This sort of question could unleash a torrent of argument amongst fans of different martial arts and styles. I think the best answer, however, would be whatever martial art fits you the best.

Some are clearly not designed for self-defense at early levels (such as Kendo or Tai Chi). But most of the common (in American anyway) arts such as Judo, Karate and others have very effective strikes and styles.

Mental preparedness and a serious approach to the art matters more than one's chosen style.
Permalink | Report

You should check out Krav Maga.

Its actually the official self defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces, and is well renowned for its effectiveness in protecting yourself and disarming attackers.

My girlfriend's dad has gone through rigorous training in this and teaches classes, so I've seen examples of this in person and in the videos he owns, and it is some pretty intense, but incredibly useful and effective stuff.

Check it out: http://www.kravmaga.com/
Permalink | Report

I recommend MMA. It allows the best parts of ju jitsu with kick boxing, defense with offense.

If you don't have mma available, I'd recommend doing ju jitsu and buying a punching bag. That way you learn how to block punches and do locks and breaks and also strengthen your punches and kicks.
Permalink | Report

Aikido.

I like it because it emphasizes economy of motion, and redirecting an attacker's energy back against them.
Permalink | Report

I taught Tae Kwon Do for several years, and currently study Krav Maga. I've also flirted with Systema and Tai Chi. If there was a single right answer to your question, I would probably have run across it.

There are some martial arts the lean more towards self-defense, or at least teach you certain techniques more quickly. Krav Maga, already mentioned, claims to be only about self-defense, for instance. Also, Brazilian Jui-Jitsu is supposedly stripped of a lot of the ritual and spirituality, and focused only on techniques that work.

However, if you don't spend stick with a martial art, don't commit to it enough, it's not going to help you. The best martial art is one you enjoy enough to practice regularly. Some people aren't going to like grappling, so they will eventually drop out of any style that practices that regularly.

Beyond the style is the chemistry of the school. If the teacher is committed, and the students seem to really like it, that's going to count more than the style being taught.
Source(s):
http://yongstudios.com/adult.html

Permalink | Report

I would check out Cuong Nhu to protect yourself in a street fight, it was developed by a doctor in the mid 1900's and is a mix of different techniques that have worked within different traditional martial arts including judo, shotokan and aikido.

It involves learning basics from each individual style to start and then slowly moves up the latter.

More information can be found here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuong_Nhu


Here is the founders page.

http://www.cuongnhu.com/Founder.aspx
Source(s):
My Brain.
WikiPedia.

Permalink | Report

Check out here...............
The best page for choosing The Best Martial Art For Self Defense.
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2005/7/1/121043/1562
Permalink | Report

Most martial arts deal with self-discipline more than dealing with real world dirty fights and street attacks. Martial arts like Aikido, Ninjutsu or even Karate won't help you much in a street fight, because they concentrate on techniques, flowing with your opponent, cultivating your chi and all of that, things that are good for your mental health, but not so good when you're surrounded in a dark alley. The truth is that you have to practice a violent style to be really good at it. Good choices are Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA and Muay Thai.
Source(s):
I do kickboxing.

Permalink | Report