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As long as we are comparing styles, I thought I would throw my own 2 cents in. I have been training in various martial arts for over 14 years and have my own opinions.
Mostly, I've only seen a discussion of the "Eastern" arts, but there are many others that are quite formidable and therefore definitely worth mention. My own opinion of the eastern arts is that they are too rooted in tradition and are not very practical for today's fighter. If you disagree with me then you can take it up with Bruce Lee, who developed Jeet Kune Do, because HE felt most martials arts were impractical. JKD is widely accepted as a major breakthrough in bringing MA into the 20th century.
Speaking of major breakthroughs, everyone discovered in the first five UFCs how great Brazilian Ju Jitsu was for a one-on-one fight. Granted, BJJ has its limitations, especially when fighting multiple opponents. However, BJJ is an invaluable tool when the fight heads onto the ground (as many of them do).
Finally, though it has been around for over 50 years, Krav Maga is recently starting to get some serious attention. This is because it is one of the most effective, realistic fighting techniques ever developed. Created for the Israeli Defense Forces, Krav Maga is now taught to law enforcement agencies around the globe (including counter-terrorism and S.W.A.T. teams). The "traditional" arts have a lot to offer in the way of discipline, flexibility, and both mental and physical fitness. However, if you are looking to kick some ass and defend yourself against a mugger, Krav Maga is definitely for you.
Therefore, any discussion regarding what martial arts will make you the best fighter that does not mention JKD, BJJ, and KM is seriously lacking in the realism department.
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