IMO...Kenpo is a stronger martial system for self-defense. But the key is to find a proper training center (regardless of the system) that focuses on the real effectiveness of application of the techniques. There are some other concerns when choosing a system to learn, but you have touched on those (ground & stand up). MMA does cover the diversity of the stand up and ground games, but IMO it lacks the critical techniques and applications that may be needed in a life threatening situation.

I personally would try to find a Japanese Jujutsu center to start out. It covers the up and down games, but also addresses the combat related applications more thoroughly. Currently I am involved at a Krav Maga center because it fits with my combined martial systems background. If you want to look into it try either of these sites to see if there is a training center near you. Both these organizations can be traced back to the origins of Krav Maga and it's founder Imi Sde-Or (Lichtenfeld).

http://www.KravMagaAlliance.com

http://www.KravMagaWorldwide.com

Good luck, and good training to you.

TKD is mostly focused on kicking in various western dojo's/dojang. It is a more complete art, but sadly it has been over-saturated with bad schools in many places. I assume when you are saying Kenpo Karate you are referring to American Kempo, or Ed Parker's Kempo, both of which evolved from Japanese Kenpo which is a Japanized version of Chinese Kung Fu. Anyway, Kempo can be either good or bad depending on the teacher. It is a more "circular" art, so if you are a more straightforward style naturally it can be kind of hard to adjust to. But it comes down to the user, I've seen terrible people in both arts, and people who I would never cross because they are amazing in both arts. Other arts worth checking out would be Muay Thai, Sanda, Krav Maga, Filipino Martial Arts (Kali, Arnis, Eskrima), BJJ, Hapkido, and Combat Sambo, to name a couple.

First ask your self why would you want to physical fight someone. If the Answer to that is so you can protect yourself and others from bullies then I strongly encourage you to learn some fighting skills. I Boxed when I was a teenager it was great training. A few Months of Training and you'll be able to hold you own against your average Joe. But if that fight gets on the ground Boxing Skills are really useless, then you would need to know Brazilin Jujitsu, Any MMA gym teaches it.

Olympic TKD is all kicking, then they have their Mcdojangs. For Kenpo karate. First off, Kenpo means the way of Karate. I find it funny people talk about street fighting, how many times are you going to encounter someone on the street and fight?

I would do Tae Kwon Do til age twenty one since your sixteen and then when you are ready you do Kenpo so you learn to make contact with your hands.

I'm looking into taking a martial arts class mostly to help me in street fighting. I heard about Tae Kwon Do but I heard its mostly kicking while Kenpo Karate focus on standing and ground strikes. I'm 16 and weigh 185 lbs and I'm looking for martial art styles that can help me mostly in street fighting and gaining self-confidence. If you have other styles that you want to tell me about, you can.

Thanks in advance