5 Best Fighting Styles

When you’re ready to kick some tush, you should turn to the five best fighting styles. These styles encompass a variety of defensive and aggressive techniques from all around the world.

1. Kung Fu. Kung Fu is a popular term that encompasses the many fighting styles of Chinese martial arts, such as Tai Chi, Shaolin and even Zui Quan (the dreaded Drunken Fist). Many people believe that monks in ancient China practiced Kung Fu as a means of self-defense and enlightenment.
2. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This is a fighting style that revolves around grapples and ground fighting. The style, also known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, caters to smaller fighters because it teaches them to rely on submission holds rather than ranged strikes.
3. Muy Thai. Muy Thai is popular fighting style from Thailand. Muy Thai allows fighters to place emphasis on kicks, knee strikes, punches and elbows. This is one fierce style of kickboxing.
4. Judo. Judo is a Japanese martial art that relies on throws and grapples. Despite the fact that it is a fighting style, the name means “the way of gentleness.”
5. Jeet Kune Do. Jeet Kune Do is a fighting style developed by Bruce Lee after his exposure to various styles of martial arts. The idea behind Jeet Kune Do is eclecticism – borrowing the moves from different schools of fighting that you find the most effective.

Honorable Mention: Aikido is an interesting fighting style with Japanese roots. This peaceful martial art teaches fighters to redirect their opponent’s own momentum and force with throws. Morihei Ueshiba receives credit for the founding of this style.