List of Martial Arts

If you’re looking to explore the world of martial arts, there are countless styles to choose from. With so many options, deciding which is right for you can be challenging. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of martial arts to provide an overview of the different types and help you narrow down or expand your options.  NOTE: This page is a living document and will be updated frequently as we explore each of the styles in depth through a series of interviews with a different master-level instructor in each, or sign up for the weekly newsletter to be notified by email of new additions!

Jump To The List ↓

Key Characteristics of All Fighting Systems On Our List

Before we jump right into our list of martial arts, it’s worth taking some time to prime ourselves with the fundamental characteristics of fighting systems in general. If you’re new to martial arts, this information should be helpful when reviewing the list. 

Fundamentally, all martial arts are about the use of force for one single purpose; ending a fight as fast as possible. You could also say to neutralize a threat if multiple threats or attackers exist. Learning how to end a fight involves training ourselves to effectively and efficiently use physical force if needed. However, it is essential to note that not all martial arts from our list below prioritize the use of force in the same way or to the same degree.

Power, Attack & Defense

Regarding training, most martial arts focus on developing three core skills: power, offense, and defense. Power refers to the ability to generate force. In the context of martial arts and human movement, “force” refers to the amount of energy used to create motion or impact. Force is a fundamental concept in physics measured in units such as Newtons or pounds. In martial arts, force is what makes our techniques effective. By understanding how to generate and apply force in a controlled and efficient manner, martial artists can develop powerful and precise techniques. 

Offense and defense refer to the ability to initiate and respond to attacks in combat situations. This involves learning various techniques for striking, grappling, or using weapons and developing strategies for anticipating and responding to an opponent’s movements and attacks. What’s worth repeating here is that the overall point of martial arts is finishing a fight. While defensive skills are essential, particularly where weapons are involved,  defense on its own doesn’t finish fights. Only offensive techniques can end a fight.

Overall, while all martial arts involve training to effectively generate and use or apply force, the specific approaches and philosophies of each martial art from our list can vary widely. Some martial arts, like wrestling or Thai Boxing, will be very aggressive and contact-oriented, whereas other martial arts like Tai Chi will be much softer and less intense.

The Different Types of Martial Arts Techniques

When it comes to fighting, there are generally four main categories of fighting techniques: 

1. Striking
2. Kicking
3. Grappling
4. Wrestling 

Each of these categories involves different techniques and strategies. Different arts may focus on or avoid one or more of these categories depending on cultural values or the specific combat conditions under which the systems were initially developed. For example, we can examine the differences between Kung Fu and Jiu-Jitsu. Kung Fu comes from China and uses some grappling and wrestling techniques, but not to the same degree as Jiu-Jitsu, initially used by the Samurai. Samurai fought on the battlefield wearing bulky armor, making joint locks and wrestling more of a priority than strikes or kicks.

While these four categories of fighting techniques are distinct, to be most effective, they should be used in combination with one another in real-world combat situations. For example, we might use striking techniques to create an opening for a takedown or grappling techniques to gain an advantage before transitioning to a striking attack. By training in all four categories, martial arts practitioners can become well-rounded combatants who can adapt to a wide range of situations and opponents.

How MMA Creates Well-Rounded Fighters

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a modern combat sport that has evolved to incorporate multiple fighting styles from our list. Like traditional martial arts, MMA practitioners often use a combination of striking, grappling, and wrestling techniques. These techniques are often used in combination to create a comprehensive approach to combat. This approach has made MMA one of the most popular combat sports in the world, drawing fighters from various backgrounds and martial arts styles.

In this list of martial arts, there are some examples of styles that are purely empty-hand/unarmed, some that focus primarily on the use of weapons, and some that train the use of both. Armed and unarmed close-quarters fighting are two different approaches to combat that have their own advantages and disadvantages. Unarmed fighting relies solely on the fighter’s body as a weapon. This includes the aforementioned striking, kicking, grappling, and wrestling techniques to disable or defeat opponents.

Our List of 75 Popular & Obscure Martial Arts Styles

#	Martial Art	Country of Origin	Category
1	52 Blocks	United States	Mixed
2	Aikido	Japan	Grappling
3	Arnis	Philippines	Weapons
4	Baguazhang	China	Mixed
5	Bando	Myanmar	Mixed
6	Bartitsu	England	Mixed
7	Bokator	Cambodia	Mixed
8	Bökh	Mongolia	Grappling
9	Boxing	England	Striking
10	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu	Brazil	Grappling
11	Canne de Combat	France	Weapons
12	Capoeira	Brazil	Mixed
13	Chun Kuk Do	United States	Mixed
14	Colt Combat System	United States	Mixed
15	Combat Sambo	Russia	Grappling
16	Daito-Ryu Aikijustsu	Japan	Grappling
17	Dambe	Nigeria	Striking
18	Defendu	United Kingdom	Mixed
19	Enshin Itto-Ryu Battojutsu	Japan	Weapons
20	Eskrima	Philippines	Weapons
21	Fencing	Europe	Weapons
22	Greco-Roman Wrestling	Greece	Grappling
23	Hapkido	Korea	Mixed
24	Hop Gar	China	Striking
25	Hung Gar	China	Striking
26	Hwa Rang Do	Korea	Mixed
27	I Liq Chuan	Malaysia	Mixed
28	Iaido	Japan	Weapons
29	Iaijutsu	Japan	Weapons
30	Jeet Kune Do	United States	Mixed
31	Judo	Japan	Grappling
32	Jujitsu	Japan	Grappling
33	Kajukenbo	United States	Mixed
34	Kalaripayattu	India	Mixed
35	Kali	Philippines	Weapons
36	Karate	Japan	Striking
37	Kempo	Japan	Mixed
38	Kendo	Japan	Weapons
39	Kickboxing	Japan/United States	Striking
40	Krabi Krabong	Thailand	Weapons
41	Krav Maga	Israel	Mixed
42	Kuk Sool Won	Korea	Mixed
43	Koryu	Japan	Mixed
44	Lethwei	Myanmar	Striking
45	Lua	Hawaii	Grappling
46	Marine Corps Martial Arts	United States	Mixed
47	Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)	United States	Combat Sport
48	Monkey Kung Fu	China	Striking
49	Muay Boran	Thailand	Striking
50	Muay Thai	Thailand	Striking
51	Ninjitsu	Japan	Mixed
52	Pancrase	Japan	Combat Sport
53	Pankration	Greece	Combat Sport
54	Penchak Silat	Indonesia	Mixed
55	Piper Knife	South Africa	Weapons
56	Sambo	Russia	Grappling
57	Sanshou	China	Combat Sport
58	Savate	France	Striking
59	Shaolin Kung Fu	China	Mixed
60	Shinkendo	United States	Weapons
61	Shootfighting	United States	Mixed
62	Silat	Southeast Asia	Weapons
63	Sumo	Japan	Grappling
64	Systema	Russia	Mixed
65	Taekkyeon	Korea	Mixed
66	Taekwondo	Korea	Kicking
67	Tai Chi	China	Mixed
68	Tang Soo Do	Korea	Striking
69	Tangshoudao	China	Mixed
70	Wing Chun	China	Striking
71	Wrestling	Various	Grappling
72	Wushu	China	Mixed
73	Xingyiquan	China	Striking
74	Yağlı Güreş	Turkey	Grappling
75	Zulu Stick Fighting	South Africa	Weapons

Which Martial Art From The List Should I Choose?

With so many martial arts on the list to choose from as you begin your journey, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. When selecting a martial art, it’s crucial to consider your individual objectives, physical capabilities, and interests. Whether you want to enhance your physical fitness, acquire self-defense abilities, or simply find a challenging yet deeply rewarding pastime, there’s a martial art suited for you. We’ve got an in-depth beginner’s guide to choosing the right martial art that can help you sort through the many options by focusing on figuring out what’s really important to you, as well as many tips and pointers to avoid some of the most common traps and pitfalls when joining a new program.

Summary & Conclusion

The list of 100 martial arts styles is not exhaustive, and there are frequently multiple sub-styles within each martial art. In addition, new systems of hand-to-hand combat are continuously evolving as the conditions of close-quarters combat change, and more efficient training methods are developed over time.

It is also worth noting that some martial arts styles may be more prevalent in certain regions or countries, while others may be less well-known. The assignment of martial arts into specific categories, such as striking, grappling, mixed, combat sport, and weapons, can also be subjective and may vary depending on the individual or organization making the categorization.

Overall, the world of martial arts is diverse and constantly evolving, with new styles and techniques emerging as practitioners continue to experiment and innovate.

This comprehensive list of martial arts styles showcases the diversity and richness of this ancient practice. Whether you’re interested in self-defense, physical fitness, or personal development, there’s a martial art style that can meet your needs. By exploring and practicing different martial arts, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Martial arts genuinely offer something for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

Show Some Love

If you found this article useful, you can support my blog by making a purchase from our Amazon Storefront and help me continue to provide valuable content.

If you’re ready to embark on your own journey of personal growth through martial arts, here are three ways I can help:

1. Consider our small group or online martial arts classes to start your practice.
2. Explore our other articles to deepen your understanding.
3. Book a free discovery call to find out if one of our programs is right for you.

Read More!

• Bruce Lee’s Real Fights: The True Stories Behind the Legend
• 
  The Ultimate Guide To Focus Mitts & Thai Pads For Martial Arts
• 
  Technique vs. Techniques in Martial Arts
• 
  Is Strength Training Good For Martial Arts?