While working on my most recent book, which discusses the creation of various styles of martial arts, I realized that there were certain recurring tendencies in the way many of them grew and developed.
Upon further research, I was surprised to find that there was no formal discussion online of the stages—or life cycle—that popular martial arts went through. Therefore, I took it upon myself to develop a framework to demonstrate just this based on both my own observations and scholarly research into the subject. The framework features six key stages, each of which are represented in the diagram above.
Although It’s worth noting that progress through these stages doesn’t happen at a uniform pace. Some styles may linger in one stage for a long time, while others move quickly through another. Similarly, there is often considerable overlap between stages as a martial art develops. However, this framework can be applied to many systems and styles today, including those that focus on sporting practices, self-defense, social development, or spiritual development. Examples of which include BJJ, Krav Maga, Capoeira, and Aikido, respectively.
Each of these key stages will be discussed alongside real-world examples below.
1. Creation
The birth of a martial art typically stems from necessity, creativity, or both. Whether addressing self-defense needs, seeking spiritual alignment, or responding to social factors such as oppression, each art begins with a clear purpose. This stage is characterized by experimentation, development, and refinement by a core group of dedicated practitioners who often train directly under the founder or founders.
Bruce Lee’s development of Jeet Kune Do exemplifies this perfectly. In his Seattle school, Lee worked with a small group of dedicated students like Dan Inosanto and Taky Kimura to develop something entirely new—a martial art that rejected traditional boundaries and embraced functional efficiency above all else. Similarly, when Mitsuyo Maeda taught Carlos Gracie in Brazil, he planted the seeds for what would become Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as the Gracie family adapted Japanese Judo to emphasize ground fighting, making it highly effective in Brazilian Vale Tudo fights of the time.
2. Growth and Public Interest
When a martial art reaches a critical mass of practitioners, growth accelerates exponentially. This stage is marked by the first waves of public demonstrations, competitions, and development of formal teaching methodologies. Early adopters become instructors, spreading the art beyond its original location. Media attention grows, and the martial art begins to develop its own distinct niche culture and community.
Combat Sambo’s recent surge in popularity through fighters like Fedor Emelianenko and Khabib Nurmagomedov exemplifies this phase. Similarly, combat sports like Lethwei (traditional Burmese boxing) and Bare-Knuckle Boxing are currently experiencing this growth stage as international promotions showcase their effectiveness and raw nature.
3. Mainstream Popularity
At this stage, the art transcends its niche following to enter broader cultural awareness. Schools proliferate, competition circuits develop, and large standardized practices emerge. At this juncture, the art often splits into different branches—sport, self-defense, and fitness/lifestyle versions—each catering to different audiences.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu currently occupies this position. Its global presence includes both competitive academies and hobbyist-focused schools, with the gi and no-gi competition scenes thriving through organizations like the IBJJF and ADCC. The rise of submission-only formats and the influence of figures like Gordon Ryan and John Danaher continue to push technical innovations. Similarly, Muay Thai has achieved mainstream status in the West, evolving from its Thai roots to become a fundamental component of MMA and fitness training.
4. Fatal Flaws Exposed
As more practitioners emerge with varying skill levels and motivations, or as the system becomes increasingly commercialized, gaps in training methodology, limitations in specific contexts, or problems with quality control across schools quickly become apparent.
This can be seen in Shotokan Karate, which faced widespread criticism after the 2020 Olympics. During the men’s heavyweight final, one fighter was knocked out and his opponent was disqualified for “excessive use of force,” resulting in the unconscious fighter being awarded a gold medal. Similarly, Krav Maga’s rapid expansion led to serious quality control issues, though some organizations are now implementing stricter standards.
5. Distrust and Decline
During this phase, public perception has shifted dramatically. What was once considered cutting-edge becomes viewed with skepticism. Training halls may close, student numbers decline, and the art risks becoming a historical footnote rather than a living tradition. However, this crisis point often spurs innovation among dedicated practitioners who recognize the need for evolution. If this does not occur, the martial art disappears entirely.
Aikido exemplifies this challenge, facing widespread public discredit about its practical application in modern martial arts. Yet some schools are adapting by incorporating resistance training and cross-training with other arts. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu experienced a similar decline in the early 20th century but found new life through its influence on modern grappling arts.
6. New Evolution
A new beginning occurs when practitioners successfully adapt their art to contemporary contexts while maintaining core principles. This renaissance period may involve embracing new concepts, methodologies, or finding new relevance in modern combat sports or self-defense contexts. Meanwhile, arts that appear previously lost, such as HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) or Korean Taekkyeon, may be reconstructed from historical documents.
Traditional Karate is experiencing a new evolution currently through full-contact formats like Kudo and Karate Combat. These styles have preserved traditional techniques while adapting them for full-contact fighting, including ground fighting elements and realistic rule sets. The success and support from renowned fighters such as Georges St-Pierre and Bas Rutten alongside technical innovations, demonstrate the potential for the system’s evolution while maintaining its distinctive characteristics.
Conclusion
The life cycle of a martial art presents a pattern that helps us appreciate them as living traditions rather than static systems. Some arts will fade into history, while others will adapt and thrive. The key to longevity appears to lie in maintaining a balance between preservation of core principles and adaptation to contemporary needs.
As practitioners and observers of martial arts, recognizing these stages in the life cycle will help us better understand both our own study and the continuing evolution of our practices. It reminds us that martial arts, like all aspects of culture, are never static—for better or for worse, they are in a constant state of flux, and all we can do as followers is embrace our current situation.
Are there any other stages I have missed? Where is your martial art in its life cycle? Is this is a good or bad thing? Comment below!
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