Belts are commonly used in traditional martial arts to indicate a practitioner’s skill level. However, there are some martial arts that don’t follow this ranking system. Let’s take a look at five of them.
First up is Muay Thai, the ancient martial art from Thailand. Muay Thai focuses on striking techniques and emphasizes values like honor and integrity. Unlike other martial arts, Muay Thai doesn’t use belts to measure progress. This allows students of all levels to train together and learn from each other.
Next, we have mixed martial arts (MMA). MMA incorporates various fighting styles, including boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling. With such a diverse range of techniques, it’s impossible to have a belt ranking system in MMA. Instead, fighters are matched up based on their skills and experience.
Kickboxing is another martial art that doesn’t rely on belts. Similar to Muay Thai, kickboxing focuses on striking techniques. Progression in kickboxing is based on mastering individual techniques rather than earning belts.
Wrestling, which has become a central component of MMA, also doesn’t use belt rankings. Instead, wrestlers showcase their skills in global competitions. Some of the best wrestlers in the world have emerged from these competitions, including former ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera.
Lastly, we have boxing. While boxing doesn’t have a belt ranking system, it still follows a progression path. Boxers start by mastering the fundamentals and then learn how to apply them in different ways. This is why athletes like ONE Strawweight World Champion Xiong Jing Nan have exceptional boxing skills.
In conclusion, not all martial arts rely on belt ranking systems. Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, and boxing all have their own unique ways of measuring progress and skill. So, if you’re looking to train in a martial art without the pressure of earning belts, these five disciplines might be worth exploring.