The DEFINITIVE Martial Arts Ranking List

[@CombatSelfDefense]

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[@seasickviking]

I definitely laughed over the various "internet's favorite punching bag" comments, though found myself pleasantly surprised by the addition of Bartitsu as well. You took a far more practical approach to each style than I originally expected, considering so many people stick to a simple tier list. congrats on being so different

[@CombatSelfDefense]

That’s what we aim for here.

[@olivierdelatouche9453]

As a silat master said, drill makes the skill, when you fight you use the skill, not the drill

[@AKAUncleBeau]

To a degree, yes. I have practiced a considerable amount of Silat, mainly "Maphilindo Silat", due to my long association with various Inosanto line students/instructors. As any other art, the transferable skill gained in any drill depends on the manner in which the drill and the skill it is to develop is taught and practiced. Many "drills" exist in a vacuum in martial arts training. Take Wing Chun sets or FMA drills, for example. Set one step away, squared to one another the series of motions devolve into rote, rythemic ritualistic motion. Pak Sau Tan Sau, Pak Sau, Punch becomes an almost meaningless spastic flurry if trained in the pure patty cake method. Same with Hubud, Chi Sao, or for any "energy" dirill for that matter that starts stationary and remains so throughout the curriculum. Kodokan Judo had it right in the beginning with kata designed to teach the technique starting at a distance, requiring tori and uke closing on one another as opposed to stagnant arms reach. The application grew more organically, posture, stance, timing, and, importantly, range where all intricatel. I can't tell you how many feed drills I have done that in the end gained me nothing in skill or understanding. I am not at all questioning their worth, just the method of their use. More drills of different focuses, at different ranges, with fewer repetitions and varying resistance, is a far more productive approach. Once the interest wanes move on to the next. Half passed training equals half ass skill.

[@Zeelandian_Man]

The Kyokushin crowd appreciates the shoutout of our style in your video. But might I say that when ranking Kyokushin as a style you have to take into consideration that yes, some dojos don't teach Shinken Shobu (Head punches with gloves) or takedowns and throws but at it's heart that is what Kyokushin has in it's arsenal of which some high level dojos in Russia and Japan mainly still cling to the old ways of Kyokushin-Kai and teach all of the above. Very competitive with Muay Thai as seen in many small promotions in eastern europe and places all around the world.

[@VICNCRAIG]

Having a predominantly Muay Thai background, I was fortunate enough to train with a few Kyokushin practitioners after their gym closed - the reason for which soon became apparent. Now, I thought our training sessions were tough, but those guys were another level! I don't know whether it's representative of every dojo, but their singular objective was to condition their body and mind to be tougher than any opponent, deliberately seeking out torturous ways to train. I never encountered it to the same extent with any other of the martial arts that I experienced, and while I never adopted it to quite the level that they did, it was a philosophy I found it to be incredibly useful.

[@Zeelandian_Man]

@@VICNCRAIG Now that's dedication to the Kyokushin spirit... Osu. 👊🏼

[@hotpopcorncake]

@@VICNCRAIG I did Muay Thai for a while, I noticed Muay Thai is very laid back, But you learn the technique with its training it leaves in the void "What I'm waiting here for". But in Kyokushin, I feel hyped up because it brings in the pain Oh yeaaaa! Also I previously before I learn mantis kung fu. Then I revisted my old kung fu school, after we did training. I said to my Sifu "Nice warm up when are we gonna start the training" He just looked at me like "WTF"

[@MatheusAlves-mt3ed]

ok shin kicking caught me off guard. we still need what? Sanda, Sambo, Krav Maga, Silat, savate, Japanese Jujitsu, Capoeira, more specific styles of karate cause why tf not, and other styles of kung fu e.g pak mei kung fu hung gar or wtv. there plenty of ideas for part 2 some of wich i have stolen from these same comments section and added to it.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Looks like I have some more writing to do

[@eddiebermeo429]

Don one in Kendo also please.

[@NoBody-xx6ii]

yep

[@larryzach7880]

Japanese jujutsu/jujitsu has been brought forward into the current Era by Judo and BJJ

[@trix.gm02]

There's other types of silat too, there's a martial art movie called the raid and the raid 2 (pretty sure that's what yhe8are called) but the main guy uses penkak sillat or whatever its called

[@rafaelalamilla5583]

As a boxer, I can very much get behind it's placement on this spectrum. I'll say that boxing does a better job than most fighting styles at teaching you how to manage distance and develop footwork - due in part to the limitations on how one can strike. Definiltey has a lot of carry over if you decide to branch out into other styles later on.

[@AISEARATOKALAU]

Yup Bruce Lee used Mohammed Ali style

[@DeathxThexKid100]

Before I say anything, I'm going to encourage everyone to go find a KZbin channel called "Armchair Violence" and go watch his videos on the Keysi fighting method and Defense lab. Now with that being said: I both get, and don't get what this list is. Everything made sense, then you put defense lab promptly into fighting utility. So by that measure, this is no longer a ranking list of effective martial arts/fighting systems, you're just highlighting the intentions of the art(s) listed. Which is not the same as listing how effective the art is. There are also a lot of contradictions to this list that just scream that very little thought was placed when making this grid. How in blue blazes does kyokushin get placed far into personal development when it doesn't allow ground grappling, and bans strikes to the head? That's pretty restrictive for fighting art, your head is very vulnerable you need to learn how to attack the head and defend your own head. And how in tf does MMA get placed in rules and restrictions? MMA allows for the most styles to be able to win. From striking and getting a TKO or a KO, to taking down your opponent by wrestling or throwing and then submitting them/getting a choke, to kicking the daylights out of them, and much more that you will never find in other arts. "It doesn't allow for eye gouges, and groin strikes." Uhh, yeah, no martial art/fighting system actually allows that. Otherwise *the truly legit krav maga guys* would be walking around with eye patches, bite marks and chunks of skin missing from biting, teeth missing from said biting, and no longer be able to bear children from all the groin attacks. This list is far from definitive, if anything it is greatly flawed and highly misleading. I trusted what you had to say before this video, now I don't know what to think. Do better.

[@hata6290]

Holy shit you kiIIed him

[@kaen4299]

You have some valid arguments except about Kyokushin. Personal development is literally what it says, has nothing to do with the effectiveness (and therefore how much grappling it has). That category is about growing as a person and spiritual development. As for effectiveness, striking with padded hands is just as much as restrictive as banning strikes to the head. Bare handed striking and padded striking is night and day, i'd prefer bare knuckle but head strikes not allowed over always training with padded hands. I can easily adjust striking to the head (which i did), all you have to do is keep the same technique but just train more often with a different target in mind, but bare knuckle technique and the hand conditioning takes years of practice to rectify.

[@bassortega8083]

I took Kajukembo in 1976 . I was 23 years old when the training was still pretty brutal. I would have some my flesh on my calves pushed up on my leg. My arms, legs turned black and blue from blocking punches and kicks. I did manage to go from 190 lbs to 160 lbs. I fought in a few tournaments and improved after every tournament. I fought at the heavyweight level because our heavyweights were hurt. I leaned to immediately attack my opponents with very hard strike that sometime ended in a few seconds. The credt goes to the intense training. I never had to use in the street for protection, but it was available if I needed it. Have a great day.

[@IntrepidExotics]

Such a common topic, I miss when UFC first came out when it was all about interdiciplary competition before Gracie took it over. I've found the real life application of any system is highly dependent on the mindset of their respective schools. If schools train for tournaments, they lose on the street. If they train for the street, they just get disqualified from tournaments, lol. I think most systems with the proper adjustments can be effective in real fights, and the reason I think that reflects back on techniques being tools in a toolbox, it's the competency and discretion of the one using those tools that makes them effective or not. Harkening back to the Bushido philosophy that one should train to win with any weapon or no weapon at all.

[@genin8562]

I practiced karate, ninjutsu, wing chun (a little bit), mma. Currently training in bjj and a self defence class based on krav maga and panuntukan. It always surprises/disappoint me to see how low a lot of people rate ninjutsu for fighting ability. My experience has been very different, but I also noticed a lot of bs ninjutsu videos on the web, so I kinda understand where this point of view comes from.

[@dsimon33871]

Your experience might be different because before you trained in Ninjutsu, you had experience in other arts... I studied the Booj for about 12 years and found that there were always teachers that were excellent, but usually not in the mainstream... Virtually all the great teachers I had, and I myself when teaching, all of us had come up in another art, learning how to muscle it, slam around, etc... By the time Ninjutsu came along, one could then appreciate the subtlety of Tai Jutsu. I just could never see how someone without that experience could appreciate these things... You need to get the taste smacked out of the mouth, see the chrome bubbles a few times lol...

[@justakathings]

The thing about taekwondo is that it’s been completely diluted for the Olympics (point fighting specifically). It was stripped of basically everything for its selling point: its kicks

[@roncoon3464]

“KAJUKENBO! This is as Good as it gets” KA: Tang Soo Do JU: Judo/Jujitsu KEN: Kempo BO: Chinese Boxing

[@AKAUncleBeau]

If I agree to "take it outside" or whatever, give me boxing and Muay Thai all day. If someone clocks me, grabs me, blind sides me, Judo/Jujitsu. Self-defense is not fighting . You may be able to fight toe to toe with any man in the bar and end the night dead in the alley. Defending yourself implies a disadvantage. It is not a contest.

[@jacksonmuaythai]

Cool video! I always love learning about new (for me) styles. Choi Lee Fut sounds cool. For the giveaway, I really need some mma gloves. I just started shotokan and they spar in 4oz gloves, which was a big change from the 16s I used in Muay Thai

[@massimilianosaccani]

I really like the reasoning of analyzing the specificities of the various styles and the positioning on a graph of this type. An instructor I attended for too little time (work) included rugby players among the worst elements to encounter, I believe above all due to their daily closeness to pain and being able to carry on with their heads down anyway (he also worked and trained staff for nightclubs ) But perhaps a person who trains seriously for a long time, in addition to acquiring useful technique, will in turn learn about pain and manage it in the best way. Thank you!

[@combatsportsarchive7632]

21:30 - 22:22 Some Japanese sources state the founder of Nippon Kempo (Muneomi Sawayama) was a college Judoka who often helped to defend the weak in the street. He also learned some Kumite methods from Motobu Choki who was an infamous brawler in Okinawa's red light district of Tsuji Machi and an advocate of Kake Dameshi or the original free sparring of Okinawan Karate. Those pieces of history might explain why Nippon Kempo ended up becoming what you call as a savage style of kickboxing and was far ahead of Kajukenbo as well as Jeet Kune Do. They initially experimented full contact free sparring like Kyokushin but they later adopted Bogutsuki's protective gear because they suffered too many injuries during the experiment. However, the competition in Nippon Kempo can be very confusing to those who aren't familiar with it because it can vary from semi-contact fighting like Shotokan to full contact free fighting like amateur MMA.

[@lenart55]

Great video. Love the reasoning behind placements. Just out of curiosity, where would you put kudo, seeing as it originated as a hybrid of kyokushin and judo and you had both in different quadrants?

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Great question. With that in mind, I would probably split the difference and put kudo towards the middle, but higher up in terms of fighting.

[@JackMartens-xc4cv]

Terrific analysis. You certainly have a lot of knowledge of martial arts and martial arts styles.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I appreciate that. I don't know that much and this was a lot of VERY broad strokes about styles I'm interested in.

[@darkythecrazyninja5228]

Climb, unlace move hema platform these for good measure Anime Holy, gun, Ninja as Purge Elite Manifest Devotion Cuz you don't Try to hard Downtown Donkers 1st ❤️ book Hunt 500 skullbash mulan Broomstick Sicario Play a game kisses of death Triad character purge C from myself frame 1 arm sky dance daily 15 kg Motion kudo Kai Ranks Founders Resident Z finisher

[@DC-rr1xu]

This might need a part two

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I definitely had to cut a lot out 🤔

[@DC-rr1xu]

It’s an interesting topic but idk how useful that chart is if you’re not gonna put oposites at the end of those spectrums. Like where do you place something that scores high in personal development but also high in rules and restrictions ? Also, idk how wrestling can score higher than MMA when MMA incorporates wrestling with other useful martial arts

[@CombatSelfDefense]

The question becomes how useful is it for fighting

[@DirtForm]

No MMA only guy is that good at wrestling, it’s too fucking hard and an average wrestler will just rag doll a normal person. There’s even plenty of examples of high school wrestlers throwing around and holding ground men on the ground in street fights or other real life examples. You’ll take way less damage by mitigating punches and kicks and then you can if need be slam your opponent into concrete and remain in dominant position to keep them pinned underneath or to get off them and disengage. Wrestling MVP

[@DC-rr1xu]

@@DirtForm no MMA only guy is amazing at wrestling (or any other martial art for that manner) but there’s more than one aspect to fighting. And MMA guys will be at least ok at everything. In my opinion it’s better to be a jack of all trades in a self defense/street fight scenario than a specialist.

[@ZeusEBoy]

@@DirtFormnot really, any mma guy can choose to specialize and focus on wrestling. I think a huge other reason it’s ranked high here is because it’s been shown in mma especially ufc good primary wrestlers tend to do really well. Like all the sambo fighters. But I’d put sambo directly above wrestling. It’s literally called combat wrestling sometimes. The best function forms in my opinion will always be military techniques which is why bjj is proven, sambo is good, MCMAP, and even something like Krav Maga are gonna be on top for me. Yes they can deal with some non hand to hand combat parts though like knives, environmental use, etc but I find it weird he’s separating it so much. I think three of the greatest things I’ve practiced for my martial arts are Bo, Kendo/Iado, and wood chopping or axe swinging. Especially for things like striking and wing chun.

[@Joelvel]

MMA should be on top of Wrestling. Wrestling is important in MMA.

[@MasakanSolaris]

I'm surprised hapkido isn't on here but I'm also surprised bartitsu is considered a practical martial art

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I feel like I talk about hapkido a lot

[@wizeguy2388]

I am a FMA practitioner and I think it deserves better rankings than what I see on videos like these on youtube. Yes, there are 'pre-choreographed' movements, but that is just certain drills at its core shell. You are meant to move beyond that, it's meant to build reactions to random attacks, which could occur on the street at any moment. However, I do cross train boxing, and it has certainly helped me with my panantukan. I think there's a good case to modernize some traditional FMA to fit our world today, and traditional boxing does compliment well to the empty hand striking component of FMA.

[@matreyia]

This is misleading and short sighted. Kyokushin and Wing Chun comments alone instantly reveal this. Kyokushin fighter would take your head clean off in a street fight with no rules, regardless of their dojo training etiquette. A proper Wing Chun person would likely destroy your vision sooner than you realize.

[@matreyia]

@@UnjustVerdict - it would be good to read your reasons next to your opinion. otherwise, it’s just meaningless.

[@SpeakerMunkey]

Not sure where you got the square stance for Wing Chun from, as that's the form training stance, not the fighting stance. But agree, it's not a practical fighting style, but it's hella fun. I would also say it should be further to the left as a lot of it incorporates Qi Gong.

[@DragosWingTsunFighter]

He didn't understand Wing Chun in general because there is just too much misinformation out there so he couldn't make a real assessment. I pick Wing Chun in a self-defense situation over anything else any day! I live in Brazil and here I am happy to have a high degree in Wing Chun - too many wannabe BJJ fighters looking for trouble and it's a myth that Wing Chun has no ground fighting/anti-ground fighting ;-)

[@RETOKSQUID]

Having grown up with MA for most my life, I find the Taco Bell Technique the best. One blast from the deep soul will send anyone running for safe air. Joking aside, in need of a new one for disabled vets with limited mobility from injuries.

[@GadgetMart]

I disagree on BJJ, it’s great in the ring doesn’t work in a street fight. You would get your head kicked in

[@DragosWingTsunFighter]

Agreed! From someone who lives in Brazil in the main city of BJJ!

[@KaratePath]

Ranking 3 forms of Karate without ranking the main one Shotokan 😢

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Guess I have to make a part 2

[@sigdetcdr]

Can you rank fighting styles by best at survival as opposed to rules and contest? What NO RULES fighting style defeats an attacker the fastest and with most damage to the attacker. Women all over the world need to train to SURVIVE when they are out running errands. Thanks.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

It’s gonna be MMA. If you fight effectively under rules, you can fight effectively without rules. Train MMA, once a month incorporate weapons, and do some surprise drills. Boom

[@johnpauljones9310]

The no leg attacks in Judo is a recent development (2010) and also it's not a complete ban. Secondary leg attacks are allowed if the first technique doesn't work or as a counter. If you're going to talk about something, at least learn a little bit about it.

[@zadokarrowizender3150]

Thanks.

[@TheWayoftheSith]

Sando, Sambo and Savate are great! Brutal and powerful.

[@mukarramkhan8345]

Well, being a martial arts enthusiast, I think 4 types of martial arts cover all the aspects of combat sports and if you are good at these, you don't need any other. These are 1. Shotokan Karate 2. Judo 3. Muay Thai 4. Wrestling

[@nathanlopez4686]

Great vid as always brotha!

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Thanks man!

[@bremily1014]

Love the video and the research

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Appreciate that! Thank you

[@kenfox22]

Martial arts will work if you use it in the right spirit not being a cocky jerk. Judo came very naturally to me. I officially took TKD. It was fun

[@sergiosapori]

I have 30 years in Martial Arts. And today, I could say, in self defence 3 areas must be focused: Grappling, Striking and Knife skills. So, what are the most organized styles? For example if you go to US, Japan, Germany, Brazil or another country, Are the techniques the same? And my conclusion is Judo, Boxing and a Filipino Knife art. Just it.

[@frankiecal3186]

Folkstyle,Freestyle,Greco,Catch WRESTLING are the best.👌

[@jeffreyplumley9543]

And then we have Krav Maga which has no restrictive rules and essentially takes all the good stuff about MMA and gets rid of the confining things making it score very high on fight utility and personal development. Of course there is the argument amongst many martial artists that say Krav Maga is not a martial art, which is a silly argument when you’ve included MMA in this discussion.

[@frankiecal3186]

Very Good Video.👌

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Thank you 👍

[@sallhame]

Kyokushin has about 35 different punches to the head. That means, if I am attacked and have to fight in the street I always have a punch ready for the head. And they can of course be delievered with the same speed and strength as the bodypunches. But, we do not use headpunches in competition. That is a choice so adult fighters don't use helmets and wear no gloves. And our brains work ok even after 60.

[@eddiebustos2568]

Instead of judo .Shuai Chiao is a Chinese stand up grappling that retains its martial qualities.

[@TheBdavis231]

Where would you put Jeet Kune Do, 52 Blocks (Jailhouse rock), Sanda, and Tang So Do?

[@jesusangulosolano8375]

Yo this tier list did teach me a lot about fighting styles I had never heard of before. I was wondering if you could give an opinion on kung fu. I know they've been in some mma fights but not much information aside from that

[@KieranTong]

Kung fu is a generic term used for the hundreds of Chinese martial arts styles. He has 2 of the more popular kung fu styles listed on his chart, Choy Li Fut and Wing Chun. Although he covers many styles here, you cant expect him to know a whole lot about that many styles. He said he is a Muay Thai and Karate instructor with just 18 years of experience.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Despite @KieranTong sounding dismissive of nearly 20 years of experience...he is right. Kung fu is an umbrella term form DOZENS of different martial arts, from all over a GIANT region of the world. We could talk about stuff like Taijuquan, or Hung Gar, Shuaijao, Chin-Na, White Crane, Monk Fist...the list goes on and on. I talked about Wing Chun and Choy Li Fut because they're two of the more popular arts, but by no means are they representative of ALL kung fu styles.

[@alexthomas3745]

i dont practice martial arts. i Just enjoy videos, and recently i found videos of Chintya Candranaya, an indonesian girl doing silat. Well, this style seems very aggressive, to me, but, maybe im wrong. As i know, silat is akind of junlge fight, or so... What do you think about it?

[@gilbertbeverly4296]

Who the hell made this guy the king of martial arts

[@dsimon33871]

Regarding your undertaking, I am reminded of a Zen Parable. "Arriving at the monastery I saw a mountain, and it was just... a mountain. As years went on in training, that mountain became a glorious blending, a harmony of landscape and subject, a hill to climb and conquer... eventually after many more years, the mountain once again became, a mountain." If we could go back in time, I would have loved to see you make this same video after ten years of training, and would love to be around if you again make this video in another twenty years, so you could look at all three versions. I would say, for me, after almost fifty years of training, none are right, none are wrong, because you succeeded in using a nice graph that manages to work on a few different categories at once. There are always levels to the game, essential qualities that forever stand as martial arts truths. Number one, REGARDLESS OF STYLE we fight, spiritualize/actualize, develop based on HOW WE TRAIN. Number two, there actually are styles that developed from life and death combat... They have principles in the art that show WHY they survived, and WHY they were successful. These principles are in the art, and need to be found. Number three, some martial arts are better for beginners, and some are better for people with training. You were very honest about your criteria. I would just make it even more basic: "If you want to learn how to get into fights that are socially caused, and be successful, then MMA, Wrestling, Boxing, etc... Why? Because when this is not made clear, people misunderstand things and die. A Combatives originator, I forget which one, documented Honor fights in Vietnam villages. He said they all followed a similar trajectory, usually over a girl... one guy would WIN and start pounding the guy from the top, the LOSER would then pull out a blade, stab the WINNER in the Kidneys and kill him. young men and some women would all benefit from starting to train in an art that teaches basic toughness. And this art is also perfect for school yard diplomacy lol, etc. BUT these are not really arts for life and death combat. And this is where things get tricky imo. Your analysis about weapons and empty hands applies from a certain perspective. The real combat efficacy of, for example, the Samurai arts, the South East Asian Arts (big difference between Kali real Kali and Escrima btw) is not the sameness of using weapons and empty hands, it is the integration of these two elements. A real martial art makes the transition seamless, effortless. So in conclusion, I believe you did an excellent job. I also believe all of us, as we grow, will understand different levels of how martial arts styles should be understood. An art like the Gendai Arts (The Booj for example lol) to a beginner, in my opinion (having studied them among others) is usually not a great idea. My thinking goes against the grain, but imo to someone who has rocked around the mat, understand the dynamics of contact, and is ready to integrate weapons, and appreciate subtlety, the olderJapanese arts are actually very combat oriented. Thank you for taking the time to present this graph.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Thank you for the kind words. I would certainly be interested to see what your own graph looks like.

[@dsimon33871]

@@CombatSelfDefense I would struggle trying to put something together like you did! You deserve a lot of credit for doing so.

[@janverbanck]

I've never done it (I'm a judoka), but still: I know it wouldn't be fun when you're up against a good boxer. They learn to take a beating meaning sustain real damage and pain but still not back off. No show, just Bam ! There are other similar technics out there but harder to get to a useful level (like karate, which I've done for just 2 years which is waaay too short)

[@bizikimiz6003]

How would you rate sumo? amateur rishiki after 3 years of training can punch (open hand), throw, trip, push and uproot very well.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I don't know a lot about sumo, but I think the idea of controlling someone's weight and displacing them is always a good idea, and I'm a BIG fan of slapping as an open palm strike.

[@millenial_in_the_middle]

I'm surprised as a Boxing Practicioner (non-competitive) that you ranked Boxing on par with MMA. Granted - Kicks and Takedowns don't work in a narrow environment but other than that a MMA Practicioner could take out a Boxer in an more open environment with ease if both stay in their fighting style and their Fighting Rules. But when in a situation outside, no weapons involved, facing an MMA Practicioner wanting me to fight just because he doesn't like my face, i'm not going to play by the rules.

[@highlanderthegreat]

i dont see SILAT MARTIAL art, i understand there are different kinds but i am talking about the combat and combative type

[@jasonllorente6818]

Just a question: How long have you practised martial arts that made you an expert with all the martial arts in the world. Why don't you go to all the countries and challenge their martial arts, with no holds bar. All empty hands. Then that's when you can really rank the different martial arts properly. Thank you

[@mjevans7434]

Its baffling how little info westerners know about authentic kyokushin. In its authentic format, the no punches to the face rule is mostly its sport aspect. It has other training methods that focus on punches to the face and what to do in street fighting situations. The students of Mas Oyama, the original founder of the art, and Shigeru Oyama, know this and continue this tradition. And its pretty common for people outside the states to know that authentic kyokushin has a sport(no face punches) aspect and street fighting aspect. Its only in the US that they dont know this lol. This guy is knowledgable but he shouldnt talk about arts that arent mainstream in the US.

[@ZeusEBoy]

Yah no

[@mikStaH06]

Lumping all the schools and systems of the Filipino Martial Arts into one and actually putting it closer to the non-combat focused training area made it weird. I mean there's a reason it's still used here in the PH to this day by people in security and even in the armed forces.

[@theobaldlolworth4717]

I was hovering my cursor over the chapters of the video and since I can speak a bit of Japanese, I was utterly perplexed at shin kicking, I thought, f- what kanji/meaning could that be like shin new kicking, you got me there. 😅

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Shin kicking is god kicking

[@theobaldlolworth4717]

lol, a true 'kami waza' (god/superhuman move!)@@CombatSelfDefense

[@Maodifi]

Cool video! The FMA empty hand appraisal is pretty on-point. It can be really good for combat, but it requires a conscious approach to training methods because many schools are too compliant drill-reliant. I also think that defanging the snake is so problematic because it can’t be the primary focus of a martial art, it’s a difficult thing to actually achieve in real life, and the methods of “defanging” emphasized by many schools are often some of the worst.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I appreciate that. I also want to be clear, FMA is the biggest fan of “defanging the snake” but it is far from the only martial art that attempts this. Uke nagashi in taijutsu, tensho in karate….most traditional martial arts do it, but FMA emphasizes it the most

[@Maodifi]

@@CombatSelfDefense Wow, that’s news to me! But I guess that would be pretty likely considering the features of those styles. Now I have something to go read about.

[@constantinebodien1887]

If Judo is as good as it is, why isn't it taught for self defense?

[@awlabrador]

This is why I don’t subscribe to “martial arts” channels like this. Drop a BJJ person into a small village in Luzon, and he’d be sliced up and bleeding out after fighting an escrimador with a couple of knives. And dismissing TKD based solely on the WT style taught to little kids ignores traditional TKD taught outside of restrictive WT tournament rules (e.g. ITF). Think BJJ doesn’t have restrictive rules? In a real fight, BJJ butt-scooters would have their heads and crotches bashed in.

[@Arafax]

HEMA technically covers any historical European martial art including striking and grappling although you won't necessarily find them available at every school

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Fair enough, but yeah, most times HEMA is referring to the weapons portion of the arts.

[@roceal25]

Muay Boran over everything, for you who dont know Muay Thai the sport comes from Muay Boran and is the style of Toni Jaa

[@Andrewquantum_]

2nd degree black belt in tae kwon do and high school wrestler here- definitely agree that wrestling is hands down the most effective in a street fight. I would never dream of using the showy kicks from tae kwon do 😂

[@edprince9079]

I notice those showy kicks are used effectively in mma. More to tkd than showy kicks.

[@Tonydjjokerit]

What about Pak Mei, Systema Krav Maga etc......? Also what about military unarmed combat?

[@TheSrXoN]

The Best martial art for stand up fighting is Muay Thai. For ground fighting it's Brasilian jiu jitsu. For clinch and grappling is Freestyle wrestling. If I would have to pick one martial art overall I would pick combat Sambo or MMA. Amin

[@barnijasz925]

uh I'd like to get some beginning gear from xmartial for bjj or mma as I am currently on the edge of deciding what combat sport should I begin. Nice vid tho I totally agree with your ranking.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Send me an email to [e-mail]! Let’s get you some Xmartial gear!

[@barnijasz925]

​@@CombatSelfDefenseomg tyy

[@SuperElite27000000]

Combat Sambo is no joke, and probably shouldn't be taught to most.

[@Sithikus]

Not to be disrespectful but clearly you really have never trained in anything related to the Filipino martial arts.. every single thing that you train with a weapon can be applied to empty hand.. I would love to debate you on this because I practice the Filipino martial arts for 30 years.. I have for lack of a better word sparred against nearly every Martial system out there.. FMA ( Filipino martial arts ) is not a martial art per say.. it is a system of fighting, a combat system.. it is designed to eliminate your foes quickly as possible and move on to the next because you're usually fighting multiple people

[@TearThatRedFlagDown]

What do you think of catch wrestling?

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I think it’s great. Excellent alternative for those who don’t necessarily like the “go with the flow” mentality of bjj.

[@bishopolis]

I can't get past the spelling mistake on the t-shirt.

[@mkleng]

I think you left out SUBSCRIBE at the bottom right corner.

[@ezekielgarza1150]

Actually aikido trains with weapons, wooden ones but still the concept is still there. I wouldn't rank it any higher but draw big wide circle in the center

[@Ruger44Redhawk]

Any knowledge on Shoshin Ryu? Japanese mixed martial art utilizing a lot of Judo, Aikedo, Hapkido, Jiu-jitsu and others along with edged weapons.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I’ve heard the name but never done it or explored the style myself. Maybe that’s an upcoming video after I do some research

[@Ruger44Redhawk]

@CombatSelfDefense I'm no expert, but I think those are some of the styles. My kids have been taking it here in Idaho for three years now.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Can you send me the website for their school? Or the name of their instructor?

[@jtelevenoyd1571]

Good topic, well presented. Hey, how about SlapFIGHT? Heh.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Ooh

[@kurtsteiner8384]

You did not goshinquai or traditional japaneese jujitsu, on nimpothaijitsu unarmed combat. These are weopns based and not generally a sport. As used by the samuraui an ninja or more corectly the shinobi of japan. Very good assesments generably, but sport arts have rules, thoes i mentioned dont.

[@tophat2115]

art, sport, combat three strands of the martial arts with different emphasis

[@GoldrakeJ79]

where is positioned jkd?

[@Alemanimage]

Where does Jet Kune Do and June Fan fit?

[@WhoIswho-en9bl]

Everything what is weapon based is great. It gives you an uncomparerable advantage against the aggressor. Everything else doesn‘t make sense, because there are to much negative sides (weight, skills, aggression level etc.). A knife and knowing how to fight with a knife will always dominates in a serious self defense Situation. And mentality to kill to save your own life. No matter how small or light your are. Period. If you are 60kg but can work with a knife efficiently, you will come out against tyson alive, not him. It takes 10 seconds

[@JeremyScruggs-z2r]

Ive never took martial art and i can prove football .main thing i think martial art is possition, then attack . Really i dont think the highest in any martial art can stop me from tackle an then put my helment through youres so to speak . Im not trying to fight but im not messed up with demonstrating for who ever. Just saying everyone is not gonna fight in said aspects . But good stuff

[@Kris-qc4jt]

The interesting question is why would your rankings matter? Basically it is just your opinion, which is ok, but there is no scientific methodology here, you are just winging it. Other experienced martial artists would come up with completely different rankings, so in essence these rankings are just opinions, not generally accepted assessments. Obviously you could not even invest enough time in deeper personal experience with every style. But especially it begins with the point, that you are extremely biased regarding the point of "unarmed" combat - you have a sparring, competition mind set, but that is just the opposite thinking of street or military self defense. Different arts often have a different purpose! For instance who cares if you are great at fighting utility applying your punches, throws and grapplings in fair competitions, when an assailant on the street just secretly got out a hidden knife, while you are about to apply sports combat moves, and suddenly you are completely lost and will probably die. Surviving is winning. First understand what is your >goal

[@jimmylinden730]

what do you think about Hapkido?

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Love it

[@jimmylinden730]

me to. i have just started training it@@CombatSelfDefense

[@warrennicholsony.fernando4513]

You said it yourself: it depends on how you use it.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I think I should clarify - it’s also about how it’s used.

[@warrennicholsony.fernando4513]

@@CombatSelfDefense Well if it is used effectively, then it works regardless of the style.

[@hokutoshinken-chrisarmstro131]

I have the exact same Din Djarin and Boba Fett in my living room too.

[@l0rdcroissant]

interesting and I'm researching something that will get me back to be lose and flowing instead of rigid because of age hahaha

[@nataliaxd3777]

Seem like you don’t know much about American kenpo what you analyze what just the katas we spar and there is kickboxing in our style as well

[@gambini5777]

I would put Aikido more to the left- it is rather a kind of TaiChi with Partner

[@deanlichterman5248]

Props for a respect for bartitsu.

[@KatoCoyoteCombatWorkshop]

Having done FMA for the last few months I have been disappointed in what I've been learning. The instructors are very focused on lethality, there is no Panantukan and only very basic wristlocks. I don't feel like I'm walking away with anything morally or legally useful. I feel like I got more out of a single Muay Thai fundamentals class than I did out of all the time I spent doing flow drills with knives and listening to the instructors talk about exsanguinating an opponent with jugular and armpit slashes and their street fight wins.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

This is a bigger issue than just FMA, but FMA is certainly guilty of it: not only is the training methodology dubious, but the legal responsibility one has is often grossly ignored.

[@emeraldlucky1274]

Because it wasn't meant for self defense. Try Modern arnis that will give you what you want, meanwhile other system such as Pekiti tirsia and Kalis ilustrisimo. Those are for killing.

[@Mike-sv2nu]

What about Jeet Kune Do?

[@hidetoedwarduno7681]

Shin kicking has the most fight utility?

[@thierrylagrin2859]

Strongly disagree with your last choice "Shin Kicking?"

[@jasonllorente6818]

Have you really fought a filipino martial arts practitioner in a no holds bar fight. I bet you have not yet experienced being hit by the hammer fist before. Try it then rank it.

[@gopendranandana6738]

Control the Attacker Aikido, I control and Arrested by Arm, Hand's Locks, without using any punch, avoiding liability, buy when the suspect is under influence takes two o three against the suspect to control without escaped to make a trauma, Aikido for Control is effective

[@ezekielgarza1150]

Dont put America kempo above aikido

[@paulfisher3e]

One thing I find every MA underplays is natural athletic ability. They sell techniques and theory with fitness 😮Raising this generally results in challenges, dojoisms or silence. The dojoisms are along the lines of it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the technique in the dog😅

[@SaturnineXTS]

Would really have been nice to see where you'd have put Kudo and Sambo.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Wait for the sequel!

[@MrMcBrainiac]

Krav maga?

[@jadeplanet]

Combat Self Defense, how do you think a karateka who knows how to fight well would fair against a good boxer.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

All things being equal and assuming we’re talking about something like MMA or kickboxing, the karateka SHOULD win. If it’s a straight boxing match, then obviously the boxer.

[@jadeplanet]

Thanks for responding.

[@padre2275]

I have never once heard you mention Krav Maga in any of your videos. I would be very interested in knowing your opinion either way.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Krav is tough to talk about. 10 years ago it was all dudes in camo pants teaching soccer moms throat rips and AR-15 disarms. Now it’s more like MMA with a street focus. So I like modern Krav Maga a lot more than what it was a decade ago.

[@padre2275]

@@CombatSelfDefense Thank you sir for your quick reply and input.

[@iainstewart423]

If ninjutsu doesn’t work, then why do they teach it to the 22 SAS?

[@jschwone2607]

I would have loved to see Hapkido on the chart too.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I wanted to put hapkido on there, but I already talk about it a lot on this channel.