Again in 2004, UFC president Dana White made a remark that also has individuals speaking. He acknowledged that the late Bruce Lee is the “Father of MMA”. On this article, I’ll state the explanation why I disagree with this assertion and also will give my ideas as to the true “Father of MMA”.
“Truly, the daddy of blended martial arts, if you’ll, was Bruce Lee. In case you have a look at the way in which Bruce Lee skilled, the way in which he fought, and most of the issues he wrote, he stated the proper type was no type. You’re taking a bit one thing from every part. You’re taking the great issues from each totally different self-discipline, use what works, and also you throw the remaining away.” (1) Dana White, 2004
First let us take a look at a number of the causes given FOR Bruce Lee being given the title of “Father of MMA”.
- He believed it’s essential to free your self from the trimmings of any single martial arts type.
- He believed you should be a whole fighter.
- In accordance with his daughter, Shannon, he was the primary to say that the very best type is “no type”. (2)
- His coaching mirrored the above whereas he was nonetheless alive.
These are convincing factors. And I’ve to say that I needed to re-think my place after digging deeper into this text.
Earlier than we go any additional, we have to make clear a number of the phrases that we’re utilizing right here. Though the next might not be official definitions, I feel they may serve us for this examination.
MMA- “Blended Martial Arts”
This time period has come to imply the extra well-liked sport that we take pleasure in right now. This would come with such organizations because the UFC “Final Combating Championship”, WEC “World Excessive Cagefighting” (now engulfed within the UFC), Bodog Combat (now defunct), Bellator Combating, and so forth.
Whereas the time period can imply virtually something, its well-liked that means is extra in direction of the unified guidelines which can be noticed by a lot of the state athletic commissions.
NHB- “No Holds Barred”
This time period is sort of synonymous with “MMA”, though it could possibly be thought of a extra excessive model with fewer guidelines.
Vale Tudo
This time period is extra well-liked in Brazil the place the Gracie household solid its preventing system. It means “something goes”, however typically nonetheless has guidelines.
Utilizing the time period “MMA” with the above definition, Dana White makes a compelling argument.
If you concentrate on this by way of “kinds”, then the modern-day MMA fighter is extra carefully associated to what Bruce Lee described and practiced than to the only type artists from the previous. Simply have a look at the early UFC’s resembling I, II, & III. These have been the “good ole” days of fashion vs. type and extra akin to the definitions of “NHB” or “Vale Tudo” than to MMA.
The MMA fighters of right now need to be extra “full”. They might not be masters of each facet of the combat sport, however they need to be capable to deal with themselves in all ranges.
I feel an ideal instance of that is somebody like Georges Ste. Pierre (GSP). Georges began out in Kyokushin karate.(3) However have a look at him now. He is among the most well-rounded fighters in MMA right now. You’d be arduous pressed to discover a weak spot in his sport. And if he does run up in opposition to somebody higher than him in a sure space, he alters his gameplan in order that this space is tough to use.
There may be proof that Bruce Lee adopted the same path in his personal coaching. As an alternative of attempting to beat somebody at their very own sport, he would attempt to exploit the weaknesses of a specific technique, assault, or particular person type.
Wow! Fairly convincing to this point, proper?
Now let us take a look at some causes AGAINST Bruce Lee being given this title.
- Bruce Lee was not the primary particular person to cross-train in martial arts.
- Jeet Kune Do will not be a sport and Bruce Lee was by no means in favor of making a brand new sport.
- Bruce Lee by no means competed. (Apart from one boxing match in his youthful years.)
- There may be not one shred of proof that Bruce Lee or JKD influenced modern-day MMA in any manner.
- MMA would have occurred no matter Bruce Lee.
All you could do is have a look at the Greek martial artwork of Pankration to see that cross-training has been with us for a really very long time. First launched into the Greek Olympic Video games in 648 BC, this artwork included strikes, joint locks, and grappling methods.(4)
One other curious level is that Bruce Lee did not advocate sport preventing. If he did not compete or prepare to compete, how may he be the daddy of a sport?
Sure, he did prepare some sport competitors fighters of his day resembling Joe Lewis, Chuck Norris, and Mike Stone. However these guys have been already sport fighters. So this is able to appear to be a null level.
I’ve not discovered a single shred of proof that Bruce Lee or JKD has influenced modern-day MMA in any manner in any respect. Sure, there are occasional fighters which have skilled in JKD, or pay homage to Bruce Lee. However I am keen to wager that there are a whole lot of MMA fighters on the market that do not even know who Bruce Lee was or know something in any respect with reference to his coaching, philosophy, and so forth.
Whereas there may be proof that JKD Ideas have been coaching similarly to MMA, there does not appear to be a lot help that they really influenced any of the most important fighters or coaching camps of right now. (After all there are all the time exceptions. I am speaking about an general affect to the game of MMA.)
However crucial query is that this…
“Would MMA have occurred with out Bruce Lee?”
My reply to this can be a resounding “Sure!”
Helio Gracie as “Father of MMA”.
In my view, the moniker “Father of MMA” is extra appropriately bestowed upon the late Helio Gracie. Listed here are a number of the causes I really feel this fashion.
- Helio was taking over all-comers way back to 1931.(5)
- He handed on this custom of the “problem match” to his sons.
- The UFC was initially began by his son, Rorion, to proceed this custom and produce it to the USA.
- If it weren’t for Helio, the UFC and the game of MMA could by no means have been.
Now I understand that Helio’s aim was to indicate the prevalence of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. And on this, it goes in opposition to the “blended” portion of MMA.
However the inescapable reality to that is that if it weren’t for Helio, the UFC would in all probability by no means have come to mild. At first it was an exhibition to showcase the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu type. But it surely has grown to be greater than that now.
As a guardian, you need your youngster to exceed your capabilities. The UFC “youngster” has executed this in abundance.
From writing this text, I’ve come to understand the view of naming Bruce Lee the “Father of MMA”. I can see some legitimate arguments up to now.
However I maintain that Helio Gracie is a extra applicable alternative.
After reviewing all of the factors each for and in opposition to, I imagine it boils right down to this query:
“Would the game of MMA be the place it’s right now with out Bruce Lee?”
After which ask this query:
“Would the game of MMA be the place it’s right now with out Helio Gracie?”
Reply these questions truthfully.
Imagine me, I wish to give Bruce Lee all of the credit score on the earth and all of the publicity he deserves. However I am unable to give him credit score on this occasion. I might like to say, “Bruce Lee IS the Father of MMA”! However I am unable to try this with good conscience.
Bruce Lee is deserving of a lot reward and recognition for the various issues he did and has given us. If it weren’t for him, I in all probability would not have gotten into martial arts, as I am certain lots of you may relate.
However let’s give him credit score the place the credit score is due. I simply really feel it is a somewhat giant stretch to provide him the title of “Father of MMA”. Sorry Dana!
Kip Brockett
(c) 2011 Kip Brockett All Rights Reserved
1 Wickert, Marc. 2004. Dana White and the way forward for UFC. fighttimes.com
2 Lee, Shannon. 2010. Bruce Lee: Father of MMA? youtube.com
3 Pollard, Edward. 2006. Unique Interview with Georges St. Pierre. blackbeltmag.org
4 Wikipedia. Pankration. wikipedia.org
5 Gracie Academy. A Custom of Excellence. gracieacademy.com