12 Popular Martial Arts Compared

Many of us would love to practise a martial art. But just which martial art should you choose?
With over 180 different martial arts practised around the world, it can be difficult knowing where to start. Of course, most of these 180 martial arts are pretty obscure and unlikely to be taught in your area. However, others have a huge following and have classes everywhere.
These popular martial arts can be a good choice as they’re often popular for a good reason. That said, each of them is very different in its goals and methods. To help you choose the right martial art, here is a comparison of 12 of the most popular martial arts practised around the world.
Aikido
Country of origin: Japan
Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the late 1920s. It was developed primarily as a form of self-defence reliant on grappling, locks and throws like Jiu Jitsu – but with a more spiritual non-lethal focus.
While there are several different schools of Aikido, some of the main principles are the same. Aikido encourages a non-aggressive relaxed stance and takes into account many different factors when defending against an opponent – including the distance, speed, direction and motion. Throws are performed in a circular motion, which is different to Jiu Jitsu. Participants can train in plain clothes or a traditional uniform called a hakama.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
Country of origin: Brazil
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (commonly referred to as BJJ) was developed by five Brazilian brothers in 1925. Carlos Gracie is often credited as the primary developer of the martial art, after being taught a mixture of traditional Jiu Jitsu and Judo by a travelling judoka. BJJ would evolve from a form of self defence into a combat sport. This is largely what separates it from traditional Jiu Jitsu, which is not competitive.
BJJ revolves around an array of grapples and takedowns. The sport teaches that size does not matter and that technique is greater than strength – using the strongest parts of the body to target the weakest parts of an opponent. It is recommended that participants wear special clothes such as a Kingz rashguard or a uniform.
Capoeira
Country of origin: Brazil
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that is disguised as a dance and performed to traditional Brazilian music. It was invented by enslaved Africans in Brazil as a way of secretly training for combat. It was eventually outlawed, but still practised in underground circles until eventually the ban was lifted in 1940.
This martial art is truly unique in its mixture of combat, dance and acrobatics. It is not designed as a realistic form of self defence, but instead a spiritual form of exercise to improve one’s strength and flexibility. Capoeira is often practised in a distinctive white shirt and trousers.
Jiu Jitsu
Country of origin: Japan
Jiu Jitsu is an ancient martial art that can be traced back to the 7th century. It was famously practised by samurai in later centuries. BJJ is based on this historic martial art, but whereas BJJ is based around competitions and incorporates many modern elements, traditional Jiu Jitsu is purely for self defence and follows historic rituals and methods.
The martial art revolves around grapples, locks and throws. Unlike Aikido, throws are directed in a straight line and some of the moves taught can be lethal. A gi kimono is typically worn.
Judo
Country of origin: Japan
Judo was created in 1882 by educator and Jiu Jitsu athlete Kano Jigoro. Unlike Jiu Jitsu, Judo was formed as a competitive combat sport. It has been an Olympic sport since 1964.
This martial art relies heavily on grappling, locks and takedowns. But unlike Jiu Jitsu which is spent mostly on the floor, Judo focuses on remaining standing for as long as possible. Judo is incredibly popular and there are a few different styles practised around the world, however most of them teach the same skills: balance, flexibility and strength. Participants usually wear a white gi and belt.
Karate
Country of origin: Japan
Karate may well be the most famous martial art (largely thanks to movies like The Karate Kid). Its origins are disputed, however the martial art is believed to have first become popular in Okinawa in the 17th century. By the 1920s, karate was being practised across Japan.
Many different schools of Karate have developed over time, each with different principles and techniques. However, for the most part, Karate is very different from other Japanese martial arts like Jiu Jitsu and Judo – instead of being centred around grapples and takedowns, it is centred around strikes and blocks. The strikes include punches, open hand strikes, elbow strikes, kicks and knee strikes. It is taught as both a form of self defence and a competitive combat sport. Whereas some martial arts include weapons training, karate is traditionally practised unarmed. Like judo, it is practised primarily in a white gi.
Kung Fu
Country of origin: China
Kung Fu refers to a range of martial arts developed in China – the most famous being Shaolin Kung Fu and Wing Chun. Kung Fu’s history stretched back thousands of years. It is the primary martial art practised by the likes of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, and has become popularised in many movies such as Kung Fu Panda.
The likes of Shaolin Kung Fu include various different styles of fighting ranging from Praying Mantis to Drunken Style. The martial art heavily uses hand strikes and kicks, but with an emphasis on stances and form. Various acrobatics are taught in some forms of Kung Fu, and weapons training may also be included. When choosing to do Kung Fu, it is worth doing your research into exactly what type of Kung Fu is taught in your area – this martial art can be a form of self defence, a combat sport, a form of exercise and philosophy depending on the school you choose.
Krav Maga
Country of origin: Israel
Krav Maga is a fusion of various different martial arts that was developed by the Israel Defence Forces. It was first founded by IDF instructor Imi Lichtenfeld – an ex-boxer and wrestler who was influenced by street fights. Military forces around the world have since adopted it.
The martial art is primarily a form of self defence that focuses on preparing students for a variety of real world scenarios. It teaches various principles such as simultaneous attack and defence, targeting the most vulnerable points, developing instinctual reactions and using any objects to hand. Some civilian organisations include uniforms with belts and include sparring.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Country of origin: USA
Mixed Martial Arts is indeed a mixture of many different martial arts. While some people use the term to refer to any blend of martial arts, it is most commonly used to describe the competitive combat sport practised by the UFC since the 90s. In this sport, athletes typically come from different martial arts backgrounds, but must follow the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts – matches are fought in rounds with specific attire, weight classes, judging criteria and permitted moves.
MMA schools teach boxing, kicking, grappling and takedowns – often drawing on a variety of different martial arts and combat sports including boxing, BJJ, Muay Thai, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Taekwondo and wrestling. Fighters may sometimes specialise in certain areas and use this to their advantage.
Muay Thai
Country of origin: Thailand
Muay Thai is a form of kickboxing with roots in the Thai military. The martial art can be traced back centuries, but became the modern combat sport it is today in the early 20th Century with the adoption of western-style boxing rings and set rules. It is regarded as the national sport of Thailand.
In Muay Thai, combatants fight with fists, elbows, knees and shins. Boxing-style shorts are worn, along with boxing gloves and shin guards. Due to its sporting nature and mixture of hand and feet attacks, Muay Thai is often viewed as one of the biggest influences on MMA.
Taekwondo
Country of origin: Korea
Taekwondo was developed in Korea in the 1940s and 1950s. It was practised in both North and South Korea, but the South Korean variant is the one that would be most influential around the world.
There are many different styles of Taekwondo practised around the world. Many are similar to Karate, however there is a greater emphasis on kicking. In fact, Olympic Taekwondo rules is all kicking and no hands. Flexibility and balance are key skills developed in Taekwondo. The sport is typically practised in a dobok (similar to a Japanese gi) and belt. Beyond the combat sport side of Taekwondo, self defence and technical training play a major part.
Tai Chi
Country of origin: China
Tai Chi is a form of Kung Fu with ancient origins. It is sometimes dismissed as a martial art due to its focus being on slow and graceful moves. While it cannot be seen as a form of self defence or a combat sport, it is still based on fighting like Capoeira, and therefore is considered a martial art.
There are a lot of health benefits to tai chi: it helps build core strength, balance and flexibility. Some see it as a form of body conditioning to help prepare one for combat. However, it is also a very meditative martial art that focuses on relieving tension and stress. It can be practised in loose plain clothes.