The 3 best styles

[EarthDragon]

Having this discussion with some friends. In your opionin, what are the 3 most effective and best styles in martial arts and why? This is just a style question experience, practioner, etc etc. is irrelevant.

[David Jamieson]

1.my style
2.the style that beats it
3.the style that bests them both

But in all seriousness, you're having a styles discussion on what's better? lol

really?

[GreenCloudCLF]

1. the art of fighting without fighting
2. the art of fighting when the other guy isn't looking
3.the art of fighting with a big f'in gun

[SevenStar]

I'm pretty sure that a serious discussion about that won't lead anywhere productive...

[mantis108]

1) Olympic sport base

Boxing, Wrestling, Judo

2) Mixed Martial Arts

Muay Thai, BJJ, Kali/Silat

3) Kung Fu

Praying Mantis (Northern), Dragon Style (Southern) or Fanziquan, Xingyi (internal) or Taiji. [this category is way too hard to pick...]

So the 3 best styles would be 1, 2 and 3. [I know I cheated but ...]

Mantis108

[EarthDragon]

Thanks mantis108,

To all....... yes I am looking for serious replies. I really want know why people think what styles are the best.

I spoke with a guy who spent 18 years in shotokahn and he told me his style which we all know is not very high level and way too linear. so after him telling me this he said what styles he thought were better. This lead to a great and interesting discussion between 5 very different matrial artists. So I thought it would be a good topic to pick each others brains

[metsubushi]

I like that style that strikes, that other one that grapples, and that uber one that conditions.

[SevenStar]

I spoke with a guy who spent 18 years in shotokahn and he told me his style which we all know is not very high level and way too linear.

and this is the problem with discussions like these. generalizations get brought up and debating starts. for example:

whether or not a style is "high level" is irrelevant. muay thai would be considered low level, as would tiger. and we all know that both of these styles can really eff you up.

"way too linear" isn't necessarily a bad thing. they still do offline stepping - like a thai boxer would - but attack in straight lines. this can be very effective.

[Mr Punch]

2) Mixed Martial Arts

... Kali/Silat

Interesting. Absolutely not trolling but does anyone know of any MMAers in UFC, Pride etc who do/have done kali/silat?

"way too linear" isn't necessarily a bad thing. they still do offline stepping - like a thai boxer would - but attack in straight lines. this can be very effective.

Precisely.

Gotta laugh at the generalization of karate... if someone was generalizing fu in the same broad strokes you'd be spitting mad. I know some very fluid karateka who would take apart your average formster fu-ster, and I'm not just talking about kyokushin.

As for the best three arts: mine of course!

1) wing chun
2) shooto (bit of a cheat but hey!)
3) aikido/jutsu.

[mantis108]

Hi Matt,

Interesting. Absolutely not trolling but does anyone know of any MMAers in UFC, Pride etc who do/have done kali/silat?

I think off hand it would be the Dog Brother's "gathering of the pack" event. Now of course this is not exactly UFC, Pride events because it's not ligit - yet. BUT if we look ahead say in the next 10 - 15 years, we might just have this "next" wave of martial sports event combining weaponry (stick fighting) with hand-2-hand combat. So we might have already been staring at the future paradigm of sport entertainment in the making, which could just be following the foot step of BJJ in reinventing the term NHB. Then we shall be approaching as close to the real gladiator threshold as possible with maxium safety provided for the contestant.

BTW Shooto is definitely a good call. I think there is a Japanese JKDer (Dan Inosanto's student?) who's also a very impressive Shooto figther/trainer.

Warm regards

Mantis108

[Yum Cha]

Boxing - for its ring craft, training for punishment and engagement psychology.

Grappling - for its physicality, mechanics and endurance.

Kung-fu - to take those foundation skills to a higher level.

[Meat Shake]

Having this discussion with some friends. In your opionin, what are the 3 most effective and best styles in martial arts and why? This is just a style question experience, practioner, etc etc. is irrelevant.

The best styles in martial arts are the ones that fit the person using them.
Elton John wouldnt rock liberty spikes and... Wow. Bad example. I cant really think of anything that man wouldnt wear.

This debate is silly like a small man in a large curly hat with bells. And green wooden clogs.
Good day.

[Fu-Pow]

1. Gu Dim Sum
2. Won Hong Lo
3. Mei La Yu Long Tai Me

[blackmantis]

1. Traditional Shaolin

2. Xingyiquan

3. Baguazhang

(4. Taiijiquan)

[qiphlow]

taiji
taiji
and
taiji