...and Shaolin are utterly untrained in actual fighting. Notwithstanding their historical roots, the Shalojn themselves acknowledge that their techniques are primarily for the purpose of body-assisted meditation.

Most of the theories regarding the effectivity of martial arts, especially the "traditional" or especially "lethal" ones are blown out of the water by watching a simple boxing match, or rather any competitive fight.

Just like in a real fight, the first rule of any sport fight is to uphold a defense; and if a boxer can dodge and parry the lightning jabs of his opponents, he can also dodge and parry any other secretive or stylized technique by sheer physical and mental capability - even the infamous "one-pinky death punches" of Hong Kong lore.

The own fighting technique and capability is absolutely secondary IF the defense is solid. That is why almost any of the standard hand to hand technique trained to soldiers is started with a defensive move.

In this context it is irrelevant that sport fights are hampered by caveats; the important thing is that in a square-off of sufficiently trained individuals, it becomes obvious that fights are won by a combination of luck, concentration and perseverance.

[edit on 28/7/2010 by Lonestar24]

the u.s. navy seals are the best at hand to hand fighting i think

As far as "Military training" strictly, I would have to say Israel. As far as over-all, If a whole country taught every soldier jiu-jitsu I don't think their would be an equal.

Originally posted by America?
... A 10-15% ratio of people dying in russian training is acceptable.

This is utterly ridiculous.

There isnt anything more to say to validate a second line.

I beat the guy who whopped Bas Ruttens trainers ass in jail.

Why y'all testin' my gangsta?
These bitches test my gangsta!
Why y'all testin' my gangsta?
These bitches test my gangsta!

I don't understand why people keep tryna test my gangsta?!

Fools get slapped in the face just for living!

Many different fighting styles have their merits. In hand to hand combat you are fighting for your life. Much of the hard training is forgotten when the adrenaline kicks in. If the fight is not over within the first few seconds, it will normally go to ground and grappling takes over.

The base line is basically, who gets the first good strike or who can adapt the fastest, utilising what is available to use as a weapon. There are no rules, no styles no sport. There is only a winner and a loser. Do whatever you need to do to be the one that walks away. Punch, bite, claw, scrape, stab, bludgeon. It matters not. If you have some level of expertise, all the better, if not, remember that you are fighting for your life. Nothing else matters.

For my tupence, watch the Philipino SF and their knife fighting techniques.

Originally posted by Bryce_Prine
the u.s. navy seals are the best at hand to hand fighting i think

Based on....? Utter balderdash.

Russian Krav Maga and Muay Thai are most likely the top two. However I saw a great video of some American squad (not like an army squad, they were a group of higher up special combatants) showing some of their training equipment etc.-

It made me feel real good to see our men practicing stealth neck breaks on dummies who mimic the actual amount of force neccesary

Oh but surely the best fighters arent trained in groups like you are thinking/hoping for Fighting at a high level has little to do with a system of trained techniques. Its much more personal than that

Ghurkhas of indian army..[Its an army regiment not special force as such]

special forces best in india would be

1]MARCOS[Indian navy]
2]NSG[recruits from police,army,paramilitary]
3]Paracomandos{indian army]
4]GARUD[IAF]