Bruce Lee

[unassuming]

It was 50 years ago today that martial arts legend/icon, Bruce Lee, suddenly died at age 33, before the release of his most famous movie, Enter The Dragon. He was on the verge of international super stardom.

His passing prompted the release of "The Way of the Dragon" which was never intended to be released in North America., it was retitled, "Return of the Dragon". My buds and I saw it at the Elgin theatre at Yonge and Queen. and was awed at the fight scene between Bruce and Chuck Norris.

 

[JohnnyWishbone]

It was 50 years ago today that martial arts legend/icon, Bruce Lee, suddenly died at age 33, before the release of his most famous movie, Enter The Dragon. He was on the verge of international super stardom.

His passing prompted the release of "The Way of the Dragon" which was never intended to be released in North America., it was retitled, "Return of the Dragon". My buds and I saw it at the Elgin theatre at Yonge and Queen. and was awed at the fight scene between Bruce and Chuck Norris.

That was a good fight. Chuck's martial arts improved as the 70s went on. I think at that point around 1970 he was just a pal of Bruce and one of the better American declared 'World Champions'. Always had a bland personality. Always rated Jim Kelly a tougher fighter and better personality - never promoted as hard as Chuck probably due to his skin color.

 

[John Wick]

Is there any footage that exists of Bruce Lee actually fighting someone in anything other than a scripted movie situation, like live sparring on a mat, in a ring or a cage beyond controlled exhibitions? Just something that showed him actually and practically defending a persistent real-life, live-action attack? I would love to see his reaction when he was actually, in real life, socked in the head with a closed fist a couple times in succession.

 

[richaceg]

Is there any footage that exists of Bruce Lee actually fighting someone in anything other than a scripted movie situation, like live sparring on a mat, in a ring or a cage beyond controlled exhibitions? Just something that showed him actually and practically defending a persistent real-life, live-action attack? I would love to see his reaction when he was actually, in real life, socked in the head with a closed fist a couple times in succession.

He was sensationalized....would I think he's a real martial artist? Yes. I highly suspect his accomplishments as a competitor but never doubted his skills. 70s 80s early 90s martial arts competitions were restricted to "same discipline" there was no mixed discipline...anyone who challenges a different discipline was considered a "street fight" or unsanctioned full contact fight which were considered illegal and barbaric....

 

[John Wick]

Fair enough, but even in his era guys would engage in live sparring which holds a certain degree of spontaneity. Pretty much all combat disciplines involve throwing fists/feet in anger to some degree. I sometimes feel like Bruce Lee was nothing more than a Kata Master who could have had his ass kicked in any form of real fight by an angry fat guy or psycho woman. Loved his movies though. Just have to suspend disbelief a lot to enjoy to the fullest.

 

[whynot888]

Big Bruce Lee fan, but i think he would get his ass kicked in a real fight.

 

[xmontrealer]

An excerpt from Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood", where Brad Pitt's character teaches Bruce Lee's character a lesson...

Apparently Quentin despised Bruce in real life...

Also I read that when actually asked how he would fare against Muhammad Ali, Bruce admitted Ali would kill him because of the size difference.

 

[John Wick]

So, want to relay a story kind of in context. My daughter once took me to a women's self-defense class she was raving about and wanted me to experience what she was being taught in the class. Class led by a very loud, badass MF woman of 27-28yo, 5'8" tall, maybe 150lbs, very well built athletic physique.

She kept raving about how any woman who followed her instruction and mastered her moves/techniques could defend against and overpower anyone, regardless of size. She was going around the room picking people to use as examples in very controlled situations with her in the role of attacker and the others supposed to defend using her taught techniques.

When she got to me, she laughed because I was much bigger that she was, but indicated it wouldn't be a problem for her and I should resist to the degree I was comfortable.

At first, she attacked and I'd just grab her and wrestle her around floor upright/standing while she attempted to out-maneuver me or drag me to the mat for grappling. After a few tries she complained I wasn't really fighting back and showing off her defense techniques.

I answered that it wasn't a real fight and that if it was I was likely to fight back differently as my sense was her techniques might be less than fully effective.

She said nothing I could do beyond her taught techniques would really be any form of consistently effective defense and she challenged me to do what I would typically do in a fight and she would counter to make her point. She was clearly angry and trying to make a point to her paying customers.

We squared off and circled a bit. She came at me and I grabbed her by the shirt at the shoulder and held her at arm's length for a second or two. When she pivoted to attack my arm, I let go with one arm and with the other grabbed her by the hair, raised her head and punched her full on in the throat with my free hand. She went down in a heap coughing and choking, and when she finally got back to her feet she claimed I cheated and that that would never have happened in a real fight.

I kind of feel the Bruce Lee 'fighting in real life scenario' might end the same way 9 times out of ten, with Bruce taking a beating more often than not from a simply bigger/physically stronger opponent.

 

[Insidious Von]

Also I read that when actually asked how he would fare against Muhammad Ali, Bruce admitted Ali would kill him because of the size difference.

Ali could take a punch, only Joe Frazier was able to take him down. At the end of his career Larry Holmes hit him constantly, Ali's knees didn't buckle once.

I searched high and low for any piece of tape of Bruce Lee working out with his trainer/sparring partner Bolo Yung. Those that have not seen Enter the Dragon claim that they fought each other in the film, untrue. Sadly we never got the finale of Games of Death, a showdown between Lee and Yung.

 

[NotADcotor]

Big Bruce Lee fan, but i think he would get his ass kicked in a real fight.

But he would tell everyone he won.

Like with Jack Man Wong.
Told everyone he kicked his ass, got tired because he had to chase him around. Also claimed the fight was because he was teaching white students.

Except, Wong also had white students. Also Bruce Lee so totally dominated that fight that he
1: Closed up shop and left town soon after
2: Refused a rematch
3: Totally reviewed his approach to martial arts

because that so totally happens when you dominate someone.


It is said he did street fights in Hong Kong, but based on pictures of his boxing match, Ramsey Dewey says he couldn't really fight then either. Speculates that Wong was his first "real" fight

He also didn't invest Mixed Martial Arts.

Vale Tudo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

and one would expect Dana White knows bloody well about this considering his role in the UFC and UFC's Brazilian roots.
Never mind that doing multiple martial arts is far from new, Wong mentioned above did three. Morihei Ueshiba of Aikido fame did multiple martial arts back before Bruce Lee spent any time in one of his daddy's balls. Samurai thing did swords, archery and hugging.
His "philisophy" seems taken from the Taoists and other sources [like his fighting by not fighting, again, long predates even his grand daddy's balls.

At least with Chuck Norris fanboys, they know Chuck Norris facts are not real.

 

[Insidious Von]

I'll recall how I was initially humbled when I started Judo class another time.

We sort of got a taste of what the Games of Death may have looked like from Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.

 

[Darts]

I let her win. That is why she is on top with her puss pressing down on my neck. LOL

 

[thumper18474]

There is a video on YT..of Bruce Lee all padded up and fighting someone
Joe Lewis is in the square watching
Lee's moves are lightning fast

 

[John_Jacob]

So, want to relay a story kind of in context. My daughter once took me to a women's self-defense class she was raving about and wanted me to experience what she was being taught in the class. Class led by a very loud, badass MF woman of 27-28yo, 5'8" tall, maybe 150lbs, very well built athletic physique.

She kept raving about how any woman who followed her instruction and mastered her moves/techniques could defend against and overpower anyone, regardless of size. She was going around the room picking people to use as examples in very controlled situations with her in the role of attacker and the others supposed to defend using her taught techniques.

When she got to me, she laughed because I was much bigger that she was, but indicated it wouldn't be a problem for her and I should resist to the degree I was comfortable.

At first, she attacked and I'd just grab her and wrestle her around floor upright/standing while she attempted to out-maneuver me or drag me to the mat for grappling. After a few tries she complained I wasn't really fighting back and showing off her defense techniques.

I answered that it wasn't a real fight and that if it was I was likely to fight back differently as my sense was her techniques might be less than fully effective.

She said nothing I could do beyond her taught techniques would really be any form of consistently effective defense and she challenged me to do what I would typically do in a fight and she would counter to make her point. She was clearly angry and trying to make a point to her paying customers.

We squared off and circled a bit. She came at me and I grabbed her by the shirt at the shoulder and held her at arm's length for a second or two. When she pivoted to attack my arm, I let go with one arm and with the other grabbed her by the hair, raised her head and punched her full on in the throat with my free hand. She went down in a heap coughing and choking, and when she finally got back to her feet she claimed I cheated and that that would never have happened in a real fight.

I kind of feel the Bruce Lee 'fighting in real life scenario' might end the same way 9 times out of ten, with Bruce taking a beating more often than not from a simply bigger/physically stronger opponent.

Not really a new topic, there are loads of youtube videos of Martial Artists versus boxers/wrestlers. The end result is inevitable. MMA fighting is where it's obviously at. However, that's not really the point of Bruce Lee fandom is it? It's like not liking WWF for it being fake...that's not the point...

 

[NotADcotor]

Not really a new topic, there are loads of youtube videos of Martial Artists versus boxers/wrestlers. The end result is inevitable. MMA fighting is where it's obviously at. However, that's not really the point of Bruce Lee fandom is it? It's like not liking WWF for it being fake...that's not the point...

But a 200 pounder used to taking punches from the best big boy punchers in the world vs some 135 pounder?

Also Bruce Lee might have practiced a bit of grappling but that wasn't his main bag.

 

[John_Jacob]

But a 200 pounder used to taking punches from the best big boy punchers in the world vs some 135 pounder?

Also Bruce Lee might have practiced a bit of grappling but that wasn't his main bag.

Weight classes matter

 

[unassuming]

There is a video on YT..of Bruce Lee all padded up and fighting someone
Joe Lewis is in the square watching
Lee's moves are lightning fast

 

[thumper18474]

Love the way they have to slow it down so we can actually see the strikes

 

[jsanchez]

Not really a new topic, there are loads of youtube videos of Martial Artists versus boxers/wrestlers. The end result is inevitable. MMA fighting is where it's obviously at. However, that's not really the point of Bruce Lee fandom is it? It's like not liking WWF for it being fake...that's not the point...

I don't even know why this topic keeps coming up. Great actor, great technique, lightning fast, but let's be real
he was an actor and he only weighed 141lbs. Maybe some people actually believed he beat 7' 2" Kareem Abduljabbar
in their Game of Death scene

 

[JohnnyWishbone]

Weight classes matter

Certainly does. If heavier guys got a clean punch on Bruce or any 140 lbs guy then they'll do serious damage but watching some of those guys of that era they look so slow compared to Lee...I quite like some of the American declared 'world champions' like Joe Lewis and Super Foot Wallace etc. but they're so robotic, telegraphic and slow. I laughed when Ray Mancini (the boxer, 5'4 and maybe 140 lbs out of the ring) was talking about a hypothetical even fight with Bruce Lee...he wouldn't even stand up to Manny Pacquiao's speed let alone Lee who has speed in both hands and feet.