Kenny Florian is a UFC veteran and current commentator for the promotion, meaning that he’s uniquely positioned to give valuable insight on what the best martial arts for MMA actually are. During his career, Florian came into the UFC very early on and was the runner-up in the very first season of The Ultimate Fighter all the way back 2005. Throughout his time in the promotion he managed to work his way to a title-shot in the Lightweight division twice, and in the Featherweight division once for his final fight. Although he retired with a record of 14-6, Florian was a fan-favorite during his time in the octagon and was known for his elite-level Jiu-Jitsu skills that led to him winning most of his fights by submission.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise then really that Kenny Florian believes that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranks at the very top of the list of best martial arts for MMA:
“Perhaps I’m showing a bit of bias here, but I would put it at the top. I feel like Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as it is devised, it’s a pretty complete system. I think if you go back to the Royce Gracie days, it showed that it was quite competent in defending itself against all different styles.”
“We don’t see the same sort of dominance these days; however, I do think everything from the clinch to working a takedown, defending a takedown, if you are taken down, you are on your back, immobilizing your opponents, pulling off submissions, etc. I think Brazilian jiu-jitsu is still highly effective and I would put it there at the top.”
“I could sit here and doubt myself for the next couple of hours, but we don’t have time for that, I like it where it is for the most part.”
Kenny Florian made the video where he ranks the best martial arts for MMA for the official YouTube channel of Combat Culture, and his explanation behind the full list can be watched below:
