OFFICIAL 2015/16 MARTIAL ARTS POWER RANKINGS

Based on combat effectiveness in a modern context. Tiered by the analysis of performance in competition, utility of syllabus and core principles. Martial arts featured on this list are present due to their fame and renown amongst the international martial arts community today - it would be impossible to list every martial art and its derivatives.

Not featured are weapons based martial arts, mostly due to my own inexperience with them but also due to the fact that it is hard to compare them to bare-handed styles. The weapons aspects of any martial arts listed are also, therefore, not counted.

VERY HIGH tier: Muay Thai, Western Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling (and derivatives)

HIGH tier: Sambo, Sanda/Sanshou, Western Kickboxing, Kyokushin Karate

MIDDLE tier: Aikido, Krav Maga, Kajukenbo, Modern Army Combatives, Pencak Silat, Hapkido, Shūkōkai Karate, Taekwondo

LOW tier: Shotokan Karate, Capoeira, American Kenpo, Wing Chun, German Ju-Jutsu
Jujutsu, Tang Soo Do, Sumo

VERY LOW tier: Systema, Ninjutsu, Wushu, T'ai Chi Ch'uan