Could this be the best striking art of them all?

Striking in MMA traditionally has come down to a handful of arts. You have muay thai which is the most popular amongst competitors in the sport. Many employ a more boxing centric approach to great effect as well. But for the most part you’re unlikely to see many competitors utilizing pure karate in a cage match or at least that was the case some years back. After Lyoto Machida exploded onto the scene knocking people out with a gyaku-zuki, reverse punch in English, and leaping front kicks, everyone who’s anyone has been interested in throwing a bit more karate into their game and with good reason. It’s perhaps the greatest striking art there is. If you’ve actually taken the time to click on this article then I have to forewarn you. I’m a karate fan boy, a truly dedicated practioner of the art with a deep passion for the technique and application. Which means I may be a bit biased. But, that does change the fact that karate is perhaps the most underrated and complete striking arts out there. Movement is perhaps the greatest asset of a karate fighter and with great footwork comes some astonishing results. The speed coupled with the diversity of the striking arsenal can make the strikes that much more destructive. Feints and fakes, the multitude of kicks, there’s little reason to deny that karate is perhaps one of the most impressive striking arts to practice. Check out Stephen Thompson’s recent big wins to see just how vast karate’s arsenal can be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfuKHVvIsVo Thompson utilizes the hallmarks of karate, distancing, accuracy, and timing all of it culminating with devastating finishes. Because karate is an art that emphasizes accuracy rather than power it makes for a striking art that anyone, no matter how naturally powerful or weak, to be able to utilize. Before Thompson, Lyoto Machida was also able to demonstrate how devastating karate can be. The style isn’t just all about flashy kicks and reverse punches. Traditional karate utilizes knees and elbows that is also present in muay thai. Machida’s career has highlighted those very attributes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuhOyNjS3M4 A striking art is only as good as the person who utilizes it. As we head into the future, the more we see fighters like Thompson, Conor McGregor and Justin Scoggins blend boxing and karate into one art form, we’ll be seeing just how special the traditional striking art really is. What is your favorite striking discipline? Follow Generation Iron MMA on Facebook and Twitter. Also, be sure to share, like, and comment to show your support. Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter to keep up with his antics.