Bruce Lee's Only Real Fight Footage | How Bruce Fought Explained

Bruce Lee actor, director, martial artist, martial arts instructor, and philosopher. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that is often credited with paving the way for modern mixed martial arts (MMA). Lee is considered by commentators, critics, media, and other martial artists to be the most influential martial artist of all time and a pop culture icon of the 20th century, who bridged the gap between East and West. He is often credited with helping to change the way Asians were presented in American films.

The transcript below is from the video “Bruce Lee’s Only Real Fight Footage | How Bruce Fought Explained” by MindSmash.

MindSmash (YouTube Channel):

“Hello. Bruce Lee style of Jeet Kune Do is known as the way of the intercepting fist and if we reference a line from his Tao of Jeet Kune Do quote:

“The counter attack calls for the greatest skill, the most perfect planning, and the most delicate execution of all fighting techniques. It is the greatest art in fighting, the art of the champion.”

Understanding this makes better sense of what he’s doing. Throughout the sparring, he essentially feels his opponent’s rhythm. When he feels or sees breaks upon its rhythm, with his lead leg or lead hand he counters his opponent and makes his attack. Dan Inosanto teaching Burton Richardson who taught Matt Thornton who taught John Kavanagh. I’m certain Conor learned the same Tao, “The most perfect planning… and the most delicate execution.”

“The art of the champion.” I have covered this but it’s also important to know the stance. He leads with his right hand and right leg, taking the stance for fencing philosophy. It almost looks like Bruce is holding an epee or fencing sword, the way he holds his right hand out. If you also notice Bruce’s stance is very balanced. Not all the weight on his lead or the weight on the back leg, allowing him to move in and out very efficiently.”

MindSmash (YouTube Channel):

Joanna Jedrzejczyk has the same philosophy in her stance as well, very balanced mass distribution allowing her that efficient, light, and almost elusive ability to move in and out. Of course, Conor does this, too. Right here, we see an eye gouge before Bruce’s opponent can finish his move. That’s another thing to notice about Bruce’s stance. His hand is always open and of course, he does close to deliver a punch here or there but Bruce’s style is meant to target vulnerables as quickly and efficiently as possible.

So, losing that windup used to mitigate the cushioning effect in the gloves doesn’t really hurt him for the practical purposes he’s training for. He again doesn’t need to KO you. He has many tools to break you in an instant. I could see this style having a little more trouble in the mixed martial arts arena because in that game of ages, of course Bruce is incredibly fast but the gloves incorporate the cushioning effect and the rules themselves would reduce the ability to immobilize his opponent.

MindSmash (YouTube Channel):

His training was different the same way a boxer’s training is different from a mixed martial artist. So when you see him doing two-finger push-ups, he not doing that just for show. He’s doing it because it allows him to more efficiently rip your throat or your neck, eliminate your eyes — exploit vulnerable areas of your body. If he misses and say hits your skull, minimizes injury but considering the speed, precision, and his Tao striking as you come in.

He probably will not miss. So that leads to another question, what if Bruce did compete in MMA? He did study a myriad of disciplines taking philosophy from all of them, including Jujitsu. Always trying to improve his methodology and understanding of martial arts to that end. He probably would be able to adjust his style to be effective in MMA. Considering his speed and inhuman work ethic, I wouldn’t doubt how far this legend would go. Dare I say it, could even become a champion.”