In 1985, another Pankratiast Aris Makris tried to bring Pankration even closer to its origins, removing obsolete and impractical techniques. Makris was interested in Pankration’s original intention as an ‘art of war’ and felt the reemerging fighting arts philosophy needed to emphasise this. If Arvanitis laid the foundations for Pankration’s revival then Makris helped perfect the art, ironing out some of the creases.
Makris developed the belief that pankration was more than just a fighting art, but a way of life. He helped develop a philosophy and an ethical code of conduct. He wanted to make Pankration more than just a style that simply borrows the best techniques from others.