Who Do You Think Are The Best Martial Artists Today?

[Littledragon]

Ok littledragon you made your point. I did not know Jackie was Bruce's stuntman.
Not to start anything with anyone the title is
who do you think are the best martial artists today.
and I still think
Jackie and Steven are the best today.

Cool. Jackie is an amazing martial artist.

Have any of you seen him fight Benny Urquidez in Wheels On Meals and Dragon's Forever?

 

[tora]

Let's just agree there are too many different styles to be compared to each other but without a doubt all of them are a special art.And art is not discussed about its priorites,it can only be admired and the only thing that can stand between our likes or dislikes is our own taste and each of us has it different from the others.

 

[Nassau Mike]

I know you all love Seagal just as much as I do but there is no way in hell Seagal can compare to Bruce. Even Seagal would admit Bruce could beat him in a fight. Seagal has fast hands but when compared to Bruce's its simply SLOW, thats how fast Bruce was. He is a superb aikido master and has some of the greatest fighting techniques on this planet but what superb mighty kicks no thats a joke because he has none. His kicks are not that great I have to be honest with you. But none the less I love Seagal and he is an amazing fighter but he can not be compared with Bruce, simply he is not in even in the same zip code as Bruce.

Peace

Also, remember you are comparing the young (late 20's-early 30's) Lee to the old 50 something Seagal..Did you ever see Seagal when he was in Japan training with the masters and then becoming one of the most respected martial artists in all of japan at the time(especially with a sword) in his late 20's to early 30's?
Seagal was a foreigner in Japan and a lot of fighters and other teachers challenged him and that had a lot to do with how Seagal made a name for himself.. Seagal was lightning quick when he trained 8 or so hours every day and trained many students in Japan..A lot of students left other dojos just to train with Seagal..He had to perfect his art even more than the local masters to get by..
He was also known to be very cocky in his early days and was not afraid to take on a challenge and did many times. Its how he survived in Japan in the 70's. He was very much like Bruce Lee in his attitude back then.
Take a look at some of the demonstrations at the end of that tape that was sold from Seagal's site a few years back(Path Beyond Thought-I think it was) and see some flashes of how good he was back then..Listen to those who trained with him back then or saw him put on demonstrations in Japan and you will understand just how great a martial artist Seagal was..He is so different in how you see him nowadays and most of the arts that he learned and taught are no longer in his movies and never totally were and thats true with Bruce as well..Bruce would never fight a real fight the way he did in the movies-that was all for show and if he fought like that for real in a real street fight he would get taken apart. He used to say this all the time..

 

[Littledragon]

Also, remember you are comparing the young (late 20's-early 30's) Lee to the old 50 something Seagal..Did you ever see Seagal when he was in Japan training with the masters and then becoming one of the most respected martial artists in all of japan at the time(especially with a sword) in his late 20's to early 30's?
Seagal was a foreigner in Japan and a lot of fighters and other teachers challenged him and that had a lot to do with how Seagal made a name for himself.. Seagal was lightning quick when he trained 8 or so hours every day and trained many students in Japan..A lot of students left other dojos just to train with Seagal..He had to perfect his art even more than the local masters to get by..
He was also known to be very cocky in his early days and was not afraid to take on a challenge and did many times. Its how he survived in Japan in the 70's. He was very much like Bruce Lee in his attitude back then.
Take a look at some of the demonstrations at the end of that tape that was sold from Seagal's site a few years back(Path Beyond Thought-I think it was) and see some flashes of how good he was back then..Listen to those who trained with him back then or saw him put on demonstrations in Japan and you will understand just how great a martial artist Seagal was..He is so different in how you see him nowadays and most of the arts that he learned and taught are no longer in his movies and never totally were and thats true with Bruce as well..Bruce would never fight a real fight the way he did in the movies-that was all for show and if he fought like that for real in a real street fight he would get taken apart. He used to say this all the time..

No thats not true. If Seagal got hit with one of Bruce's kicks Seagal would be DEAD. Bruce is just to fast for Seagal.

I love them both so much but Bruce is hands down the greatest martial artist ever.

;-)

 

[Nassau Mike]

In a real fight Bruce would never use those high kicks to an opponent. He would use low kicks to the legs. Bruce kept changing his art as he learned more from various fighters and different styles.
Seagal's main art of Aikido is a defensive art used against multiple attackers and the form that Seagal perfected is very streetwise and harder than the normal style. He is also proficient in some offensive martial arts like jujitsu and a few others..He was'nt always the nice guy you see him to be nowadays..

 

[Littledragon]

In a real fight Bruce would never use those high kicks to an opponent. He would use low kicks to the legs. Bruce kept changing his art as he learned more from various fighters and different styles.
Seagal's main art of Aikido is a defensive art used against multiple attackers and the form that Seagal perfected is very streetwise and harder than the normal style. He is also proficient in some offensive martial arts like jujitsu and a few others..He was'nt always the nice guy you see him to be nowadays..

Yes I know Bruce's philosphy for Jeet Kune Do was simplicity, he thought kicking to the legs was the most practical thing to do in a street fight.

But I wouldnt be surprised if Bruce kicked high against anyone since his kicks were so fast. Seagal is a true master and brilliant in his art but when it comes to his fight, Bruce would win. While Seagal is fixed on a set system or style, AIKIDO Bruce is using broken rythm, simplicity, and adptation while fighting. When he fights he uses no style and that is the best way to fight in a street situation. Bruce is by far the most genious martial artist of our era and no one not even Seagal can beat Bruce in a fight.

 

[Nassau Mike]

No thats not true. If Seagal got hit with one of Bruce's kicks Seagal would be DEAD. Bruce is just to fast for Seagal.

I love them both so much but Bruce is hands down the greatest martial artist ever.

;-)

Whats not true? Bruce said it himself that he would never fight the way you see him fight in movies in real life and thats also true with Seagal. High kicks in a real fight dont always work. Armlocks and ground fighting is what its gonna come down to..Jujitsu(especially Brazilian like the kind perfected by the Gracies) will totally wipe out a kung fu or karate expert if that is his only main art..
Bruce started to change his style of fighting after he was challenged by other fighters and saw that he was'nt as good as he once thought and one time after barely defeating another fighter he decided to change and add to his style..He was a great martial artist without a doubt and put martial arts on the board.
In my opinion Lee, Seagal and Norris are the three biggest name martial artists to make it to the big screen. I cant see much argument there.
Norris was world karate champion for 7 straight years and took on all comers and never lost a fight and retired undefeated. He and Bruce trained together as welll and both took a lot from each other and respected each other..

 

[Littledragon]

Whats not true? Bruce said it himself that he would never fight the way you see him fight in movies in real life and thats also true with Seagal. High kicks in a real fight dont always work. Armlocks and ground fighting is what its gonna come down to..Jujitsu(especially Brazilian like the kind perfected by the Gracies) will totally wipe out a kung fu or karate expert if that is his only main art..
Bruce started to change his style of fighting after he was challenged by other fighters and saw that he was'nt as good as he once thought and one time after barely defeating another fighter he decided to change and add to his style..He was a great martial artist without a doubt and put martial arts on the board.
In my opinion Lee, Seagal and Norris are the three biggest name martial artists to make it to the big screen. I cant see much argument there.
Norris was world karate champion for 7 straight years and took on all comers and never lost a fight and retired undefeated. He and Bruce trained together as welll and both took a lot from each other and respected each other..

Norris lost to John Liu in the International Open!!

I will get back to your post later cuz I have to study know LOL.

 

[Nassau Mike]

Bottom line is: All three of them were all true martial artists and were all great at their peak..We're comparing everyone now to bruce in his early 30's..Most people here never saw Seagal in his early thirties. He started making films in his late 30's(37-38).
Seagal definately had the better movies of all of the martial artists in my opinion though and of the three he was hands down the best with a sword and besides being proficient in several different types of martial arts and weapons training, he is a guns expert and has even taught policemen how to shoot..His background is a lot more darker than Lee's as well.

 

[suziwong]

FINALLY:

STEVEN, STILL THE BEST MARTIAL ARTIST & REAL MASTER OF MARTIAL ARTS !!!

I am not interest the others !!

in onenesss

 

[Littledragon]

Bottom line is: All three of them were all true martial artists and were all great at their peak..We're comparing everyone now to bruce in his early 30's..Most people here never saw Seagal in his early thirties. He started making films in his late 30's(37-38).
Seagal definately had the better movies of all of the martial artists in my opinion though and of the three he was hands down the best with a sword and besides being proficient in several different types of martial arts and weapons training, he is a guns expert and has even taught policemen how to shoot..His background is a lot more darker than Lee's as well.

He can't kick! Thats the only minus about Seagal.

But still Bruce is by far the greatest!

 

[Littledragon]

FINALLY:

STEVEN, STILL THE BEST MARTIAL ARTIST & REAL MASTER OF MARTIAL ARTS !!!

I am not interest the others !!

in onenesss

I know you are a huge fan of Seagal but remember there is Bruce Lee!

Bruce Lee is what defines the martial arts in Hollywood.

I bet if any of you guys asked Seagal could Bruce beat you in a fight he would say ofcourse.

 

[Disciple]

I was assuming we were only talking about onscreen martial artists. If we're including all fighters, both onscreen and off, then I would have a very different list of people. Most of the real tough guys are not actors. The mark of a real fighter is not just speed and strength and skills, but also toughness and ability to take hits. That's why when it comes to movies, a lot of the real martial artists don't get so much credit, because they're either behind the screen training the actors, or they're stuntmen, or at most they've got some small role as a bad guy in a movie (not the hero). You'll find a lot of the people that we look up to as great movie martial artists actually have a glass jaw.

and as far as Lee goes, he was great and all, but he idolized the real life enforcer Chan Wai Man. This guy was the "real deal", and Lee wanted to be him. They were both friends actually. You can see CWM at his best in the 80s Hong Kong crime movie, "The Club".

 

[Littledragon]

I was assuming we were only talking about onscreen martial artists. If we're including all fighters, both onscreen and off, then I would have a very different list of people. Most of the real tough guys are not actors. The mark of a real fighter is not just speed and strength and skills, but also toughness and ability to take hits. That's why when it comes to movies, a lot of the real martial artists don't get so much credit, because they're either behind the screen training the actors, or they're stuntmen, or at most they've got some small role as a bad guy in a movie (not the hero). You'll find a lot of the people that we look up to as great movie martial artists actually have a glass jaw.

and as far as Lee goes, he was great and all, but he idolized the real life enforcer Chan Wai Man. This guy was the "real deal", and Lee wanted to be him. They were both friends actually. You can see CWM at his best in the 80s Hong Kong crime movie, "The Club".

I dont know about that. The only person Bruce wanted to be was James Dean when he came to AMERICA. He was simply better than any Chinese or any master but he tried to keep his humility. But when he finally beat the chinese master who challenged im in 1967 in san fransisco he said to hell with tradition!

 

[Lotussan]

I bet Steven at 50 could have kicked bruce's butt at 30...Just my opinion...I am most impressed with Seagal Sensei, there has never been an martial artist that has impressed me more than he has...I think he has already made people forget about Bruce Lee, and Bruce Lee probably was mostly show, most of the Martial artists out there seem to be...That said, I think there are soooooo many students who deeply wish they could train with Sensei...He's still got it all, and now he's got the experience and wisdom to match the skills...His age doesn't mean a damn thing by the way, I bet his mind is quick as ever...And his charm and charisma are strong as ever too, that's for sure...

 

[Lotussan]

Oh, and wasn't he age 36 in Above The Law?

 

[Littledragon]

I bet Steven at 50 could have kicked bruce's butt at 30...Just my opinion...I am most impressed with Seagal Sensei, there has never been an martial artist that has impressed me more than he has...I think he has already made people forget about Bruce Lee, and Bruce Lee probably was mostly show, most of the Martial artists out there seem to be...That said, I think there are soooooo many students who deeply wish they could train with Sensei...He's still got it all, and now he's got the experience and wisdom to match the skills...His age doesn't mean a damn thing by the way, I bet his mind is quick as ever...And his charm and charisma are strong as ever too, that's for sure...

Bruce Lee mostly show? Give me a break.

He could beat all the best martial artists at the day, Walley JAY, Chuck Norris, Mike Stone, Joe Lewis, Jhoon Rhee, they all admit it too.

 

[yudansha]

littledragon I see you have the greatest respect and appreciation for Bruce Lee's work, but you have to remember one thing ... evolution.

Lee would not stand a chance today, since the equipment used is far more sophisticated .. especially in some high-end gyms in the states. And, those who devote themselves today spend just as much time; so the training that they receive is far superior to that of the earlier days.

And in martial arts, size ain't everything. One of Seagal movies (Above the Law I think) illustrated how seagal punches this huge over 300lbs. man, and makes him kneel to the ground. There are ways and a lot of training put in to teach the concentration needed to be able to direct energy and concentrate it at a certain given point (Van Damme illustrated such a thing in one of his movies too upon attempting to break one certain brick in the middle of a large stack). Bruce Lee has certainly paved the way for martial arts in motion pictures (after whom Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris took over).

Martial Arts are not all about fighting (that's why kickboxing isn't really what you can call a traditional martial art), you can look at Seagal right now, who focuses more on spiritual side to get a better understanding of the arts. Out of the action stars, Seagal was and is the most well-rounded (don't take that literally) martial artist.

 

[Lotussan]

No offense intended, littledragon...

That is just the uneducated opinion of a woman, go figure...

But I do have a lot of respect for what I have seen of Bruce Lee which isn't much...
I just think Sensei could take him down, and I think Sensei has never done what he does, just for the fame, which I think a lot of these others do...
I think Sensei has done these things it because he truly loves the art and wants to promote peace...
I could be wrong, but this is my feeling...
I sometimes have a hard time explaining what I mean, but these other MA's just don't seem near as genuine nor as serious in their performance...
They strike me as showy, not humble...
Maybe I should have checked out Bruce Lee more before I said anything though...
However, I think first impressions say a lot...
For me they are what lasts...
I hope that makes some sense...
What I am trying to say is that in Steven I see true passion for the arts, that is why he is so excting to watch, and that is why I believe he has surpassed Mr. Lee by far...
Also, I remember Fujitani Sensei saying (in the E! Interview) that he was very into
the arts, very dedicated, I don't think that is a surprise...
And I don't think he was one that had the idea he would ever be in movies, just a hunch, but I bet if that had been a lifelong dream, he would have started much earlier, maybe I am wrong there, probably am...
BTW, don't laugh, but does anyone know if Bruce Lee did any teaching of his art, the one he created?
I think teaching really shows a lot of dedication...

 

[Littledragon]

No offense intended, littledragon...

That is just the uneducated opinion of a woman, go figure...

But I do have a lot of respect for what I have seen of Bruce Lee which isn't much...
I just think Sensei could take him down, and I think Sensei has never done what he does, just for the fame, which I think a lot of these others do...
I think Sensei has done these things it because he truly loves the art and wants to promote peace...
I could be wrong, but this is my feeling...
I sometimes have a hard time explaining what I mean, but these other MA's just don't seem near as genuine nor as serious in their performance...
They strike me as showy, not humble...
Maybe I should have checked out Bruce Lee more before I said anything though...
However, I think first impressions say a lot...
For me they are what lasts...
I hope that makes some sense...
What I am trying to say is that in Steven I see true passion for the arts, that is why he is so excting to watch, and that is why I believe he has surpassed Mr. Lee by far...
Also, I remember Fujitani Sensei saying (in the E! Interview) that he was very into
the arts, very dedicated, I don't think that is a surprise...
And I don't think he was one that had the idea he would ever be in movies, just a hunch, but I bet if that had been a lifelong dream, he would have started much earlier, maybe I am wrong there, probably am...
BTW, don't laugh, but does anyone know if Bruce Lee did any teaching of his art, the one he created?
I think teaching really shows a lot of dedication...

I could go on and on on telling you how you are wrong about Bruce but I would get too tired lol. So we will leave it at this, you have your opinion I have mine and we can be friends at this great site!

;-)

 

[Lotussan]

Well, you could tell me a little about him...
I don't know very much, like I said before...
Also how many movies did he make?
I only know of one, I think...