Martial Arts Styles

By Pooja Shri Shetty  ·  20 April 2023  ·  Karate

There are 180+ martial arts styles. It ranges from well-known styles (such as Karate, Taekwondo, Krav Maga, BJJ and MMA) to more unique martial arts styles (such as “Drunken Fist” Kung Fu, Sherlock Holmes’ Bartitsu and Zulu Stick Fighting).

We have also broken this information into country of origin (i.e. martial arts that were developed in America, Japan, China or Korea) and martial arts styles dedicated to a “specialty” (i.e. weapons-based or grappling-based martial arts).

Hopefully, this information will help you to find a martial arts style and school that is right for you. Many of these martial arts help participants to improve their overall fitness, learn self-defense, gain confidence and lose weight.

List of Martial Arts Styles

1. Aikido — A Japanese martial arts style focused on redirecting the attack away from you. Aikido concentrates on throwing, joint locks, traditional Japanese weapons, etc.
2. Aikijujitsu — A sub-genre of Jujutsu. In contrast to Jujutsu, Aikijujitsu focuses more heavily on blending with the opponent, moving joint-locks, and other esoteric principles.
3. American Kenpo — A hybrid martial arts style. It is also known as Kenpo Karate.
4. Angampora — A Sri Lankan martial arts that focuses on unarmed combat, grappling, weapons and pressure points.
5. Araki Ryu — A Japanese martial arts focused on traditional Japanese weapons such as the sword, spear, staff, etc.
6. Bagua Zhang — The "Eight Trigram Palm" style is one of the 3 best known Wudang styles. Best known for its "circle walking".
7. Bajutsu — A Japanese martial arts focused on military equestrianism.
8. Bakom — Bakom (also known as Vacon) is a Peruvian martial arts that combines Jujutsu with street fighting techniques. It was designed for survival in the slums of Peru.
9. Bajiquan — A Chinese martial arts style that is famous for its explosive power and elbow strikes.
10. Bando — A martial arts style from the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).
11. Bartitsu — An English martial arts that combines boxing, cane fighting, jujutsu, etc. Revival of this martial arts is due to renewed interest in Sherlock Holmes (as he was a fictional master of Bartitsu).
12. Bataireacht (Irish Stick Fighting) — The martial arts better known as Irish stick fighting.
13. Bokh (Mongolian Wrestling) — A traditional wrestling martial arts that was practiced by Mongol warriors. It is better known today as Mongolian Wrestling.
14. Budokan Karate — Karate Budokan was founded in 1966 by Chew Choo Soot in Malaysia.
15. Budokon — A hybrid system that combines martial arts training with Yoga.
16. Bojuka — A self-defense system focused on grappling and strikes to an opponent's vital areas.
17. Bojutsu — A weapon-based martial arts focused on the long staff (Bo).
18. Bokator — An ancient Cambodian martial arts that includes grappling, strikes and weapons training.
19. Boxing — A martial arts style focused purely on powerful punches.
20. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a Brazilian martial arts style focused on ground fighting (i.e. grappling).
21. Bujutsu — The Japanese martial arts of the Samurai.
22. Butthan — A martial arts from Bangladesh. It is focused on subjects such as mediation, self-defense, weapons, etc.
23. Byakuren Kaikan — A Japanese martial arts focused on full contact sparring. This style originated out of Shorinji Kempo.
24. Catch Wrestling — A grappling martial arts created in the late 1800s that combines techniques from wrestling, Judo, Jujutsu and other grappling martial arts.
25. Canne de Combat — A French martial arts that focuses on a sports version of cane fighting.
26. Capoeira — A very fluid and acrobatic martial arts style from Brazil.
27. Choy Li Fut — Choy Li Fut (or Cai Li Fo) is a substyle of Kung Fu that combines long and short-range techniques.
28. Chun Kuk Do — A Korean and American hybrid system created by Chuck Norris (martial artist and movie star). In 2015, this martial arts was renamed to the Chuck Norris System.
29. Combat Hapkido — Seen as a spin-off of traditional Hapkido. It has a much greater focus on self-defense and grappling than traditional Hapkido.
30. Combat Hopak — Combat Hopak (or Boyovyy Hopak) is an Ukrainian martial arts supposedly derived from Cossack military traditions.
31. Coreeda — An Australian aboriginal martial arts focused on wrestling.
32. Cuong Nhu — A Vietnamese-American hybrid martial arts that combines elements from Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Judo, Wing Chun, Vovinam, Tai Chi and Boxing.
33. Daido Juku Kudo — A Japanese martial arts that practices mixed martial arts techniques while wearing a traditional gi.
34. Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu — A traditional Japanese martial arts focused on unarmed combat, throws, strikes to vital areas, joint locks, etc.
35. Dambe — An African martial arts focused primarily on boxing but it also uses kicking techniques.
36. Danzan Ryu — An American hybrid form of Jujutsu. It is also known as Kodenkan.
37. Defendo Alliance — This European martial arts is focused on realistic self-defense training.
38. Defendu — A British martial arts created by William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes. This system was taught to Office of Strategic Services agents and Allied troops in World War 2.
39. Dumog — A Philippine martial arts focused on wrestling.
40. Dutch Kickboxing — Formally developed in the 1970s and often seen as a modified version of Muay Thai.
41. Eagle Claw Kung Fu — A Chinese martial arts known for its gripping techniques, strikes, joint locks, takedowns and pressure point attacks.
42. Enshin Kaikan — A Japanese martial arts that utilizes the Sabaki method (which seeks to turn an attacker's power against him). This martial arts involves kicks, punches, sweeps, throws, etc.
43. Eskrima, Arnis & Kali — Eskrima is a martial arts style from the Philippines focused on the use of stick and blade weapons (i.e. Yantok). This martial arts is also known as Arnis and Kali.
44. Fencing — Fencing today is mainly an Olympic-style sport. However, there is a sub-style called historical fencing which focuses on fencing as a martial arts.
45. Fu Jow Pai — A Chinese martial arts famous for its "Tiger Claw" style.
46. Gatka — An Indian martial arts focused on weapons, especially swords.
47. Glima — A Scandinavian wrestling-based martial arts that was created by the Vikings.
48. Gongkwon Yusul — A Korean hybrid martial arts that includes elements from Hapkido, Jujutsu, Judo and Boxing.
49. Gungsol — Gungsol or Gungdo is a Korean martial arts focused on archery.
50. Haidong Gumdo — A Korean martial arts focused on sword techniques. It contains elements similar to Kenjutsu and Iaido.
51. Hanbojutsu — A martial arts that utilizes the Hanbo (a 3 foot wooden staff).
52. Han Mu Do — Han Mu Do (or Hanmudo) is a Korean martial arts style. It is seen as a "smoother" and more "open hand" cousin to Hapkido. Hanmudo students also train with weapons.
53. Hapkido — A Korean martial arts style focused on punches, kicks, throws and joint locks.
54. HEMA — Historical European Martial Arts — HEMA refers to mainly sword-based martial arts based on techniques used in Europe from around the 1300s to the 1800s.
55. Hojojutsu — A Japanese martial arts that uses ropes to restrain or disable an opponent.
56. Hung Ga — Hung Ga (or Hung Gar) is a southern Chinese martial arts that combines 5 animal styles (Crane, Dragon, Leopard, Snake and Tiger).
57. Huyen Langlon — A martial arts from northeastern India.
58. Hwa Rang Do — A Korean martial arts that includes sparring, self-defense, weapons training and grappling.
59. Iaido — A Japanese martial arts focused on the drawing of a sword (bokken, iaito or shinken) from its scabbard. This martial arts relies heavily on katas (forms) and does not utilize sparring.
60. Iaijutsu — The combat version of Iaido.
61. Icho-Ryu — A fusion of martial arts such as Aikido, Goju Ryu Karate, Jujutsu, Judo and Aikijujutsu. It was created to meet the needs of law enforcement officers.
62. Itto-Ryu — A Japanese martial arts focused on the sword. There are many sub-styles of Itto-Ryu and this martial arts had significant influence on the development of modern Kendo.
63. Jailhouse Rock — Jailhouse Rock (JHR) is a martial arts system that was developed in the US prison system.
64. Jeet Kune Do — A martial arts style created by Bruce Lee (martial artist and movie star).
65. Jojutsu — Jojutsu (or Jodo) is a Japanese martial arts focused on the short staff (Jo).
66. Judo — A Japanese martial arts style focused on grappling, joint locks and throws.
67. Jujutsu — A Japanese martial arts style focused on joint locks, holds and throws. It tries to redirect or manipulate the force of an attack in order to defeat the attacker.
68. Jukendo — A Japanese martial arts focused on the bayonet.
69. Juttejutsu — A Japanese martial arts that focuses on the martial arts weapon known as the Jutte (Jitte).
70. Kajukenbo — An American martial arts style that combines techniques from many different martial arts such as Judo, Karate, Eskrima, etc. It was designed to be effective in real world self-defense situations and street fights.
71. Kalaripayattu — An ancient martial arts style from India.
72. KAPAP — KAPAP is the Hebrew acronym for Face-To-Face-Combat. While not as well known as Krav Maga, this Israeli martial arts system is used by a number of Israel's elite military units.
73. Karate — A Japanese martial arts style focused on punches, hand/elbow strikes, knee strikes and kicks.
    • Goju-Ryu
    • Isshin-Ryu
    • Kyokushin
    • Shito-Ryu
    • Shorin-Ryu
    • Shotokan
    • Wado-Ryu
74. Keijojutsu — A Japanese martial arts focused on police stick fighting (batons).
75. Kendo — A Japanese martial arts style focused on sword fighting (i.e. Bokken and Katana).
76. Kenjutsu — A Japanese martial arts style focused on sword techniques. In contrast to Kendo, Kenjutsu is less focused on sparring.
77. Kenpo or Kempo — Please see the American Kenpo entry above.
78. Keysi — The Keysi Fighting Method is a self-defense system "created to act and react while defending yourself". This system has been featured in movies such as the Batman series that starred Christian Bale.
79. Kickboxing — A martial arts style focused on powerful kicks and punches.
80. Kinomichi — A martial arts style that originated in France and was developed by one of the students of the founder of Aikido.
81. Kino Mutai — Kino Mutai (Kina Mutai) is a Philippines martial arts that uses unconventional tactics such as biting and eye-gouging.
82. Kobudo — A Japanese (Okinawan) martial arts focused on weapons training. Weapons used include the bo staff, sai, tonfa and nunchaku.
83. Kokondo — A style that combines techniques from Karate and Jujutsu.
84. Krabi-Krabong — A weapon-based martial arts from Thailand.
85. Krav Maga — A martial arts style from Israel focused on winning in "real life" combat situations.
86. Kuk Sool Won — A Korean martial arts focused on strikes, kicks, grappling, joint locks, weapons training and healing techniques.
87. Kumdo — A Korean sword-based martial arts which is similar to Kendo.
88. Kung Fu — A Chinese martial arts style focused on hand/arm strikes, kicks and even weapons training.
    • Bajiquan
    • Choy Li Fut — also known as Cai Li Fo
    • Eagle Claw Kung Fu
    • Hung Ga — also known as Hung Gar
    • Leopard Kung Fu (Bao Quan)
    • Monkey Kung Fu (Hou Quan)
    • Praying Mantis Kung Fu
    • Shaolin Kung Fu
    • Tiger Claw Kung Fu (Fu Jow Pai)
    • Zui Quan — better known as the “Drunken Fist” style
89. Kung Fu To'a — An Iranian martial arts style that combines Kung Fu and Yoga.
90. Kuntao — A southeast Asian martial arts that utilizes hand strikes, kicking techniques, grappling and martial arts weapons (i.e. sword, staff and spear).
91. Kyudo — A Japanese martial arts style focused on archery.
92. Kyujutsu
93. Kyuk Too Ki — Korean kickboxing.
94. Kyusho Jitsu — A martial arts focused on targeting pressure points.
95. Laamb — A Senegalese martial arts that combines wrestling and punches.
96. Lathi Khela — A Bangladeshi stick-fighting martial arts.
97. Lerdrit — A military martial arts used by the Royal Thai Army.
98. Leopard Kung Fu (Bao Quan) — A Chinese martial arts that focuses on aggressive speed and agility to defeat an opponent.
99. Lethwei — A Myanmar (Burma) martial arts that is similar to Muay Thai and Kickboxing. However, Lethwei has less restrictions as this martial arts allows techniques such as headbutts.
100. LimaLama — A martial arts from Samoa.
101. Linh Quyen Dao — A Vietnamese martial arts.
102. Lua — A traditional Hawaiian martial arts that focuses on bone breaking, boxing, wrestling, weapons, etc.
103. Luta Livre — A Brazilian grappling martial arts known in Portuguese as "Free Fighting".
104. Malla Yuddha — An Indian and Southeast Asian martial arts focused on combat wrestling.
105. Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) — Focused on unarmed combat, knife training, bayonet techniques, etc.
106. Mau Rakau — A weapons-based martial arts developed by the Maori of New Zealand.
107. Military Martial Arts — Martial arts styles used by and/or developed for the military. They are designed for real-life combat situations versus sport-based martial arts that ban certain techniques in order to avoid injuries.
108. Mixed Martial Arts — Utilizes techniques from a variety of different martial arts styles (i.e. wrestling, jiu-jitsu, boxing, karate, etc.) in order to defeat an opponent.
109. Monkey Kung Fu (Hou Quan) — An unorthodox and acrobatic style used to disorient and attack opponents from unusual angles and positions.
110. Muay Boran — A Thai martial arts. Modern Muay Thai evolved from this martial arts style.
111. Muay Thai — A martial arts style from Thailand. It is similar to kickboxing but also involves elbow and knee strikes. Given its powerful kicks and knee strikes, Muay Thai is often an element of MMA training.
112. Naginatajutsu — A Japanese martial arts style focused on the long pole weapon known as the Naginata.
113. Nam Hong Son — A Vietnamese martial arts.
114. Nhat Nam — A Vietnamese martial arts.
115. Ninjutsu — A martial arts style developed from the techniques used by ninjas (Japanese spies and assassins).
116. Nippon Kempo — A Japanese martial arts that uses punches, kicks, joint locks and grappling techniques.
117. Niten Ichi-Ryu — A two sword martial arts style created by the famous Japanese samurai, Miyamoto Musashi.
118. Niyuddha — An ancient Indian martial arts focused on kicking, punching and throwing.
119. Nunchaku Do — A martial arts focused on the sports usage of the Nunchaku (Nunchucks).
120. Nunchakujutsu
121. Okichitaw — A hybrid martial arts that combines the traditional fighting techniques used by the Cree Indians (Native Americans) with techniques from martial arts such as Taekwondo and Judo.
122. Panantukan — The boxing component of Filipino martial arts. Panantukan is not a sport, but rather a street-oriented fighting system. This martial arts is also known as Suntukan, Pangamot, Pakamot and Mano-Mano.
123. Pankration — This Greek martial arts style combines grappling, kicking techniques and boxing. It was part of the first Olympics in 648 BC.
124. Pehlwani — An Indian martial arts focused on wrestling and grappling techniques.
125. Pencak Silat — The name used to refer to a variety of Indonesian martial arts.
126. Pradal Serey — A Cambodian martial arts similar to Muay Thai and Kickboxing. Pradal Serey is well known for its use of elbow strikes in order to win a fight.
127. Praying Mantis Kung Fu — Known for its redirection, joint manipulation, pressure point attacks and trapping tactics.
128. Quarterstaff — The British martial arts that uses a 6-9 foot wooden staff. Famous from the tales of Robin Hood.
129. Qwan Ki Do — Qwan Ki Do (Quan Khi Do) is a Vietnamese martial arts founded by Pham Xuan Tong in the 1960s.
130. Sambo — A Russian martial arts style. There are two main types of Sambo; Combat Sambo and Sports Sambo.
131. Sanshou (or Sanda) — A martial arts style developed for the Chinese military. It is focused on combat training and combines elements of kung fu, grappling and self-defense techniques.
132. Savate (French Kickboxing) — A French martial arts style focused on boxing and kicking. No knee strikes are allowed.
133. Schwingen — A Swiss martial arts focused on grappling.
134. Shaolin Kempo Karate — A hybrid martial arts that combines techniques from Shaolin Kung Fu, Karate and Asian wrestling.
135. Shaolin Kung Fu — A well known style of Kung Fu. This martial arts was developed by the monks at the Shaolin Temple in China.
136. Shin Kicking — An English martial arts or combat sport where the contestants kick each other in the shins until one withdraws from the contest.
137. Shindo Jinen Ryu — A martial arts that combines elements of Karate, Aikido and Jujutsu.
138. Shintaido — A martial arts that combines Karate, Kenjutsu and Bojutsu with spiritual and mediation elements.
139. Shootfighting — A combat sport similar to Mixed Martial Arts. It is focused on techniques from "Muay Thai Kickboxing and total body Submission Grappling".
140. Shooto — This Japanese martial arts style is similar to mixed martial arts and was created by Satoru Sayama.
141. Shorinji Kempo — A Japanese martial arts that combines personal growth, health and spirituality with self-defense techniques such as punches, kicks, escapes, throws, etc. It is seen as a modified Japanese version of Shaolin Kung Fu and was established in 1947.
142. Shuai Jiao — A Chinese martial arts focused mainly on wrestling and grappling techniques.
143. Shuri-Ryu — A martial arts that combines elements of Karate and Kung Fu.
144. Sibpalki — A Korean martial arts that teaches close combat skills that were utilized in the late 1700s.
145. Sikaran — A Philippines martial arts focused almost exclusively on kicking.
146. Silambam — An Indian martial arts focused primarily on staff fighting.
147. Silat — A Southeast Asian martial arts style focused on strikes (i.e. elbow and knee), throws, takedowns and weapons training.
148. Siljun Dobup — A sword-based martial arts based on Japanese and Korean traditions.
149. Singlestick — This ancient English martial arts uses a wooden rod to practice techniques that were originally designed to teach cutlass fighting to sailors.
150. Small Circle Jujitsu — An American martial arts. It is a hybrid grappling system and utilizes modified techniques from martial arts such as Jujutsu, Judo and others.
151. Sojutsu — A Japanese martial arts focused on spear fighting.
152. Soo Bahk Do — A Korean martial arts that grew out of Tang Soo Do.
153. Special Combat Aggressive Reactionary System (SCARS) — This martial arts program was taught to US Navy Seals in the 1980s and 1990s.
154. Spochan — A martial arts that uses "air soft" weapons to practice various sword and stick-based fighting techniques.
155. Ssireum — A Korean martial arts focused on wrestling.
156. Sumo — A Japanese martial arts focused on wrestling.
157. Systema — A martial arts style used by some Russian special forces (i.e. Spetsnaz).
158. Taekkyeon — A Korean martial arts focused on low kicks, leg sweeps, trips, pushes, etc.
159. Taekwondo — A Korean martial arts style focused primarily on punches, blocks, strikes and kicks (i.e. spinning hook kick).
160. Tahtib — An Egyptian martial arts focused on stick fighting. Students generally train with a 4 foot wooden stick.
161. Tai Chi — Often seen as a "gentle" martial art because many seniors use its slow movements in order to improve their health and balance and to reduce stress.
162. Taido — A Japanese martial arts that combines elements of Karate with gymnastic maneuvers and dynamic movement.
163. Taiho Jutsu — A Japanese martial arts that was originally designed to help feudal police arrest armed criminals.
164. Tang Soo Do — A Korean martial arts style that is similar to Taekwondo and Karate.
165. Tantojutsu
166. Teukgong Moosool — Teukgong Moosool (or Tukong Moosul) is a martial arts that was developed by South Korean special forces units.
167. Tessenjutsu — A Japanese martial arts based on the use of Tessen (war fans).
168. Thien Mon Dao — A Vietnamese martial arts.
169. To-Shin Do — A "modernized" version of Ninjutsu.
170. US Army's Modern Army Combatives Program — This is the martial arts program taught by the U.S. Army.
171. Vale Tudo — A Brazilian martial arts system that is similar to Mixed Martial Arts but with even fewer rules. The limited number of rules can result in more injuries during Vale Tudo contests.
172. Varma Kalai — An Indian martial arts focused on pressure points. They claim that is also used for healing applications.
173. Vovinam — A Vietnamese martial arts style.
174. Wing Chun — A Chinese martial arts style focused on strikes, grappling and weapons training.
175. Won Hwa Do — Won Hwa Do (or WonHwaDo) is a Korean martial arts known for its circular techniques.
176. Wrestling — While used mainly for sports today, an ancient martial arts style of fighting. It focuses on grappling, throws and "pinning" your opponent.
177. Wushu — The modern-day sports version of Kung Fu. Wushu was developed in the 1950s as an attempt to unify the multitude of traditional Chinese martial arts into one national style.
178. Xtreme Martial Arts — Xtreme Martial Arts (XMA) combines gymnastics with martial arts techniques in order to create acrobatic martial arts "tricks".
179. Yabusame — A Japanese martial arts focused on archery while mounted on horseback.
180. Yamanni-Ryu — A martial arts style that focuses on training with Okinawan weapons (Kobudo).
181. Yaw Yan — A Philippine kickboxing martial arts. It also utilizes grappling techniques and defenses against weapons.
182. Yongmudo — Yongmudo (Yongmoodo) is a Korean martial arts style that combines techniques from martial arts such as Taekwondo, Judo and Ssireum.
183. Yoseikan Budo — A Japanese martial arts system that combines a number of different martial arts including Aikido, Jujutsu, Judo, Karate, Kobudo and Boxing.
184. Zui Quan — Zui Quan is better known as the "Drunken Fist" style of Kung Fu.
185. Zulu Stick Fighting — Zulu stick fighting is a South African weapons-based martial arts.

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