silat is yet another overarching catch-all for a wide variety
08:59of martial arts originating from Indonesia. A basic overview of Penchak Silat is that of a total body
09:11defense. Strikes, throws, joint locks and more are utilized, as well as pressure points located all around
09:17the body. Weapons training is also common, though not universal. This also comes down to the literal
09:24hundreds of deviating Penchak Silat disciplines, all with varying preferred methods of teaching.
09:29Self-defense is obviously at the core of Penchak Silat, but competition is also a part of its culture,
09:35with the International Penchak Silat Federation overseeing its numerous organizations across Indonesia.
09:40Number 10. Arnis, aka Kali. Self-preservation is key to the origins of this Filipino martial
09:54art style, which is also known as Kali or Eskrima. It's an indigenous Filipino martial art and sport
10:00characterized by the use of swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting,
10:05and firing techniques for defense and offense. Regardless of the term you use, they each basically
10:10refer to the usage of some manner of weapon for self-defense, with the emphasis being on techniques
10:15with blades, knives, or sticks. One, two. One, two. Kali also happens to be the national sport and
10:27self-defense discipline of the Philippines. As such, Arnis brings with it a rich heritage of self-preservation
10:33techniques, which also includes grappling, joint locks, and hand-to-hand combat, oftentimes with
10:38improvised weapons.
10:44Number 9. Judo. The term judo translates to gentle way in Japanese, and is a form of martial arts that
10:51emphasizes tosses and throws, and which are utilized in order to subdue or otherwise immobilize an
10:57opponent. I knew I was in over my head, but nonetheless, I was determined. Oftentimes, judo
11:03involves using an opponent's own center of balance against them, forcing a takedown or choke without
11:08the use of traditional fists or palm strikes. So now I step across, and then I bring this arm through.
11:15These latter elements, while a part of choreographed judo training and are also known as a kata, are not
11:21allowed in competitive judo matches because of the discipline's primary focus of earning an opponent's
11:26submission. Number 8. Hapkido. This Korean martial art incorporates a wide variety of elements as well
11:33as techniques from other martial arts into its discipline, a sort of best-of approach to self-defense.
11:45Hapkido takes from both the grappling and striking ends of the martial arts spectrum,
11:49while placing particular emphasis on leverage, distance, and positioning to properly redirect
11:54the force of a potential opponent. Performing strikes and kicks in a circular motion is also
11:59indicative of the Hapkido discipline. The name itself can literally be translated to the joining energy way,
12:10lending further credence to Hapkido's notion of the coordinated and harmonious flow of energy.
12:15Number 7. Aikido. The name of this Japanese martial art translates to way of combining forces or way of
12:23unifying energy. Hands up and slide body forward, turn the hips, step in, and out. Aikido focuses on
12:32controlling energy and applying the principle of universal harmony by prioritizing the safety of
12:37both the defender and attacker whenever possible. The Aikido philosophy stresses the shifting of balance
12:42and using an opponent's momentum against them before subduing attackers via a joint lock or throw.
12:48Famous practitioners of Aikido include action star Steven Seagal, who has utilized aspects of the
12:53discipline in many of his films. Although Seagal's methods tend to be fairly liberal with that whole
12:58well-being of your attacker idea. Number 6. Jeet Kune Do. The origins of this discipline stem from
13:18arguably the most famous martial artist of all time, the immortal Bruce Lee.
13:22Jeet Kune Do is based on Lee's philosophy of martial arts or fighting without fighting,
13:31which was influenced by the Wing Chun idea of anticipating the attacks of and then attacking an opponent.
13:42Lee's Jeet Kune Do demanded graceful fluid body movements, never wasting energy yet achieving
13:48maximum results. Oh, and speaking of results, one need only bear witness to the influx of martial arts
13:54cinema in the 1970s to see just how impactful Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do have been to the martial arts
14:00in popular culture. Number 5. Kyokushin. The karate craze that swept America in the 1980s,
14:09thanks to films like 1984's The Karate Kid, traces its martial arts roots back to this Japanese
14:15forebear, which was instituted in 1964 by Korean-Japanese master Masutatsu Oyama. Kyokushin
14:21was the first full-contact discipline of karate, stressing hard work and dedication in an ever-growing
14:27search for self-improvement and enlightenment. Indeed, the term Kyokushin itself can be translated as
14:40the ultimate truth, a notion that combines both physical fitness and mental acumen into one
14:45challenging but rewarding physical lifestyle. Turns out it's way harder than i thought to not
14:50punch the face but still protect your head. Number 4. Wing Chun. Distance be damned. For this martial
14:58art is a self-defense technique that minimizes distance in favor of intimate close quarters combat.
15:03Wing Chun emphasizes a relaxed body structure, a reed in the wind if you will, proper balance,
15:16and the elimination of wasted energy and tension. The discipline's origins date back all the way to
15:21the era of China's Qing dynasty and the southern Shaolin monastery. David does the right hook
15:26simultaneously, Shawn goes in with that right thrusting punch. Its focus on minimal movement for maximum effort
15:33would be adopted later by Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do philosophy and after he learned it from Sifu Yip Man,
15:38who was portrayed by martial arts star Donnie Yen in 2008's Ip Man.
15:49Number 3. Muay Thai. This Thai discipline is one of the most visceral and physical martial arts in the
15:54world, a form of self-defense and a combat sport that stresses the use of the entire body as a weapon.
16:00Muay Thai, also known as the art of eight limbs, is notable for its intense training of the body's
16:10shins and forearms, which are designed to serve as armor protection against blows.
16:23Meanwhile, strong kicks and the knees are utilized to disable an opponent,
16:27before strikes and grappling skills take the attacker down for the count.
16:37Number 2. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Size isn't everything when it comes to this martial art,
16:42as this Brazilian offshoot of traditional Japanese judo seems to follow the old adage,
16:46the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
16:48Gracie Jiu Jitsu is our family's self-defense system that has been used to defeat giants
16:53for the last 85 years. Indeed, leverage and proper technique are key when utilizing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,
16:59with the ultimate goal of submission being linked primarily to grounded joint locks and chokeholds
17:04designed to incapacitate an opponent. So if being tall and aggressive is the wrong strategy from a
17:10control perspective, then what's the right strategy? Immobilize, control and exhaust the subject.
17:16The origins of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be directly traced back to brothers Carlos and Elio Gracie,
17:21whose extended family descendants continue to teach, practice and compete within the discipline to this
17:26day. It didn't start to, my man. It starts here.
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17:45Number 1. Krav Maga
17:47Hungarian-Israeli martial artist Emi Lichtenfeld developed the intense and effective
17:52self-defense style known as Krav Maga for Israel's military in the 1940s.
17:56Krav Maga is about saving your own life.
17:58You can use it to disarm someone attacking with a knife or gun.
18:02Foregoing any ritual or pomp in favor of realistic reactionary movements,
18:06the system was designed to be utilized in real-life situations.
18:10Boxing, wrestling, judo and aikido are a big part of Krav Maga,
18:14a martial arts style designed to counteract and nullify a lethal threat with brutal force.
18:19And the main punch, when someone comes at you with this big swinging overhand punch,
18:24I guess the instructors see that as being one of the more common attacks that you would face
18:29in a street scenario.
18:31Krav Maga students are encouraged to avoid conflict whenever possible,
18:34but to efficiently eliminate any threat with swift action to the most vulnerable parts of the body,
18:39including the eyes, throat and groin.
18:45Have you studied any martial arts? Or perhaps there's one you'd like to try?
18:50Let us know in the comments.
18:51Did you enjoy this video?
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