what is the best martial art to defend my self in a street fight from one or more attackers?

I live in a rough city and im interested in starting some style of martial art to defend my self from gangs, p addicts and muggers etc. What would be the best fighting style (karate, muay thai, jujitsu,judo etc) to ensure i would be able to over power or knock out an attacker or a small group of attackers without myself being injured?

Public Comments

1. Ummmm, I'll pick any of those styles, but your more likely being shot by a group of gangbangers than you beating up 3+ people, or jus buy a pocket pistol
2. anyone that can guarantee you that is full of it. there are no guarantees when it comes to self defense regardless of the style. you need to find a good qualified instructor the style doesn't matter, the instructor and how you train does. every style has its pro's and con's for multiple people even a well training martial artist should tell you the best option is to run. multiple opponents is more about tactics then a style and is not easy. even after training for years. it doesnt take much for them to get the upper hand. the first priority is to escape as soon as possible. with weapons you dont seein the news paper or the news people taking knifes or guns away from there assailants too often because they dont work always work, if someone intends to shoot you they are not going to be close enough for you to take the gun, they can shoot you from 5 or 10 feet away. if they are going to come at you with a knife its not going to be one movement, they are going to constantly slash and stab at you. if you are being mugged just give them your wallet its never worth your life. most people dont carry large amounts of cash with them any more, especially since every one use credit or atm cards know a days.
3. If you have been learning Martial Arts all these years, you would have noticed that your AGGRESSIVE move is always a signal of your weakness to your opponent. For example, if you are the one to start a fight by attempting to punch your opponent, your opponent has broad alternatives to defend himself or herself. The reason being that an Aggressive move is always focussed and Focus means concentration. Whenever you are defending yourself, your focus is on not letting your opponent hurt you. But when you are attacking someone, you are reducing your chances of defending yourself to that extent because a successful attepmt to attack cannot be launched without focussing on harming someone. The very attitude of a person to be an aggressor is a defeat in itself because aiming for someone's destruction exposes you to be attacked at your vulnerable places. For example, someone who focusses on punching you is exposing his or her face to be attacked by you unless it is done at such speed that the attacks you and is also able to defend his or her face sensing your potential to attack him or her.
4. i'd say aikido or krav maga
5. Well, first any type of fighting style is going to be better than not learning anything. It depends on what is closest to you... you don't want to get mugged on your way to class if you have to travel far. If your being attacked by multiple people, knocking everyone out and over powering them shouldn't be your main concern. Your main concern should be to get away safely. I like Krav Maga because I was taught to take the least amount of damage and how to distance myself from my attacker(s) and get away with the Nike method (Run!). This is just my opinion, again, learning something is better than learning nothing. Best of luck.
6. MMA.
7. Krav Maga can be learned fairly quickly. Add some sprint training as well.
8. Use tactics to avoid it in the first place.
9. If you are looking at training for this sort of thing, you really need to look at systems of combat techniques. Mostly you need to train to not lose your cool in this situation. Once you are unable to think because of the massive burst of adrenaline you will lose. Someone mentioned Krav Maga. Soldiers will not be caught up in the spiritual or esoteric aspects of martial training, an will focus better on applicable techniques. A modern system will also tend to be better in that it will not be bogged down with conservative traditions. There must be emphasis on tactics and strategy, as the solution to dealing with this kind of dilemma (multiple assailants) is more in how to neutralize the advantage of "more" by forcing them to deal with you one at a time. Finally, the realization that you are fighting for the chance at an exit rather than "winning" the fight. Stay away from sport Martial Arts, as you will be learning a limited set of attacks, designed to score points, not incapacitate an opponent, in a controlled environment. Arts like Aikido will take you a decade to get good enough at before even considering to take on a street opponent. In fact many joint lock/nerve techniques can be overcome by someone who is just plain strong. Someone mentioned MMA. While you may get some really good techniques and a serious cardio workout, you are still looking at a single opponent in a controlled environment. Until then, the best thing is to keep your eyes and ears open. Don't get caught off guard, by preemptively avoiding situations. If you are attacked or mugged, give up your money or whatever, nothing is more important than your life.
10. knife just learn how to use it
11. ok well it depends you can ake a veriety of classes my sugestion to you is to take jujitsu because it trains you in 18 wepons and fighting tactics
12. Krav Maga
13. Japanese Ju-jitsu. As it's an all rounder. I'd suggest, Best wishes :)***