Martial arts, with their deep roots in global cultures, have evolved from survival techniques to a diverse array of disciplines, each boasting unique philosophies and techniques.
From the high-flying kicks of Taekwondo to the strategic holds of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, these arts span a spectrum of history, culture, and self-defense.
Yet, beyond the popular styles featured in movies and MMA, over a hundred lesser-known martial arts offer their own fascinating stories and methods.
This article not only explores the most common martial arts but also ventures into the hidden corners of this vast world, unveiling styles you may have never heard of. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Most common martial arts styles
There are many different martial arts styles, and these are the most common we’ve found or experienced ourselves from training, competition, or popularity.
1. Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) combines all martial arts into action. It’s the jack of all trades of martial arts. In MMA, you can use Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai, and more.
Each fighter uses this combination differently, creating several types of MMA to utilize in the cage.
MMA has become a sport nowadays. The largest MMA organization where athletes can fight for a living is the Ultimate Fighting Championship, more famous as UFC.
MMA is the youngest sport on this list. It was established in 1993. Several fighters, such as Conor McGregor and Georges St-Pierre, became famous as the sport grew.
2. Boxing
Boxing is one of the most well-known combat sports. It involves the use of your two hands to strike. Punching is associated with head movement and footwork to evade attacks.
Boxing is probably the easiest to learn on this list despite being one of the biggest combat sports. This is because everyone with hands can throw a good punch.
With this, only add a few months of dedicated, proper Boxing training, and you can call yourself a Boxer. Some famous Boxers are Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, and Andy Ruiz.
3. Judo
Judo is a close-quarter combat martial art that originated in Japan. In Judo, you’ll learn to grab and throw your opponents to the ground. You can also choke your opponents.
You can easily interchange Judo and Jiu-Jitsu because they both wear a Gi. You can differentiate the two with their moves. It’s more on throws such as the Judo Hip-throw.
Judo is included as one of the combat sports in the Olympics. Some greatest Judo practitioners to step on land are Kanō Jigorō, Yasuhiro Yamashita, and Yasuhiro Yamashita.
Some people even consider this martial art to be good against striking martial arts because of the ease in tripping people off their feet.
For example, Judo can be very effective against Muay Thai in the right scenario.
4. Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu involves a lot of takedowns, chokes, and locks to win. Jiu-Jitsu originated in Japan; however, the famous style is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) which originated in Brazil.
Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most practical martial arts you can learn for self-defense. In Jiu-Jitsu, you can learn to manhandle guys more significantly than you with proper technique.
A lot of Jiu-Jitsu practitioners have transitioned to MMA. Some of them are Shinya Aoki(One FC), Charles Oliveira(UFC), and Tom DeBlass(Bellator.)
5. Karate
Karate is a martial art that focuses on the utilization of kicks with some punches. In Karate, you’ll throw your strike with immense speed to be elusive from counterblows.
Karate will be the answer when asking kids about martial arts because of the movie Karate Kid. It’s globally famous because of that movie. Moreover, Karate has 9 belts, white (lowest) to red (highest).
There are unique styles of Karate, too, like Kenpo Karate which has been used by UFC fighters.
Some world-renowned Karate martial artists are Lyoto Machida and Stephen Thompson. There’s also a fast-rising Karate fight promotion called Karate Combat. It’s like the UFC of Karate.
By practicing this art, you’d create a ton of mobility in your hips and limbs, but Karate can be challenging for your joints, so it’s important to keep injury-free with mobility training.
6. Tae kwon do
Taekwondo is the national martial art of Korea. Taekwondo is similar to Karate, focusing on lighting fast kicks and punches combined with a wide stance.
Almost every Asian rich child has experienced being enrolled in a Taekwondo class. That’s how widely accepted Taekwondo is in Asia compared to other parts of the world.
Taekwondo doesn’t only offer combat sport. Practitioners also do Poomsae; it is more of a choreographed showcase of synchronized Taekwondo maneuvers done by multiple practitioners.
As this art relies on kicks and isn’t very defensive, Taekwondo doesn’t stand up well against BJJ or other grappling styles.
7. Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a martial art that originated in Thailand. In Muay Thai, you’ll use a variety of moves such as elbows, knees, and heel sweeps to defeat your opponents.
Muay Thai is also called Thai Boxing. Similar to Boxing, Muay Thai is also done in a roped ring. Muay Thai fighters also use the same kind of gloves that Boxers use.
One of the biggest organizations that offer Muay Thai fights on the international level is One Championship. Some famous Muay Thai athletes here are Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Jonathan Haggerty.
8. Kickboxing
Kickboxing is simply Boxing combined with kicks. However, as the sport grew, other people allowed the use of knees, making it similar to Muay Thai.
Unlike Muay Thai, Kickboxing fighters are not allowed to sweep and catch some kicks. Kickboxers also use a glove with thinner padding for extra flexibility.
Kickboxing is one of the foundations of MMA. Some famous Mixed Martial Art fighters with high-level Kickboxing skills are Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira.
9. Wrestling
Wrestling is a martial art that first started in ancient Greece. Wrestlers’ main goal is to tackle or take their opponent down to pin them by all means possible.
When we say Wrestling, it’s not WWE. Wrestling is a martial art that’s done on a mat. It’s not staged and doesn’t include jumping from 10 feet above the air.
Some high-level Wrestlers transition into professional fighters and succeed. Daniel Cormier, Chad Mendes, Frank Mir, and Rampage Jackson are good examples.
10. Aikido
Aikido is a Japanese martial art that focuses on throwing, joint locks, and striking your opponent. It’s pretty much the Mixed Martial Arts of ancient Japan.
Aikido teaches you to use your opponent’s overall body momentum to convert a successful throw. However, some say that Aikido is impractical in real-life situations. I say it depends.
A famous action star named Steven Seagal uses actual Aikido moves in his renowned action movies. He is a 7th Dan Black Belt in Aikido.
11. Kung Fu
One of the most famous martial arts styles for all ages because it’s used during action movies. Kung Fu originated from China during the Zhou dynasty (1111–255 bc).
Kung Fu has been the reason why other youngsters try martial arts for the first time. This is because of the Chinese movies by Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
Kung Fu is a collection of different styles. Some good examples of Kung Fu styles are Wing Chun, Shaolin, Monkey style, Drunken Kung Fu, and more.
12. Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a Chinese martial art that is mainly adapted to the teachings and philosophy of Bruce Lee. It involves kicks, punches with speed, and good movement flow.
Jeet Kune Do is present in all of Bruce Lee’s movies. A famous move from Jeet Kune Do is the finger jab, where you’ll land a jab with your fingertips.
Jeet Kune Do, often called JKD and is believed to be effective during a street fight because of the practicality and speed of its move set.
13. Kendo
Kendo is a weapon-based martial art from Japan. In Kendo, you will use a long katana-like stick that will act as your primary weapon for attack and defense.
Kendo and Fencing have an excellent resemblance to the armor they use. Kendo is different from Fencing. Fencing uses a thin metal sword with a round end.
In Kendo, fighters aim to hit their enemy on specific body parts such as the head, torso, etc. Performing a successful hit corresponds to a point.
14. Krav Maga
Krav Maga is sometimes considered the most dangerous martial art in the world. Krav Maga is used by various Military groups worldwide due to its diverse and practical move sets.
Krav Maga has no professional or amateur tournaments because it is dangerous. Krav Maga teaches bladed weapon handling, body throwing, lethal hand-to-hand combat strikes, and more.
Krav Maga is not made for competition; its moves are developed for soldiers and civilians to defend themselves from real bad guys.
Less commonly known martial arts styles
We’ve pulled together a master list of all other martial arts in existence, but that you might not have heard of before.
| Martial Arts Style | Origin | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Engolo | Angola | Unique kicks and open hand techniques |
| Tahtib | Egypt | Fighting with wooden staves |
| Dambe | West Africa | Fist fighting with bound hands |
| Lutte Traditionnelle | Senegal | Traditional folk wrestling |
| Senegalese wrestling | Senegal | Wrestling with ground grappling |
| Istunka | Somalia | Bare-knuckle punching and kneeing |
| Nguni stick-fighting | Southern Africa | Fighting with long hardwood sticks |
| Nuba fighting | Sudan | Ritualized bare-knuckle boxing |
| Bajan stick-licking | Barbados | Fighting with short wooden sticks |
| Capoeira | Brazil | Dance-like fighting with kicks and sweeps |
| Huka-huka | Suriname | Grappling wrestling |
| Esgrima Crioula | Brazil | Fighting with knives and machetes |
| Luta Livre | Brazil | Grappling and submission wrestling |
| Vale Tudo | Brazil | Full contact fighting with minimal rules |
| Defendo | Canada | Self defense techniques against weapons |
| SPEAR System | United States | Tactical self defense and combat skills |
| Wen-Do | Canada | Self defense for women |
| Colombian grima | Colombia | Rough and tumble street fighting |
| Juego de maní | Cuba | Grappling wrestling |
| Tire machèt | Haiti | Fighting with machetes |
| American Kenpo | United States | Eclectic martial art with striking and grappling |
| Chulukua | Mexico | Ancient Mesoamerican wrestling |
| Collegiate wrestling | United States | Folkstyle wrestling |
| Combatives | United States | Hand-to-hand combat techniques |
| Emerson Combat Systems | United States | Knife fighting and self defense |
| Gouging (fighting style) | Appalachia | Eye gouging and biting |
| Jailhouse rock (fighting style) | United States | Improvised dirty fighting |
| LINE (combat system) | United States | Close quarters fighting for military |
| Marine Corps Martial Arts Program | United States | Hand-to-hand combat system |
| Model Mugging | United States | Self defense training for women |
| Shootfighting | United States | Full contact fighting allowing diverse techniques |
| Special Combat Aggressive Reactionary System | United States | Military self defense and hand-to-hand combat |
| 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu | United States | Grappling focused on rubber guard |
| Bangladeshi martial arts | Bangladesh | Indigenous fighting styles of Bangladesh |
| Butthan | Bangladesh | Kickboxing style |
| Bokator | Cambodia | Ancient martial art with knee and elbow strikes |
| Pradal serey | Cambodia | Kickboxing with elbow and knee strikes |
| Shaolin Kung Fu | China | External and internal martial arts from Shaolin temple |
| Baguazhang | China | Internal martial art focused on circle walking |
| Tai chi | China | Internal martial art focused on slow movements and meditation |
| Bajiquan | China | External martial art noted for explosive power |
| Wing Chun | China | Internal martial art focused on close range combat |
| Shuai Jiao | China | Grappling and throwing focused wrestling style |
| Choy Gar | China | Southern Chinese martial art emphasizing power |
| Fut Gar | China | Southern Chinese martial art with linear explosive movements |
| Sanda | China | Full contact kickboxing with takedowns and throws |
| Mardani khel | India | Ancient folk wrestling |
| Malla-yuddha | India | Traditional South Asian wrestling |
| Kalaripayattu | India | Ancient Indian martial art incorporating strikes, grappling and weapons |
| Vajra-mushti | India | Traditional Indian wrestling style |
| Adimurai | India | Ancient martial art that combines vital point strikes with weapons |
| Gatka | India | Fighting with one or two swords, sticks, or spears |
| Pencak silat | Indonesia | Indigenous martial arts from Indonesia and Malaysia |
| Tarung Derajat | Indonesia | Full contact fighting style |
| Kapap | Israel | Martial art focused on self defense, gun, knife, and stick disarms |
| Sumo | Japan | Full contact wrestling |
| Ninjutsu | Japan | Martial arts practiced by ninja utilizing weapons and unconventional tactics |
| Kenjutsu | Japan | Sword fighting |
| Sojutsu | Japan | Fighting with a spear |
| Naginatajutsu | Japan | Fighting with a naginata polearm |
| Bojutsu | Japan | Fighting with a bo staff |
| Okinawan kobudo | Okinawa | Fighting with traditional Okinawan weapons |
| Iaido | Japan | Sword drawing art focused on smooth reaction and cut timing |
| Kusarigamajutsu | Japan | Fighting with kusarigama hand sickle and chain |
| Kyudo | Japan | Ritualistic archery |
| Tessenjutsu | Japan | Fighting with iron war fan |
| Shurikenjutsu | Japan | Fighting by throwing shuriken |
| Bajutsu | Japan | Fighting from horseback with weapons |
| Jujutsu | Japan | Grappling focused on joint locks, throws, and submissions |
| Taidō | Japan | Fluid grappling martial art |
| Kūdō | Japan | Hybrid full contact striking and grappling sport |
| Choi Kwang Do | Korea | Eclectic martial art focused on self defense techniques |
| Ssireum | Korea | Traditional Korean wrestling |
| Hwa Rang Do | Korea | Korean martial art incorporating striking, weapons, and grappling |
| Kuk Sool Won | Korea | Eclectic Korean martial art |
| Taekkyon | Korea | Traditional Korean martial art with fluid kicking techniques |
| Tang Soo Do | Korea | Disciplined kicking and striking art |
| Hap ki do | Korea | Martial art combining hand strikes, circular movements, and joint manipulation |
| Muay Lao | Laos | Kickboxing style similar to Muay Thai |
| Silat | Malaysia | Indigenous martial arts incorporating strikes, grappling, and weaponry |
| Mongolian wrestling | Mongolia | Jacket wrestling style |
| Lethwei | Myanmar | Full contact bareknuckle Burmese boxing |
| Bando | Myanmar | Martial art from Myanmar incorporating strikes, weapons, and grappling |
| Banshay | Myanmar | Weapons-based Burmese fighting style |
| Naban | Myanmar | Traditional chinlone-inspired Burmese boxing |
| Pongyi thaing | Myanmar | Burmese boxing combining martial arts techniques with mantras |
| Yaw-Yan | Philippines | Kickboxing martial art from the Philippines |
| Angampora | Sri Lanka | Ancient indigenous martial art of Sri Lanka |
| Cheena di | Sri Lanka | Traditional Sri Lankan martial art |
| Krabi–krabong | Thailand | Weapons-based Thai martial art |
| Lerdrit | Thailand | Traditional Muay Boran bare-fist fighting |
| Muay boran | Thailand | Ancestral unarmed fighting style that preceded modern Muay Thai |
| Silat Pattani | Thailand | Weapon-based martial art from southern Thailand |
| Matrak | Uzbekistan | Traditional Uzbek grappling wrestling |
| Oil wrestling | Turkey | Greco-Roman wrestling practiced with oil |
| Sayokan | Vietnam | Vietnamese martial art that incorporates elements of karate, kung fu, and tai chi |
| Nhất Nam | Vietnam | Vietnamese version of kung fu incorporating elements of other arts |
| Hokutoryu Ju-Jutsu | United Kingdom | Combination of jujutsu with aikijutsu and kenjutsu |
| Canne de combat | France | Fighting with a short walking stick |
| Gouren | France | Traditional jacket wrestling from Brittany |
| Qwan Ki Do | France | Martial art combining karate, taekwondo, and Vietnamese martial arts |
| Savate | France | Kickboxing developed from street fighting |
| German Ju-Jutsu | Germany | Self defense and close combat system |
| Ringen | Germany | Traditional grappling style |
| Unifight | Germany | Self defense system incorporating elements of karate, judo, and jujutsu |
| Ancient Greek boxing | Greece | Ancient Greek sport of fist fighting |
| Greek wrestling | Greece | Competitive folk wrestling |
| Pankration | Greece | Ancient full-contact combat sport combining boxing and wrestling |
| Glima | Iceland | Indigenous Icelandic wrestling |
| Bataireacht | Ireland | Ancient Irish stick fighting style |
| Sambo | Russia | Grappling style with throws and submissions |
| Systema | Russia | Combat style using movement and breathing |
| Real Aikido | Japan | Redirecting the force of the attacker |
| Leonese wrestling | Spain | Wrestling style with belts or ropes |
| Lucha Canaria | Canary Islands | Wrestling style with slam throws |
| Schwingen | Switzerland | Wrestling style with short wrestling pants |
| Combat Hopak | Ukraine | Martial art incorporating acrobatic kicks |
| Bare-knuckle boxing | England | Punching without boxing gloves |
| Bartitsu | England | Mixed martial art incorporating jujitsu and boxing |
| Catch wrestling | England | Grappling style with painful submission holds |
| Combat pistol shooting | Various | Shooting discipline for defensive pistol skills |
| Cornish wrestling | England | Jacket wrestling style from Cornwall |
| Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling | England | Wrestling style from Cumberland and Westmorland |
| Defendu | England | Close quarters combat system |
| Devon wrestling | England | Jacket wrestling style from Devon |
| Lancashire wrestling | England | Wrestling style from Lancashire |
| Suffrajitsu | England | Martial art incorporating jujitsu and women’s self-defense |
| Singlestick | England | Fencing style using a wooden stick as a sword |
| Shin-kicking | England | Contest of kicking opponent’s shins |
| Scottish backhold | Scotland | Wrestling style starting with rear body hold |
| Coreeda | Wales | Wrestling style from Wales |
| Mau rākau | New Zealand | Māori stick fighting style |
| Kajukenbo | United States | Hybrid martial art from Hawaii |
| Kapu Kuialua | Hawaii | Native Hawaiian martial art with joint locks |
| Limalama | Hawaii | Unarmed Native Hawaiian self-defense style |
FAQ on types of martial arts
Due to the vast number of martial arts present, it’s unavoidable for different questions to arise from the public’s curiosity. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.
How many types of martial arts are there?
It is believed that more than 150 practiced martial arts are scattered around the planet. Most originated from Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, China, Japan, and Korea.
However, there’s a chance that various tribes and ethnic groups have some undiscovered style of martial arts.
What are the most popular types of martial arts worldwide?
The most popular types of martial arts worldwide are Boxing, Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, MMA and Taekwondo.
Each of these martial arts offers unique techniques, philosophies, and training methods.
Karate focuses on striking techniques such as punches, kicks, and knee strikes. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds, making it highly effective for self-defense. Muay Thai, known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” incorporates punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes. Taekwondo is distinguished by its emphasis on high kicks and rapid spinning techniques.
These martial arts are not only popular for their combat effectiveness but also for their fitness benefits and the discipline they bring to a practitioners life.
How many types of Chinese martial arts are there?
There are a total of 4 discovered Chinese martial arts: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Baguazhang and Shuai Jiao. These main variations are further subdivided into dozens of sub-styles.
Kung Fu is a martial art divided into styles such as Shaolin, Long Fist, Eagle Claw, and Monkey Style.
Baguazhang is an internal style of martial arts. It is very similar to Tai Chi. It involves various breathing techniques and meditative drills.
Shuai Jiao is a Chinese martial art focusing more on pure stand-up fighting.