Was there more Hollywood inspired karate guys in 90's MMA?

by **bean** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:05 pm

I'm in my early 20s and 80's/90's karate action heroes like Van Damme, Jackie Chan, and Jeff Speakman have been a big inspiration to me. Lately I've been stretching my legs for long periods of time and practicing kicks. I'm 5' 11", caucasian, and have long legs. I'm probably gonna enroll in TKD classes to refine my skills.

I'm not interested in getting involved in MMA but I've noticed there's very few guys participating nowadays with powerful, sweeping high kicks and a faithful karate background that hasn't been watered down. I'm wondering if this reflects the times of how guys like Van Damme have fallen out of the spotlight so probably aren't acting as role models to as wide of aspiring fighters.

by **corcoran42** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:07 pm

Its hard to say without reading interviews of indivual fighters. I myself and influenced by Van Damme. Thing is MMA is BS just a decade ago there were saying how Karate doesnt work and more guys are doing kung fu instead. Now Karate is making a comeback. Karate always worked its the early day practiciners didnt adapted it properly. Plus Shootfighting and BJJ were pretty unknown . Now a karateka stands more a of chance against them. Probally come up with techniques where the stand up fighter doesnt have to go to the ground. I trainned in shootfighting, karate and kung fu and karate and kung fu have better knowledge of vital areas than a mma guy. Truth is the best fighters arent found on camera. If you want more hope there is videos online of karate beating bjj in a mma atmosphere. there is no best art. its the man not the art the art help makes the man strong. but its the man that can take his art to new heights.

by **eddis** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:15 pm

Strikers will become more diverse as we go. For a long time, throwing a mid to high line kick meant an almost garuanteed takedown where the kicker was basically a turtle on its back. Even the prelims on sat had alot more flashy kicks than you would have seen a year ago. FOX will demand a fight any doofus can follow. The days of the 15 min jiujitsu match or grecko/roman cage grind are coming to a close.

by **shadrach** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:17 pm

The likelihood of anyone influenced by Hollywood having a faithful karate background is unlikely.
There are few if any flashy kicks in traditional karate.

Muay Thai has filled that niche recently with Tony jaa demonstrating muay thai. Same basic kicks that are in karate.
TKD and Karate are very different beasts.

Advertisments:

Sponsor Links: