Top 15 Best Hand-to-Hand Fighters in DC

NOTE: If a character does not appear on this list it is due to the fact that I think they might be better suited for another list such as: Best Marksman or Best Swordsman

 Skilled<Expert<Master<Grand Master

#15 Wildcat

Ted Grant is known for training some of the top fighters such as Batman and Black Canary. Ted is a heavyweight Boxing champion and has also mastered Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Hapkido, and Capoeira. Ted is capable of knocking out a trained combatant with a single punch.  His skills combined with his enhanced strength, senses, agility speed, and multiple lives aid him as Wildcat.

#14 Black Canaray

A former student of Wildcat, Dinah Lance would eventually come to surpass her mentor. Her expertice ranges in Boxing, Judo, Aikido, Capoeira, Dragon Style Kung Fu, Hapkido, Jujitsu, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Savate, and Taekwondo. While only relying on her "Canary Cry" (a metahuman ability she possesses, that allows her to emit harmful sonic vibrations from her mouth) when the need arises.
 

#13 Nightwing

#12 Damian Wayne

From birth Damian has been groomed to be a leader and surpass his father. He was trained by The League of Assassins, Talia al Ghul, and Batman. Due to this, He has mastered many martial arts (despite his young age). He has either stalemated or beaten the other three robins in combat. Which is a feat not many can accomplish.

#11 Deathstroke

Slade Wilson was a soldier who received augmentations to his human physiology (reaching near metahuman levels). The serum he was administered enhanced his strength, speed/reflexes, intellect, agility, durability, stamina, and senses. Through army conditioning and training from Natas, Slade became a Master possibly even a Grand Master in: Boxing, Karate, Jujitsu, and Ninjitsu (Slade also mastered Marksmanship and Swordsmanship martial art forms, but that isn't relevant on this list). Unfortunately his over reliance on weapons prevents him from ranking higher on this list.

#10 David Cain

David Cain is widely regarded as one of the top assassins for hire in the DC Universe. He is a master of multiple forms of hand-to-hand combat and his impressive skills have been acknowledged by Lady Shiva, Deathstroke, and Batman. David's greatest student is probably his daughter, Cassandra Cain. At a young age he put her through harsh training that would make her one if the best fighters in the DC Universe.

#9 Constantine Drakon
 

Another assassin for hire, Constantine Drakon is well versed in martial arts. His amazing metahuman levels of speed aid him in combat and help him accomplish incredible feats.  What he best known for is defeating the various member of the Green Arrow Family (including Connor Hawke).

#8 Connor Hawke

Connor Hawke is a fighting prodigy who has proven on multiple occasions to be one of the best. He has stalemated Lady Shiva and Richard Dragon in combat. Connor has even successfully fought and defeated opponents while blind. He is an expert in many Japanese martial arts namely Aikido (which he is either a Master or even a Grand Master in.). Connor also possesses the ability to copy other fighting styles he has seen. 

#7 Bronze Tiger

Ben Turner has studied with Lady Shiva and Richard Dragon. He is a master in Aikido, Karate, Kung Fu/Dragon Style Kung Fu, Hapkido, Jeet Kune Do, Jujitsu, Savate and is highly skilled if not an expert in Judo. Ben is regarded as in the top greatest fighters in the DC Universe. 

#6 Cassandra Cain

As the daughter of Sandra Wu-San (Lady Shiva) and David Cain, it would appear that proficiency in hand-to-hand combat runs in the family. Cassandra received training from David Cain, Lady Shiva, Black Canary, The League of Assassins, Bronze Tiger, Batman, Oracle, Merlyn, Alpha, and Onyx. She is a master of Dragon Style Kung Fu and the "Falling Leaf Technique". In addition, she is also a master of many other martial art forms. Cassandra possesses a unique Body Language Based Intuituion that helps her in combat(i.e. Knowing what move an opponent will make).

#5 Ra's al Ghul

Thanks to the Lazarus Pit reviving him every time he's on the brink of death, Ra's al Ghul has Mastered many fighting styles over the centuries that he has been alive. It is safe to say he is a Master of most , possibly all fighting styles that were created from centuries ago to present day. He has gone on to train many charcters in the DC Universe and leads the League of Assassins. His fighting prowess has allowed him to defeat or at least stalemate everyone on this list.

#4 Batman

Bruce Wayne spent a decade to accomplish his goal of World's Greatest Detective. In those ten years he traveled around the world and trained under many Masters and Grand Masters (too many to name) in martial arts. He has mastered 127 different styles of martial arts over the years, he switches it up to remain unpredictable to opponents. Bruce has also trained many accomplished martial artists such as: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Barbra Gordon, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain Damian Wayne, and so much more. He has stalemated Lady Shiva, Bronze Tiger, and Richard Dragon in combat (not at the same time.). Bruce regularly fights metahumans and wins, and is able to maintain his status as one of the best hand-to-hand fighters in the DC Universe through a rigorous workout regimen and dietary plan. Another thing to consider is the fact that Bruce often holds back a good 99% of the time and refuses to employ the lethal or more brutal techniques he has learned.

#3 Lady Shiva

Regarded by many as the best fighter on the planet, Sandra Wu-San (AKA Lady Shiva) is a Grand Master in Leopard Style Kung Fu, Dragon Style Kung Fu, Judo, Capoeira, Kokushu, Savate, Karate, and Stick Fighting/ Swordsmanship. It is considered an honor to train under her and she has trained a lot of the people on this list and many more in the DC Universe as a whole. Sandra has defeated many of her enemies in the DC Universe relying on hand-to-hand combat alone (even against armed opponents). She has knowledge of long forgotten fighting styles and possesses the same Body Language Based Intuition ability her daughter does (probably to a higher degree).

#2 Richard Dragon

Richard Drakunovski has Mastered many forms of hand-to-hand combat but he is Grand Master in Aikido, Karate, Kung Fu, Dragon Style Kung Fu, Leopard Style Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Judo, and Equestrianism. Through meditation he has been known to harness his chi energy. Richard has taught: Batman, Catwoman, Nightwing, Black Canary, Connor Hawke, Barbra Gordon, Lady Shiva, and Vic Sage. He has beaten Lady Shiva twice, but it is important to note that the spot for number two fluctuates between the two of them.

#1 Karate Kid

Possessing somewhat of an unfair advantage, Val Armorr has mastered every fighting style up to the 30th century. He has an ability that tells the weakest point in an object which is ideal when engaged in combat. His fighting prowess alone is regarded as superpower to an extent.

SOURCES: 
comicvine.gamespot.com
DC Wiki.com
DC Ultimate Character Guide

If you liked this check out my Marvel list: 

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/comics/marvel_comics/top-12-best-hand-to-hand-fighters-in-marvel-revised-a132493