Bacom is a Peruvian martial art and close-combat system associated with Lima, Peru. It is also written as Bakom or Vacón in some sources. Unlike many older martial arts, Bacom is a relatively modern system. Sources place its development in the 1980s and connect it to Roberto Puch Bezada.
Bacom is known for combining different types of fighting, including striking, grappling, and close-range combat. It was built around the idea of dealing with dangerous situations quickly rather than following the rules of a sports competition. UNESCO’s martial-arts database classifies its main techniques as mixed and lists its purpose as close combat.
Because information about Bacom is limited compared with better-known martial arts such as Taekwondo, Karate, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, some stories about its history and abilities have become exaggerated online. It is therefore important to separate documented information from claims that are difficult to verify.
Where Did Bacom Martial Art Come From?
Bacom originated in Peru, not Southeast Asia. More specifically, its history is connected to Lima, where Roberto Puch Bezada developed the system during the 1980s. UNESCO’s International Centre of Martial Arts lists Peru as Bacom’s country of origin and identifies the system as a created martial art.
Other sources also describe Bacom as a fighting system that grew from street-fighting methods associated with Lima. The available historical information is not as extensive as it is for older martial arts, so claims about its exact early development should be treated carefully.
Roberto Puch Bezada also wrote a book called Bakom: El Arte Marcial Peruano in 2004. The work is listed in references about the martial art and is cited by UNESCO’s martial-arts database.
Who Created Bacom?
Bacom is generally credited to Roberto Puch Bezada. Sources describe him as the person who developed the system in Peru during the 1980s.
Some online articles give different descriptions of his background or make dramatic claims about his fighting career. Those claims are not equally well documented, so they should not automatically be presented as established facts.
What is better supported is that Puch Bezada was closely associated with the creation and development of Bacom and wrote a book explaining the Peruvian martial art.
What Does Bacom Mean?
Bacom is also known as Bakom and Vacón. The word “Bacom” is therefore not a completely different martial art from Bakom. These names are used to refer to the same Peruvian fighting system in different sources. UNESCO’s database specifically lists Bacom and Vacón as alternative names for Bakom.
For readers searching online, this is useful to know because information may appear under any of these spellings.
What Techniques Does Bacom Use?
Bacom is described as a mixed close-combat system. Rather than focusing on just one type of movement, it brings together different forms of fighting.
Sources describe three broad areas:
- Striking: Using punches and other close-range strikes.
- Grappling: Using holds, locks, and other methods of controlling an opponent.
- Weapon-based fighting: Historical descriptions of Bacom include weapons as part of its combat system.
The system is also described as using surprise and changes in attack. Its historical descriptions place importance on studying an opponent and reacting quickly to a changing situation.
This does not mean every Bacom practitioner trains in exactly the same way today. There is limited reliable information about standardized Bacom schools, training programs, or a single worldwide curriculum.
Is Bacom a Sport Martial Art?
Bacom is different from martial arts that are mainly organized around sports competition.
UNESCO’s martial-arts database lists the degree of sportification for Bakom as N/A, rather than describing it as a competition-based sport.
That is important because some online articles claim that Bacom has regular tournaments, competition schedules, and a standardized sports ranking system. There is not enough reliable evidence to make those claims broadly.
Bacom is better described as a close-combat system than as a tournament sport.
Is Bacom the Same as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
No. Bacom and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) are different martial arts. Bacom is associated with Peru and combines different close-combat methods. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu developed from Japanese Jujutsu and Judo and became especially known for grappling and ground fighting.
The two can both include grappling, but that does not make them the same martial art.
For someone interested in learning grappling as part of a modern martial arts program, adult martial arts classes can provide a structured training environment. TKD Armor Academy offers adult martial arts training in North Richland Hills, but its service page should not be presented as a Bacom program unless Bacom is actually part of its curriculum.
Is Bacom the Same as Taekwondo?
No. Bacom and Taekwondo have very different histories and training goals.
Taekwondo originated in Korea and is especially known for its kicking techniques, movement, forms, and sport competition.
Bacom originated in Peru and is described as a mixed close-combat system involving striking, grappling, and weapons.
The two should therefore not be described as variations of the same martial art.
Is Bacom Good for Self-Defense?
Bacom was developed as a close-combat system, so self-protection is an important part of how it is described historically.
However, it is not accurate to say that Bacom is automatically better than every other martial art for self-defense. A person’s ability to protect themselves depends on factors such as training, fitness, awareness, practice, and the situation.
Modern self-defense training can also focus on avoiding danger, creating distance, leaving unsafe situations, and getting help. Fighting should not be treated as the first choice when a safer option is available.
Is Bacom Still Practiced Today?
Bacom is a real martial art with documented connections to Peru, but it is far less widely known and documented than major martial arts such as Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
This lack of information is one reason many websites make unsupported claims about Bacom. Even UNESCO’s entry is relatively brief and notes that the system is not sportified.
So it is better to describe Bacom as a rare and relatively obscure Peruvian martial art rather than claiming that it is widely practiced around the world.
Is Bacom One of the Deadliest Martial Arts?
You may see Bacom described online as one of the “deadliest martial arts in the world.” That statement should be treated carefully.
There is no reliable universal test or official ranking that proves which martial art is the deadliest. Lists using that phrase often repeat claims from other websites without explaining how they measured “deadliness.” Discussions among martial arts practitioners have also questioned the reliability of these lists.
Bacom does have historical descriptions that emphasize close combat, surprise, and serious fighting situations. UNESCO also describes it as a close-combat system and notes weapon-based techniques.
But calling it “the world’s deadliest martial art” would go beyond what the available evidence can establish.
Does Bacom Have a Belt Ranking System?
There is not strong evidence for a standardized international Bacom belt-ranking system comparable to the belt systems used in many Taekwondo, Karate, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools.
Some websites claim that Bacom has a structured belt system, but those claims are not supported by the stronger sources reviewed for this article.
Therefore, it is safer to say that Bacom does not appear to have a widely standardized global belt system.
What Can You Learn From Bacom?
The historical descriptions of Bacom place importance on several ideas:
- Watching and studying an opponent
- Staying calm during a confrontation
- Reacting quickly
- Using movement rather than relying only on strength
- Changing tactics when the situation changes
- Using close-range fighting methods
These ideas are found in descriptions of the system attributed to Roberto Puch Bezada.
However, Bacom should not be described as a general program for improving concentration, school performance, or overall health unless there is evidence specifically supporting those claims.
Bacom vs. Other Martial Arts
| Martial Art | Origin | Main Focus |
| Bacom | Peru | Close combat, striking, grappling |
| Taekwondo | Korea | Kicks, striking, forms, sport |
| Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Brazil | Grappling and ground fighting |
| Judo | Japan | Throws, grappling, control |
| Boxing | England/United States and broader history | Punching and footwork |
The biggest difference is that Bacom was created as a mixed close-combat system, while many better-known martial arts have developed clearer rules, training systems, and competitive formats.
What Is the Main Idea Behind Bacom?
The main idea behind Bacom is close combat and quick response.
Historical descriptions say the system teaches practitioners to observe an opponent, stay calm, look for openings, and change their actions when needed.
It is also important to understand that the historical form of Bacom should not be confused with modern martial arts programs that teach fitness, sport, or controlled sparring.
If someone wants to learn martial arts today, the right program depends on their goal. Some people want fitness, some want competition, and others want to learn basic self-defense. A structured adult martial arts classes program can be a more practical starting point for someone looking for regular training than trying to find a rare system without a local instructor.
Final Thoughts
Bacom is a rare Peruvian martial art with a modern history. Its roots are connected to Lima, and sources place its development in the 1980s under Roberto Puch Bezada. It combines different forms of close combat, including striking and grappling.
One of the most important facts to remember is that Bacom did not originate in Southeast Asia or in ancient times. Those claims appear in some online articles but do not match the better-supported historical information.
There is also a lot of exaggerated material online calling Bacom the “deadliest martial art.” A more accurate approach is to describe it based on its documented history and fighting methods rather than repeating claims that cannot be properly verified.
For people interested in martial arts today, the best choice depends on what they want to learn. A structured program with qualified instructors, controlled practice, and clear safety rules can provide a better training experience than relying on dramatic claims about any particular martial art.
FAQs
Bacom is a Peruvian martial art and close-combat system. It was developed in Peru during the 1980s and is associated with Roberto Puch Bezada. It combines different fighting methods, including striking and grappling.
Bacom originated in Peru, with its history closely connected to Lima. It did not originate in Southeast Asia.
Roberto Puch Bezada is generally credited with creating and developing Bacom during the 1980s.
Yes. Bacom, Bakom, and Vacón are names used for the same Peruvian martial art. UNESCO lists Bacom and Vacón as alternative names for Bakom.
Yes. Bacom is documented as a Peruvian martial art. UNESCO’s International Centre of Martial Arts includes Bakom in its global martial-arts database and lists Peru as its origin.
No. They are separate martial arts. Bacom includes grappling, but Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its own history and is especially focused on grappling and ground fighting.
Historical descriptions of Bacom include weapon-based fighting, and UNESCO lists its weapons category as multiple weapons. However, this should not be confused with ordinary martial arts classes where training is performed under controlled conditions.
There is no strong evidence of a widely established international Bacom competition system. UNESCO lists its degree of sportification as N/A.
There is no strong evidence of a single, standardized international Bacom belt system comparable to those used in Taekwondo, Karate, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Bacom has been documented as a Peruvian martial art, but it is relatively uncommon and has much less publicly available information than major martial arts. This makes it difficult to describe its current worldwide practice accurately.
Bacom was developed as a close-combat system, so self-defense is closely connected to its history. However, no martial art guarantees safety in every situation. Awareness, avoiding danger, and leaving an unsafe situation are important parts of personal safety.
Sources & References
- UNESCO International Centre of Martial Arts — Global Martial Arts Database: Bakom — lists Bacom and Vacón as alternative names, Peru as the origin, mixed techniques, and close combat as its purpose. UNESCO ICM — Bakom / Bacom
- Bakom reference material — provides additional historical information about Roberto Puch Bezada and the development of the art in Lima. Bakom — reference overview
- Roberto Puch Bezada’s 2004 book, Bakom: El Arte Marcial Peruano — cited in the UNESCO entry as additional material on Bacom/Bakom.
- Martial arts community discussion — useful for understanding why claims about Bacom being one of the “deadliest” martial arts should be treated cautiously, rather than as historical evidence. Martial arts discussion on Bacom
