The Ultimate List of Martial Arts: 100+ Fighting Styles Revealed

Dive into our comprehensive list of all martial arts, exploring 100+ fighting styles from around the world. From striking to grappling, discover the fascinating world of combat techniques!

My Journey into the World of Martial Arts

Hey there! I’m gonna be real with you – my fascination with martial arts started way back in high school when I watched my first Bruce Lee movie. Little did I know that what seemed like just cool fight scenes was actually a deep, complex world of cultural traditions and physical disciplines.

Over the years, I’ve trained in a few styles and talked to martial artists from different backgrounds. Trust me, there’s WAY more to martial arts than what you see in movies. In this guide, I’ll break down the incredible diversity of combat styles from around the world.

Quick Tip: This isn’t just a boring list. We’re gonna explore the soul of martial arts – the stories, the techniques, and the incredible human spirit behind each style.

What Exactly Are Martial Arts? 🥋

Martial arts aren’t just about fighting. They’re complex systems of combat and self-defense that often blend physical techniques with philosophical and spiritual practices. Each style tells a story about its culture, history, and people.

Our Martial Arts Categories

We’ve grouped martial arts into seven mind-blowing categories:

• Striking Martial Arts
• Grappling Martial Arts
• Hybrid Martial Arts
• Weapon-Based Martial Arts
• Internal & Traditional Martial Arts
• Rare & Unusual Combat Styles
• Military & Street-Fighting Systems

Here my top picks check this out

🥊 Striking Martial Arts: Where Punches and Kicks Rule

When most people think “martial arts,” they imagine striking styles. And boy, do we have some wild ones! this list of martial arts is just awesome!

1. Boxing (Western) – Fist-based combat sport with footwork and head movement.
2. Kickboxing (Japan/Netherlands) – Full-contact striking using punches and kicks.
3. Muay Thai (Thailand) – “Art of Eight Limbs,” using fists, elbows, knees, and shins.
4. Karate (Japan) – Striking martial art with punches, kicks, and katas.
5. Shotokan Karate (Japan) – A linear, powerful style of Karate focused on speed.
6. Goju-Ryu Karate (Japan) – A blend of hard and soft striking techniques.
7. Kyokushin Karate (Japan) – Full-contact Karate emphasizing strong kicks and endurance.
8. Shorin-Ryu Karate (Japan) – Traditional Okinawan Karate with fast movements.
9. Wado-Ryu Karate (Japan) – A lighter, more evasive Karate style.
10. Tang Soo Do (Korea) – A mix of Karate and Chinese martial arts.
11. Taekwondo (Korea) – Focuses on high, fast kicks and dynamic movements.
12. Kung Fu (Wushu) (China) – A broad term for various Chinese martial arts.
13. Wing Chun (China) – Close-range Kung Fu known for rapid hand techniques.
14. Hung Gar (China) – Southern Kung Fu style with strong stances and power.
15. Choy Li Fut (China) – A combination of Northern and Southern Kung Fu techniques.
16. Savate (France) – French kickboxing emphasizing elegant footwork.
17. Sanda (Sanshou) (China) – Chinese kickboxing that incorporates throws.
18. Lethwei (Myanmar) – A brutal form of kickboxing allowing headbutts.
19. Yaw-Yan (Philippines) – Filipino kickboxing with spinning attacks.
20. Bajiquan (China) – Explosive short-range striking style.
21. Limalama (Polynesia) – Polynesian striking martial art using circular movements.
22. Hwa Rang Do (Korea) – Striking, grappling, and weapons training.
23. Hanbojutsu (Japan) – Striking using short sticks.
24. Musti-Yuddha (India) – Ancient Indian bare-knuckle boxing.
25. Adithada (India) – South Indian kickboxing with pressure point strikes.
26. Bokator (Cambodia) – Ancient Khmer striking art using animal movements.
27. Sikaran (Philippines) – Martial art focused heavily on powerful kicks.
28. Dambe (Nigeria) – West African boxing using a wrapped fist as a weapon.
29. Taekkyeon (Korea) – Traditional Korean martial art using flowing kicks.
30. Gongfu Fan (China) – A Kung Fu style that incorporates a folding fan as a weapon.
31.  Karambit Fighting (Southeast Asia) – A knife-fighting style using the curved karambit blade.
32.  Han Mu Do (Korea) – A system combining Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Judo.
33. Kumdo (Korea) – Korean equivalent of Kendo, focusing on sword techniques.
34.   Bando Kickboxing (Myanmar) – Burmese striking style blending Muay Thai and Lethwei.
35.  Shinai Kendo (Japan) – Kendo fighting adapted for full-contact sports.
36.   Russian Boxing (Russia) – Traditional Russian striking art similar to Western boxing.
37.  Kudo (Japan) – A hybrid of Karate and Judo incorporating headbutts and grappling.
38.   Shidokan Karate (Japan) – Full-contact Karate with grappling and head strikes.
39.   Wai Khru (Thailand) – Ritual Muay Thai dance with combative applications.
40.  Burmese Boxing (Myanmar) – Similar to Lethwei but includes more defensive techniques.

🤼 Grappling Martial Arts: The Ground Game

Not all fights stay standing. Grappling martial arts teach you how to control and submit an opponent on the ground. check this list of martial arts is just fantastic!!!

41. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) (Brazil) – Ground-fighting martial art focused on submissions.
42. Judo (Japan) – Throwing-based martial art with joint locks and pins.
43. Freestyle Wrestling (Global) – Olympic wrestling focusing on takedowns.
44. Greco-Roman Wrestling (Global) – Upper-body-focused wrestling style.
45. Catch Wrestling (England) – Aggressive submission grappling.
46. Glima (Iceland) – Traditional Viking wrestling.
47. Shuai Jiao (China) – Ancient Chinese wrestling with throws.
48. Sambo (Russia) – Judo-like grappling with leg locks.
49. Luta Livre (Brazil) – No-gi Brazilian submission wrestling.
50. Pehlwani (India) – South Asian traditional wrestling.
51. Kurash (Uzbekistan) – Central Asian wrestling similar to Judo.
52. Mongolian Wrestling (Bökh) (Mongolia) – Traditional grappling art.
53. Naban (Myanmar) – Burmese grappling with joint manipulation.
54. Ssireum (Korea) – Korean folk wrestling.
55. Trînta (Moldova/Romania) – Eastern European wrestling.
56. Schwingen (Switzerland) – Swiss folk wrestling.
57.  Siberian Wrestling (Russia) – A native Siberian grappling style.
58. Kyrgyz Kurosh (Kyrgyzstan) – Central Asian wrestling similar to Mongolian Bökh.
59. Folkstyle Wrestling (USA) – American high school and collegiate wrestling.
60. Huka-Huka (Brazil/Amazon) – Indigenous wrestling practiced by the Xingu people.
61. Tegumi (Okinawa, Japan) – An ancient Okinawan grappling art.
62. Ukrainian Hopak (Ukraine) – A mix of wrestling and striking in a dance-like form.
63. Par Terre Wrestling (Europe) – A ground-based wrestling system focused on holds.
64.   Schwingen (Switzerland) – Swiss folk wrestling where opponents wear special belts.

🥋 Hybrid Martial Arts: The Best of All Worlds

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It’s the result of martial artists asking, “What if we combine the best techniques from different styles?” That makes this list of martial freaking wild !!

65. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) – Combines striking, wrestling, and submissions.
66. Jeet Kune Do (JKD) (Bruce Lee) – Adaptive, philosophy-based combat system.
67. Hapkido (Korea) – Blends joint locks, kicks, and weapons.
68. Kajukenbo (Hawaii) – A mix of Karate, Judo, Kenpo, and Boxing.
69. Pencak Silat (Indonesia/Malaysia) – Blends strikes, throws, and weapons.
70. Bando (Myanmar) – Burmese martial art incorporating all ranges of combat.
71. Yoseikan Budo (Japan) – A modern mix of Aikido, Karate, and Judo.
72. American Kenpo (USA) – A blend of Karate, boxing, and Jiu-Jitsu.
73. Shorinjiryu Kempo (Japan) – A hybrid of Karate and Chinese martial arts.
74. Kenka Karate (Japan) – Combative full-contact Karate with bare-knuckle strikes.
75. Aiki Jujutsu (Japan) – A predecessor to Aikido combining throws and joint locks.
76. Combat Jiu-Jitsu (Global) – A version of BJJ that allows open-hand strikes.
77. Goshin Jutsu (Japan) – A self-defense-oriented Jujutsu style.

⚔️ Weapon-Based Martial Arts: Beyond Empty Hands

From Japanese Kendo to Filipino Kali, weapon arts are about understanding tools as extensions of your body.

• Kendo (Japan) – Japanese sword fighting with bamboo swords.
• Kenjutsu (Japan) – Samurai swordsmanship.
• Eskrima / Arnis / Kali (Philippines) – Stick, knife, and blade combat.
• Fencing (Europe) – Olympic sport with foil, sabre, and épée.
• Gatka (India) – Sikh martial art using sticks and swords.
• Krabi Krabong (Thailand) – Thai weaponry system.
• Shastar Vidya (India) – Ancient Sikh warrior combat.
• Haidong Gumdo (Korea) – Korean sword fighting.
•  Donga (South Africa) – A stick-fighting martial art from the Zulu people.
• Nguni Stick Fighting (South Africa) – Zulu martial art with large shields and sticks.
• Jogo do Pau (Portugal) – Portuguese staff-fighting system.
• Kalaripayattu (India) – One of the world’s oldest martial arts, using weapons and empty-hand combat.
•  Niten Ichi-Ryu (Japan) – Samurai two-sword technique created by Miyamoto Musashi.
• Silambam (India) – Indian stick-fighting martial art.
• Shastar Vidya (India) – Ancient Sikh warrior martial art involving weapons.
• Mardani Khel (India) – Indian battlefield combat system using swords and spears.
• Thang-Ta (India) – Manipuri sword-and-spear fighting system.
• Merpati Putih (Indonesia) – An internal martial art that also includes weapons.
• Maculelê (Brazil) – A stick-fighting dance from Afro-Brazilian traditions.

🌀 Internal Martial Arts: The Mind-Body Connection

Styles like Tai Chi prove that martial arts aren’t just about fighting – they’re about harmony, breathing, and inner peace.

97. Aikido (Japan) – Redirecting attacks with circular movements.
98. Tai Chi (Taiji) (China) – Slow, meditative martial art with combat applications.
99. Bagua Zhang (Baguazhang) (China) – Circular movement Kung Fu style.
100. Xing Yi Quan (China) – Linear, aggressive striking art.
101. Systema (Russia) – A military combat system emphasizing fluid movement and breathing.
102. Pa Kua Chang (China) – An advanced internal style using circular footwork.
103. Kaze Arashi Ryu (Japan) – An old samurai martial art mixing Aikido and Jujutsu.
104. Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu (Japan) – The root martial art from which Aikido evolved.
105. Yan Qing Quan (China) – A rare and highly mobile Kung Fu style.
106. Võ Cổ Truyền (Vietnam) – Traditional Vietnamese martial art blending striking and grappling.

💀 Rare & Unusual Combat Styles

Yo, ever heard of a martial art where fighting looks more like dancing? Welcome to the wild world of combat styles that’ll make you go “What the heck did I just watch?”

107. Capoeira (Brazil) – Acrobatic, dance-like martial art.
108. Okichitaw (Canada) – Native American fighting system.
109. Defendu (UK) – Military hand-to-hand combat system.
110. Shin Kicking (UK) – Folk martial art involving kicking opponents’ shins.
111. Okichitaw (Canada) – A Native American martial art combining wrestling and weapons.
112. Brazilian Capoeira Angola (Brazil) – A more traditional form of Capoeira.
113. Bataireacht (Ireland) – Irish stick-fighting used in historical duels.
114. Russian Fisticuffs (Russia) – Traditional bare-knuckle boxing.
115. Kapu Kuʻialua (Hawaii) – An ancient Hawaiian battlefield martial art.
116. Shin Kicking (UK) – A brutal folk wrestling game where competitors kick each other’s shins.
117. Thoda (India) – A Himachal Pradesh archery-based combat sport.

🎯 Military & Street-Fighting Systems

Listen up. Martial arts get real serious when survival’s on the line. Military combat systems ain’t about looking cool – they’re about coming home alive.

118. Krav Maga (Israel) – A practical self-defense system for real-life combat.
119. Defendu (UK) – A military close-quarters system.
120. Combatives (Global) – Various modern military hand-to-hand combat techniques.
121. Krav Maga (Israel) – A brutal, no-rules self-defense system used by the Israeli military.
122. Defendu (UK) – A World War II-era military combat system.
123. Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) (USA) – The USMC’s hybrid combat system.
124. SPEAR System (USA) – A modern self-defense method based on natural reactions.
125. KAPAP (Israel) – The close-quarters combat system used before Krav Maga.
126. LINE System (USA) – A hand-to-hand combat system once used by the US military.
127. SAS Fighting Method (UK) – The British Special Forces’ hand-to-hand combat training.

Wrapping Up: A World of Endless Discovery

With over 100 + styles out there, list of martial arts are a never-ending journey of learning. Whether you’re interested in fitness, self-defense, or cultural exploration, there’s a martial art waiting for you.

Pro Tip: Don’t just read the list of martial arts. Try a class, talk to practitioners, and experience the magic yourself!

Quick Disclaimer

This list of martial arts is based on my personal research and experiences. Always consult professionals and trained instructors before starting any martial art.