09/15/2025
The best martial art?
This is truly a laughable question. I really don’t think people have thought it through when they ask, let alone answer.
Naturally, most people are biased as they want to reaffirm and justify within themselves the reason they are practicing their chosen art. Some are just blindly believing or following the latest fad or newest trend. In recent years, many base their decisions on the UFC Gracie outcome against other exponents in a ring. Firstly, in regards to this particular event, it’s important to research the many factors involved to gain a better perspective.
If you really want to enter this questionable debate about what is the best marital art, people need to make strict clarifications of what context and type of combat situation they are talking about. I feel that most people nowadays are reaching the conclusion that BJJ or MMA are the best fighting forms. Don’t misunderstand me, I think they are great approaches to fighting and respect them. This article is not to dispute the effectiveness of different arts, but rather to think about the bigger picture in terms of the study and practice of the martial arts as a whole.
Please take a moment to reflect seriously about the limitless situations and types of combat and warfare strategies there are. After all, the martial arts is the study of the ‘Arts of War.’
What type of war are YOU preparing for? There are many considerations to be made. Is it the best against unarmed assailants? If so,how many? Is it the best against dealing with weapons? What type of environmental, cultural and situational factors have been considered? Does the art even consider weapons or multiple opponents in its practice? If so, what type of weapons? Short range, long range, flexible or projectiles, bladed or bludgeoning etc?
In real life, even how you dress,meet,greet, or look at people can start or stop a confrontation. As a result, this is also a form of self defense/fight management. It is interesting to note that in all of the wars in history, only a few were won by conventional means. Eg: meeting each other face to face on the battlefield. Most wars were decided by unconventional tactics such as espionage and deception. Eg: cloak and dagger.
The weakness nowadays is that many people are just thinking about ‘one on one’ situations and, without weapons. This is potentially dangerous for the practitioners and is narrowing their awareness of the complete world of martial arts. Each martial art has strengths and weaknesses. There is no ultimate martial art.
The ultimate martial art only exists if the exponent is able to exercise every element of the arts of war masterfully in context with every moment, all the time. As we are humans, we are not perfect and have flaws. This very fact should be the only answer needed.
We must also always take into consideration the age,health and overall physical capabilities of the individual.
Martial arts are the practice of warring techniques and strategies. Competitions developed during peaceful times for soldiers to maintain their skills and their fighting spirit until the time came when they were called to war again. With these contests, rules began to be applied to ensure injuries were kept to a minimum etc. In unarmed combat sports, strikes to the eyes,throat and groin etc were ruled out. Kendô for example ‘hits’ for points. They do not ‘cut’. This is why it is fast, not only because Shinai are lighter, but because they do not consider the true threat of a live blade and the application of cutting through a target. As a result, it has become a sport, yet many would argue the opposite. Judô is the same. It was asked by the founder that judoka also study jujutsu to fully understand their art, but few do as they are too busy performing randori or kata to win their next contest.
The concept of wrestling on the floor is a last resort and not the place a warrior/soldier wanted to be on the battlefield, unless he was taking cover. Purposely dropping to the ground was considered a last resort and therefore these techniques were called Sutemi or ‘sacrifice techniques’. Nowadays, we see popular arts go to the ground quickly or, even commence practice from a sitting/lying position. This is a specialty study, but does not define the style as a ‘complete martial art’ impregnable to every combat situation. One has to consider the real pros and cons of going to the ground. Is there a weapon involved? Are their more assailants with/without weapons around you? Is the surface dangerous or are you in a place where you risk being run over or trampled on? Just as there are the same pros and cons with speciality kicking, throwing, and striking arts etc, we can see with some commonsense and thought, that every art has strengths and weaknesses and, that if not used within the right context and timing of whatever situation is occurring, can and will fail. It is not the martial art, but the martial artist.
I’d like people to act more maturely in their approach to dismantling other martial arts. Many modern sport combat arts derive from classical martial arts and thus, even if they don’t practice them, should at least respect this connection, regardless of if they feel they are effective in this day and age. Remember, Koryû ( old martial arts ) were passed down through blood founded on the battlefield. People died for techniques to be founded and transmitted.
Respect is required. If you don’t have this sense of respect, I wouldn’t consider you a martial artist.
No matter what art you do or how skilled you believe you’ve become, there are absolutely no guarantees you will survive a confrontation. We need to be careful not to become narrow minded in the way we view martial arts. Look at some of the unfortunate situations with Special Operations. Delta force members and Navy Seals being shot down in helicopters before getting on the ground to utilise their highly trained skills, and highly decorated soldiers with numerous kills to their names in combat, coming home safely from numerous tours of duty to just be shot by a mentally deranged person in their home town. These people were elite practitioners of the Art of War.
It’s been said that 50% is blood,sweat and tears and the other 50% is luck.
There are those that say BJJ is the best, MMA is the best, Karate is the best, Krav Maga is the best, Kick boxing is the best or Bujinkan Budô is the best.
There is only the best in the moment.
"Remember that for every technique you think you can fall back on, there is a counter for it, or there are times when it cannot be used. When real battle comes, you must remember that some things will not be applicable. Don't think that any one technique is quintessential."
宗家 Hatsumi
Dōjō challenges existed and sometimes still do. People come to a Dōjō to test their skills, but generally under their terms. They want to fight their way to test their style.
But, why does the challenged art have to agree? If they uses weapons, they may pick up a sword and say, “Ok, let’s go!” But then the visitor says. “No, unarmed you coward.” Lol. Wait a minute, the challenger who’s walked into another Dōjō is calling the shots? They have walked into someone else’s domain, someone else’s home. If you
fight in their terms, you are a fool and agreeing to rules/conditions ( like a sport ). You must fight your way and do anything to win. That is Real Budô.
People who study martial arts should have more respect for one another. We are all exponents of the martial arts - the arts of war. It’s time to grow up. Even if you do not respect another styles’ approach, just let it be and get on with your own training. Why? Because there is always something you will miss in your preconceptions or judgements that could become your downfall. Speaking badly of others does nothing more than feed one’s ego and insecurities. It gains nothing.
Just remember, a child can pick up a gun and kill anyone. Your art does not mean you are forever invincible or untouchable.
If someone feels you are stronger, it is natural they will look for a tool or weapon as self defence. As martial artists, we cannot be overly confident and have blind faith in our art. When reality hits, it’s not about our art, it’s about US.
“There is no superior martial art only a superior martial artist.”
What makes a superior martial artist? Is it how many fights they’ve won? Is it how strong they are, how fast or flexible they are? Is it how many ranks or degrees they have?
The superior martial artist is the one who never gives up. It’s about the heart of the practitioner and how they assimilate the teachings into their life to lead a better world for themselves and others.
How many masters of the martial arts or highly skilled fighters have died on the battlefield without anyone knowing their names? Did dying in battle mean they weren’t good martial artists?
Think well.
In reality, a martial artist that has been able to avoid fights and live a good life has succeeded as a martial artist. Why? Because martial arts is ultimately taught to learn to find peace and how to control and/or avoid conflict. Those that have been in fights and real battle will understand this naturally. Only those who have yet to go beyond their own internal battles will struggle to accept this.
Budô is not something trivial and for people who cannot grasp the heart of the martial arts.
Plainly speaking, martial arts is not for everyone, even though it’s available to them. Some people act more base than animals and have the mentality of nothing more. This is not Budô, this is just savagery or a person with a love of fighting.
Without philosophical and spiritual practice, the person becomes just a fighter, a competitor, not a person striving to understand the true purpose of Budô as a way of protecting life and attaining peace.
Please consider well what being a martial artist really means.
Ultimately, the best martial art is one that suits your way of life.
Yours in Budô,
Duncan