Cross-train. Choose one style that trains in grappling primarily and one in striking. If you cannot afford to (time or money wise) train in two or more styles, train in one for a few years before introducing the second.
Escaping kata/forms is near impossible - even BJJ has practise drills, they just don't call them kata. Judo certainly has kata, some pretty extensive.
Don't trust everything you see in MMA - a wing chun guy got defeated in the UFC by a judo guy, but this doesn't mean that two different people trained in those styles would not have a different result. I believe that wing chun teaches good techniques, if perhaps underrated by MMA fighters in favour of Muai Thai. And what makes Western kickboxing any better than Chinese San Sao? Be open minded, because I think most every style is effective.