How would Bruce Lee fair in the UFC?

Question

I always wonder if he could win against stronger bigger opponents in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It seems like guys that are good westlers or good grapplers have great success.

Answer 1

I agree with most here, he would have done well. He may not have been the best, and he certainly wouldn't want to face the heavyweights but he was a very good martial artist before he started making movies and he only got better after. He was a world champion at Karate and a double black belt at Kung Fu plus he did well with boxing, wrestling and Ju Jitsu. So yeah, he would have done well.

Answer 2

1- Bruce lee would be 60+ now he wouldn't stand a chance.

2- If you compare his focus and training at the time of his death when he would have been able to compete, he would still lose as he doesn't have enough background to expect or even deal with groundfighting. While he may have had some exposure, it was no where near the focus that it is today.

He would be like the early strikers with little or no ground or grappling experience, he would be taken down in the first minuite, and then flail about helplessly trying to get back to his feet, taking a severe pounding while doing so. He would either be koed by ground and pound or would submit and tap.

I think in all fairness you detract from bruce lee and his skill by making such age specific comparisons.

Now a good question worth thinking about would be, If bruce lee lived, how would a student of his with him as a coach, do in the UFC or Pride?

We would obviously presume that at that point lee would have studied some form of groundfighting and incoporated it into his training regimen, but him bieng too old to compete himself, how good a coach could he be?

Answer 3

Those grapplers only have so much success. Physical strength can only carry you so far. Eventually, that will fail you. Lee also understood qi, which is an entirely foreign concept to nearly all MMA fighters. He was extremely creative, open-minded, and well aware that no matter how many people he taught, he would always be a student. That knowledge and ability can make a massive difference in whether someone can be the better fighter.

Answer 4

Bigger yes, stronger...not neccescarily. Bruce Lee was incredibly strong for his build. I've seen old videos of him lifting a ton of weight, and his cardio conditioning was top notch.

Now, do I think he'd rule the UFC or Pride FC's...not neccescarily.
Do I think he'd of been one hell of a contender or coach, no doubt.

Let's be realistic when one watches the fights this debate is over....the larger majority of those guys are simple brawlers with some skills in their chosen arts...

As much as I respect what MMA guys do to train, there are inherant weaknesses when training for a combat sport. MMA is not the end-all and be-all that everyone thinks it is.

Now, if the UFC's were still what they used to be (i.e. = with more dirty tactics allowed), I think Bruce would have dominated his weight class when he was still in his prime. Keep in mind guys....if he were alive still he'd be in his late 50's or 60's.

Answer 5

I dont see anyone in the UFC that is even close to Lee's skill level. He was the greatest fighter in modern history. None of the fighters in the UFC would stand a chance since they are basicly brawlers. Lee fought against many opponents that were bigger then he was, proving that size doesn't provide any advantage against superior skill.

Answer 6

I don't think Bruce Lee would have participated in a combat sport competition. He devoted his life to studying unarmed combat. The UFC, for obvious safety reasons, has too many restrictions. Bruce espoused using ALL things effective. This includes biting, eye-gouging, groin, throat and spine strikes when the opportunities present themselves.

Answer 7

Bruce Lee would probably do pretty well, maybe hold a title. His fighting system Jeet Kune Do was essentially MMA but without the rules.

I don't think he would be the best of the best like many others do, but he would be a formidable opponent for certain.

Answer 8

I think if he fight one of the Gracie's he l l lose then Bruce lee will learn bjj, (because hes a fast learner other than bjj he was grappler,boxing champ- that who he invented 1/2 inch punch)and defeat them using all his knowledge

Answer 9

I think in his weight class he would have done well . Bruce Lee was an innovative person . He would easily have adapted to the situations presented with the new MMA style fights .

Answer 10

Bruce lee would rule the UFC!! He was a master in pretty much any kind of martial arts... That includes ground fighting boxing karate anything... tell me who can match that!!! I love the iceman but he is no match for bruce lee....