What's the BEST Martial Art for YOU.. BRUTALLY HONEST TRUTH! 

In Krav Maga the techniques are not for competition at all, and are uncompromisingly for self-defense. I have taken kickboxing classes, for example, where I've been told to drop the arm on the kicking side to get more power in the kick, but in Krav we don't do that because we need to guard the head against multiple opponents. The techniques are high-leverage, both literally and metaphorically, intended for people to use against more powerful opponents in common attacks. In addition to basic strikes and blocks, the first level discusses how to fall, how to fight from the ground against a standing opponent, and how to avoid and escape chokes, bearhugs, and headlocks. So when a woman escapes a choke she will use leverage rather than strength. As for dogma, the instructors are expected to answer questions or to simply say "I don't know but let me find out." The curriculum is periodically updated, rather than simply repeating what "the master" did 400 years ago. Weapons, multiple opponents, and surprise attacks are all assumed. We turn up the music, put on strobe lights, spin in circles, and then fight through a crowd of attackers. Escape, awareness, avoidance, de-escalation, and creativity are all practiced on the mat. After finishing up with an assailant, the next move is always to look for the next assailant, and either attack or find an exit and go to it. The response to an attacker with a knife starts with them on the other end of the mat and running away in response. Then we close distance and change techniques as needed. All I care about is going home unhurt at the end of the day. No ego BS, no gold medals. Periodically I look for better self-defense practices, and I always end up back to Krav Maga.

Also train in something you actually like. People can recommend you to train Wrestling and Muay Thai because is what they see in the UFC but you end up enjoying and loving Sambo and Karate instead (although if you want to be a pro mma fighter for example, it would be wise to learn those arts used by your opponents, even if you don't like them) Your investing time, money and health after all!

If you're fighting ego battles then you've already lost ! Just walk away! If they pursue you to continue the engagement then it's becomes criminal . Then do what you gotta do !

Mark, thank you for your advice! To the point, as always. I started with Krav Maga in 2018. While not a martial art, it was a good fit for me, mostly because I listened to advice #1: What do I want from this, and what can I give? I had the luck to train together with a big variety of people from all sorts of (martial arts) backgrounds and I can just confirm: For self-defence, the best martial art is running, the second best is grappling. I could also see how, even in practical forms like MMA, one should not neglect the "arts" part in martial arts. Ended up taking an interest in Wing Tsun, which is totally different from Krav Maga, but it taught me a lot about awareness, which is maybe the most important skill in real life scenarios.

Good point in the video about picking what is appropriate. Military needs a system that is simple with some lethal applications. Police / law enforcement need a system that is applicable for arresting suspects. Sport martial artists need detailed tactics for competitiveness to earn fight purse. Self-defense needs to be applicable for smaller civilians in social situations.

Such an excellent video! Truth in each and every word. I trained in judo and karate as a teenager/young adult but years of military service have been vey unkind to my body and I no longer am able to be as fast, strong, stable, and mobile as I used to be 25 years ago. Reflexes re definitely slowing down even though I try to train those, as well. Due to PTSD, hypervigilance is always with me. I never wear headphones anywhere because situational awareness is critical. Thank you for your wonderful, REAL, work.

Economy is a factor, imo. A poor person can learn to box ( and kick box) via free materials ( online, library) with little to no equipment ( e.g. shadow boxing). One can make a double end bag with a $1.00 ball, bungee cords, and duct tape : $5.00. One can train alone. Conversely, BJJ, Judo, TKD, Kung Fu, Akido are intricate, and require money equipment, and people. Great vid!👍

Brilliant analysis, I have said similar things myself, boxing is a very quick way, to learn self defence. For my build, I've always been a better striker, however, that doesn't mean that you can't, step outside your comfort zone and still learn and improve a grappling art.. Once again, great vid 👍

The best martial art to learn for self defence, in my opinion, is as many of them as possible. They all have techniques that can be applied in the real world if you reach a sufficient level of mastery.

To me it either comes down to the Bobby Hill method of "thats my purse, I don't know you!" or Rex Kwan Do, because nobody wants to take a kick to the head while wearing these bad boys.

I think your advice is spot on and I have gone through this thought process over the last few years. I train for self-defense, physical fitness and for fun. In my younger years, I was a third-degree black belt instructor in Japanese Karate', as well as training in Judo and Japanese Jiu-Jiitsu. But I drifted away from it for decades, even though the techniques are still in there somewhere. At 68, I started training in Muay Thai and sport BJJ. I loved Muay Thai, but I was not that good at it. I found the sport BJJ confusing and frustrating. I switched to regular boxing and Gracie Combatives BJJ. I built up some skill quickly in boxing, but it was too much for me physically. I'm glad I tried it, though. People throw a lot of shade at Gracie Combatives, but it is just right for me. You're right, it's different for everyone. You have to consider what you want to accomplish, what's available where you are and what you enjoy enough to stick with it. I appreciate that you rightly did not give a "one size fits all" answer like so many people online do. Oh and being in the US, I carry a 9mm automatic pistol legally. I'm very well trained in firearms, as well as self defense law, and I practice situational awareness to a fault.

Pick a grappling sport like wrestling or BJJ. And pick a striking sport like boxing, karate, kickboxing. Learn the basics and you're good to go.

I am a horrible striker but I am strong like a bull for my age at 6'0 and 290lbs (BJJ)Judo:Focuses on ground fighting and submissions technique over strength. Like always awesome video. Very insightful and educational

Wing Chun, Muay Thai and Beazilian Jiu-jitsu are The Best Match so Far🙏🏽

Wanted to say Excellent for a long time. Thank you from an old man who's hit too many people, too many times . My mate was into Gracie Brazil jiu-jitsu and took me to train with Andy Gibney ( eskrima) in the 90s. Meditation was a part of our training with lots of stretching. Put loads of weight on but am still supple and the reactions are still there . Liked the sparring bit too much , naughty when you don't like losing but Andy Scanlon was my hero and a great teacher. Stay safe Sir .

Fantastic video. I agree with the specific approach you took to answering this question. Your videos are always insightful, honest, clear, and concise. Please keep doing what you are doing.

boxing and judo and whatever else you like

Very level headed advice, thank you sir !

Thanks!

Wise words! Thanks mark

the teacher is more important than the particular style, when my old teacher was first starting out he would tell his first teacher (his grandmother) "He has done this and that." Grandma always asked "Stevie, can he fight?" When he could finally answer yes she asked "Can his students fight?"

Excellent video as always. Let me add this: TKD is frequently shamed for self defense and that's just wrong. Any martial art can be good or bad for self defense. It all depends on the practitioner, his/her mindset, and which techniques they use in real world scenarios. I had a friend that was good in TKD and I was around him in real world scenarios and he used simple techniques and kept his kicks low. He didn't do any spinning kicks and fancy moves on the street. Growing up on the streets in and around Newark like I did you learn what works and what doesn't the hard way.

Excellent video keep the new videos coming.

Best commentary on this subject I've heard to date. There's too much "ranking " of martial arts. I spent 20+ years in law enforcement, some without MA training and some after formal training. Fights are about survival, not winning and losing. Take the Bruce Lee approach - acquire what works and eliminate that which does not work.

Thank you. A good man

Although Boxing is a sport, it is an ancient sport, very much like Wrestling, and someone trained in these two arts is a very dangerous person, I myself train in a traditional martial art that comes from Europe, the reason I chose the art I practice is because it has many weapons and a great unarmed side, that includes both striking and grappling.

Perfect!

This video sums up my thoughts so amazingly. I wish more martial arts thought like this, every different school I've trained at is full of Donna etc

Good one keepemcoming

Really good ideas here coach, and I think for some people, a combination of the arts you mentioned will work. In close fighting? Muay Thai clinch and knee, street fight, eyes and throat .,turn and run. I developed my skills as you said, according to my age, body style and cardio. You don’t get a second shot with me, thank you coach

Training the ancient art of the 200m sprint is a good back-up option too ;)

Hi coach Im from Algeria Im a Boxer Im good at violence but I hate it could you talk about how to accept myself as a Fighter eventhough I hate violence.

A great analisys. I had a strange yet interesting journey: trained in JKD with a private elder master for two years (he used to work in high level security). He trained me in all the things you actually need: reflexes, cohordination, strength training (explosiveness, etc), full full contact (we used to wear hockey full body protections because we were striking really hard and without big boxing gloves), he even taught me to fight against bigger and stronger men, chi sai bruce lee style, bones condtionning, etc After two years he said me: now you are ready for the "real" martial arts: and so he began to teach me qi gong, and I am also taking shaolin classes (although I still need to find masters that do not tesch just forms but the real kung fu like immovable roots , etc). I am a big fan of yiur videos. Only a person that has tried these things on his skin can understand them 🙏 AES DHAMMO SANANTANO

In my opinion best martial art is that one who train you serious and hard. A lot of simulations like in karate, or krav maga, you can do for years, and in real fight you are dead. Just go in the ring with mma or kickbox and will be a lot more helpful. If you avoid brutal contact training, its just fitness, foget about reality winning fight :(

my girls are currently in TKD to learn striking, leg kicks and using distance against one or more opponents. It also teaches them the discipline of a martial art, lots of sparring and making incremental progress on a long term goal. When those goals are achieved i will move them to Judo, jujitsu or BJJ so they can add grappling and leverage tactics to their tool kits.

I've found that I'm good at kicking, blocking, and parrying. What style would be good for me? My punches feel weak.

I'm 40 thinking of learning Wing Chun, just because I like that style

I’m a big guy 6’7 285 but I have incredible speed for my size I always liked punching more than grappling but I can wrestle with the best of them

Muay Thai, Western boxing and BJJ, for me. But I hate how judgey martial artists can be. I'm certainly not saying there aren't better mixes for other people. Everyone has their own unique talents and biomechanics. All I'm saying is that I've been mugged three times in my life, and they ran away empty-handed every time.

the best martial art technique for me is the Pot Belly Bastard style

I'm 180cm, Male, 70 kg normal weight, actually a thin type. I'm kidney transplant and they tell me I should forget martial arts but i don't want to forget it. I feel not strong, I'm also easily anxious if an also smaller opponent stands in front of me but I know I'm not the weakest and he may be in danger himself trying to attack me. But tbh, idk if that's true and there can be many things I am not prepared for. I also would like to train self defense, to protect me in front of somebody with a knife. I did Wing Chun for a while, it made me strong phisically, but I still felt too vulnerable, because I had to stop it after my healt went worse. It was fun but I thought I would like to be not too defensive always, for when it comes to a situation where I have to protect myself and another person too. I got told Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu would be really good, Krav Maga. Chat GPT gave me the same answer + Muai Thai...

Are there some solo practices someone could do to prepare for potential self defense situations?

Learning a martial art is one thing. You need to spar or it’s utterly useless. It’s like a soldier being trained for combat but not experiencing it.

Sir can you please make a video on how to fight Gwi Nam from All of us are dead

So as someone of exactly average height I have to choose between doing all the martial arts or no martial arts at all. It's gonna be a tough meditation session today.

I'll be 65 in July. I'm 5'9, 220lbs (30%bodyfat) in decent shape. What martial art/ self defense system do you all suggest besides buying a pistol?

You should learn stricking, grappling, and weapons. Krav maga for example.

Ive found that i want to train for self defence AND cardio so boxing is perfect for me. But first of all DONT get into streets fights.

"I drink my $32 matcha from Erewon" not even a Matcha

What martial arts would you recommend for a short 5"0? I was attacked once and almost had my neck turned to 360 degrees if it wasn't for my ex who came to save me at the last minute. When the attacked came off me, I helped stun him by hitting his balls as hard as I could with the back of my heel over and over again. Then we ran away and called the cops. It made me wish I knew martial arts.

💯

😎👍 💯

Thanks sir India fan

my daughter is 14, 200 lbs powerlifter who hits like a truck. i was debating what to get her into for self defense.

👍

Karate and ninjutsu work for me

One criticism of this video, and it's just a matter of verbal style which with this subject becomes more important, is that Fight Science is addressing the points one should consider in choosing a martial art form and, as such, the person who comes here may be in the dark on that subject...so...the explanations offered are far too crowded with the word, "obviously". I suggest taking that word out since, after all, if any of those points were obvious, people wouldn't need to view the video. Yes?

Ninjutsu and Mhuay Thai?

@02:58 In regards to dogma! Too too many ppl, in or out, of the MA Community look at MA like starting a car. With a car 🚗 you stick in the key, twist it, & vroom vroom, off you go. If at any point in that process, the car doesn't start, then there's a problem. So, likewise if you learn some techniques & lose a fight (get attacked)! Now the MA is no good, or you're no good. That's how a lot of ppl seem to feel about the MA. I'm like, whether you train or not, the MA isn't a magic pill of invincibility. Can aikido work? Can Krav Maga? Can this/that/other work? I'm like ... 🤷‍♂️sure ... if you train it for realistic situations. Not just doing basic forms & ppl grabbing you by the collar or wrist.

The best is boxing because you can pop the guy in a second and you can fight multiple attacker

I train in Smith & Wesson. 😂😂😂 Seriously, I’ve trained in Kung Fu for the past 20yrs.

the best martial art for me is bjj

🌎 👈 the one that uses that.

Great. So, apparently the best martial art for me is Sumo. 🤦‍♂

Can you catch a fly with chop sticks?

I’d say that there is a lot of truth in all the comments and of course the video. I have found that the best form of training is sparring with partners as you work on everything. Striking and blocking, stand-up grappling, kicking and blocking with your legs, takedowns, ground work, strikes on the ground. Focusing on ending a fight in a few seconds. Cheat whenever possible. 😂

Wait. Your Kata isn't quite right. No real punches or kicks on a bag yet....

Older than dirt, Fatter than a Ford 150, Ugler than a mud fence Faster than a crippled sloth more powerful than a two day old train wreck, able to kick low anthills in a single faceplant. Belts are to keep my trowsers tied over my skinny behind Head is shaved since hair patterns looks like a field of corn planted by a farmer on meth Social skills slightly exceed the guy who cried "Bring out your dead" during the plague Put a dozen of me in a room and you get a full set of teeth Summing it up Acqualung would be on the cover of GQ before me. Thank God A win is breathing or more important partner is breathing after a fight. In self defense it is better to give than receive. Therefore Japanese Jiu Juisu with a fair amount of learned treachery and gile thrown in for good measure.

Seriously they want to learn to kick men butts but don't want to grapple with them in practice?😮😂😊

"boxing will teach you skills much faster than a traditional martial art" ... bjj is literally the slowest system there is, 15 years on average to get to black belt ... most never even make it past blue belt ... laughable

None of them. Stop making martial arts popular among fearful youth. They are rarely the last defensive option and in most cases they give the defender (if they are not outright aggressive) upper hand to escalate the situation.

Your reflexes can improve through your entire life they do not deteriorate as you get older.There also ways to neutralize a punch besides moving your head away from it.So I don't agree with your statemant on striking arts Well I guess theres a first time for everything My error so I will clarify they do not "HAVE" to deteriorate as you get older if you train properly they will in fact improve

Best martial art for self defense is the art that is forever evolving, through competition at professional level. However, you need live instruction, preferably one on one. The teacher must have real fighting experience at professional level. And last but not least, the training should be conveniently available to you. I'm not athletically gifted, and started at 57. I was a true desk jockey. Being a Thai, muaythai was the most viable option. Boxing and BJJ would be other effective options. Here is yours truly training at 76++. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Dv-vbV25SCQ.html

ماشالله تبارك الله عليك يعطيك الصحة والعافية يارب العالمين دخلو عند في قناة الله خليك ساعدوني من فضلكم في قناة الله خليك

Unless you want to compete in martial art, why learn it for self defense?? It most likely will be useless in a street fight . So, I just want to learn how to defend myself in a dirty street fight, learn useful techniques