Search Results: choosing death

Now, let's say I need some means to defend myself, or I just want to be able to dish out a good beating.

I am interested in the collective opinion of GAG - in your experience, what hand to hand martial art is the most effective?

For the record, I would like to include some conditions/disclaimers, because there are always people who say "depends on the circumstances"
The circumstances are pretty simple:
- No sharp or percussion weapons involved - no baseball bats or knives, folks.
- Small joint manipulation is possible (in real life, there are no rules).
- The fight takes place in an urban scenario, so most likely on asphalt, concrete, or some other kind of hard surface. If you want to include comments about soft terrain, like grass, do so with a disclaimer.
- Running away is not a martial art. I know, but this has to be said.
- Using your steel capped boots to break someone's bones is ALSO not a martial art. Everyones's wearing sneakers/dress shoes and comfortable clothes - leave your skinny jeans at home if you want to fight.
- Of course, using body armor also doesn't count.
- No guns, pepper sprays, tazers, etc. Seriously, do I have to say this? Who am I kidding, of course I do. There's always a smartass.
- Fight goes till concussion, submission/tapping, or death, if that's what it takes. Points don't count, the fight goes until the enemy is incapacitated, and unable or unwilling to fight, basically.
- Always take into consideration your weightclass, and above. Beating up kids is easy - focus on how far out is your chosen martial art effective. If you have to choose between A and B, and B can knock out a guy twice your size, and A can only take out guys 1.5 times your size, then B is probably more effective.

I will include some popular ones, if it's neither, say "Other", and comment your choice below.