Chinese Martial Artists fight in UFC?

Question

why I have not seen Chinese Martial Artists fight in UFC or Pride Fighting? I know KungFu is very poweful . Is it because UFC has not reach Asia ? I think it would it be awesome to see some Shaolin dude fighting with Chuck Liddell or Tito Ortiz. - Serious answers only please.

Answer 1

The answer is simple. UFC is a sport. It's not real fighting. Martial arts that don't train for sport (not just CMA, but any art) is not going to work when constrained by the rules of UFC or Pride.

Could they be modified to conform to the rules of the UFC? Absolutely. I agree that seeing a Shaolin Monk fighting in the octagon would be pretty cool. But his training does not conform with the limitations of sport fighting.

Oh, and I almost forgot...To become good enough to compete in the UFC using Chinese martial arts would require many years of intense training. Chances are that after all that time and effort you would be mature enough to realize that you don't need to climb in the ring with a 20 year old kid to prove you are a tough guy.

Answer 2

Legend says that these mighty Chinese warriors hid underground over 5000 years ago so that one day when evil strikes.. They will pass before your very eyes and obliterate all that exists. You are lucky I caught a WiFi signal to answer you because we tend to loose signal strength down here and especially under the lava pits over our homes. Just kiddin you lol but really chinese people have their own programs that you probably will never see unless you visit or get Chinese satellite installed. The number of martial arts programs is so high it's no funny. They have like a 20 programs to find the ultimate ninja warrior and the skill is unbelievably high. It's no wonder you see a ton of asian martial artists in hollywood because this IS entertainment for them. China has peace embedded in their culture but their people are really the biggest martial arts enthusiasts. Your question is like saying why aren't American people in tournaments in china or etc. It's because they're too busy getting into national tournaments and would rather have a big name in the US. You know what I'm saying?

Answer 3

Chinese martial arts are featured in Pride....not so much since the very early days of the UFC's.

When it comes to Pride....Cung Le is a technically proficient user of San Shou (a.k.a. San Soo) and I've seen him decimate your average UFC modeled fighter (basic Muay Thai/BJJ combinations).

Now, when it comes to styles such as Hung Gar, Mantis, Xingyi, etc....I'd be interested to see that as well to be honest.

The biggest reasons why they're not there is because pretty much adequate practitioners of those styles got schooled by the Gracies in the early UFC's and never went back. There were too many traditional students, who were never truly tested....and got they rear end beat up.

That, and the rules take out of a lot of the "dirty tricks" (soft tissue attacks and small joint manipulations foe example) if you will of combat disciplines. Years of body-knowledge would have to be re-learned and dulled out to focus within those rules.

Now, I know some MMA advocate's going to slam me as coming off with the typical "you're a traditional pu$$y" barking....and they'll have no idea what they're even talking about. That does happen over the internet though....ego's still run rampant over a keyboard.

Here's the deal, I've been a student of combat arts for just over 20 years......and I regularly crosstrain into the pressure-testing of MMA (both tactically, and technically.) Because of that....I know the inherant weakness of both types of MA.

I respect MMA practitioners for the no-B.S. motto's they live and train under. I respect the traditional combat MA's (no sports in this statement people), because they retain aspects of combat that the MMA mentality doesn't even come close to touching.

Just an opinion, if you like it....or don't like it, that's fine with me.

Answer 4

I think the main reason is that the style of fighting in the UFC favors those who have more of a wrestling background. Guys that know jiu-jitsu or judo do pretty well. Most bouts are decided after the fighters close on each other and begin the work of beating on each other. There is not much use for spin kicks or flips when you are on the mat with a guy that is bending your arm back and punching your face.

Answer 5

Sport fighting in China is not like here.
San Shaou is a great skill, just most people think of some Ecentric Kung Fu style , not a wrestling skill. Recently in Taiwan the San Shaou champ just easily defeated the Muay Tai champion. He threw him on his head twice, and once out of the ring, it was no contest.

Answer 6

Because it's very hard to find a real kung fu instructor. most of the Kung fu they teach today is too watered down and artsy, and is more suited for demonstration than to the physical nature and rawness of a UFC fight.

Answer 7

wow this answer is so obvious to true martial artists
A SHAOLIN MONK OR CHINESE MASTER WOULD NEVER ENTER AN MMA TOURNAMENT
using ur martial arts to gain glory or money or just proving u can kick other peoples butt is very despising to martial artists

Answer 8

CMA could possibly work, if the person could defend against a takedown or clinch. If the person could demonstrate they can do enough damage with strikes to keep the wrestler at distance, or stuff all their takedowns and punish them.

I think the problem is that some people don't understand that closing with your opponent and neutralizing their striking distance is a very effective strategy.