Kung Fu in MMA
Kung Fu is an umbrella term for Chinese martial arts which literally means "something that takes dedication" or "effort to attain". It includes many styles that involve different strengths. Dishu Quan/Gouquan has an emphasis in ground striking and ground Chin Na (seizing, locking and grappling). Long Fist has an emphasis on long range standup striking. Shuai Chiao focuses on striking, wrestling, throwing and Chin Na to various degrees depending on the school. Choy Li Fut combines wrestling and striking. Ditang involves striking on the ground. The list of styles is as long as Chinese history itself.
MMA has existed for thousands of years in various forms. By its definition, Kung Fu is mixed martial arts, since it encompasses styles that contain striking (both standing, and on the ground), wrestling and ground grappling. Too many unqualified people state their unqualified opinion of what "looks like" and "doesn't look like" Kung Fu. Ultimately, we are humans and as such our anatomy makes us all fight in a similar way. This is why a front kick is the same in Karate, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, etc. Ground fighting will inevitably look similar in some techniques and strategy whether it is present in Dishu Quan Kung Fu, Ditang, Qin Na ground fighting, Jūnshì Sǎndǎ, Sambo, Mallah-Yuddah, Pankration, Silat, Sambo, Hawaiian Kempo, Schwingen, Ringen, Rangeln, Judo, Arnis, Shoot Wrestling, Combat Shuai Chiao (not to be confused by the present day popular sport Shuai Jiao), Kempo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, old school versions of Savate, Jeet Kune Do, Kajukenbo, Collegiate Wrestling, Catch Wrestling, Shooto, etc. As you can see, the notion that ground fighting was invented in Brazil in the 20th century is a fantasy that has been perpetuated by people who have a commercial interest in upholding such a fantasy. The fact is that the first MMA matches were held in ancient India, China, Egypt and Greece thousands of years before Jujutsu (the parent martial art of Judo) even existed. These matches, unlike those of today, did not include comfortable mats that could absorb the shock of a take down, participants could use shoes, biting was permitted, there were no gloves and sometimes fighters did not tap to signal defeat. We need to keep these facts in mind when we look at the evolution of martial arts.
Today's variation of sport MMA, by its inclusion of mats and gloves as well as the lack of shoes, favors grappling to a very significant degree. It is an interesting sport in that it limits a combatant's ability to fight to a specific set of rules in order to reduce injuries. It is a way to test one's practical skills up to a certain degree based on rules created by grapplers. A list of some of the well-known fighters who use Kung Fu as their primary training method is hereby enclosed. This list is by no means complete, since there are hundreds of world class fighters out there that practice Chinese Martial Arts and are less well known. All of these fighters have proven the effectiveness and practical application of Chinese Martial Arts in the international arena, in various MMA promotions and competitions:
Ao Hailin
Aorigele
Bao Li Gao
Bazigit Atajev
Bethe Correia
Charlene Houghton
Ch’ang Tung Sheng
Crisanto Pitpitunge
Cung Le
Dan Hardy
Daniel Spohn
Don "The Dragon" Wilson
Eduard Folayang and Team Lakay
Ehsan Shafiq
Felix Lee Mitchell
Gabriel Díaz
Geje Eustaquio
Han Feilong
Honorario Banario
Ian McCall
Jason De Lucia
Ji Xian
Joshua Pacio
Julia Berezikova
Jumabieke Tuerxun
Kathy Long
Kevin Belingon
Kevin Holland
Li Jingliang
Li Wei Bin
Lorenz Larkin
Luke Cummo
Marvin Perry
Manson Gibson
Michael Page
Michelle Waterson
Muslim Salikhov
Natan Levy
Nick Ospiczak
Norma Dumont
Pat Barry
Paul Vizzio
Peter Davis
Qi La La
Qiu JIanliang
Rey Docyogen
Rahul Raju
Roy Nelson
Sami Berik
Sergio Pérez
Shi Yanzi (Kung Fu Monk)
Song Kenan
Stephen Loman
Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson
Vaughn Anderson
Vasyl Lomachenko
Wang Guan
Weili Zhang
Xiao Yang Liu
Xie Wei
Xingxi
Xiong Jingnan
Yao Honggang
Yi Long
Yu Jianhong
Zabit Magomedsharipov
Zhang Tie Quan
Zhang Weili
