With the many different kinds of martial arts coming into popularity in recent years, finding out which is the most popular in the United States can be a daunting task.

However, one style consistently stands out among the rest - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Submission Shark's trend analysis showed that BJJ is the most popular martial arts in USA.

This article will explore the most common martial arts and compare their growth trajectory in terms of Google search interest. These top martial arts styles are karate, taekwondo, judo, muay thai and of course, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

We left out others such as Kung Fu, Aikido, and Krav Maga due to their lack of search popularity in the United States. They aren't the most common martial arts as of 2024 in the United States but they definitely still hold value and have their own community.

The Growth Trend Report of Most Popular Combat Sports

Our trend analysis focuses on Google search interest in the United States over the past two decades from 2004-2024. Brazilian jiu-jitsu was the most popular martial art in the United States with a growth of 104.35%. Essentially, the martial art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu has doubled its popularity in the United States since 2004.

Karate, taekwondo and judo all experienced a decline of at least of Google search interest. Below is the decrease percentage of each.

• Karate: -60.94%
• Taekwondo: -66%
• Judo: -47.62%

Muay Thai, on the other hand, showed search interest growth at 69.23%. This striking based martial art has gained considerable popularity in the United States over the past two decades. However, it still remains behind Brazilian jiu-jitsu in terms of overall interest.

Submission Shark's Trend Analysis: BJJ Becomes Fastest Growing Martial Art

The Rise of American Martial Artists

With American martial artists like Gordan Ryan, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Mark Zuckerberg, and more bringing attention to BJJ, it's no surprise that its popularity has grown exponentially in recent years. BJJ offers a unique blend of physical and mental benefits, making it appealing to a wide range of people.

Bruce Lee also played a role in popularizing martial arts in the United States with his philosophies and teachings on Jeet Kune Do. His influence can still be seen today in the incorporation of his techniques into various martial arts styles. Although there is no evidence that he was a BJJ practitioner, his impact on the martial arts community cannot be ignored.

Other pop-culture influences, such as movies like The Karate Kid and TV shows like The Ultimate Fighter, have also contributed to the rise in popularity of martial arts in the US. These forms of media have helped to break down stereotypes and showcase the physical and mental benefits of practicing martial arts.

Despite the push for popularity for other martial arts styles, BJJ has risen to the top and is here to stay. Its growth trend in the past two decades shows that it has a strong and dedicated community, making it one of the most popular combat sports in the US.

Let's explore some black belt opinions on why it has seen such a surge in interest and participation...

3 Expert Opinions On The Most Popular Martial Arts In USA

We interviewed three BJJ black belts - all top competitors and instructors in the US - to get their thoughts on why BJJ has become so popular in America. The three questions we asked them was:

1. How has the popularity of BJJ changed since you started training? What year did you start?
2. Why do you think there has been an increase of search interest for BJJ over past two decades?
3. What would the industry of BJJ have to do in order to become as popular as mainstream sports?

Lane Andrew's Answers

How has the popularity of BJJ changed since you started training? What year did you start?

1. I started BJJ in 1996. At that time no one knew what BJJ was and there weren’t places to train in most of America, including my home state of Indiana. In fact, there may have been one or two blue belts in the entire state. At that time, our training was primarily focused on BJJ for No Holds Barred Fighting (NHB - modernly called MMA).

My first training partner was a high school friend, Brent Burniston who currently operates Subconscious BJJ in Los Angeles. We didn’t have much money, but we would travel to a seminar once year in a major nearby city where we would learn techniques and teach those techniques to a small group of students.

In fact, we both received our Blue Belts from Royce Gracie at a seminar in Chicago in 1998. I didn’t get a chance to learn under a black belt until 2006. Most BJJ in the late 90’s was focused on MMA & self-defense, but today it is a thriving sport on its own.

Today, BJJ is widespread. Students can learn the art much faster due to qualified instructors in almost every city, supplemented by instructional videos, and social media. The art is evolving quickly because of technology assisting us in exchanging information.

I kind of miss the old days when no one knew what BJJ was; we were like a secret group of assassins. With that said, I wouldn’t have a career in BJJ if it wasn’t for the growth of the art and the sport.

Why do you think there has been an increase of search interest for BJJ over past two decades?

2. I think the increases in internet searches for BJJ are a result of the growth of MMA, word of mouth, and Joe Rogan’s influence. The growth of MMA has helped people understand the positions, submissions and effectiveness of BJJ. I also find that a lot of people who come to my gym for MMA end up falling in love with Jiu-Jitsu and train BJJ as their primary art.

Word of mouth is another reason BJJ is so popular. When people train BJJ they experience the physical and mental benefits of training. I describe the mental benefit as forced meditation. Unlike meditation, where your mind can wonder, you are forced to be in the present moment when someone is trying to gain a position and/or submit you. Physically, it is one of the few workouts that can increase your muscular strength, muscular endurance, and cardio.

Finally, it helps to have the number one Podcaster in the World, Joe Rogan, talk consistently about the benefits of BJJ.

What would the industry of BJJ have to do in order to become as popular as mainstream sports?

3. I don’t think BJJ will ever be a mainstream sport like Basketball, Football, MMA, and Boxing. To be a fan of BJJ you must have a basic understanding of the goals and objectives of the sport and, quite frankly, unless you know the person competing Jiu-Jitsu it’s kind of boring to watch.

However, it has become mainstream in terms of people practicing it for the mental and physical reasons I mentioned earlier. I think most people fall in love with doing Jiu-Jitsu NOT watching Jiu-Jitsu. With that said, personalities such as Gordan Ryan and Craig Jones have brought more eyes to the sport. I am curious to see what the future holds for BJJ.

Roger Costa's Answers

 

How has the popularity of BJJ changed since you started training? What year did you start?

1. It has increased exponentially. Back in my days it was difficult to see women and kids training. Only men would be training. I started bjj in 1990.

Why do you think there has been an increase of search interest for BJJ over past two decades?

2. First cause the view for BJJ has changed from a combat art form where the practitioners had to prove to other martial arts in no rule challenges that BJJ was an effective and grappling was underrated by other martial artists. Second, the BJJ lifestyle and benefits for self improvement have been shown in other areas of life not just in competitions.

What would the industry of BJJ have to do in order to become as popular as mainstream sports?

3. I think some leaders still have an old mentality of total control. The biggest problem with BJJ nowadays is the monopoly of certain federations and events. I believe to become more popular instructors need to be more incentivized to implement BJJ programs where they can reach more people especially kids.

Randy William's Answers

How has the popularity of BJJ changed since you started training? What year did you start?

1. The biggest change in popularity in my opinion is accessibility with the internet and with the amount of gyms there are readily available nowadays. When I started you would have to go to the only gym in town and if you didn't like it you would have to go hours away.

Also as Americans started getting black belts we are a little bit better and nicer at talking to people so we exploded the sport by treating people like people and not like old school Brazilians. Jiu Jitsu went from being a hard core martial art for ex wrestlers and the Ultra Tuff to a family-friendly environment and a true sport. That is also good and bad in my opinion.

When I started it was you got thrown into the Shark Tank, and while I loved that mentality I know it's not the best way to learn and nowadays it's the complete opposite with a lot of gyms where you cannot even roll for a while. Which keeps retention.

Why do you think there has been an increase of search interest for BJJ over past two decades?

2. Ufc for sure. Mma. When people see that they think Jujitsu is their way in and then they realize they don't want to get punched in the face so they stick with just grappling. Plus after wresling in school there isn't adult wresling. It's karate or co Ed bullshit sports. Bjj is the king of old man sport.

What would the industry of BJJ have to do in order to become as popular as mainstream sports?

3. It will have to have an exciting rule set, and a faster pace without stalling. Honestly it would have to be like Judo or wrestling where the focus is explosiveness. It is one of those sports that you can't watch it and understand what's going on as a normal person unless there is a lot of movements.

The game of inches is boring for normal people to watch. But awesome for us. The same concept as Judo in the Olympics it's exciting to normal people but it ruined Judo as a martial art so I really don't want it to be as mainstream as Judo.

What Are The Best Martial Arts To Learn?

This data is just subjective, but I would say that the best martial art to learn is the one that suits an individual's goals and preferences. Some people may prefer a striking-based martial art like Muay Thai or Karate, while others may prefer a grappling-based martial art like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Judo. It ultimately depends on what someone wants to achieve through learning a martial art.

Another factor to consider is the quality and experience of the instructor. A great instructor can make any style of martial art enjoyable and effective for their students.

So it's important to do research and find a reputable school with experienced instructors. This article can help you with that: What Makes A Good BJJ Instructor? (12 Traits of Great Coaches)

If you are searching for the best martial art for self-defense, BJJ is an excellent choice. It focuses on grappling and ground fighting, which are essential skills for real-life self-defense situations.

It also teaches how to neutralize an attacker without causing unnecessary harm. Avoiding a civil lawsuit is crucial in self-defense situations as well as effectiveness.

If you are looking for a martial art for overall fitness and conditioning, Muay Thai might be the right choice for you.

Known as the "Art of Eight Limbs," this striking-based martial art uses punches, kicks, knees, and elbows to deliver powerful strikes. With regular training, you can expect improved cardiovascular health, increased strength and flexibility, and improved coordination.

For those interested in traditional martial arts or seeking a more philosophical approach, Taekwondo or Aikido may be the best options. Taekwondo focuses on fast and powerful kicks, while Aikido emphasizes redirection and using an attacker's energy against them. Both arts also incorporate mind-body practices such as meditation and breathing techniques.

It's important to note that there is no definitive "best" martial art for everyone. Each individual has their own unique physical abilities, goals, and preferences. It's essential to try different styles and see what resonates with you personally. Ultimately, the most effective martial art for you is one that you enjoy practicing consistently.

If you are looking to compare different martial arts styles with jiu-jitsu, check out the articles below:

• Jiu-Jitsu vs Taekwondo (What You Need To Know)
• Jiu-Jitsu vs Karate (Which One Is More Effective?)
• Muay Thai vs Jiu Jitsu (Who Wins?)
• Judo vs Jiu Jitsu (Which Is Better?)

Final Thoughts

These different forms of martial arts each have their unique strengths and weaknesses, attracting different types of practitioners. However, there is no denying the popularity of BJJ in today's modern world.

With its practical applications in self-defense and efficient techniques, it has gained a following not just among athletes but also among everyday people looking to improve their physical fitness and mental discipline.

In order for BJJ to become as popular as mainstream sports, it would require more exposure through media coverage and high-profile competitions. It would also benefit from having a standardized rule set that promotes fast-paced action and eliminates stalling tactics.

Despite the potential drawbacks that come with mainstream popularity, such as losing its authenticity and core principles, there is still room for BJJ to grow and thrive in the future. As long as it stays true to its roots while adapting to modern demands, it has the potential to become a globally recognized sport that appeals to audiences of all backgrounds.

So whether you are already a devoted practitioner or someone looking to try out a new form of physical activity, BJJ offers something for everyone and has the potential to continue growing in popularity as more people discover its benefits.

It may never reach the level of mainstream sports like basketball or football, but with its unique qualities and dedicated community, it can certainly hold its own and continue to make its mark in the world of martial arts.

BJJ is the most popular martial art in USA and for that, it has earned its place as a respected and beloved sport. So don't be afraid to step onto the mat and give BJJ a try – you might just find yourself hooked for life. Keep rolling, keep evolving, and let BJJ guide you on a journey of self-improvement and personal growth.

Next Steps...

So why not give BJJ a try and see for yourself what makes it so special? Whether you're looking for a new challenge or simply want to improve your physical and mental well-being, Submission Shark is the best BJJ brand for your needs. Shop for cool BJJ gis and other jiu-jitsu tees, hoodies and rashguards today!