Martial arts have been around for many centuries, with each culture adding its own flair to the martial art.
There are hundreds of different types of martial arts and it can get very confusing when trying to figure out which one is right for you.
That's why we created a list of Martial Arts that will help you find the best fit!
This list includes popular martial arts such as Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Judo and more.
This list also provides basic information about the style so you can quickly see if you want to learn more.
So dive in to learn about every Martial Art there is.
Shotokan
A style of Karate that uses strikes.
Ju Jitsu
The Japanese martial art style of Jujutsu focuses on grips, holds, and throws. By redirecting or manipulating the energy of an attack, you can defeat the attacker.
Bajutsu
Bajautsu is a Japanese military equestrian martial art.
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a martial arts style first created by the late martial artist and movie star, Bruce Lee.
Kyusho Jitsu
A martial arts focused on targeting pressure points.
Kuntao
Kuntao is a South East Asian martial arts that uses a combination of hand strikes, kicks, grappling and weapons.
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP)
The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program teaches unarmed combat, knife training, bayonet techniques, etc.
Kokondo
Kokondo is a style that combines techniques from Karate and Jujutsu. This style is often used in self-defense.
Chun Kuk Do
Chun Kuk Do is a hybrid American Korean martial arts created by Chuck Norris. And if you have been hiding under a Martial Arts rock for decades, Chuck Norris is movie star and Martial Arts expert.
Kenjutsu
Kenjutsu is a martial arts style originally focused on teaching sword techniques. Kenjutsu is less focused on sparring, and more focusing on ways to wield swords, often as a means of education.
Bokator
Bokator is an ancient Cambodian martial arts that includes grappling, strikes and weapons training. Oral tradition indicates that bokator, a close-quarter combat system, was used by the ancient Cambodian armies before Angkor was founded. Bokator is not to be confused with other martial arts native to Cambodia.
Niten Ichi-Ryu
Niten Ichi-Ryu is a two sword martial arts style created by the famous Japanese samurai, Miyamoto Musashi.
Vale Tudo
Vale Tudo is a Brazilian martial arts system that is similar to Mixed Martial Arts but with even fewer rules. The limited number of rules can result in more injuries during Vale Tudo contests.
It originates in Brazil where Martial Art styles have often challenged each other in these brutal contests.
Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin Kung Fu is a well known style of Kung Fu. This martial arts was developed by the monks at the Shaolin Temple in China. Over the years it has been a popular base art for film storylines and TV shows.
Indeed many Shaolin monks have gone onto star in 'world' tours to show their incredible feats of skill.
Glima
Glima is a Scandinavian wrestling-based martial arts that was created by the Vikings. Although not much is known of this style, historians are able to understand its background, origins and even techniques due to archaeological finds.
Butthan
Butthan is a Bangladeshi martial art that includes mediation, self-defense and weapons.
Wing Chun
Wing Chun is a Chinese martial arts style focused on strikes, grappling and weapons training.
Wing Chun was founded by a female named Yim Wing Chun around the reign of Emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820).
Panantukan
In Filipino martial arts, panantukan is the boxing component. The Panantukan system, however, is not a sport, but instead, a system of fighting for the streets. Suntukan, Pangamot, Pakamot, and Mano-Mano are also the names of this martial art.
Shorinji Kempo
A form of martial arts that combines personal growth, health and spirituality with the practice of self-defense techniques such as punches, kicks, escapes, throws, etc. Established in 1947, this Kung Fu style is regarded as a modified Japanese version of the traditional Shaolin form of Kung Fu.
Enshin Kaikan
The Enshin Kaikan is a Japanese martial art that incorporates the Sabaki method (which is aimed at channeling an opponent's power against them). There are a lot of kicks, punches, sweeps, throws, etc. involved in this martial art.
Praying Mantis Kung Fu
There are many techniques used in Praying Mantis Kung Fu, some of which are redirection, joint manipulation, pressure point attack, and trapping.
Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a martial arts style focused on powerful kicks and punches. It rose to popularity in the 80's thanks to the famous Kickboxer movies starring Jean Claude Van Damme
Wushu
Wushu is the modern-day sports version of Kung Fu. Wushu is know for its incredible acrobatic displays and has been made popular by Jet Li who is a movie star that has trained in the Wushu systems.
It is not uncommon to find huge Wushu schools in China.
Kyudo
Kyudo is a Japanese martial arts style focused on archery.
Bajiquan
The Bajiquan style is a Chinese martial art that is popular for its use of elbow strikes and explosive power.
Coreeda
It is an Australian aboriginal form of martial arts with a strong focus on wrestling.
Bajiquan
There are many Chinese martial arts styles, but Bajiquan is famous for its explosive power, elbow strikes, and fluid movement.
Hung Ga
A southern Chinese martial art, Hung Ga (or Hung Gar) combines 5 animal styles, including the Dragon, the Leopard, the Snake and the Tiger (Crane, Dragon, Leopard, Snake, Tiger).
Kobudo
A form of Japanese (Okinawan) martial arts that emphasizes weapons training. Among the weapons used in this fight are the bo staff, the sai, the tonfa, and the nunchaku.
Hwa Rang Do
It is a Korean martial arts based on both sparring and self-defense, as well as training with weapons as a part of its techniques.
Lethwei
Lethwei is a Myanmar (Burma) martial arts that is similar to Muay Thai and Kickboxing. However, Lethwei has less restrictions as this martial arts allows techniques such as headbutts.
Catch Wrestling
Catch Wrestling is a grappling martial arts created in the late 1800s that combines techniques from wrestling, Judo, Jujutsu and other grappling martial arts.
Lerdrit
Lerdrit is a military martial arts used by the Royal Thai Army.
Shuai Jiao
A Chinese martial arts focused mainly on wrestling and grappling techniques.
Silat
As a type of Southeast Asian martial art, the style of Silat focuses on striking (using elbows and knees), throwing, takedowns, and weapons training.
Silat is a popular martial art because of its fast techniques for self-defence as well as its long history
Silambam
Silambam is an Indian martial arts focused primarily on staff fighting.
Kendo
The Japanese martial art form called Kendo emphasizes the use of swords (such as the Bokken and Katana).
KAPAP
KAPAP means face-to-face combat in Hebrew. Despite not being as well known as Krav Maga, this Israeli martial arts system is used by a number of Israel's elite military units.
Sumo
Sumo is a Japanese martial arts focused on wrestling.
Tai Chi
Many senior citizens use the slow movements of Tai Chi to improve their fitness and balance, reduce stress, and help them feel better overall. In this way, Tai Chi is viewed as a "gentle" martial art.
Juttejutsu
Juttejutsu is a Japanese martial arts that focuses on the martial arts weapon known as the Jutte (Jitte).
Huyen Langlon
Huyen Langlon is a martial arts from northeastern India.
Dambe
Dambe is an African martial arts focused primarily on boxing but it also uses kicking techniques.
Itto-Ryu
A Japanese martial arts focused on the sword. There are many sub-styles of Itto-Ryu and this martial arts had significant influence on the development of modern Kendo.
Defendu
This British martial art was created by William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes. In World War II, Allied soldiers and Office of Strategic Services agents were taught this system. It led later to the development of self-defence systems called 'combatives'.
Mau Rakau
Mau Rakau is a weapons-based martial arts developed by the Maori of New Zealand.
Military Martial Arts
Martial arts used by and/or developed for the military are known as military martial arts. As opposed to sport-based martial arts, which ban certain techniques in order to prevent injuries, they are designed for real-life combat situations.
Singlestick
This ancient English martial arts uses a wooden rod to practice techniques that were originally designed to teach cutlass fighting to sailors.
Icho-Ryu
Icho-Ryu is a fusion of martial arts such as Aikido, Goju Ryu Karate, Jujutsu, Judo and Aikijujutsu. It was created to meet the needs of law enforcement officers.
Kyokushin
The karate method called Kyokushin was created in the early 1960s by Masutatsu Oyama.
The Kyokushinkai organization represents these styles and sets the standards for safety gear to be seen during competitions. Kyokushin is an international style of Karate, which means "the way of the open hand."
Bujutsu
Bujutsu is the Japanese martial arts of the Samurai.
Canne de Combat
Canne de Combat is a French martial arts that focuses on a sports version of cane fighting.
Muay Boran
Muay Boran is a Thai martial arts. Modern Muay Thai evolved from this martial arts style.
Hanbojutsu
Hanbojutsu is a martial arts that utilizes the Hanbo (a 3 foot wooden staff).
Capoeira
Capoeira is a very fluid and acrobatic martial arts style from Brazil.
Nunchaku Do
The art of Nunchaku Do focuses on the use of Nunchaku (Nunchucks) for sport purposes. They are an illegal weapon in most countries.
Their original use was in farming as rice flails.
Taekkyeon
The Taekkyeon style of martial arts focuses mainly on kicks, side sweeps, trips, pushes, and other similar moves.
Yaw Yan
Yaw Yan is a Philippine kickboxing martial art. Additionally, grappling techniques are used to defend against weapons.
Sikaran
In Philippines Martial Arts, Sikaran is almost exclusively focused on kicking.
Linh Quyen Dao
It is a form of Vietnamese martial arts.
Hojojutsu
The technique of hojojutsu is based on ropes that are used to restrain or disable attackers.
Kino Mutai
Known as Kina Mutai (Kino Mutai), this Philippine martial art uses unconventional tactics such as biting and eye-gouging to combat the enemy.
Kuk Sool Won
Kuk Sool Won is a form of Korean martial art focused on strikes, kicks, grappling, joint locks, weapons training and techniques for healing.
HEMA
Historically European Martial Arts - HEMA are mostly sword-based martial arts that use techniques developed in Europe between the 1300s and 1800s.
Ninjutsu
Originally, ninjutsu derived from the martial arts practiced by spies and assassins of ancient Japan, the ninjas (Japanese spies). Ninjutsu gained fame throughout the 80’s thanks to a number of high profile movies.
Kyuk Too Ki
This art is another name for the Korean version of kickboxing.
Hung Ga
Hung Gar is also known as Hung Ga and is a Chinese martial art with an emphasis on kicking and hand techniques.
Lathi Khela
The Lathi Khela is a form of martial arts that combines stick-fighting with a form of wrestling.
Jukendo
Jukendo is a Japanese martial arts focused on the bayonet.
Bando
A martial art style called Bando originates in Myanmar (formerly Burma), a country located in Southeast Asia.
Schwingen
Schwingen is a Swiss martial arts focused on grappling.
Sojutsu
Sojutsu is a Japanese martial arts focused on spear fighting.
Combat Hopak
Combat Hopak (or Boyovyy Hopak) is an Ukrainian martial arts supposedly derived from Cossack military traditions.
Pankration
This Greek martial arts style combines grappling, kicking techniques and boxing. It was part of the first Olympics in 648 BC.
Shuri-Ryu
Shuri-Ryu is a martial arts that combines elements of Karate and Kung Fu.
Nam Hong Son
Nam Hong Son is a Vietnamese martial arts.
Cuong Nhu
Cuong Nhu is a Vietnamese-American hybrid martial arts that combines elements from Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Judo, Wing Chun, Vovinam, Tai Chi and Boxing.
Special Combat Aggressive Reactionary System (SCARS)
This martial arts program was taught to US Navy Seals in the 1980s and 1990s.
Pencak Silat
Pencak Silat is the name used to refer to a variety of Indonesian martial arts.
Bartitsu
Bartitsu, an English martial art which combines boxing, cane fighting, and jujutsu, amongst other elements, combines lots of things. It is thought that the revival of this martial art is due to the rise in popularity of Sherlock Holmes (a fictional master of Bartitsu).
Judo
In its original form, Judo is a Japanese martial arts style that emphasizes grappling and joint locks. Today it is an Olympic sport that has undergone a number of rule changes to make the sport more dramatic and exciting to watch.
There are no lower body submissions like leglocks in Judo and indeed not leg grabs allowed.
It is one of the most practised sports in the world today.
Fencing
Fencing is a sport that focuses on the use of the sword. Its history is well documented as it was a dominant fighting style used across the globe before the invention of the firearm.
Bagua Zhang
The “Eight Trigram Palm” style is one of the 3 best known Wudang styles. Best known for its “circle walking”.
Shintaido
Shintaido is a martial arts that combines Karate, Kenjutsu and Bojutsu with spiritual and mediation elements.
Ssireum
Ssireum is a Korean martial arts focused on wrestling.
Siljun Dobup
Siljun Dobup is a sword-based martial arts based on Japanese and Korean traditions.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a martial arts style originating in Israel that focuses on the rules of wining combat in "real life" situations. It was developed for Isreali soldiers and has since been adapted for civilians.
The art has many techniques but will often use blocks and strikes at the same time. Students are known to become very proficient in self-defence in a short amount of time when training in Krav Maga
Qwan Ki Do
Qwan Ki Do (Quan Khi Do) is a Vietnamese martial arts founded by Pham Xuan Tong in the 1960s.
Iaijutsu
Iaijutsu is the combat version of Iaido.
Soo Bahk Do
Soo Bahk Do is a Korean martial arts that grew out of Tang Soo Do.
Hapkido
Hapkido is a Korean martial arts style focused on punches, kicks, throws and joint locks.
Kung Fu To’a
Kung Fu To’a is an Iranian martial arts style that combines Kung Fu and Yoga.
Niyuddha
Niyuddha is an ancient Indian martial arts focused on kicking, punching and throwing.
Yamanni-Ryu
Yamanni-Ryu is a martial arts style that focuses on training with Okinawan weapons (Kobudo).
American Kenpo
American Kenpo is a hybrid martial arts style. It is also known as Kenpo Karate.
Sanshou (or Sanda)
Sanshou is a martial arts style developed for the Chinese military. It is focused on combat training and combines elements of kung fu, grappling and self-defense techniques.
Vovinam
Vovinam is a Vietnamese martial arts style.
Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu
Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu is a traditional Japanese martial arts focused on unarmed combat, throws, strikes to vital areas, joint locks, etc.
Shin Kicking
Shin Kicking is an English martial arts or combat sports where the contestants kick each other in the shins until one withdraws from the contest. It is seen more at local festivals now than practised as a Martial Art
Won Hwa Do
Won Hwa Do (or WonHwaDo) is a Korean martial arts known for its circular techniques.
Sibpalki
Sibpalki is a Korean martial arts that teaches close combat skills that were utilized in the late 1700s.
Byakuren Kaikan
Byakuren Kaikan is a Japanese martial arts focused on full contact sparring. This style originated out of Shorinji Kempo.
LimaLama
A martial arts from Samoa.
Shooto
It was developed by Satoru Sayama and is based on Japanese martial arts techniques that have elements of mixed martial arts.
It is more of an organisation than a Martial Art as such, but any fighter that has been involved in Shooto can certainly handle themselves.
Bojuka
The Bojuka method of self-defense consists of grappling and striking at vital places on the body of an opponent. Developed by Tom Schrenk the system draws upon techniques used by criminals. It took over 25 uyears to develiop and contains both empty hand and knife techniques.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a Brazilian martial arts style focused on ground fighting. Its origins come from Judo, where a Japanese immigrant taught a Brazilian Judo. However over the years these techniques were adapted by Helio Gracie and he created the more modern version. The BJJ Ranking system can take 10 years to go from white to black belt.
These techniques use leverage to overcome stronger opponents.
Jojutsu
Jojutsu (or Jodo), also known as Japanese martial arts is an art focusing on the short staff (Jo).
Shootfighting
Similar to mixed martial arts, shootfighting is a combat sport. Techniques from Muay Thai Kickboxing and total body submission grappling are emphasized.
Its origins are mainly Japanese, but it does also have a great deal of heritage from the ancient Greek art of Pankration.
Shootfighting is arguably the Godfather of MMA and its various organisations have produced fighters such as Ken Shamrock and his brother Frank.
Although some rules differ, often fighters cannot strike each other in the face with a closed fist.
Tahtib
It is an Egyptian martial art centered around stick fighting. Students generally train with a 4 foot wooden stick.
To-Shin Do
A “modernized” version of Ninjutsu.
Keysi
The Keysi fighting system was first developed by Justo Dieguez and Andy Norman and grew to large scale fame thanks to ots appearance in many action films, including the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy.
The art is based on savage street self-defence tactics that were originally developed as the founder Justo had to fight as a child in the Spanish mines, often fighting large groups of men. The techniques involve the use of short range elbows and limb destructions.
Defence Lab
Defence Lab is the name of the organisation created by former Keysi founder Andy Norman. After a disagreement over the future of Keysi, Andy formed his own organisation, Defence Lab.
This organisation has grown to multiple schools over the world and teaches a varied syllabus, including self-defence, sports combat, and also a modernised version of Krav Maga.
It features and draws upon techniques from Keysi, JKD and boxing to provide a street self-defence syllabus that has been adapted into several police training syllabuses world wide.
Eddie Quinns The Approach
The Approach system is a method of striking created by self-defence expert Eddie Quinn. It focuses on the use of powerful and gfast hammer strikes and can be learned in hours.
The powerful strikes are one of the fastest ways to enable someone with little or no skill to become able to defend themselves in a short period of time.
Ghost
Developed by world famous Martial Arts coach, Phil Norman. Ghost is a method of striking, offense and defence that can be used by boxers and MMA fighters to land strikes, without getting hit themselves.
Pressure tested in both MMA and boxing matches, the system has been shown to help martial artist to hit an opponent with ease.
Boxing
Boxing is a sport that evolved out of bare knuckle boxing. This activity was used for entertainment purposes and then eventually gambling. It later progressed into a gloved sport for the fighters safety and today is a multi billion dollar business.
Boxers are known for their incredible fitness, and knowing how to punch hard , head movement and footwork.
Taido
It, Taido, consists of a combination of various elements of Japanese martial arts, such as karate and the use of gymnastic movements.
Small Circle Jujitsu
The martial art of Small Circle Jujitsu originated in the United States. Using modified techniques from martial arts such as Jujutsu, Judo, and others, it is a hybrid grappling system.
Nhat Nam
The art of Nhat Nam is a form of martial arts that originates from Vietnam.
Kumdo
Kumdo is a Korean martial art with sword techniques similar to Kendo.
Kinomichi
Kinomichi is a martial arts style that originated in France and was developed by one of the students of the founder of Aikido.
Fu Jow Pai
Fu Jow Pai is a Chinese martial famous for its “Tiger Claw” style.
Bataireacht (Irish Stick Fighting)
Bataireacht is the martial arts better known as Irish stick fighting.
Bokh (Mongolian Wrestling)
Bokh is a traditional wrestling martial arts that was practiced by Mongol warriors. It is better known today as Mongolian Wrestling.
Leopard Kung Fu (Bao Quan)
Leopard Kung Fu is a Chinese martial arts that focuses on aggressive speed and agility to defeat an opponent.
Eskrima, Arnis & Kali
Eskrima is a martial arts style from the Philippines focused on the use of stick and blade weapons (i.e. Yantok). This martial arts is also known as Arnis and Kali.
Karate
Karate is a Japanese martial arts style focused on punches, hand/elbow strikes, knee strikes and kicks. Major Karate styles include the following:
Yabusame
Yabusame is a Japanese martial arts focused on archery while mounted on horseback.
Wrestling
Wrestling, is an ancient martial arts style of fighting. It focuses on grappling, throws and “pinning” your opponent. Today it is also an Olympic sport. Wrestling is one of the main styles used in MMA.
Shindo Jinen Ryu
Shindo Jinen Ryu is a martial arts that combines elements of Karate, Aikido & Jujutsu.
Taiho Jutsu
Taiho Jutsu is a Japanese martial arts that was originally designed to help feudal police arrest armed criminals.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial arts style focused primarily on punches, blocks, strikes and kicks.
Kung Fu
Kung Fu is a Chinese martial arts style focused on hand/arm strikes, kicks and even weapons training. Made famous by numerous films, there is an abundance of kung fu styles.
Quarterstaff
The British martial arts that uses a 6-9 foot wooden staff.
Laamb
Laamb is a Senegalese martial arts that combines wrestling and punches.
Varma Kalai
Varma Kalai is an Indian martial arts focused on pressure points. They claim that is also used for healing applications.
Dumog
Dumog is a Philippine martial arts focused on wrestling. It is often now trained by JKD enthusiasts.
Xtreme Martial Arts
Xtreme Martial Arts (XMA) combines gymnastics with martial arts techniques in order to create acrobatic martial arts “tricks”.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a martial arts style from Thailand. It focuses on elbows, knees and shin kicks and is also an exciting sport to watch.
Pradal Serey
Pradal Serey is a Cambodian martial arts similar to Muay Thai and Kickboxing. Pradal Serey is well known for its use of elbow strikes in order to win a fight.
Naginatajutsu
Naginatajutsu is a Japanese martial arts style focused on the long pole weapon known as the Naginata.
Jailhouse Rock
Jailhouse Rock (JHR) is a martial arts system that was developed in the US prison system.
Monkey Kung Fu (Hou Quan)
Monkey Kung Fu is an unorthodox and acrobatic style used to disorient and attack opponents from unusual angles and positions.
Choy Li Fut
Choy Li Fut (or Cai Li Fo) is a substyle of Kung Fu that combines long and short-range techniques.
Angampora
Angampora is a Sri Lankan martial arts that focuses on unarmed combat, grappling, weapons and pressure points.
Spochan
Spochan is a martial arts that uses “air soft” weapons to practice various sword & stick-based fighting techniques.
Shaolin Kempo Karate
Shaolin Kempo Karate is a hybrid martial arts that combines techniques from Shaolin Kung Fu, Karate and Asian wrestling.
Gungsol
Gungsol or Gungdo is a Korean martial arts focused on archery.
Keijojutsu
Keijojutsu is a Japanese martial arts focused on police stick fighting (batons).
Gatka
Gatka is an Indian martial arts focused on weapons, especially swords.
Nippon Kempo
Nippon Kempo is a Japanese martial arts that uses punches, kicks, joint locks and grappling techniques.
Krabi-Krabong
Krabi-Krabong is a weapon-based martial arts from Thailand.
Haidong Gumdo
Haidong Gumdo is a Korean martial arts focused on sword techniques. It contains elements similar to Kenjutsu and Iaido.
Gongkwon Yusul
Gongkwon Yusul is a Korean hybrid martial arts that includes elements from Hapkido, Jujutsu, Judo and Boxing.
Thien Mon Dao
Thien Mon Dao is a Vietnamese martial arts.
Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial arts style from India.
Zui Quan
Zui Quan is better known as the “Drunken Fist” style.
Aikido
Aikido is a Japanese martial arts style focused on redirecting the attack away from you. Aikido concentrates on throwing, joint locks, traditional Japanese weapons, etc.
Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts isn't some much a style, more of a sport. It was created (its modern version) in the 1990's when the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championship was born.
Fighters generally train in Kickboxing, wrestling, BJJ and other Martial arts. However there have been new MMA schools that focus on the actual MMA sport emerge over the years.
Tessenjutsu
Tessenjutsu is a Japanese martial arts based on the use of Tessen (war fans).
Budokon
Budokon is a hybrid system that combines martial arts training with Yoga.
US Army’s Modern Army Combatives Program
This is the martial arts program taught by the U.S. Army.
Aikijujitsu
Aikijujitsu is a sub-genre of Jujutsu. In contrast to Jujutsu, Aikijujitsu focuses more heavily on blending with the opponent, moving joint-locks, and other esoteric principles.
Combat Hapkido
Combat Hapkido is seen as a spin-off of traditional Hapkido. It has a much greater focus on self-defense and grappling than traditional Hapkido.
Okichitaw
Okichitaw is a hybrid martial arts that combines the traditional fighting techniques used by the Cree Indians (Native Americans) with techniques from martial arts such as Taekwondo and Judo.
Bakom
Bakom (also known as Vacon) is a Peruvian martial arts that combines Jujutsu with street fighting techniques. It was created our of the need to learn how to survive in the slums of Peru.
Pehlwani
Pehlwani is an Indian martial arts focused on wrestling & grappling techniques.
Bojutsu
Bojutsu is a weapon-based martial arts focused on the long staff (Bo).
Daido Juku Kudo
Daido Juku Kudo is a Japanese martial arts that practices mixed martial arts techniques while wearing a traditional gi.
Yoseikan Budo
Yoseikan Budo is a Japanese martial arts system that combines a number of different martial arts including Aikido, Jujutsu, Judo, Karate, Kobudo and Boxing.
Danzan Ryu
An American hybrid form of Jujutsu. It is also known as Kodenkan.
Araki Ryu
Araki Ryu is a Japanese martial arts focused on traditional Japanese weapons such as the sword, spear, staff, etc.
Malla Yuddha
Malla Yuddha is an Indian and Southeast Asian martial arts focused on combat wrestling.
Kajukenbo
The martial art of Kanjukenbo was developed in Hawaii. and is a combination of many different martial arts, such as Judo, Karate, and Eskrima, to name a few. This self-defense system was designed so that it can be used effectively in real personal defense situations and street fights.
Zui Quan
A style of Kung Fu known as Zui Quan is better known as "Drunken Fist.".
Not a great deal is known about the origins of the art, however the movements are designed to make people appear as if they are drunk. It is linked to a story of the 8 drunken immortals and over time, this styel has appeared in numerous martial arts films.
Lua or Kapu Kuialua
This is a traditional Hawaiian martial art that concentrates on bone breaking, boxing, wrestling and using weapons.
Introduced to the Island of Hawai by colonists, the art is extremely brutal and comprises of the full range of combat, including battlefield strategy.
Luta Livre
Known in Portuguese as "Free Fighting", Luta Livre is a grappling martial art originating in Brazil. It is basically a no gi version of BJJ and many battles were fought in Brazil over which art was the most successful.
At its best, Luta Livre is a powerful martial art which can rival any grappling systems in the world.
Zulu Stick Fighting
Zulu stick fighting is a South African weapons-based martial arts that is linked to the rearing of cows. Today it is mostly a ceremonial art, however it is used by young boys still to herd cattle.
The art is also known as Donga. The sticks were tools to direct cows and it is said that where there are cows you will also find a Zulu stick fighter.
Han Mu Do
Han Mu Do (or Hanmudo) is a Korean martial arts style. It is translated into the phrase The Korean Martial Way.
The art is very similar to Taekwondo, however has principles based on life, spirtilaity and health. Its techniques involve grappling, striking and weapons.
Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial arts style that is similar to Taekwondo and Karate. The art claim to fame in the 1990’s when MMA fighter Gary Goodridge represented the art in the UFC 8 tournament.
However, it later emerged that he was paid to say he trained in the system and wear the Gi, the reality was different.
Iaido
There is a Japanese martial art called iaido, which focuses on drawing a sword (bokken, iaito or shinken) from its scabbard. There is a substantial amount of kata (forms) involved, and sparring is not part of this martial arts system.
Savate (French Kickboxing)
The sport of savate is commonly known as French boxing, and it involves the use of both the hands and feet as weapons.
People start Savate and think it's the same as traditional kickboxing, but Savate fighters use kicks more than they use punches, which means they don't load up on their kicks to the fullest extent when they're kicking.
Savate allows only foot kicks, as opposed to systems like Muay Thai that also allow shin and knee kicks.
To practice Savate, fighters are required to wear specially designed boots, and male practitioners are referred to as tireurs, while female practitioners are known as tireuse.
Systema
Systema is a martial arts style used by some Russian special forces (i.e. Spetsnaz). It does have a long and varied history. However it evolved out of the various Russian Martial Arts and was long used by the top Russian Military.
Systema might look odd but it is a system that blends health and fitness into combat training, with breathing a core part of its study.
Eagle Claw Kung Fu
Known for its gripping and striking techniques, joint locks, takedowns, and pressure point attacks, Eagle Claw Kung Fu is a type of Chinese martial art.
Its history is argued among the practitioners but many believe it is a style that emerged from the Shaolin Temple.
Sambo
Sambo is a Russian martial arts style that focuses on grappling in a jacket. The art has 2 core styles, these are Sambo which is simply jacket wrestling and Combat Sambo which adds punches and kicks to the mix.
Sambo is known for it’s heavy focus on leglocks which was a key aspect. The reasoning behind this was that on the battle field it would take 2 soldiers to carry off one with a broke leg.
Today Sambo is one of the most respected Martial Arts around the world.
Conclusion
So there you have it, our ultimate list of Martial Arts.
Which would you like to train in? Or are you already training in one of the above martial arts?
Comment below to let us know.
Thanks for reading.