How tough was Bruce Lee?

[wardancer]

Sort of a weird question, maybe absurdly n00bish. I know nothing about Martial Arts except what I learned in Tae Kwon Do about 10 years ago, when I was 11. I know he's respected as an innovator and a pioneer, a sort of Renaissance Man, but could he kick my ass? Was he truly feared as a fighter, or was it all kind of aesthetic? Did he ever have any sort of competitive fights? Can he genuinely be considered one of the toughest SOBs, and how would he stack up against modern Martial Arts champions?

Just sort of interested, I love his movies and I find him to be extremely charismatic, and... well, he looks to me like a tough little guy. The Lee vs Norris fight scene is what made me look into Martial Arts initially.

Yes he would kick your TKD ass.
Back in the days anybody doing any half-hearted kick was feared.
He did not do any competitive fights.
I considered him tough.
He would do well in modern MMA.
Because he must have been the first dude to tell people to cross train and not stick with a single MA forever.
However, crosstraining philosophy is like a double edge sword: jack of all trade, master of none.

[Chilly Dog]

Documented incidents?

Yes, documented incidents. I've seen two documentaries that featured between them at least ten people claiming to have witnessed multiple fights involving Bruce Lee. A fair number of them were journalists, and most claimed the fights took place in Hong Kong. Some of them used language like "he was challenged all the time, and usually accepted" to indicate that it was a common occurance. Maybe these folks were lying, but, until proven so, that qualifies as documentation. Unless you've got a different definition of it...

By the way...given that you acknowledge that he did have some fights, how many does it take to meet your definition of "tough?" Is he tough if he had ten, but not so if he only had seven? What if he had one fight against two attackers? Does that give him double credit??? If he's fighting someone and a friend jumps in at the end to help the other guy, is that 1 1/2?

[Tant01]

Documented incidents? Before he came to Hollywood (USA) he had a reputation as a bully, I've heard that, read that and seen it on TV. I belive there were "situations" and Bruce could hold his own but there's much more ledgend and rumor than there were actual fights. There are still people alive today that knew Mr.Lee so I think we have a good idea of who he was. As generations pass and newer students of 3rd or 5th generation students of students come to teach Juan Fan Gung Fu JKD it will flourish where it grows best, in the hearts of artists that want to excell. JKD is just a name. If I knew then what I know now, I think I could take him! ;-)

I made the mistake once of asking a senior Navy Master Chief if he thought he could take BL.

You don't want to read his politically incorrect, derrogatory, racist reply. This was during the height of the "cold war" and it wasn't very flattering. But if you do I'll send it. LOL


"In these modern times, many men are wounded fo not having weapons or knowledge of their use".
Achille Morozzo 1536

[Chilly Dog]

BL was an exceptional artist, was he "tough"? I don't know but he was no match for Gene Lebelle. He was an innovative teacher and student but mostly, he was an actor. He certainly acted tough.

Well, for me, anyone who gets in the ring to test their heart, courage and skills, is tough. This goes double for those who do this outside the ring (although these folks are foolish, too).

He may have been an actor, but there are several documented instances of Lee fighting unknown challengers -- mostly Asians angry that he was teaching Americans or skeptical of his skill -- in both the US and Hong Kong, outside the ring. In fact, there were enough of these situations -- and his attitude was aggressive enough -- that some folks described him as something of a "bully." Many of the witnesses to these challenges claim to have been amazed at Lee's skill level.

All of this could be hype -- obviously none of us knows for sure. But I tell you this: if I lived in his time, I sure wouldn't have been the one to step up and find out!

[Tant01]

BL was an exceptional artist, was he "tough"? I don't know but he was no match for Gene Lebelle. He was an innovative teacher and student but mostly, he was an actor. He certainly acted tough.

[Chilly Dog]

Regarding homosexuality being rife in MMA again acknowledged fact, what are you saying there are no gays whatsoever in MMA? Dont be fooolish. There are not just a few but it is widespread, many are bisexual too; who hasnt heard of the well known MMA lightweight who pulled out a match because another not as well known MMA heavyweight was giving it to him from behind the night before , and he told his coaches he found it quite painful to walk never mind move around a ring well, so he withdrew.

It's also widely known that most male jail guards are gay, too. They choose that career -- in spite of the stress, low pay, psychological abuse and physical danger -- so that they can strip search the prisoners.

[Tom Yum]

Believe ne I've sucked off many in MMA circles fighters & coaches, and promotional people; so I think I can speak with certainty these things are going on in MMA circles.

TMI dude....

[EmptyneSs]

Wow, the same drugs found on Wallstreet.

there also found in all catholic schools as well as alot of public ones.

[Ikken Hisatsu]

hes just trolling, ignore him.

[Mr. Gordo]

Warrior Dude,

I know three NHB fighters that I'm close with. They are not on drugs, nor are they homosexual (they're the type that could give a sh!t what you thought of them). So how do get these many NHB fighters to talk to you so openly. I thought knowing 3 people who actually fight was alot. I pretty much think you're full of it, but hey, that's just me.

lol

ok dude, whatever u say.

Exactly, emptyness

[DragonAE86]

An interesting read on Bruce Lee by former students

http://www.forumco.com/pauljbax/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4145&FORUM_ID=30&CAT_ID=7&Topic_Title=FOR+JESSE+GLOVER+%2D+William+Cheung+%2C+etc&Forum_Title=2%2DJKD%3A+Forum+II

[Tom Yum]

ask them about steroids, drugs illegal type - speed, coke, etc , and the homosexuality; they will tell you it is rife in MMA circles, as undeniable as steroids are in professional bodybuilding.

Wow, the same drugs found on Wallstreet.

[Tom Yum]

As I said forget what some 'Armchair MMA guys' in forums like this think

Welcome to the club, fellow armchair MMA dude.

[EmptyneSs]

So be warned some tough MMA fighter gets you in a mount from behind (and has gorilla strength from steroids) you might get a very nasty surprise or put it this way you drop a $50 bill and one of them is behind you I wouldnt try picking it up, you might be walking funny for a few weeks. fact.

lol^

ok dude, whatever u say.

[Mr. Gordo]

LOL, WTF are you talking about? I know 3 MMA that have fought in UFC and Abu Dhabi that I work out with for fun.....they don't do drugs or are homosexual. You're too much.