Is Bruce Lee the Godfather of MMA?

[phook]

Some say he is some says he is not what's you opinion?
I think he is.. i mean who can do in one fingers push ups and one in punch as good as Bruce Lee?

[MARKBNLV]

Nope..............fck Bruce Lee overrated like Ali

[Drunken Cat]

Definitely no godfather, but a very important figure and a transitional one. Aside from his movie career, as a martial artist and philosopher he did do a lot to transcend the barriers between the martial arts.

But I think that for the roots of MMA you have to look back to the days of real professional wrestling (e.g. non-staged) in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Modern MMA basically comes from Brazil, but there was a vibrant fight scene in Brazil going way back. It was in this context that a disciple of Jigoro Kano (founder of judo) traveled to Brazil and trained the Gracie family, for instance (who from thereafter continued to cultivate their own style). The Gracies are actually responsible (at least in the immediate sense) for the advent of MMA in the US in the modern era. There were other things, like the Gene LeBell-Milo Savage match, and even the Antonio Inoki-Muhammad Ali match. But still, with the founding of the UFC the Gracies basically transplanted vale tudo from Brazil to the US. It additionally grew up in Japan, originally as a sort of appendage of pro wrestling (hard style).

But Bruce Lee is an important figure as well. Not just for popularizing martial arts, but also for his approach to them (i.e. his philosophy of simply using what works regardless of school affiliations, which is reflected in his own martial arts philosophy of jeet kun do).

[Jam Jars]

Definitely no godfather, but a very important figure and a transitional one. Aside from his movie career, as a martial artist and philosopher he did do a lot to transcend the barriers between the martial arts.

But I think that for the roots of MMA you have to look back to the days of real professional wrestling (e.g. non-staged) in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Modern MMA basically comes from Brazil, but there was a vibrant fight scene in Brazil going way back. It was in this context that a disciple of Jigoro Kano (founder of judo) traveled to Brazil and trained the Gracie family, for instance (who from thereafter continued to cultivate their own style). The Gracies are actually responsible (at least in the immediate sense) for the advent of MMA in the US in the modern era. There were other things, like the Gene LeBell-Milo Savage match, and even the Antonio Inoki-Muhammad Ali match. But still, with the founding of the UFC the Gracies basically transplanted vale tudo from Brazil to the US. It additionally grew up in Japan, originally as a sort of appendage of pro wrestling (hard style).

But Bruce Lee is an important figure as well. Not just for popularizing martial arts, but also for his approach to them (i.e. his philosophy of simply using what works regardless of school affiliations, which is reflected in his own martial arts philosophy of jeet kun do).

Pankration was a martial art introduced into the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC and founded as a blend of boxing and wrestling but with almost no rules save disallowing biting and gouging the opponent's eyes out. The term comes from the Greek παγκράτιον [paŋkrátion], literally meaning "all powers" from πᾶν (pan-) "all" + κράτος (kratos) "strength, power". [1]

Modern mixed martial arts competitions have come to feature many of the same methods that were used in pankration competitions in the ancient Greek world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pankration

[KING MEAT]

bruce lee just made people believe.

hed get his ass whooped on MLK blvd by a group of brothaz any day.

with all do respect.

[Drunken Cat]

Pankration was a martial art introduced into the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC and founded as a blend of boxing and wrestling but with almost no rules save disallowing biting and gouging the opponent's eyes out. The term comes from the Greek παγκράτιον [paŋkrátion], literally meaning "all powers" from πᾶν (pan-) "all" + κράτος (kratos) "strength, power". [1]

Modern mixed martial arts competitions have come to feature many of the same methods that were used in pankration competitions in the ancient Greek world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pankration

Of course I know about that, but I'm talking about linkages. There is no continuity between the Ancient Greek sport and MMA.

[DeltaSigChi4]

No.

E

[madsweeney]

His ideals of taking the best of various arts to make your own (not to mention his popularity and influence on martial artists since the 70's) definitely had influence on modern MMA. People need to remember, he pretty much broke the mold with his idea on not sticking to a particular style. Combine that with mixed discipline competitions like K-1, add in some marketing bam, you got MMA.

[[ DUBBZZ ]]

His ideals of taking the best of various arts to make your own (not to mention his popularity and influence on martial artists since the 70's) definitely had influence on modern MMA. People need to remember, he pretty much broke the mold with his idea on not sticking to a particular style. Combine that with mixed discipline competitions like K-1, add in some marketing bam, you got MMA.

This........

[TwoPieced]

Pankratiasts are the true progenitors.