#1 Krav Maga
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‘Krav Maga’ implies ‘contact combat’ in Hebrew. ‘Krav’ implies combat, and ‘Maga’ implies contact. Krav Maga was, initially developed as a self-defense system for Jewish refugees against anti-Semites.
Later on, this self-defense system was refined and modified, in order to be used by the police and armed forces in Israel. Krav Maga is extensively used by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Krav Maga includes the usage of techniques from boxing, wrestling, judo, aikido, etc.
In Krav Maga, the primary focus is ending the fight as quickly as possible. Primary targets for Krav Maga strikes include the eyes, nose, throat, face, solar plexus, neck, groin, feet, fingers, liver and kidneys. The main aim is to deliver a brutal and debilitating strike to one’s opponent and incapacitate him instantly.
Several Krav Maga manoeuvres are banned in professional combat sports competition such as MMA, professional boxing, etc; owing to the potentially fatal results of Krav Maga manoeuvres.
Now, let’s assume a Krav Maga practitioner steps into the cage against an MMA professional. First of all, with most Krav Maga moves being banned, the MMA fighter holds the edge, both in the stand-up as well as the ground game.
Furthermore, with most Krav Maga striking and grappling techniques being borrowed from boxing, wrestling and other traditional martial arts, the MMA fighter holds the edge on the feet as well as on the ground.
Nevertheless, one thing that differentiates Krav Maga from the four other martial arts highlighted in this list, is that Krav Maga can be fatal. Now, any form of fighting has the potential of causing bodily harm or death. However, most martial arts emphasise on simply neutralising one’s opponent, whilst ensuring minimum bodily harm to the said opponent.
On the other hand, Krav Maga doesn’t operate on this philosophy. Most of the basic Krav Maga manoeuvres are aimed at debilitating one’s opponent and causing the opponent grievous bodily harm to the point of serious injury or beyond. Krav Maga is considered by many martial artists around the world as an effective but dishonourable style of fighting.
Many Krav Maga manoeuvres such as groin shots and eye rakes are considered to be cowardly acts and a disrespectful method of fighting.
That said, Krav Maga is an effective art of fighting. Although many Krav Maga manoeuvres are banned in MMA competition, the basic premise of Krav Maga (ending fights as quickly as possible) is effective.
The killer instinct of the Krav Maga practitioners would serve them well inside an MMA cage, if they also develop basic proficiency at traditional martial arts such as boxing, BJJ, etc.
Regardless of their lack of utilisation in the sport of MMA, the fighting arts of Wushu, Aikido, Jeet Kune Do, Capoeira and Krav Maga are after all; martial arts. They deserve every bit of respect that is given to the more traditional martial arts such as boxing, BJJ, etc.
As of today, they may be underutilised in MMA, but look out for more fighters from these aforementioned arts transitioning to the sport of MMA. That said, if a Krav Maga practitioner or JKD stylist ends up capturing UFC gold inside the Octagon. Don’t be surprised!
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