jkd in mma

[13ang]

From what I understand of Bruce Lee and JKD, it seems to be something like the spark that started all the cross training and MMA competitions. However I never see any JKD fighters in MMA competition.

I have some ideas of my own as to why this is, but I feel it would be better answered by students of the art itself.

[John McNabney]

From what I understand of Bruce Lee and JKD, it seems to be something like the spark that started all the cross training and MMA competitions. However I never see any JKD fighters in MMA competition.

I have some ideas of my own as to why this is, but I feel it would be better answered by students of the art itself.

There are lots of guys out there fighting MMA with JKD principles!



Take "IT" Easy,
John

[Britt]

Erik Paulson's a JKD guy.

[Mako Victim]

Erik Paulson's a JKD guy.

No wonder why he suck's

[WildWest.]

So are you saying the style is at fault?

[Mako Victim]

Kinda.. Fancy kicks, punches and yells wont do much in a fight..

[Stickbxr]

Mako -Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. I am guessing, based on your comment regarding fancy punches, kicks and yells, that your "knowledge" of JKD is limited to possibly having seen a few articles, pictures. I can't help but be reminded of a guy a friend of mine was talking with regarding various martial arts...and on the subject of JKD..he started mocking how effective could the "stance" be..mimicing a "bong sao" posture..clearly showing that he, like you, had no idea what he was talking about!

[13ang]

stickbxr, its very easy to critisize... however I am yet to hear anything that shows me that you know what your talking about. That sentance was one big useless insult. Rather than saying "your stupid" try backing up your point. Alot harder to do I know, but in my book well worth the effort.

[ZeroAquaduct]

Good question. This is something I always wanted to know as well.

Bruce Lee emphasizes striking, ground fighting, and trapping in JKD. This is basically what is known as "MMA" today (except for trapping).

I can't speak for other cities, but I think the availability of JKD programs has something to do with it. I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and there are several schools that teach Muay Thai, boxing, BJJ, and submission wrestling (your typical MMA styles). However, when it comes to JKD, there's only 1 school that teaches it AFAIK.

[Stickbxr]

13ang - Criticize? Hmmm...I guess my response was a critique of Makos answer. I assumed for the most part the readers are JKD enthusiasts and would understand what I was getting at. But let me clarify 4 you...the fact that he describes JKD as "fancy kicks, punches and yells" speaks for itself - being more specific I'm referring to its effectiveness in a fight - I'm talking about a street fight.
Theres nothing "fancy" about it...the curriculum provides the student with an assortment of strikes, counters etc while emphasizing conservation of movement and simplicity. Although not currently training, I've been a student/instructor with Richard Bustillo for over 20 years and have, as Im sure we all have, had my share of bar fights, street fights in which I've faced larger opponents and, in two situations, more than one opponent. The worst damage I received was a scratch above my forehead. I'm not claiming to be a badass - just that my training was effective against my opponents in the circumstances I've faced.
Now I can't answer why or why not you dont see more JKD enthusiasts in MMA competitions, I can only speak for myself. I train and condition for my own personal satisfaction and, when necessary, to defend myself. I'm not an aggressive person and haven't felt the need to prove to others what I'm about. I prefer people don't know what I'm about when confronted in the street.

P.S There is more than one school out there that is authorized to teach JKD

[Stringer]

Bruce Lee frowned on sport competition for JKD, and those who practice his "style" tend to share the same attitude.

[ITceman]

My ma experience only consists of 2 years tkd in college and currently working on one year in Jkd, so forgive me if i'm restating something obvious, but quite a bit of what we're learning wouldn't be legal in mma. Eye gouges, head butts, groin kicks, are all used in significant measures ..

[tel]

From what I understand of Bruce Lee and JKD, it seems to be something like the spark that started all the cross training and MMA competitions. However I never see any JKD fighters in MMA competition.

I have some ideas of my own as to why this is, but I feel it would be better answered by students of the art itself.

erik paulson, is a top jkd man and he used to fight in mma

[Tom Yum]

Kinda.. Fancy kicks, punches and yells wont do much in a fight..

Uh...that's not what Eric Paulson teaches....

[Stringer]

JKD is mostly concerned with street effectivenes, thus the lack of emphasis on sport applications. That is why there pretty much no JKD "champions".
JKD embraces a Taoist philosophy, in that it eschews an approach that satisfies ego like that found in winning a belt or tournament. Thus, again a lack of JKD "champions".
JKD stresses a higher learning approach, and a higher learning curve. And that is, to surpass typical human limitations. JKD is supposed to be distinguished by solid athletic ability, calm under pressure mentality, and refined tools to finish the fight.
While JKD tools and combat principles can be applied to the street, and mdified to a degree, in the ring, very few practitioners actively seek to prove themselves in the ring. Because they wish not to o so is not a moral failing, nor does it show a lack of confidence in themselves or the systems.
Also, I'd like to add that many JKD schools, commercial or private, usually have a "Fight Night" in addition to regular sparring with protective gear. And many JKD instructors try to instill the physiological and psychilogical, and environmental factors in their students. To what degree is it stressed is up to the individual instructor, and that, as we all know, is completely his choice.