What is left of Martial Arts today?

Martial Arts have struggled and evolved to exist in the world today. To trace back the origin of Martial Arts, it is important to first start looking at the evidence of existing Martial Arts.

In the 21st century, what used to have been centuries of culture, tradition, dance and self-defence has now become little more than sport. One of the booming entertainment industries today is what is known as MMA or Mixed Martial Arts where it has become popular to fight for sport. MMA professionals are commonly known to have trained and cross-trained (meaning learning more than one art) in various styles across the world. The reason for cross-training is to obtain a wide variety of fighting styles, primarily broken up into three stages; "stand up", "grappling" and "ground" fighting which makes certain styles extremely popular. The most common styles seen in MMA matches would be Brazilian Jujitsu, which is famous for almost unbeatable groundwork , and Muay Thai (Thai boxing), popular for quick and brutal blows.

As a result, Martial Arts have a different purpose today than they did in the past and have had to adapt. The spiritual side, or the 'art' side of Martial Arts is often neglected as it isn't necessary for sport fighting. Much of the culture from particularly ancient arts are becoming forgotten and in the present, only exist in some as 'patterns' or 'forms'. Muay Thai, for example, is not really known for anything but for fast and efficient knockout, however it's ancestor, Muay Boran, literally meaning 'ancient boxing', can be traced back even further back in time and does consist of the more spiritual side of Martial Arts.

The popularity of Martial Arts today is still incredible among adults and children alike, seeking a regular form of exercise as well as techniques for self-defence.  In the Art's country of origin, it is common for young children to be trained in the art as a form of patriotism or simply as part of the culture. Many Koreans, for example, have had training in Taekwondo from ages as young as four or five and is compulsory to learn in the conscripted army. Many fighting forces across the world still use and teach Martial Arts, such as the Israeli Mossad, which is famous for it's brutal Krav Maga. Even in the Olympics, Taekwondo had officially become an Olympic sport as of the year 2000 and Wrestling (which evolved from the Greek Pankration) still exists.

Martial Arts may have changed a lot over the years but the links to the past still remain.