The following are fighting systems that can surely make the human body the most dangerous weapon of all. Movies and mass-media did some real nifty job of dignifying and glorifying the martial-arts disciplines listed below. Which do you think is the best martial-arts style?
10. Capoeira
Origin: Brazil
Combining elements of dance, acrobatics, and music, it is undoubtedly one of the most amusing martial-arts spectacles to behold. It is known for quick and complex moves, using mainly speed and leverage so that a wide variety of kicks, spins, and dance-like techniques can be executed.
It may have been the reason why pop-star Lady Gaga joined the craze and became an avid practitioner. On 2014, UNESCO granted Capoeira a special protected status as “intangible cultural heritage” and is one of the very few martial-arts forms to achieve such a recognition.
9. Taekwondo
Origin: Korea
The words that comprise it can be actually translated as “ways of foot and fist.” This means that an excellent Tae Kwon Do player should be hailed as an expert in using punches and kicks efficiently to bring an opponent into submission. In this fighting system, you don’t need to really hit that hard, knowing when to strike in the quickest way would be more than enough.
Focusing more on swiftness and agility instead of strength and power, this martial-arts is perhaps the most popular fighting style conducted on a ring, compared to other fighting disciplines.
8. Muay Thai
Origin: Thailand
This system attained international notice in the modern years, when Muay Thai players defeated notable practitioners of other martial arts. A typical practitioner of this art requires high mental discipline in developing the use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.
It is due to this that the sport is called as “the art of eight limbs.” With trainings and drills that can make a practitioner immune to almost any body pain, Muay Thai makes a fighter or brawler very efficient in the ring, or even outside of it.
7. Silat
Origin: Indonesia
Regarded as an umbrella term for a wide variety of martial-arts forms, it is one of the most distinguished physical combat sports in many Southeast-Asian countries. Unlike most combat systems, this one requires certain spiritual-related rituals upon initiation.
This includes fasting for a few days and drinking special tea concoctions. In modern times, Silat is adapted and modified in non-fighting means that are reminiscent to dancing calisthenics. As a result, it is now employed for theatrical and entertainment purposes.
6. Aikido
Origin: Japan
By mastering to harness fluid body movements, you could choose to execute Aikido. It is interpreted in English as “the way of unifying with life energy” or as “the way of harmonious spirit.” Its main concept is for the practitioners to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.
Mainly focusing on deflecting and throwing an opponent off-balance, it doesn’t rely on one’s own physical prowess, but on that of the enemy’s. Due to this principle, it is often referred as “the gentleman’s fighting style.”
5. SCARS
Origin: USA
Crafted in reference to several street-fighting techniques, Special Combat Aggressive Reactionary System is a fighting system used by the United States Navy. Like Krav Maga and KFM, it also takes advantage of natural human movements and body reactions that would most likely occur in real-world fights.
What makes this style so effective is that it teaches a practitioner how to hit important body parts and when to hit them – a technique that can be practically lethal, when executed with great force and precision. US soldiers are meant to still be lethal even with just their hands, that’s why SCARS are among their innate arsenals.
4. Keysi Fighting Method
Origin: Spain
Being a great fighter in the ring doesn’t guarantee high efficiency in a real street combat. Any martial-arts master knows this fact and being a master himself, Justo Dieguez, invented his own street-wise fighting style: KFM. With a set of techniques that harnesses natural body reactions that any person would do in a real fight, this fighting style is a system with very few techniques, but is very ideal in successfully beating anyone in close-quarter combat.
It must be highly effective indeed, for it caught the attention of brilliant director Christopher Nolan which he mandated to be used by Christian Bale in his Batman movies. If a superhero is using it, then anyone using it would feel superior too, in fighting opponents everywhere.
3. Eskrima
Origin: Philippines
Utilizing body movements efficiently is what most martial-arts styles are all about. And in executing it in the most effective and most efficient manner, very few styles have mastered that craft that can be in the level as that of Eskrima. In addition to just using almost all body parts to attack an enemy, this system of fighting also employs the usage of sticks, knives, and some bladed weapons for close-quarter combat.
Closely related to Arnis and Kali, also very effective styles, Eskrima is one of the best martial-arts taught by Holywood fight instructors to some actors so they can use it in their on-screen performances.
2. Krav Maga
Origin: Israel
When you are out in the streets, you could employ Krav Maga. Most martial-arts forms are also played in tournaments for many audiences to see. But Krav Maga is never intended as such, because it is a brutal system that is meant to subdue an opponent quickly… and kill him whenever necessary.
Created as the primary hand-to-hand combat system of the Israeli Defense Force, it is considered as the ultimate skill you should learn, if you plan to be real good in antagonizing street brawlers and thugs in your neighborhood.
1. Jeet Kune Do
Origin: China
We’ve seen and heard about mix-martial arts today. There are matches of it happening on TV everyday. Experts of the field has this thing to say: Such a fighting system evolved from one discipline called Jeet Kune Do – a system that emphasizes on techniques that are simple and direct, yet extremely deadly in the hands of a trained fighter.
What makes it special? The simplest way to put it would be that it was created by none other than Bruce Lee – the greatest modern martial artist we’ve come to know. Mr. Lee’s skills may just have been dignified and over-glorified only due to showbiz popularity, but the effectiveness of Jeet Kune Do is very real indeed.
Not happy with how these fighting styles are ranked? Why not re-order them in the comment box below?
