Bruce Lee JKD vs MMA Discussion 

*The Tao of Jeet Kune Do page 70* "Before I studied the art, a punch to me was just a punch, a kick was just a kick. After I'd studied the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick no longer a kick. Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch, a kick is just a kick."

If Bruce Lee were here today, he could have added more and more to JKD, to the point in which JKD and MMA would be no different. That's my opinion.

Great discussion Dan and Octavio! I fully agree. It all comes down to self improvement. One of my instructors used to say. 'When you are ready to defend yourself, you will no longer need too.' He was referring to how when you've trained long enough to be physically capable you will have also learned how to be aware enough of your situation and those around you that you'll instinctively avoid people and situations that might put you in danger. I always really liked that quote. Martial arts is a way of life, not a way to hurt people.

Finally someone uploaded this video.I never found "JKD vs MMA" on utube there was always wingchun vs mma but not jkd.Thnks dan nd sifu octavio.

Street Fighting is a real fight

JKD is a MMA itself. JKD is a mix of Wing chun Ip Man, Grappling, Western Boxing, Fencing. Bruce Lee clarified that it is the "Style of No Style". The style is just a crystallized form as he quoted. Body conditioning is a must on both MMA and JKD.

Out of the Chinese Martial arts Wing Chun fascinates me the most, I wish there was a local place to learn but till then I have learned a lot from you Mr. Lok. Thanks.

In a street fight you won't be spending 2 or 3 rounds leg kicking or poking a guy's body to wear him out. Fights usually last seconds and rarely minutes. Mma is great for seeing what techniques work and how they might be applied through resistance, but jkd can show you how to apply them in a real fight and in what order you prioritize. Thanks to jkd people like you and even the bjj\wrestling\etc instructors putting videos up for for free, we can become well rounded fighters capable of defending ourselves and others with the best chances of success. We can even encourage and teach others to be able to defend themselves, if you can get past their egos which I find is the biggest challenge, sadly (either because they hold a "my style is better" mentality or they think techniques and skill doesn't matter OR they haven't watched the Takashi vs Giant Silva fight and think size is the only thing that matters, instead of just being an important factor).

One of the only videos that doesn't bash another style. Many aspect can be taken from many "styles". The application is what counts. Well said. Very informative. Thanks for keeping it positive!

This is simply beautiful. Dan & Octavio are "hiting" the core of Matrial art wisdom. Like I said on last comment. All the best and Keep doing the great staff that you guys do. Please don't stop! :)) Peace & Love

if the life is in risk for someone crazy or aggressive: 1-try to calm the situation if you can 2- try to walk or run away if possible 3- if those aren't possible don't care about the other more than your life and the life people you love are in the risk for this situation

Truly fascinating. I really enjoyed and learned from this video. Thank you so much Dan. Me, as a martial artist I have learn a lot about myself and continue to do so with your martial arts teaching and Bruce Lee philosophy. I truly admire you! Thanks! Rose

Love the intellect and insights of your conversation

I hope there will be more philosophical chats like these :) Sometimes it's nice to hear 2 people speak deep about a subject related to martial arts or more

Wow! This video definitely opened my eyes. My whole life I've been struggling distinguishing these two. Where I can say I'm proud to learn from you as my teacher. Thank you sifu. IT SAVES SO MUCH WORK!!!!! Before it was as if every training session were training for a marathon. Now I can isolate the events and target training for my long term health. Thank you.

It's all about expressing yourself. Learning about yourself.

All in the eyes of the beholder, I've always been a fan of Bruce Lee and his Philosophy. Enjoyed watching the video's ,thank you very much gentlemen

I always wanted to learn JKD thanks for the video 💯

"I'm a small individual - I can't take any chances" Octavio Quintero! Bruce Lee felt the same way.

Thank you Dan and Sifu. I am a massive Bruce fan. Bruce is my main influence to get into martial arts. I started of Karate. I have learned the discipline and the respect from that style. But I found limitations in the art. So then I moved on to training MMA. My coach has a JKD and kempo background. He also has Kempo classes teaching Bruce Lee's techniques and philosophy. Like you said in the video, it comes down to the teacher.Although MMA is a sport, and I have had a few fights, I mainly train for fitness.I follow Bruce's principles and techniques in my training. I am open to learn everything. Yes, there are some MMA gyms that are meat heads and just want to do someone and hurt hurt hurt. Not all gyms are like that. Anyway love your videos. Always watching as they some out. Keep it up.guys!!

Great words of wisdom there Dan & Octavio!!!! We all are all different in many ways. We first must learn each of our strengths and weaknesses, and then we must focus on how to sharpen iron sord of speak!!!

Emotional content is one of the hardest things for me to learn. I feed off of the other people

Great video. I would add that many MMA fighters have had a long martial arts journey. Traditional martial arts, sport martial arts, self defense and weapon training. Because we train or spar MMA (boxing, MT, BJJ, catch wrestling etc.) doesn't mean we don't know how to diffuse a situation or the principles of threat awareness in the streets We know not to take someone to the ground in a bar fight. That's how you get kicked in the head. You make it sound like we don't understand the difference between sport and real life. Many MMA fighters teach self defense courses. I love Krav Maga. I enjoy learning how to take on multiple attackers and knife defense etc. I also enjoy boxing and wrestling. My point is don't judge someone because they participate in a sport. Many MMA fighters have an extensive martial arts background including JKD. I love your channel and I love JKD. I have sparred with some amazing JKD guys. MMA is only the sport component of that martial artists. Be water my friends!

totally agree...not wanting to fight doesnt mean we dont know how to fight...be water my friend also means know how to hide or turn off your asssasins skill...

Thank you Dan Lok! Appreciate your videos! This one is very informative and like the view points of Martial Arts JKD ect.. Would like to see more sit down conversation videos. Maybe about small stories of Bruce Lee ,Ted Wong or Joe Lewis? Mentor videos? Subject videos about JDK Philosophy? Im starting to follow you on FB now! Good day! Be water my friend!

Really enjoyed this conversation just started learning Wing Chun inspired by IPman and Bruce Lee, have been trying to get started for years. I’m really into the philosophy side, self discovery and control. It’s what we do in stressful situations that says a lot about an individual and I think it will help me even more to discover more about what I am capable of. It’s great that you talked about the philosophy because control of self in my opinion is the ultimate goal. Life throws so many curve balls and to have this in my life will add more tools to my life tool kit. Thanks to both of you for such a thoughtful conversation. Especially now more than ever, massive gratitude 🙏 stay safe and sending you guys positive energy. You are both a force for good!

You guys are amazing. Thank you for posting these videos!

In my own person style, my JKD is essentially dirty mma. Or MMA is sport JKD. If you read The Tao of JKD, you'll see that Bruce Lee incorporates fight in kicking range, punching range, trapping/stand-up grappling range and ground fighting/grappling range. As Sigung Bruce Lee wrote and today's leading MMA coaches say, you have to be able to fight in every range to be a good fighter. I really believe that if Lee were still alive, he'd have been a huge MMA fan! Just my humble opinion.

Where are the 20 comments? I agree about the self-improvement, over time I keep learning more about wing chun, trying things, even blending in other styles of attacks, movements, etc. Sometimes during a particular drill I may accidentally move, deflect, or strike a different way based on instinct or alignment, and it still works. Under pressure you just do, there are not style points. :) The other day I asked sifu about a section of the BatJam Dao form , an underhand cut after gan saus, I was cutting underhand up and it always felt awkward. He said it is more of an angle, like a diagonal upward “x” across the attacker’s torso, and you can move the whole body in sync with the strike. Cool. It made sense and feels more natural. Keep on learning. It has been entertaining and educational watching your channel and many videos.

Bruce Lee was bigger than just martial arts. I believe he was a Prophet of our times.

I've been studying Martial arts for 15 years. I also am a paraplegic of 28 years. After I found all of these videos it has really changed my perspective on what I need to learn next, I found it, It's JKD. I wish I could spend a weekend with these guys training and seeing what kinds of ideas they would have for me being chair bound. I would love to see theses guys do a video on how JKD techniques and philosophy could work for paraplegics. I love these guys. very humble, very intelligent, and very articulate.

Thank you very much for talking about this topic, I wanted to know something like that about it. Now he gave me a better idea of ​​the martial art, he leaves me more calm. Give me, thank you very much for making me well with it. It gave me more security. and the others who do not agree ... be water my friend. Thank you

Good discussion....

I find it that people who struggle or have trauma and they get into sport fighting. It helps them mentally and physically. They learn to fight for something, for themselves. And they learn discipline, it transforms them into better people.

Isn’t the heart of jeet kune do, no way as way? Isn’t the idea to study everything, keep what works, discard what doesn’t? Isn’t that exactly what mma is? Yes, the intercepting fist principle is kind of the foundation, but if it evolved nowadays, it would look very similar to an mma philosophy I think.

Alright, I know Sifu Lee kept JKD street viable. I also know anytime you train for rules, the art is affected. I've done MMA & unfortunately had street fights- both unarmed and armed. They are different things but MMA...just wow. Hard to explain in words. At my age, if a real fight happens, I feel I failed to use the biggest asset the arts have given me: AWARENESS...Why am I involved in street fights now? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Sifu Dan Lok and Sigong Octavio Quintero , I Love Your videos. THIS one especially showing and listening to the Human Emotion views, Excellent Video. I have Always admired the outstanding Passion Bruce Lee brought to the Martial Art's topic, Actually I believe most think right away of Bruce, when the topic of Martial Arts is brought up. While I am a late bloomer in the practical, physical aspects, I am Enjoying The Tao of Jeet Kune Do , and training to be a better Person, Husband, Father, and Human Being, Thank You Again, Trying to be like Water............

I know we normally don't want to go to the ground, but since it's a part of fighting, bridging, rolls, armbars, chokes are needed in jkd

Thanks for all the videos Dan!

Free expression formless art of Spirit,body,and mind in harmony, rhythm, etc.Mind over matter...a continuous cycle.

This video should have 10K + likes because truth and purity of those two minds. Thank you Dan Lok and Sifu Octavio 🙏🙏🙏☯️ long well ☸

Great discussion.

Bruce lee Said he had a very violent temper, really good video

Keep the videos coming ☝🏽

very helpfull it is very good and healthy to discuss about things that really concerns this society!!.

Always liked Octavio, seems like a cool dude.

very realistic explanation. No fantasies and bullshit. It could not be compared because in self defence you do everything even kill someone just to survive or just immobilize or stop them for a while then run. No rules considered. While MMA fighters are set on rules and needs to win. If they run away then they lose.

the best fighters of MMA has ben learning about Bruce Lee that's for sure JKD

This is a very interesting video. Thank you for your explanation!

Can i train my body ( bodybuilding stuffs) during my Martial art training?

Dan the last words were brilliant

I don't see why JKD can't be modified to be used in MMA bouts. Karate, Muay Thai and JiuJitsu are in MMA and they are decended from much more deadly version of thenselves. Why can't a martial art meant to save your life be used in a less than lethal combat with modifications?

Thanks for sharing. It was totally worth watching.

The question unnecessary fogs the issue. Will JUN FAN work in MMA without eye jabs, groin and knee attacks? Yes, as it's still an efficient realistic application of striking regardless of context. Unlike wingchun, JKD structure is versatile and not rigid. Just as MMA, with the allowance of groin kicks eye jabs etc, is an effective self defense system, with the added dimension of grappling science. So learn JUN FAN and grappling, get very fit and train full out realistically with resisting opponents of different approaches. Avoid playing pattycake with wingchun, even though it is an essential element of jkd

maturity versus amorf self was differenciated very succsesfull! thank you

Thank-you. Much Appreciated. ...however, it does not mean that if someone has a " temper " that you should not learn self defence; what it means is that an individual must be able to have self control and self discipline , even under provocation, unless your life is threatened. Thanks for the video. Thanks for the points raised Thanks for sharing your thoughts.( ' Real Deal ' )❤ ❤

I studied JKD and people well always pick on me and call Bruce Lee a phony and when they challenge me they usually snoozing on the floor

Watching MMA has your opinion changed at all regarding how effective certain techniques commonly associated with JKD are in fighting or self-defense situations? For instance, it's becoming more common to see fighters throw low sidekicks to the knee, shin, or thigh (just above the knee) yet those kicks rarely if ever seem to have more effect than briefly keeping the opponent at a distance; I was taught the lowline sidekick was a great, potentially devastating tool for self-defense, so what are the MMA fighters doing wrong with it? Or is it an over-rated technique? On the other hand, you get an idea of how effective a finger jab can be anytime you see fighters unintentionally (you would hope) poke an opponent in the eye with extended fingers. Even though they aren't actually throwing the finger jab as an intended weapon, even incidental , relatively light contact to the eyes can potentially end a match.

great sharing.

Pure Wisdom! Thank you for your teachings

My understanding of martial arts (JKD) is that it is designed for self defense. Martial arts of any style is supposed to increase one's mind, body and soul. Im not knocking MMA because, it take a lot of train to be the best and learn the techniques but to me, MMA is a weaponized form of martial arts. Martial arts is not about being the best or the roughest toughest fighter out there because, then it becomes a controversy between ego and knowledge. It's as I said, martial arts like JKD, is meant to build inner strength in mind, body, and soul as a way of understanding one's self. As well as, knowing how to stop of fight rather start or finish one.

Oh and I'm happy to see more and more top lvl ufc fighters using trapping, even the wrestlers are elbowing over guard now!

Thank you and your sifu for sharing! I’m definitely learning and staying hungry for more! Keep them coming! 👍🏾Favorite fight in any Bruce lee film???

There rules in mma but in the street there no rules. Good stuff guys

Excellent discussion of an interesting topic! I'd like to address whether or not Lee could be an MMA fighter today. I feel that Lee would have been very competitive in MMA because of his speed, power, and work ethic combined with his demonstrated desire to continually evolve his fighting skills. I think he did have one weakness, and that is his susceptibility to injury. Even at his young age, he had already taken some damage from his training, especially his back. Whether he could take the physical brutality of MMA competition would be key to his success or failure.

Eye gauge groin kick and finger jab is the way to go 💯👍😎

I've been told that if the greatest masters of every art and style were put together, they would probably party, get drunk and have fun. I guess martial arts is about making friends, not enemies.

Valuable teachings

My style of Jeet kune do is nearly unbeatable I'm willing to to accept anyone who wants to challenge it soon I'll be fighting in the UFC

ive always been inspired by martial arts since i eas very young but not just martial arts also having the skills knowledge training experience etc to defend myself and anyone who either i am with or near if they get attacked i can come to their degence that always seemed noble to me so all my life ive studied everything to do with martial arts and self defence and ive realised that no one form or set of tecniques is the best they are all different and have different advantages and disadvantages so i like to learn all different forms rather than just one or two so that way i can be the best that i can possibly be coz i know freaking everything hahahah im far from mastering even one form i still got alot to learn but i always keep an open mind

Very true.

you guys are great maybe in the mma ring it could be more effective but JKD isnt for the entertainment part of fighting its for defending your self against someone that really wants to hurt you not just win a match,so even if you fought in both venues,it still woundnt be the same because their still just trying to win a match,not fighting for your life.i hope people understand what im saying but you two guys are great

Thinking about concepts like effectivity or the economy of movement , I would love to know your thoughts on "Systema" wich I think have some similtarities at least in principles with JKD greetings.

Thank u very much.

Can't separate the art from the context!!!

I am 65 years old and just wanting to get in shape and learn how to protect my self so I can go home to my wife that is my goal. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Great video as always. I hope it will give some insight to your viewers.

As a kid, I always thought this fighting style is better than this one. Or this one is better than etc. I completely agree that boxing, MMA, etc. are great things to learn. However, at the end of the day, they are still sports. In the real world, there are no rules. Whether its a knife or bottle someone will use something to get the upper hand. It's better to prepare for an unknown situation than to prepare for the ideal situation.

I’ll start by saying this is a GREAT video! Just wanted to comment on the glove note. The gloves and hand wraps, or the traditional muay boran raps are meant to protect the puncher! If you full out hit the face of your opponent (let’s say on the forehead) without them, you would absolutely break your hand! Or at least damage them. Without the gloves or one of those hand protection “devices”, you will have to punch much “softer” (for lack of a better word as English is not my native language) in order to insure not to damage your own hand while striking. Using gloves had done much more harm to the opponents than to protect them, since the strikers are able to punch both harder, and longer. In one of Joe Rogan’s podcasts, he actually mentioned that exact thing and he is ABSOLUTELY right. In his opinion if i remember correctly (and mine of course) the MMA should go back to bare knuckles, as it will “protect” (or lets say will be in the better interest) of the guy being hit! Now if you are not convinced and think a glove actually feels like a pillow, I suggest you go to any boxing club, and ask the smallest guy there to put the heaviest glove and punch you one time in the face, as hard as he can ... it will not feel like a pillow or any type of protection... now imagine being hit repeatedly like that, by a guy like iron mike. Again this is NOT a critique on this video, please don’t see it like that, the video is great!!! Really, I’ve learned a whole lot by watching and listening to both these guys, and gloves or no gloves I believe any one of these guys can kick my ass LOL... but the glove note is wrong, in my humble opinion.

Hmmm I always thought JKD "is" MMA foundation since it was first to incorporate all ranges of combat fighting -ie grappling range , boxing range, trapping range, kicking range

Before I watch this video, I just wanna say ANYTHING Bruce knew would STOMP ALLOVER ANYTHING from MMA!!!!! Now let me watch this...

I love the documentary Journey to the heart

if bruce lee were alive in ufc times, JKD would get more concepts than just from karate, fencing,savate and wing chun

Love the wisdom!!

Are we talking about an MMA competition, or a Mixed Martial Arts practitioner? JKD = MMA practitioner, but an MMA practitioner does not necessarily = JKD. MMA competition is not a way of fighting; it is a competition with it's rule sets and limitations. (example: hand to hand only, with hand wraps and gloves, no weapons, no strikes to the groin or back of the head, no eye gouging, 1 versus 1, etc.) A JKD practitioner will adapt to the given situation. They will adapt their techniques or approach to an MMA match, likewise they will adapt their techniques or approach to a self defense situation. (Put water into a cup it becomes the cup, put water in a teapot it becomes the teapot.) JKD is not a style or system, although JKD teaches techniques and concepts, it is more about the philosophy. It's about truth and freedom, removing egoic self limitation. (Use what works, where ever it comes from, disregard what does not work. It's not about this way versus that way, use no way as way.)

First . I love all of your work.

Thanks guys

I love your videos

Very good discussion, thanks

Its like 80% of the commenters barely watched the video lol

Bruce Lee is the grandfather of MMA he was the first one to invent it I think Bruce Lee was the first one to invent kickboxing a full contact sport 2 and many other things one of Bruce Lee's closest friends said that Joe Lewis great video guys thank you so much. 👍

This is a great video explanation guys.

Ur guys are right!!!

I practiced hard past 1 year and developed pretty powerful punches and kicks, but now I am scared to spar with people, I am of a amateur boxing club, and I love it, but I am scared of hurting someone, what should I do? Plz suggest me, shall I continue preparing to pursue boxing or not?

this video is beautiful . I suggest making a video about fighting many opponents

Every form of style I believe is just the way one expresses their selves. The more forms or styles one possesses are just more ways one is capable of expressing. JKD is the father of martial arts. I believe JKD open the gates for mixing martial arts. MMA is just our generations of using this method for money and entertainment.

MMA produces more thugs than martial artists. JKD was MMA 30 years ago. Evolution through active training and attitudes changed everything. I would like to see more martial artists in MMA.

This is such a great video my god!

JKD can be used in MMA and needs figthers there

I understand your point but throat punches, knee kicks, and toe stomps are all legal under Unified Rules