Are you asking for commentary specifically on the martial arts you have selected? How old are you now and why are you waiting until 24/25 to start? Why did you pick these specific arts?

@JohnP feel free to add any martial arts you think would be more suitable towards my end. I included my own list that I made so far so that you have an orient of what I was thinking about. I am 23 now, but we're in the middle of a pandemic so hence 24/25.

Yikes, I'd be careful with this one. This is a likely way to get users into arguments over effectiveness of different arts. This is defined as off-topic, in the help center, so if you could fix it so that it is reasonably answerable, it won't have to be closed. BTW, you can ask opinionated questions in the chat, but you do not currently have enough reputation.

@LemmyX I added an additional question in the question body, for clarification. Let me know if there's anything I can change in addition to that.

I had written a lengthy comment on the whole idea of this question but decided to just give a friendly reminder: physical altercations in night clubs should not necessitate self-defense training. That's overkill. You will probably get in legal trouble applying whatever you learn in these six years. Keep calm and walk away. There's security for that.

I don't know what to say about this ... I get the question ... But if you are only concerned about "self-defense" then strike out Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Judo. First of all, you don't need specialized Muay Thai training for "self-defense", Krav Maga will take care of the necessary and selective kicks (which are usually not required). You need to be able to punch, or dodge or block punches - hence, learn boxing (may be). But most importantly, learn to grapple - BJJ. That is in my opinion number one.

You can't punch in a nightclub because the floor is filled with alcohol and what not and you won't be standing upright for long. So, learn ground fighting. Judo and Wrestling, I think, will get you in a lot of trouble, I see Judo and Wrestling as full-fledged offense arts - like the throws and takedowns will cause serious injuries. But Judo practitioners here will be able to tell you more about this. Also, you may potentially hurt yourself if you land the wrong way (if you shoot and hit your knee in the sidewalk and crush your knee cap then damn - that's not really self-defense now).

If I were you, I would go with Krav Maga as no.1 because it does include both striking and grappling to some extent. And to become proficient at grappling, I would do BJJ as no.2.

Also checkout Which martial arts focus on self defense?, Best to learn for self defense: Wrestling, Boxing, or Jiu Jitsu

For me, that is generally pushing question, provoking a discussion about "what MA is better than others". Mentioning "krav maga" "martial art" here is just underlining it.

Yes, what roundhouse is saying pretty much. My Krav Maga school has a monthly seminar about self defense at a night club. They turn off all the lights, blast music, and have people come at you with foam bar stools and even training knives. It gives you enough training to get yourself out of the situation without causing much legal trouble. Always make sure that the amount of damage that you are causing to them is =< what they do to you. If they come at you with a bear hug, don't break their neck, but instead escape and provide MAYBE a single counter strike that will give you time to leave.

If you are writing something that does not suggest changes to the question or request clarification, write an answer.

If you make a claim, explain your reasoning.

@AIQ @LemmyX the main reason I included Wresling, Muay Thai and Boxing was because I heard it recommend on the Jocko Willink podcast. That guy (a retired Navy Seal, a black belt in BJJ) recommends learning BJJ, Boxing, Muay Thai and Wresling (in that order) prior to learning Krav Maga for self defense. However, based on your answers, I think I'll be doing just Krav Maga + BJJ.

@LemmyX Your school is sick! (I mean sick as in awesome) But really to create that perfect environment, students should be in proper attire ;)

@mattm Sorry about that, I was really tired last night ...

@Eternal_Ether Jocko is a guy who knows how to control himself, if he finds himself in an altercation, he will walk away, or use his BJJ. He probably won't risk getting injured in a pavement (or risk seriously hurting the other guy) doing wrestling move. In my view, BJJ is just about the perfect mix of defense and offense - where offense flows from great defensive positions. Judo is probably the most fascinating MA, and it is the one I am going for next.

But it is also one of the arts that can deal the most damage.

You can headlock someone with BJJ in the pavement and put them to sleep and then walk away without causing any permanent damage. But if you use a Judo throw or wrestling takedown you can actually hurt and permanently damage that person. Don't get me wrong. You should know these arts, because god know when the time comes to stop being defensive and go all out, you need to be able to use throws and takedowns.

I am not a big believer of learning "self-defense". I just want to learn to "fight" - which now includes pretty much every style. Which I will use will depend on the situation and my judgement. And at the end of the day, I am counting on myself to make the right call. So yeah, first go to a gym, and start with one. You will soon start "wanting" the art rather than "needing" it ...

@AIQ I will do Krav Maga and BJJ based on your and @LemmyX input. I'm looking to learn self-defense, if, God forbid, one day I need it. I don't care that much about being a black belt. I just care that, if someone attacks me, I can defend myself. That's all.

@Eternal_Ether Sure, but may be give it a day or two here just to hear from rest of the community ... we have some very talented folks here who have been doing this for much longer and can tell you much more

@PhilipKlöcking If you attack me wherever, I will come at you full force. Why did you attack me in the first place?

@AIQ will do. I'll wait around.

One thing Krav Maga does really well is teach you how to defend from multiple attackers. BJJ is not going to work and you don't want to be on the ground when there are more than 1 person. That's when you use striking first, which you will learn in KM. Judo will be super effective if they come charging at you. But if you are in Canada or the US you may face lawsuits or a very difficult time with the cops ...

Yes, I am fairly inexperience compared to some people here, you should definitely wait a few days to hear from other people before making a decision. Also, note that most schools are either closed or are doing online-only because of covid. My BJJ school is doing full in-person, but I opted out.

@Eternal_Ether If I come at someone with full force, this someone is probably gonna end up in hospital with several broken bones. If that's what I do because they tried to throw a haymaker at me, I am in legal trouble in most jurisdictions. That's what MA training does.

My background is Judo, BJJ, Krav Maga and kickboxing, btw.

@PhilipKlöcking Damn ... I wish I am one day good enough to be able to say that ...

@PhilipKlöcking How much weightlifting is necessary to be great at Judo?

@PhilipKlöcking How long have you trained Judo? I am planning to start doing Judo after things are back to normal a bit, for now I am just lifting weights and trying to get strong for Judo and Wrestling

@Eternal_Ether I do not think weightlifting is necessary if one isn't into competition. I'm doing Judo for 20 years now. And my point was rather that I would have levelled most persons before my training at full force. MA training allows me to restrain myself and others so that there is a lower chance that I get hurt. But self-defense means avoiding actual fights in the first place.

Well, given one has decent physique