| Here's a different way of looking at the whole | | | | So how do we sort through the BS when |
| what is the deadliest style of martial art debate. | | | | selecting a martial art? Here are some things to |
| Who cares!? | | | | focus on that have less to do with your art and |
| Seriously. I don't buy into the whole debate and | | | | more to do with your ability. |
| here's why. | | | | Attributes Training- This is completely separate |
| If you did a poll of thousands of martial artists | | | | from your martial art style and technique. This will |
| you might get a list like this | | | | include things like speed, agility, toughness, |
| Brazilian Jiu-jutsu and ground fighting | | | | flexibility, endurance, reflexes etc. No matter what |
| Krav Maga and reality based self defense | | | | martial art you study all of these need to be |
| systems | | | | improved. You can either improve them individually |
| Boxing, Muay Thai and cage fighting | | | | or train an art that improves them naturally. For |
| Ninjutsu, Kung Fu, Aikido and other Eastern based | | | | example boxing and cage fighting might help you |
| martial arts | | | | to develop toughness and speed while an art like |
| Modern Hybrid Fighting Styles blending multiple arts | | | | Wing Chun or Aikido can improve your sensitivity |
| Traditional arts like Karate and Tae Kwon Do | | | | and flow. Select a martial art that develops some |
| In fact you can find forum posts all over the net | | | | of these attributes along with technique. |
| from people asking "What is the deadliest style of | | | | Common Sense- Find a balance between open |
| martial art?" Or "What is the best style when | | | | mindedness and common sense. Use your best |
| learning how to street fight?" Then a bunch of | | | | judgment. If your instructor is telling you to do |
| forum users respond with the "best martial art" | | | | some ridiculous fancy technique that seems |
| which is usually some form of cage fighting or | | | | impossible to pull off in a fight, there is a good |
| combat sport. | | | | chance your instincts are right. You might want to |
| There are some great martial arts in this list. | | | | find a new school or martial art. |
| Many masters of these arts can demolish an | | | | Here is the best advice I can give you about |
| attacker without thinking. | | | | selecting a martial art. Decide before hand how |
| Ask yourself though, is it your art or you as the | | | | much time you are willing to train in the art. One |
| martial artist that makes up your fighting ability. | | | | year? Five? Ten? Then make your decision based |
| I would say it's you and not your fighting style. | | | | on that. Some arts take forever to be able to |
| About every martial art out there has turned out | | | | use. While some of these arts can be very |
| some deadly fighters. | | | | effective, not everyone has three hours a day to |
| Of course let's be real here. This is only partially | | | | devote to training. |
| true because there are some fruity martial arts | | | | Then you have the simple fighting styles out |
| out there as well. There are also some fruity | | | | there that can get you combat ready in a hurry. |
| martial artists out there that can help you to get | | | | While no art can make you indestructible in a |
| stomped in a street fight. With the Internet it | | | | month, some styles are better for making a |
| seems like the number of these guys has tripled | | | | fighter quickly. |
| each year. | | | | Make sure that if you are only spending a little |
| There's a huge trap in the martial arts that some | | | | time each day that you choose a simple, |
| will fail to avoid. Putting too much faith in your | | | | functional system that doesn't take ten years to |
| style or technique and not enough in yourself as a | | | | use. |
| fighter. | | | | |