Explore the rich diversity of combat systems from across the globe
Origin: Okinawa, Japan | Founded: 17th Century
Founder: Influenced by Sakugawa Kanga, Matsumura Sokon
Karate emphasizes striking techniques using punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes. Developed from indigenous Okinawan fighting methods and Chinese martial arts.
Read Full History →Origin: Japan | Founded: 1882
Founder: Jigoro Kano
Judo focuses on throws and grappling techniques. Created as a modern martial art emphasizing maximum efficiency with minimum effort and mutual welfare.
Read Full History →Origin: Brazil | Founded: 1920s
Founder: Carlos Gracie, Helio Gracie
BJJ emphasizes ground fighting and submission grappling. Adapted from Japanese Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on leverage over strength.
Read Full History →Origin: Thailand | Founded: 16th Century
Founder: Traditional Thai Warriors
Known as "The Art of Eight Limbs," Muay Thai uses fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Evolved from ancient battlefield tactics.
Read Full History →Origin: Korea | Founded: 1940s-1950s
Founder: Choi Hong Hi, Various Masters
Taekwondo emphasizes high, fast kicks and jumping/spinning kicks. Combines traditional Korean martial arts with influences from Karate.
Read Full History →Origin: Korea | Founded: 1940s
Founder: Choi Yong-sool
Hapkido combines joint locks, throws, kicks, and strikes. Emphasizes circular motion and non-resistance to redirect an opponent's force.
Read Full History →Origin: China | Founded: Ancient (2000+ years)
Founder: Various Masters, Shaolin Monks
Umbrella term for Chinese martial arts. Includes hundreds of styles emphasizing forms, strikes, kicks, and weapons.
Read Full History →Origin: Southern China | Founded: 17th-18th Century
Founder: Ng Mui (legendary), Ip Man (modern)
Wing Chun emphasizes close-range combat, quick punches, and tight defense. Made famous by Bruce Lee and Ip Man.
Read Full History →Origin: China | Founded: 12th-17th Century
Founder: Zhang Sanfeng (legendary), Chen Wangting
Tai Chi combines slow, flowing movements with martial applications. Emphasizes internal energy, balance, and meditation.
Read Full History →Origin: Philippines | Founded: Pre-colonial Era
Founder: Indigenous Filipino Warriors
Filipino martial arts emphasizing weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, and bladed weapons, plus empty-hand techniques.
Read Full History →Origin: Indonesia/Malaysia | Founded: Ancient
Founder: Indigenous Southeast Asian Warriors
Silat encompasses various fighting styles emphasizing strikes, joint manipulation, throws, and weapons. Known for fluid, deceptive movements.
Read Full History →Origin: Ancient Greece/England | Modern: 18th Century
Founder: Ancient tradition, Marquess of Queensberry Rules
Boxing focuses on punching technique, footwork, and head movement. One of the oldest combat sports with roots in ancient civilizations.
Read Full History →Origin: Ancient (Global) | Modern: 19th Century
Founder: Ancient tradition, various styles
Wrestling emphasizes grappling, takedowns, and ground control. Includes Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Folkstyle, and Catch Wrestling.
Read Full History →Origin: France | Founded: 19th Century
Founder: Michel Casseux, Charles Lecour
French kickboxing emphasizing elegant footwork and precise kicks delivered with shoes. Combines street fighting with fencing principles.
Read Full History →Origin: Soviet Union | Founded: 1920s
Founder: Viktor Spiridonov, Vasili Oshchepkov
Sambo combines judo, wrestling, and other grappling arts. Developed for Soviet military, emphasizing throws, leg locks, and ground fighting.
Read Full History →Origin: Israel | Founded: 1940s
Founder: Imi Lichtenfeld
Krav Maga focuses on practical self-defense and real-world situations. Developed for Israeli military, emphasizing efficiency and aggression.
Read Full History →Origin: USA | Founded: 1967
Founder: Bruce Lee
JKD is a hybrid martial arts philosophy emphasizing practicality, directness, and personal expression. "Absorb what is useful."
Read Full History →Origin: Japan/USA | Founded: 1960s-1970s
Founder: Osamu Noguchi, Various Promoters
Kickboxing combines boxing punches with karate kicks. Developed as full-contact sport blending Eastern and Western striking arts.
Read Full History →Origin: Global | Modern: 1990s
Founder: Various fighters, UFC pioneers
MMA combines techniques from multiple martial arts including striking, grappling, and ground fighting. The ultimate test of combat effectiveness.
Read Full History →Origin: Japan | Founded: 1920s-1940s
Founder: Morihei Ueshiba
Aikido emphasizes harmony and redirecting an opponent's energy. Focuses on throws, joint locks, and circular movements.
Read Full History →Origin: Japan | Founded: 1964
Founder: Masutatsu Oyama
Full-contact karate style known for its rigorous training and powerful techniques. Emphasizes conditioning and breaking.
Read Full History →Origin: Japan | Founded: 18th Century (modern)
Founder: Samurai tradition
Japanese sword fighting using bamboo swords and protective armor. Emphasizes discipline, respect, and spiritual development.
Read Full History →Origin: Korea | Founded: 1940s
Founder: Hwang Kee
Korean martial art emphasizing kicks, punches, and traditional forms. Influenced by Chinese and Okinawan martial arts.
Read Full History →Origin: Korea | Founded: 1958
Founder: Suh In-Hyuk
Comprehensive Korean martial art system including strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws, and weapons training.
Read Full History →Origin: China | Founded: 1920s (modern)
Founder: Chinese military
Chinese kickboxing and wrestling system. Full-contact sport combining strikes, throws, and takedowns.
Read Full History →Origin: China | Founded: 5th Century
Founder: Bodhidharma (legendary), Shaolin Monks
Ancient Chinese martial art from Shaolin Temple. Emphasizes animal-inspired movements, forms, and spiritual development.
Read Full History →Origin: China | Founded: 19th Century
Founder: Dong Haichuan
Internal Chinese martial art emphasizing circular walking patterns and palm strikes. Known for evasive footwork.
Read Full History →Origin: China | Founded: 17th Century
Founder: Ji Jike (attributed)
Internal Chinese martial art based on five elements and twelve animals. Emphasizes aggressive, linear attacks.
Read Full History →Origin: Myanmar (Burma) | Founded: Ancient
Founder: Burmese warriors
Burmese bare-knuckle boxing allowing headbutts. Known as "The Art of Nine Limbs" - one of the most brutal striking arts.
Read Full History →Origin: Cambodia | Founded: Ancient
Founder: Khmer warriors
Ancient Cambodian martial art with over 10,000 techniques. Includes strikes, locks, throws, and weapons.
Read Full History →Origin: India | Founded: 3rd Century BCE
Founder: Ancient Indian warriors
One of the oldest martial arts in existence. Includes strikes, kicks, grappling, weaponry, and healing techniques.
Read Full History →Origin: Punjab, India | Founded: 17th Century
Founder: Sikh warriors
Sikh martial art emphasizing weapon-based combat, particularly stick and sword fighting. Combines physical and spiritual training.
Read Full History →Origin: Brazil | Founded: 16th Century
Founder: African slaves in Brazil
Afro-Brazilian martial art combining dance, acrobatics, and music. Disguised as dance to hide from slave masters.
Read Full History →Origin: Brazil | Founded: 1920s
Founder: Euclydes Hatem
Brazilian submission wrestling without the gi. Rival to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing no-gi grappling.
Read Full History →Origin: England | Founded: 1898
Founder: Edward William Barton-Wright
Victorian-era martial art combining boxing, jujutsu, cane fighting, and savate. Featured in Sherlock Holmes stories.
Read Full History →Origin: Ancient Greece | Founded: 648 BCE
Founder: Ancient Greek warriors
Ancient Greek combat sport combining boxing and wrestling. Allowed almost all techniques except biting and eye-gouging.
Read Full History →Origin: Turkey | Founded: Ancient
Founder: Turkish tradition
Traditional Turkish wrestling where competitors wear leather pants and cover themselves in olive oil. One of the oldest sports.
Read Full History →Origin: Mongolia | Founded: Ancient
Founder: Mongolian warriors
Traditional Mongolian grappling art. Part of "Three Manly Skills" along with archery and horse racing.
Read Full History →Origin: Japan | Founded: Ancient
Founder: Shinto religious tradition
Japanese wrestling where competitors try to force opponent out of ring or make them touch ground. Rich in ritual and tradition.
Read Full History →Origin: Japan | Founded: 15th Century
Founder: Ninja clans
Japanese martial art of espionage and unconventional warfare. Includes stealth, weapons, and survival techniques.
Read Full History →Origin: Japan | Founded: 16th Century
Founder: Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu
Japanese martial art of drawing and cutting with the sword in one smooth motion. Emphasizes mental discipline.
Read Full History →Origin: Japan | Founded: Ancient
Founder: Samurai tradition
Japanese archery emphasizing form, discipline, and spiritual development. "The Way of the Bow."
Read Full History →