Thinking about taking up combat sports in Sydney but not sure where to start? There are dozens of martial arts on offer, and they’re not all the same. Some are about throws and holds, some about punches and kicks, and some don’t involve competition at all. This guide explains the main options in plain English so you can pick the one that suits you.
Striking or Grappling: The First Big Choice
Most combat sports fall into one of two families. Striking arts, like boxing and Muay Thai, teach you to hit and avoid being hit. Grappling arts, like judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, teach you to throw, pin and control an opponent. Mixed martial arts (MMA) combines both. Aikido sits slightly apart: it uses throws and joint locks, but its aim is to stop an attack without injuring the attacker.
The Main Combat Sports and Martial Arts
Aikido
A Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the 20th century. Aikido redirects an attacker’s energy using circular movements, throws and joint locks. Most styles have no competitions, which makes it popular with people who want self-defence and fitness without sparring for points. Learn more in What is Aikido? or find a club in our dojo directory.
Judo
Created in Japan by Jigoro Kano in the 1880s, judo focuses on throws and ground control. It’s an Olympic sport, so training usually includes competition, and it’s a great base for balance and falling safely.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
BJJ grew out of judo and Japanese jujutsu in Brazil. It’s almost all ground work: getting a dominant position, then finishing with a choke or joint lock. Smaller people can do well in BJJ because technique matters more than size.
Boxing
Punches only, with a huge focus on footwork, head movement and conditioning. Boxing gyms are easy to find across Sydney, and many offer fitness classes with no sparring for beginners.
Muay Thai
Thailand’s national sport, often called “the art of eight limbs” because it uses fists, elbows, knees and shins. It’s a tough full-body workout and a popular base for MMA fighters.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
MMA blends striking and grappling into one sport, and it’s what you see in the UFC. Training usually mixes boxing or Muay Thai with wrestling and BJJ, so it’s demanding but very complete.
Combat Sports Compared
| Discipline | Main focus | Competition | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aikido | Throws, joint locks | Rare (most styles none) | Self-defence, calm, all ages |
| Judo | Throws, pins | Yes (Olympic) | Balance, falling safely |
| BJJ | Ground fighting | Yes | Technique over size |
| Boxing | Punches | Yes | Fitness, footwork |
| Muay Thai | Punches, kicks, knees, elbows | Yes | Full-body conditioning |
| MMA | Striking and grappling | Yes | All-round skills |
How to Choose Your First Martial Art
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- Know your goal. Fitness, self-defence, competition or stress relief each point to a different art.
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- Think about contact. If you don’t want to be hit, start with Aikido, judo or BJJ rather than a striking sport.
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- Check the schedule. A club you can reach twice a week beats a better one you’ll never get to.
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- Try before you commit. Most Sydney gyms and dojos offer a trial class. Watch how the instructor treats beginners.
Our Guides
More comparison guides are on the way, starting with Aikido vs MMA.