Jeet Kune Do is simply Mixed Martial Arts
A lot of people today tend to confuse Jeet Kune Do with what is now referred to as “Mixed Martial Arts”, and it's easy to understand the reason for this. Bruce has been referred to as the "father of mixed martial arts" by many people, including Dana White, the head of the UFC.
JKD is considered by many to be the “original mixed martial art” because it seeks totality in personal combat considering all ranges and aspects of fighting. However, while some similarities exist between the two, they're not the same thing. While MMA may have adopted some of the principles that exist in JKD, such as being a well-rounded fighter who is able to function in the various ranges and aspects of fighting, there are however, some major differences between JKD and MMA. On the most fundamental level there are rules in MMA. It's a competitive combat “sport”, and as such, the rules and regulations dictate the direction of training. There are, for example, numerous actions that are considered “fouls” in MMA competition that are exactly the type of actions a JKD practitioner might use in a self-defense situation, such as kicking the knee, kicking, punching or grabbing the groin, pulling the hair, poking the eyes, finger locks, etc. JKD is about combat “as it is”on the street, where they are no rules, no referees, etc.
Another difference is that, as was discussed above with regard to styles, JKD views martial art as a single unitary whole, in its “totality” as opposed to various separated segments such as kicking, striking, grappling, etc., or ‘this’ art and ‘that’ art combined. It views the whole pie rather than individual pieces of the pie. This in no way denigrates Mixed Martial Arts or its practitioners. Some of the best martial artists in the world today are involved in the sport. And in a way, MMA has soldified Bruce Lee's perspective regarding martial arts.
NOTE -- The image of George St.Pierre used in this blog is not to compare him withBruce Lee, but simply as an illustration of a top MMA fighter.
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