MuayThaiFighter

Which of these martial arts styles seem the most effective to you for self-defense?

JaredExtreme

I don't see Shotokan or Aikido.......

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hashpuppet

1 on 1 is bjj
1 on more than 1 person, probably krav maga

blade_cs

What about Hapkido or Japanese Jujitsu?

Aren't they self defense arts?

RobertG

1 on more than 1 there is no most effective style. Well, ok, if you're armed and they aren't and you're able to draw your weapon(s) fast enough, you might have a shot. I fail to see how Krav Maga is any more effective than anything else in a totally ****ed up situation. The only advantage KM has is that you specifically train for self defense situations. But if you're out numbered, you're in trouble. It helps to train for being in a ****ed up situation, but that art should simply train you to get the hell away from a multiple opponent situation ASAP. So I'd say your sprints might come in handy more than your m.a. training.

As for one on one, saying BJJ is the end all, be all is simply naive. It depends entirely on the situation. What if you're on concrete covered with broken glass? You don't want to roll around, you want to end it on your feet. So boxing or MT would be optimal. What if the guy has a blade? Well then you need Kali, not BJJ. What if the guy is a college wrestler? You probably don't want to go to the ground with him. What if he's a professional boxer? Then you do want to go to the ground. There are any number of variables to consider--therefore the best art is called cross-training. That way you're prepared for suboptimal situations (which just about any real street fight/self defense situation is going to be less than optimal for you).

And now I'll finish with my normal rant on these topics. Statistically speaking you are unlikely to be involved in a street skirmish. Trouble can usually be avoided. And when and if trouble does arise, 90% of your training is going out the window (unless you've trained over and over again for such situations--which means having training partners randomly attack you, training outside on concrete, at night in the dark, and/or fighting in lots and lots of competitions against new opponents etc.). It naive to think that if you haven't trained for a street fight that you're technique honed on the soft mat with the same guys every week, with good lighting, with being able to tap out, with a mouthpiece, with loose gym clothes, with you stretched and warm--that this is going to translate to a street fight. Some of it will, but a lot of it won't.

platinum_angel

definately ninjitsu

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hashpuppet

I picked bjj as the best 1 on 1 art because it is the most effective in most situations. Here I'll give you a good analogy.

Say in 25 percent of situations, a weapons style like kali is mot effective (Who carries around a stick anyways)
Then in 75 percent of situations, taking someone to the ground is most effective with bjj.

It's really simple logic, plus bjj works wonders on standup artists.

By the way, it doesn't necesarily have to be bjj, grappling is the best in general, judo, and japanese jj are good as well.

brokenelbow

How about if you added some striking to the grappling? Now that'd be something.

For me karate and jujutsu have always done the trick.

Mr. Miyagi

If you're strong, in good shape, and train hard in any legit art you'll be better off than if you aren't equipped.
Every situation is different. None of us can really wager that we could take two or more guys in a real fight, especially if they're tough and strong. It's just good to train hard in something, whether it's bjj, mt, tkd, kravmaga, or what not. You have to either be really good or somewhat advanced to feel confident in using your art.
You don't know what your opponent might be good at on the street. If he was a college wrestler, you don't know that. If he's a golden gloves guy you also don't really know. I guess the stance that someone takes before attacking shows something.
If I was fighting a wrestler on the street I'd probably clinch and give him a leg to do an easy single leg, otherwise I'd be afraid of getting slammed.
I've never been to a bar where there was glass on the floor. I'm sure there are sidewalks with glass in unsafe neighborhoods but I try not to walk around in such places.
I haven't been in a fight since I got my ass kicked once in junior high, don't think I ever will.

ryanhall

For what is almost certainly NOT the last time, there is no 'best' style for self-defense. No standard marial art really prepares you for being randomly assaulted, confronted by multiple individuals who REALLY want to hurt you, dealing with a knifer who REALLY wants to gut you, or being mugged.

It's always funny to hear martial artists talking about self-defense...for the most part, they don't know shite.

Rober does make some good points, however.

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gracilva

i.m.o bjj is the best only if it is used as streetfighting bjj.
you wouldnt go for a take down, then try to mount, then try a submission.
if you were going to use bjj on the street you would obviously shin/knee kick while throat punching before the take down, immediately once mounted, eye gouge, head butt,drop elbows before going into a submission.
so AGAIN there is no "best style".its the combination that works.\
i know of m/t guys that are pussies(not many though) and tkd guys who are animals.
alot if things come into it: personality
fighting spirit
adrenalin control
pain tollerance
conditioning
and most of all motivation (imagine fighting for a beer, or for your life)

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peace.....for now

chris davis 200

ryanhall

Agreed!

geez - Aint this sort of stupid 'what is best blah blah blah' thread pi$$ing anyone else off!

JaredExtreme

You're right Chris, but at least we can all agree that Aikido is the least effective martial art ~!!

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chris davis 200

indeed! i dont do aikido so thats cool!

Szczepankiewicz

No, judo is the least effective martial art.