Now before I get carried away with this topic, let’s find out more about who Scott Adkins is. If you’re a martial arts enthusiast and fight film fanatic, then he is the one to watch. If you’re a die hard MMA fan like I am, I’m pretty sure you enjoy poking at the thought of legit martial artists competing in the world of mixed martial arts.
Scott Adkins, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated actors in action film. Not only does he does he perform his own stunts but he’s also disciplined in several martial arts styles. In films, he portrayed the antagonist, Weapon XI/Deadpool in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” but his more stand out role was playing Yuri Boyka in “Undisputed” series alongside fellow martial artist Michael Jai White. If you’re looking for flashy combinations and striking techniques, then I recommend you watch Undisputed II / III. Plus, they’re about underground MMA fights so it’s a win-win for you MMA fans and martial arts enthusiasts.
Fighter Profile:
Fighter: Scott Adkins
Weight Class: Welterweight
Fighting Background: He began training in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 14 and has since been trained in styles such as Judo, Wushu and Jujutsu but stands out as an excellent kickboxer. As of now, he is a kickboxing instructor for the Professional Karate Association (PKA). He currently holds a red belt in Tae Kwon Do, is disciplined in the arts of Wushu, Jujutsu, Judo and holds a black belt rank in kickboxing.
Fighting Style Similar to: Scott Adkins is a flashy, but technical stand up striker. His gymnastic abilities along with his sharp kickboxing techniques really makes it unusual for me to compare him to any MMA fighter but if I had to pick, I’d have to say his flashy kicks remind me somewhat of Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and it’s no wonder because Pettis is trained in Tae Kwon Do as well and is coached by kickboxing stand out, Pat Barry.
No, this isn’t Georges St. Pierre. This is the one and only Jean-Claude Van Damme. Though there are some resemblances there with a similar build and a karate background – he’s far from being a mixed martial artist like GSP. Although, he’s one of the most famous action stars in the 80’s who came out of the martial arts of Karate and Kickboxing.
Oddly enough, being out of the fight game for 29 years – Van Damme is actually slated to step back into the kickboxing ring with Somluck Kamsing in Bangkok, Thailand (November 2011). It’s probably for the money, but you can’t deny the competitive spirit of a martial artist.
Fighting Profile:
Fighter: Jean-Claude Van Damme
Weight Class: Welterweight
Fighting Background: Van Damme trained in Shotokan Karate and earned a spot on the Belguin Karate Team. He fought in the European Full-Contact circuit under Master Claude Goetz. He ended his kickboxing career with a 20-2 record – all knockout wins.
Fight Style Similar To: I believe Van Damme would strictly be a striker with his wealth of striking experience in Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Shotokan Karate, Taekwondo. I’m not sure how well he’d pick the other aspects of the MMA game (i.e. wrestling, BJJ, etc.), but I’d hope his striking would hold him up. I hope. I see him resembling a game like Pat Barry or Mirko Cro Cop.
Some interesting thoughts on “What if Jet Li did MMA?” yesterday, and I wanted to share it with everyone. Definitely a bit of a different take on Jet Li since he is a smaller fighter and a professional martial artist. Here’s my responses to the feedback:
jbnguyen answered: He definitely would be very quick would good striking and good footwork, the big question is how he’ll take to grapling.
The grappling aspect is something every fighter is going to have to figure out when they fight in MMA. It’s whether you think he has the learning aptitude to do it, right?
Thanks a lot hakly! We’re going to be having a new “What if he did MMA?” article each Wednesday, so always be on the lookout. :)
sukotsuto answered: Didn’t he say that he’ll lose to Tito Ortiz in a fight? I recall he said that in an interview for this movie made back then w/ a Tito cameo
He may have, I’m not sure. Just to take it into context, it was a hypothetical fight against a Light Heavyweight, Tito Ortiz. If he fought against people his own size, it may be different. Also, the movie was Cradle 2 The Grave.
karenlb008 answered: absolutely - just because he’s done movies doesn’t mean he would be JVD.
I actually think if he did MMA, he’d be famous and still be able to cross over into movies and become an even bigger star. Although, jumping into movies right off the bat did do him well.
Let’s dive into the lighter weight divisions in MMA. Jet Li walks the walk as a Master Martial Artist in Wushu, where he competed successfully under the Beijing Wushu Team. He was so successful, as a child while performing for the Chinese National Wushu Team the former President Richard Nixon asked him to be his personal body guard. He responded, "I don’t want to protect any individual. When I grow up, I want to defend my one billion Chinese countrymen!“. Now that’s pretty bad ass.
Crossing over from traditional martial arts to MMA has been hard for some, but these martial artists are known to have some of most disciplined attributes so I wouldn’t see an issue for them in regards to learning new skills. Now, I’ll hear again about his chin, reasons why fighting is different, how he’d need to train wrestling/BJJ, etc. – but imagine with me if he did MMA, how would he do?
Fighting Profile:
Fighter: Jet Li (born Li Lian Jie)
Weight Class: Bantamweight
Fighting Background: Jet Li trained Wushu under Wu Bin. He’s won fifteen gold medals and one silver medal in the Chinese Wushu Championships. Along with being such a successful Wushu practicioner, he’s been able to master several styles under Wushu.
Fight Style Similar To: I believe Jet Li would be a super quick MMA fighter in the Bantamweight Division similar to Demetrious "Mighty Mouse” Johnson. Being Wushu is based in striking, I’d see that being is main asset. Also, I’d see him learning Sanda which is based in Chinese boxing which has a lot of grappling elements conducive in MMA.
As expected, we got some really great feedback on our last post “What if Kurt Angle did MMA?” – so keep them coming. This is going to be a weekly addition to WeHeartMMA, so be on the lookout for “What if he did MMA?” next week. As a teaser, it’s not going to be another Pro Wrestler.
pekeno answered: Of course with his wrestling with come very handy, but it’s not enough. It all depends on how he can soak up new skills.
I think amateur wrestlers have a great sense of work ethic, but yes – he’s going to need to learn how to strike and develop a ground game. Although, that’s with any fighter, right?
weeium answered: he’ll be a good wrestler. no doubt about that. but i think he’ll get knocked out easily
Obviously, no one knows how good his chin is – only one way to find out. :)
kneeznelbowz01 answered: i think he would do well tho. since like u mentioned he has da base of wrestling.
Wrestling is one of the most dominant martial arts utilized in MMA. Having that as your base immediately helps you when learning MMA.