Bruce Lee vs Muhammad Ali

[Rodsrsr]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

No, I'm just commenting that thinking only one fighting style is the absolute best is an invitation for defeat.

Then tell me why Royce Gracie was undefeated in the early UFC when the main objective was to find out which fighting style was the best. What we have learned is that the best fighting style is an amalgamation of strikes, kicks, and a ground game of some kind, be it wrestling, sambo, or Jiu Jitsu. That said, if you only had one style, Jiu Jitsu will prevail 90% of the time. If you disagree with this then just go rent some early UFC matches for you're anecdotal evidence.

[Nostril Cheese]

Good question here.

Ali in his prime vs. JKD? Really tough call.

I'd love to see it..

[Nostril Cheese]

Dude was BAD.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by javadog

To get close enough to Ali to land a blow would put Lee withing reach of Ali and that would not end well for Lee. The notion that one punch or kick from Lee would drop Ali is wishful thinking.

Well stated.

Ali and Lee were brutally fast. Scary fast.

I have watched so many youtube vids since Ali passed away that I need to divorce myself from boxing for a time.

I believe Ali would have murdered Bruce Lee, and many of the heavyweights would do the same, those I have seen in the last two weeks that fought Ali.

It's not a fair comparison.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Dude was BAD.

Broke his neck like a boss.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

If you get a chance you should watch the "Thrilla in Manila". Fight three, Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier.
Joe lost but he punished Ali like no one ever did before. By the end of the 14th rounds Ali could barely stand & he collapsed after the decision was made.
They stopped the fight because Joe's managers thought he was near death.

Truly epic. I doubt we'll see a fight like that ever again!

Watched first and third ad nauseum. I liked the first the best.

It did not even matter who won.

[DanielDudley]

Have you ever watched a Bruce Lee movie as an adult ? The moves are all laid out, and the speed is altered. Bruce Lee was an actor with some skills, who had the ability to project a bad ass attitude. The fight scenes are a joke. I don't know if he was ever competitive as a fighter.

Are there martial artists who could beat Ali in full a full contact bout ? Sure. I seriously doubt Lee was anywhere near that skill level though.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Tobra

If they were to fight each other at the peak of their respective powers, who do you suppose would win?

As you know, Donnie Yen is much more impressive in his fight scenes, particularly when he was younger. Lee is more of an Urban Legend.

[Nataraj]

Too bad he is no longer with us...

[berettafan]

I dunno about all this....boxers are one dimensional in their attack. Kung Fu gonna be comin' at you from ALL directions! get around behind Lee and it's still gonna be a fist to the face!

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

Have you ever watched a Bruce Lee movie as an adult ? The moves are all laid out, and the speed is altered. Bruce Lee was an actor with some skills, who had the ability to project a bad ass attitude. The fight scenes are a joke. I don't know if he was ever competitive as a fighter.

Are there martial artists who could beat Ali in full a full contact bout ? Sure. I seriously doubt Lee was anywhere near that skill level though.

Do you also struggle to understand why people recreate?

My goodness man lighten up and enjoy the fantasy!

[Tobra]

Actually Mr Dudley, he was a martial artist who was also a champion Cha Cha dancer that did some movies. He could really move, which would keep him vertical in a scrap longer than one might suspect. Quick hands and feet. You take a front kick to the belly and it is going to take some of the starch out of you.

[AFC-911]

Ali has a track record of winning. He's also proven he can handle a slugfest.

I'm not sure I can say the same for Lee in a real fight. Acting could have made him soft.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by AFC-911

Ali has a track record of winning. He's also proven he can handle a slugfest.

I'm not sure I can say the same for Lee in a real fight. Acting could have made him soft.

Some of Ali's bouts lasted an hour. No question that he could take a beating.

Lee really never had a fight career. He was fit, no question, but the one bout I've heard of, that took place behind closed doors, ended after 20 minutes because Lee was too winded to continue. Lee was really a martial arts instructor that did the occasional exhibition and made a bunch of movies. He was in movies as a kid, so it's not like he had a fight career and then got into movies.

JR

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Actually Mr Dudley, he was a martial artist who was also a champion Cha Cha dancer that did some movies. He could really move, which would keep him vertical in a scrap longer than one might suspect. Quick hands and feet. You take a front kick to the belly and it is going to take some of the starch out of you.

No doubt he could kick my butt up and down the street. But Ali was the real deal.

Bruce Lee was amazing to watch when his movies were new. Very few people I knew had any experience with martial arts whatsoever, and he was just captivating.

Young people still love his movies. Ali OTOH, is still amazing. Nothing fake there.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Do you also struggle to understand why people recreate?

My goodness man lighten up and enjoy the fantasy!

Now which fantasy would that be ? It was either a legitimate question or it wasn't.

I'm sorry if you didn't realize the film was sped up. They also added sound effects. The three Stooges however were 100 % legitimate, so you still have that going for you.

Curly would have slayed them both, plus the referee.

[DanielDudley]

Seems like Jet Li's Fearless, and Ip Man 3 had good fight scenes contrasting martial arts and boxing.

If you haven't seen Ip Man Three, Donnie yen goes up against the real Mike Tyson. Tyson is pretty terrifying to watch. Recommended.

[scottmandue]

Anyone here seen "Walker Texas Ranger"? Do those fight scenes look fake?

Yes, I know Mr. Norris is the real deal (fighter) but he was also an actor so apparently you can be both.

Bruce Lee had a dojo in Oakland and taught fighting.

[javadog]

Chuck Norris actually had a real fight career and ended up studying a lot more disciplines than Lee did. Maybe Lee would have done much more had he lived, but I tend to think of him as fairly well hyped. Not saying he wasn't fun to watch, but it seemed like it was mostly for show.

JR

[Steve Carlton]

Some amazing stuff here.