Place the following Martial Arts in order of which you feel to be the most effective in turning a person into someone able to handle themselves, in as short a period of time as possible.

Muay Thai
Karate
Tae Kwon Do
Boxing
MMA
Kung Fu
Stav
Krav Magar
Jeet Kune Do
Tai Chi
Parkour
RBSD
Aikido
Judo

No whingeing about what is and isn't an MA, just get on with it.

My opinion is solely based on my knowledge of these (which is limited in the case of many of them):


Krav Maga
Jeet Kune Do
MMA
Muay Thai
Boxing
Kung Fu
Aikido
Karate
Tae Kwon Do
Judo
Tai Chi


I don't know what these are - Stav, RBSD


Wasn't aware that this was anything other than running, jumping, and climbing - Parkour



I believe that this is kinda aribitrary though. I think that the teacher and student mean a hell of a lot more than what art it is they practice. If the sensei doesn't know crap, and the student buys into what he is being taught, then he will get a false sense of security. If the sensei knows exactly what he's talking about, but the student is not a good student, then it wson't matter. It takes a combination of a good teacher, a good student, and a good curriculum to make a good fighter regardless of style.

IMHO. Being able to handle yourself probably has more to do with stamina strength, confidence and speed than the skills when faced with an "un-trained" person.

The most important factor would be how the student relates to the specific art/instructor, and how quickly they reap the physical benefits. I also think it important which ever art they practice the club should cover competitive sparring so students get a chance to experience the adrenaline and get hit a few time by over exuberant opponents! I still remember the 1st time I was caught by a heavy right hook, the shock of it and how I went to jelly, these days it wouldn't have the same effect!

Anyway here goes, (also adding in Jujitsu):-

Krav Magar
Muay Thai
MMA
Jujitsu
Stavate
Boxing
---------------------------------
Jeet Kune Do
Karate
Tae Kwon Do
Kung Fu
---------------------------------
Aikido
Judo
Tai Chi
---------------------------------
Don't know RBSD or Parkour

I've also grouped them, believing that those in each the groups are reasonably equally matched.

Cheers

Nic

This is Stav;

There's an article on it in Martial Edges articles section.
RBSD = Reality Based Self Defence, stuff like Geoff Thompson, Peter Consterdine etc.