Best 'fighting' MA

[Capa]

Hi everyone. I understand it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of martial arts, however, I would like to set one criteria. I know certain factors may have influenced the outcome of mixed martial arts tournaments, but, I think they are the only true way to measure what is the best 'fighting' martial art - unless, of course, anyone can suggest another way this can be measured.

Also, what styles are commonly used by law enforcement, security and military agencies, if any?

I have always been curious what style dominates mixed martial arts tournaments, if any.

I think it is kyokoshin (unsure of spelling, sorry) full contact karate. But, others say it is the kung fu styles and muay thai.

I know every MA has its merits and I respect every MA. Factors such as popularity of the art, experiece of fighters, rules etc may impair the discovery of whether dominant styles in mixed MA comps are in fact 'the best' fighting styles - I am however quite curious.

Further, I also think the style adoped by government agencies would be the most appropriate and economical for the development of self defence/fighting skills. Apart from Krav Maga, are any otther styles used by, say, the US marines/Army/Air Force/Navy or European military. The Military is big business, and, required the best training because it is paramount to national security and the safety of citizens, and also - quite unfortunately may I add, the glory of a nation.

Anyway. Just looking for the most effective 'fighting'/'self defence' style. Afterall, what other purpose does martial arts serve (exclusing of course the mental development of students) - at this point, just interereted in the physical.

Thankyou for reading my post, and, any comments and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes with all your respective MA's. Tony Capucho.

[DungeonWorks]

Capa,

A few Navy SEALS I talked to last year say they are getting into the Phillipino and Indonesian Arts. They say for there intents and purposes, they are very effective for them. They also use Jujutsu chokes and holds as well as Judo throws, but they say the striking of Kali and Pencak Silat is quite devastating. I get the idea that there is more, and I know for a fact that the military is "eclectic" in it's hand to hand self defence. When I was in the army in the early 90's, we were shown some basic Tae Kwon Do strikes and Judo throws/chokes. My platoon leader was an awesome TKD guy and my Company Commander was just a bad *** Judo guy...and they liked to show off! In Basic Training, one of my Drill Seargants was way up there in Aikido under one of Segal's instructors....he liked to have us twist arms and wrists a lot.

I was not in Spec Ops, just light infantry. They only showed us "....just enough to get our butt's kicked"!

[jwinch2]

There was a discussion going in the LEO/Military forum a few days back about which arts SF and other groups are using not to mention what the more main stream military is going to now. It might be helpful to you for the last part of your question...

Hope it helps!

Jason

[The Nephilim]

If it works, use it. That is what is said by any MA instructor and student that has their head screwed on correctly.

If the US Army are using Escrema and Judo and ground techniques, then they are using what is effective. So a rule of thumb is use what is and learn how to use it.

[Luebbers]

I'm not going to open the can of which art is the most effective fighting art, but to address you specific questions a little more directly, the answer is really about combination, cross-training, and "live practice."

In MMA fights, grappling arts enjoyed initial dominance simply because the vast majority of people (especially stand-up fighters) no absolutely nothing about fighting on the ground, and even less about defending submissions. Once the strikers learned to sprawl and not give away submissions on the ground they caim back to reap some revenge. Finally, we started getting into the more hybrid styles that we see today (Sprawl 'n Brawl, Ground 'n Pound, etc.). If you really want to see a brief history of mixed martial arts rent UFC 1-20. So now, the dominant "style" is really a mixture of muay thai, brazilian jiu-jitsu, and freestyle/greco-roman wrestling.

As for the military, they're combatives constantly seems to evolve incorporating different techniques - also, it always seems to carry a certain amount of controversy. Currently, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu plays a key role in army combatives training; there is a significant contingent that disagrees with this method.

[Bugeisha]

It's been said a million times before, and will be said a million times again, but what I would say is "it's not what you do; it's how you do it."

How you practice is more important that what "style" you use.

[Sinawali_C]

It's been said a million times before, and will be said a million times again, but what I would say is "it's not what you do; it's how you do it."

How you practice is more important that what "style" you use.

I agree with Dillon. It's just important that you fight and compare with as many different opponents as possible. In every match you will learn about your own abilities and will 've to alter your tactics.

Have Fun

Chris Schmitt

[FearlessFreep]

Just a (uninformed?) opinion

Pretty much all MA were designed for fighting, in one way or another.

The real difference, I think, is whether or not you train to fight, train for health, train for just SD, train for sport, train for art, etc... any combination.

Being dedicated to being the best you can at what you are doing; as fast and powerful and strong and smart and...whataver it takes to be good at your chosen art, will make the difference in how well you fight...much more so than what art you choose.

Keep in mind that bouncers vs LEO vs military vs husband and father vs wife and mother are probably going to have different needs.

Figure out what you want to do...figure it out what it takes to do that well...work hard to do it