Kung Fu is a fighting style that has been around for thousands of years. It holds great cultural and historical significance and many people spend years learning to master the art. But despite its significance, we don’t see the sport too often on platforms such as MMA.
Kung Fu does not work in MMA, and it is a practice that is barely adopted during MMA fights. This is because Kung Fu is an ancient Chinese fighting technique with traditional fighting modes; it has stayed true to its techniques throughout the centuries and has not evolved to meet newer fighting techniques that involve aspects like grappling, free fighting, and clinch.
The three main reasons why Kung Fu doesn’t work in MMA are that, unlike MMA, it doesn’t use live opponents for training, many Kung Fu moves are illegal in MMA, and MMA does not include clinch combat.
If you want to learn about these differences in greater detail, keep reading ahead.
What Does Kung Fu Include?
Kung Fu is a broad category that encompasses a range of martial art techniques that aim to train you both physically and spiritually. This ancient Chinese fighting technique focuses on developing combat skills by training you in fighting styles such as Tae Kwan Do.
It also has a spiritual dimension since Kung fu is based on ancient Chinese principles and teaches you how to build inner peace and harmony.
What Is MMA?
This is a full-contact combat style that uses a mixed variety of martial art techniques. It is based on striking, combating, and grappling and involves using techniques from sports ranging from boxing, judo, jujitsu, and other disciplines.
Why Is Kung Fu Not Used In MMA?
There are three main reasons for this.
But before you read ahead, watch this video for more clarity
Kung Fu Uses Moves Illegal In MMA
Kung Fu makes use of various techniques in which the enemy’s weak pointts are attacked and they are bought to their knees immediately. These include attacking the face or eyes with elbow. Attacks to the knees and even the groin. All such moves are banned in MMA but they form the crux of Kung Fu.
The Training Is Very Different
A large part of the training for Kung Fu is done without live partners. People are trained by punching the air, getting their postures right and by teaching various meditation and strength channeling techniques. For MMA, a live opponent to practice with is the only way to know that you are improving.
Kung Fu Is Defence Oriented
Unlike MMA, Kung Fu does not focus as much on attack and is mostly used for self defence. It does not include clinch or grappling techniques and is a more sophisticated form of fighting.
The Bottom Line
Kung Fu is not used in MMA despite it’s popularity because the technique has not evolved with time. It’s roots lay in it’s culture and that culture is different from the culture of MMA fighting. Kung fu includes moves, and training methods that are not in line with MMA either. Even it’s aims and purposes are different. The two sports belong to different worlds.
