Russian Fighting Styles

Russia has a centuries-old relationship with martial arts, ranging from medieval boxing to post-Soviet hybrid styles. These fighting styles bear many similarities to the martial arts of the eastern world, but tend to have a distinctly Russian flair. Many of these styles have achieved widespread popularity and are practiced all over the world.

  1. Sambo

    • A Soviet invention with a name meaning "self-defense without weapons," this fighting style is a hybrid of the martial arts of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Rather than focusing exclusively on technique and exact precision, Sambo relies more heavily on improvisation and the individual styles of fighters. It is popular in the United States in a non-combat, sport form, which resembles wrestling.

    Russian Fist Fighting

    • Common well into the 19th century but less popular today, Russian fist fighting is a stylized, albeit nearly lawless, version of boxing. It was often practiced as a team sport, with two lines of fighters battling each other one-on-one. Under Ivan the Terrible it served as a way to prove innocence in a court of law, and Peter the First used fist fighting matches to showcase the rowdy courage of his people to foreign enemies. The style was banned in 1832, and despite the brevity of the prohibition (it lasted only 20 years), it never fully regained popularity.

    Systema

    • Systema is the highly-disciplined, hand-to-hand combat style that was used by Russian armies from the 10th century until its prohibition under the Soviets. Like its Asian relatives, Systema focuses heavily on spiritual elements, encouraging serenity, discipline and controlled power in its fighters. Since the fall of the USSR in 1991, it has been widely exported and is increasing in popularity throughout the world.