This page explores the best martial arts for self-defense. It looks at martial arts such as Karate, Muay Thai, BJJ, MMA, Krav Maga and many more. Please vote in the poll below for the best martial arts for overall self-defense and see how others have voted on this important martial arts question.
This question is aimed at serious martial artists who have experience in a number of different martial arts. Help others with your experience. This page does not offer any recommendations. Rather it is geared at generating questions for people to consider before selecting a martial arts for self-defense. It also shows visitors how others view this question via the poll below.
If you want to learn about the most popular martial arts, you should visit the Black Belt Wiki section on Top 10 Martial Arts Styles. Or visit our Master List of Martial Arts for information on 170+ different martial arts styles.
Wiki – Best Martial Arts Books
Things to Consider
- If a person selects a ground-based martial arts such as BJJ – How do the defender manage to avoid being stomped on & kicked by an attacker’s friends while wrestling on the ground with the attacker?
- What martial arts can handle an attacker armed with a weapon (i.e. knife or baseball bat)?
- Can a striking martial arts (i.e. Karate or Muay Thai) handle an attacker who has knocked the defender to the ground? Can striking martial arts handle someone who has tackled a person from behind?
- Does the martial arts prepare for a person for being attacked while in street clothes and wearing shoes (versus training only with a martial arts uniform and/or bare feet)?
- Does person select a powerful striking martial arts such as Shotokan Karate, Taekwondo, Kyokushin or Muay Thai? Grappling martial arts such as Judo, BJJ or Wrestling? Combination martial arts such as MMA (but training is limited to cage-based facilities)? Military-based martial arts such as Krav Maga? Traditional weapons-based martial arts such as Eskrima? A combination of several different martial arts (but does a person have time & the money to train in 2 or 3 martial arts)?
- Is any martial arts effective since the attacker could be armed with a gun or knife?
- Can the martial arts handle multiple attackers? Or an attacker that is much larger & heavier than the defender?
What is the Best Martial Arts for Self-Defense?
Types of Martial Arts for Self-Defense
- Striking Martial Arts (focus on powerful kicks, punches, etc.) – Boxing, Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, etc.
- Grappling Martial Arts (focus on take downs, submissions, etc.) – BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, etc.
- Combination Martial Arts – Mixed Martial Arts, Hapkido, etc.
- Military Martial Arts – Krav Maga, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), etc.
- Weapons-Focused Martial Arts – Eskrima, Kendo, Bojutsu, etc.
WatchMojo’s Opinion in regards to Best Martial Arts for Self-Defense