I just saw Chinese MMA on TV (in China)

[real2124]

I'm traveling in China at the moment and I notice there's a Chinese variation of the UFC on TV (9pm Saturday evening)

I have a few questions

Is MMA a big deal in China? The fights I watched were OKAY, not quite UFC caliber but not horrible either. Around WMMA TUF quality...

Does kung fu have any application inside the cage or on the street? I know it's a dumb question but I have to ask...

 

[KeepItRealist]

I don't think it's nearly as big as Kickboxing or Muay Thai in China yet. That seems to be growing. ONE FC has held some events in China. I don't know about any other organizations.

I have no idea how much the fighters are making for that Kunlun Fight and Wu Li Feng stuff. Although, most of the big non-MMA guys like Petrosyan, Fairtex and the top Muay Thai guys seem to be fighting there as opposed to Europe and Japan now.

 

[lilianjie]

From what I heard, RUFF is China's only government sanctioned fighting promotion.

That's probably why the UFC and other foreign owned MMA organisation only hold their events in HK or Macau.

There's way too much red tape to cut through to get permission to hold MMA events in mainland China.

 

[Mongoosemk12]

Probably were watching Sanda. It is similar to MMA like Sambo is.
http://fightland.vice.com/blog/sanda-chinas-most-popular-combat-sport

People are fighting (Muay Thai/K-1) in China right now because that's where the biggest fight purses are in general. Not sure what the general reception by the public is. I've been told the Chinese are really trying to get combat sports to catch on by having mismatch fights where a Pro Chinese fighter will fight a Amateur foreign fighter. They want only Chinese winners so they will pay foreigners big money to come take unfair fights.

 

[lilianjie]

I don't think it's nearly as big as Kickboxing or Muay Thai in China yet. That seems to be growing. ONE FC has held some events in China. I don't know about any other organizations.

I have no idea how much the fighters are making for that Kunlun Fight and Wu Li Feng stuff. Although, most of the big non-MMA guys like Petrosyan, Fairtex and the top Muay Thai guys seem to be fighting there as opposed to Europe and Japan now.

I just read online what you mentioned about One FC having held events in mainland China before. I didnt know that.

 

[leto1776]

Probably Art of War: http://forums.sherdog.com/threads/art-of-war-fc-17-april-30.3226249/

 

[Feniamin]

From what I heard, RUFF is China's only government sanctioned fighting promotion.

That's probably why the UFC and other foreign owned MMA organisation only hold their events in HK or Macau.

There's way too much red tape to cut through to get permission to hold MMA events in mainland China.

M-1 Challenge 53 was in Beijing and there was Road To M-1 event in Chengdu in 2015.
Also, first event of the WSOF Global Championship was in Hainan.

 

[qw3rty]

M-1 Challenge 53 was in Beijing and there was Road To M-1 event in Chengdu in 2015.
Also, first event of the WSOF Global Championship was in Hainan.

Yep, MilesAbove (Sherdog user working for WSOF GC) told that they weren't allowed to make some publicity or visual marketing for their event. Pretty crazy

 

[Feniamin]

Also, Road FC 27 was in Shanghai and Road FC 30 was in Beijing.

 

[BeardotheWeirdo]

I'm traveling in China at the moment and I notice there's a Chinese variation of the UFC on TV (9pm Saturday evening)

I have a few questions

Is MMA a big deal in China? The fights I watched were OKAY, not quite UFC caliber but not horrible either. Around WMMA TUF quality...

Does kung fu have any application inside the cage or on the street? I know it's a dumb question but I have to ask...

You should download the Road FC app and tell us what it's all about. They spent a million (IIRC) on an app that was supposed to lead to them taking over MMA in China... No details were given...

China is the promised land for MMA, it's been growing pretty rapidly over the past year or two, but obviously MMA in China still has a long way to go.

 

[Da Killa]

Believe it or not, fighting sports are not a big deal in China.

You would think that a country with such a rich martial arts history would be a great market for UFC and other promotions, but it isn't really, yet.

Martial arts doesn't interest most Chinese people. But give it time, if China could produce a Chinese UFC champion I'm sure it would gain popularity.

I have lived here since 2002.

 

[Tokyudo]

You saw Art of War 17. MMA is still in its infancy in China, despite the fact that it was introduced in 2004. Talent is getting better every day but the the star power isn't there yet. Lots of potential for MMA in China but it's certainly not going to happen overnight.

 

[SeoulRome]

I think Road FC claimed to have 35 million viewers for Road FC 27 which had the quarter-finals of their Heavyweight Grand Prix. Crazy if that were true. Even more crazy to think all those people think that Hong-Man Choi is the pinnacle of MMA!

 

[Tokyudo]

I think Road FC claimed to have 35 million viewers for Road FC 27 which had the quarter-finals of their Heavyweight Grand Prix. Crazy if that were true. Even more crazy to think all those people think that Hong-Man Choi is the pinnacle of MMA!

I can't comment on their viewers count but I do know they spent a sizable amount of money to promote/run the event. The more MMA in China, the better IMO.

 

[EndlessCritic]

Believe it or not, fighting sports are not a big deal in China.

You would think that a country with such a rich martial arts history would be a great market for UFC and other promotions, but it isn't really, yet.

Martial arts doesn't interest most Chinese people. But give it time, if China could produce a Chinese UFC champion I'm sure it would gain popularity.

I have lived here since 2002.

is zou shiming at all popular?

 

[Tokyudo]

is zou shiming at all popular?

Yes, he's an Olympic gold medalist in boxing. However, I doubt he's competing in MMA anytime soon.

 

[EndlessCritic]

Yes, he's an Olympic gold medalist in boxing. However, I doubt he's competing in MMA anytime soon.

yea i know but your post seemed to be about combat sports generally. no chance he competes in mma.

 

[val_lixembeau]

Probably Art of War: http://forums.sherdog.com/threads/art-of-war-fc-17-april-30.3226249/

Art of War shut down years ago, as did Legend FC (run out of HK). I've been occasionally watching G1 Fight Club (kind of an Ultimate Fighter for women in HK) and it's kind of fun, if low skilled. I laughed my ass off once when a coach told a fighter to quit wasting her energy "hitting your opponent on her titties" The announcer dude is the same one as from LFC back in the day.

 

[Tokyudo]

Art of War shut down years ago

Long hiatus would be a better term to use. AoW is back with intent to have a big year. LegendFC ran out of money, too bad I like those guys.

 

[leto1776]

Art of War shut down years ago, as did Legend FC (run out of HK). I've been occasionally watching G1 Fight Club (kind of an Ultimate Fighter for women in HK) and it's kind of fun, if low skilled. I laughed my ass off once when a coach told a fighter to quit wasting her energy "hitting your opponent on her titties" The announcer dude is the same one as from LFC back in the day.

Lol the very event he was watching was, indeed, Art of War. They just had their second event after a long hiatus. There's a thread about it in this very worldwide forum.