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We've all witnessed the exaggerated Hollywood “wire-fu” and the iconic Chuck Norris-style karate. Everyone recognizes the Segal arm break and the graceful Van Damme kick. Even modern mixed martial arts are governed by a predictable set of techniques, often leading to long grappling bouts, slow-paced Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and predictable hybrid kickboxing.
But there are numerous other combat styles out there. What about those techniques too vicious for the ring and too brutal for the silver screen? What about the ancient deadly martial arts that have survived through the ages, remaining untainted by commercialization and the pursuit of fame and profit? Here are a few examples of raw, hardcore martial arts that you won’t find in mainstream schools or strip malls.
10. Bokator
Bokator is an ancient Cambodian martial art that dates back to the armies of Angkor, who reigned over the battlefields of Indochina more than 1700 years ago. The name 'Bokator' translates to 'pounding a lion', inspired by a legend about a Bokator fighter who faced a man-eating lion. According to the tale, the warrior defeated the bloodthirsty predator with a single, well-placed knee strike.
Similar to many Asian martial arts, Bokator mimics the movements and behaviors of various animals, including eagles, cranes, horses, snakes, and of course, lions. What makes it unique, however, is its ferocity and real-world effectiveness on the battlefield. With a repertoire of over 10,000 techniques, such as elbow and knee strikes, joint locks, throws, and submissions, Bokator is a rich and intricate art form, providing fighters with endless tactical choices.
9. Rough and Tumble
This style is far more intense than its name suggests. In fact, it could have been better called 'maim and kill', as that was the primary objective when this fighting system emerged in the southern United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. The term 'gouging' was also used to describe it, due to one of its most notorious techniques: eye gouging—nothing like the typical Three Stooges poke.
Rough and Tumble fighters focused on inflicting maximum disfigurement and unmatched brutality, setting them apart from nearly every other combat style. Some practitioners were even known to sharpen their teeth into deadly weapons, using them to tear off the ears, noses, lips, and fingers of their adversaries. Since the genitals were also considered fair game, many fighters literally lost their manhood in these ruthless clashes. This savage nature is why Rough and Tumble is rarely discussed or practiced in today’s so-called 'civilized' world.
As most of the techniques were never officially formalized and can only be practiced with the risk of life-altering injury, they have been largely neglected by the contemporary martial arts community. It appears that in modern times, even among those who enjoy combat, few are truly hardcore enough for the eye gouging, neck biting, and genital mutilation that define Rough and Tumble.
8. Bakom
Born from the destitution of Lima’s slums, Bakom is an extraordinarily brutal martial art that teaches not just how to incapacitate or kill your opponent swiftly, but also how to employ deception and other so-called 'unsportsmanlike' tactics, including the use of concealed weapons.
Bakom, a modern hybrid martial art, was founded in the 1980s by Roberto Puch Bezada, a former Marine and ex-convict. This combat system blends elements of jujutsu with the brutal, street-savvy Vale Tudo style. Fighters use bone-crushing arm locks, relentless chokeholds, and pinpoint strikes aimed at vital organs, all executed at lightning speed. The goal is to overwhelm opponents in an explosive flurry of violence, leaving them with no time to react to the devastating attack.
7. Lerdrit
Lerdrit, a contemporary evolution of traditional Thai martial arts, is practiced by the elite commandos of the Thai Royal Army. While it shares core principles with its predecessors, Muay Thai and Muay Boran, Lerdrit introduces enhanced techniques that elevate it to a new level of effectiveness and intensity.
Fighters trained in Lerdrit are taught to strike without warning, immediately bringing their opponents to the ground. The fight is then finished quickly with lethal moves such as boots to the throat or elbows to the temple. The focus is on minimizing injury by utilizing the body’s hardest parts – knees, palms, shins, and elbows – all designed to neutralize opponents swiftly and decisively. Lerdrit, like all military combat systems, is built for life-or-death encounters. It’s not just about winning; it’s about ending the fight for good.
Dambe, a martial art originating from the ancient boxing traditions of Egypt, is a striking combat style developed by the Hausa people of West Africa. Many practitioners, originally butchers, would travel from village to village, engaging in combat ceremonies and challenging others to bouts.
The core weapon in Dambe is the strong-side fist, also referred to as the spear. This fist is wrapped in cloth and tightly knotted cord, while the fighter's dominant leg is wrapped in thick metal chain. The warriors took the art of face-kicking to a new level by adding jagged metal to their legs, intensifying the brutality of their combat.
The primary weapon of Dambe fighters is the strong-side fist, or spear, wrapped in cloth and cord, while the favored leg is armored with a thick chain. This brutal style of combat turns up the intensity, as West African butchers began wrapping their legs in jagged metal to bring an added ferocity to their strikes.
An intriguing aspect of modern-day Dambe fighting involves the practice of smoking marijuana before combat. Many of the contemporary Dambe fighting groups, who travel across the land performing for villages, engage in this ritual before their matches.
Systema, the martial art of the notorious Russian Spetsnaz, was developed in the harsh environment of Russia. It’s no surprise that this fighting style is as cold and efficient as the country itself, designed to overpower those who don’t fall in line with the system.
Systema focuses on controlling key areas of the body such as the elbows, neck, knees, waist, ankles, and shoulders. Using pressure points and precise strikes, it draws on biomechanics and anatomy, training practitioners to exploit human weaknesses for maximum effect.
The training in Systema targets critical points on the body—like the elbows, neck, knees, waist, ankles, and shoulders—using pressure and precise strikes. The philosophy behind it is grounded in biomechanics and anatomy, teaching practitioners to manipulate the body's natural vulnerabilities at will.
Systema isn’t just about fighting one-on-one with bare hands; it’s designed for combat in chaotic situations with multiple attackers and weapons. Because let’s face it, taking down one big thug is impressive, but handling a group of them is a whole new level of badassery.
Jailhouse Rock (JHR) is one of the only two martial arts that are native to the United States. Developed in the unforgiving environment of America’s prison system, JHR exemplifies raw, straightforward combat crafted by men who have little else to do but work out and engage in battles.
Jailhouse Rock (JHR) stands as one of only two martial arts born in the United States. Emerging from the brutal world of the American prison system, it is an unrefined form of brawling created by men who had nothing but time to train and fight.
One of the notorious training techniques in JHR is called '52 pick-up.' In this grueling exercise, a deck of cards is spread across the floor, and trainees are forced to pick them up in order while being relentlessly beaten by three or more attackers.
Okichitaw is a martial art developed by the Plains Cree people, blending traditional Native American techniques with combat skills to create a distinctive and powerful fighting system.
Okichitaw, one of the few remaining Native American martial arts, is rooted in the combat techniques of the Plains Cree First Nations. Founded by George J. Lepine, who was versed in judo, tae kwon do, and hapkido, as well as skilled in gunstock war clubs and tomahawk-throwing, Okichitaw blends the fierce energy of Native American fighting with the proven methods of popular Asian martial arts.
Okichitaw often assumes the practitioner is armed, even when they are not. Much like aikido, practitioners strike as though they wield a weapon—hands become tomahawks, and kicks extend like spears. Knife techniques play a significant role within the structured methods of Okichitaw, incorporating essential aspects of Native American combat, including scalping.
Silat, a martial art from Southeast Asia, blends fluid yet powerful strikes, grappling, and weapon techniques, creating a versatile combat style known for its effectiveness and speed.
Silat, a martial art developed by the fierce headhunting tribes of Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, is a broad term encompassing numerous combat techniques. These range from grappling, striking, and joint manipulation to throws and the use of bladed weapons.
The earliest known examples of Silat being taught in its current form can be traced back to Sumatra. Legend has it that a woman created this combat system by observing wild animals, similar to the origins of various other Asian martial arts. Today, Silat is practiced by numerous military forces across the Malay Archipelago and neighboring regions, as well as by infamous pirate clans of the South China Sea.
1. Kalari Payat
Kalari Payat, originating in the southern Indian state of Kerala, is widely regarded as the oldest martial art still practiced today, and as the precursor to several prominent martial arts worldwide. Oral tradition holds that it was created by an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, referred to as the 'Preserver of The Universe,' who is said to have had a 'universal form that surpassed the ordinary limits of human perception.'
Kalari Payat encompasses a wide range of variations and subtypes, each focusing on different elements of both armed and unarmed combat. One of its most distinguished techniques is Marma Arti, which involves striking vital points. In the hands of a true master, a single, precisely placed blow to any of the 108 nerve points deemed lethally vulnerable can instantly paralyze or even kill. As if acknowledging the deadly nature of this skill, the masters of this art also study the Siddha medical system, which originates from the same ancient traditions.
