Welcome to the second instalment of “Time Warp Battle” where historical fighting legends meet today’s future Hall of Fame candidates.
What started off as a fun, playful idea has slowly developed into a painstaking and stressful labour of love.
I mean…how could I possibly pay homage to a man such as Bruce Lee who has forever redefined what it means to be a martial artist and do it in an excruciatingly brief article?
He is after all, considered by many as being the most influential and revolutionary fighter in our history.
Originally, it was my goal to compare all of the relatable facts about Bruce Lee and his life against the current UFC Lightweight Champion – BJ “The Prodigy” Penn. Where they were born, what styles of fighting they had studied, etc.
Admittedly, this article would have been much easier to write after GSP destroyed Penn at UFC 94, but in light of this past weekend’s fight against Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez, my task just went from easy to very, very difficult.
BJ Penn is no slouch.
He has been criticized for his lack of conditioning, his overly confident behaviour, and his constant (perceived) complaining. BJ Penn, for as many fans as he has, simply rubs a lot of people the wrong way (admittedly, I used to be one of them).
But the man can definitely fight. There’s simply no denying that.
In fact, what really impressed me the most at UFC 107 was Penn’s ability to counter strike and anticipate his opponents’ every movement – very “Jeet Kune Do-like.”
So the big question is…
How would the current version of BJ Penn, who undoubtedly is at his all time best, do against the 1967 version (hello unstoppable punch) of Master Bruce Lee?
Quick prediction:
There’s just no stopping the “Dragon.”
Oh and by the way, is it just me, or should this nickname be totally off limits?
[COUGH…MACHIDA…COUGH]
Cripes, even the NHL retired “No. 99” – to me it just seems like the respectful thing to do.
Also, the other day it was announced that basketball superstar LeBron James will voluntarily be giving up his uniform number (No. 23, in case you didn’t know) after the season, as a way of honoring Michael Jordan.
Food for thought.
Anyway, I digress…moving on…
So you think that you know Bruce Lee, huh?
Perhaps like me, you have read his books, watched his movies, paid attention to his philosophies, and studied his every move? Maybe you even have a poster of him somewhere in your house?
The sad truth however, is that very few people can honestly say that they really knew this man.
What I envision when I think of Lee is a highly intelligent, free-thinking spirit with an open mind and an open heart. I also see a man who epitomizes discipline and work ethic. A true leader by all definitions.
I also see a man who was driven with a purpose.
A caring teacher. A man with a dark side. A man without fear. A man full of love and hate (and violence).
Yes – Bruce Lee was a man like any other man, complete with mistakes and flaws, but what really separated him from anyone was his unrelenting pursuit for truth in a time when cultural and racial bias were his toughest opponents.
A true pioneer.
What is BJ Penn’s greatest weakness and how would Bruce Lee use it to destroy him?
Quite simply – his stubborn pride.
Many people would probably be inclined to give BJ Penn the advantage over Bruce Lee (in the most respectful way of course…) because of Penn’s natural grappling abilities on the ground, but this past weekend showed us all that BJ Penn would never take this fight to the ground if given the opportunity. He would be far too determined to prove that he is the better, faster, and more complete striker.
Penn, being the ultimate warrior that he is would never implement what he would perceive to be the easier fight plan. Taking this fight to the ground would symbolize fear and BJ would want to send a very clear message – he fears no man – not even the legend himself.
This would be Penn’s fatal error and even if BJ suddenly found himself in enough trouble to then want to take this fight to the ground (a place that GSP was more than happy to take him to) it would be far too late.
The fight would already be over.
Death by “Unstoppable Punch”.
Hey, if GSP could land a “Superman Punch,” I see no reason to believe that Penn could defend himself against anything that Bruce Lee had to offer.
Bruce Lee was amazingly fast and unbelievably strong.
As good as Penn looked this past weekend, let’s not forget folks…Diego Sanchez is not Bruce Lee. Not even close, so please do not think that Penn would look near as good on his feet against Lee – because he would not.
To quote Bruce Lee himself: “Either you understand or you don’t, and that is that.”
Let the debate begin…
In case you missed my first Timewarp Battle, please check it out:
1969 Chuck Norris vs. 2006 Chuck Liddell
http://mrjamesryan.com/2009/11/26/time-warp-bat…
Great article, James! I learned a lot! Keep up the great history lessons!
Very solid. I agree that Penn would want to keep the fight standing and pick him apart with his boxing but Penn is no fool and once the opportunity arose he would take the fight to the ground and finish the legend.
There is no debate. Eddie Bravo would choke them both in a handicap match! And let's not forget Joe Son Do… haha.
Good work James! I like your articles.
Having a Bruce Lee biography, The Fighting Method series and The Tao of Jeet Kune Do book, I think his system is fantastic. I couldn't ever say with confidence who I think would win a contest though. Too many what-ifs to consider. JKD has a mystique about it that makes it so much more than a kinetic system. It will always be the first true MMA style. I see poetry in Gracie Jiu-jitsu and 10th Planet as well, but not the mystique found in JKD.
Your article brings to mind all the Royce Gracie vs Bruce Lee articles that were ubiquitous in the mid 90s.
Chuck.
Hey Robert,
Let's get the fans to decide…
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/310886-time-…
Nice blog you've got here, James!
This is a good topic. So okay, now here's the deal from none other than the legend himself, Joseph Lupoli…LOL But seriously
In the UFC octagon and under UFC rules and regulations? Sorry, 1967 Bruce Lee, but would be in dreamland very quickly.
In a hastily planned streetfight with no rules, walls,cage, referee, rounds, or any other outside interference? Sorry, BJ Penn, but the1967 Bruce Lee would put you in dreamland pretty quickly.
Hi Joseph
Probably a fair assessment. Bruce Lee wasn't much for point fighting and I would tend to agree that he probably wouldn't feel natural conforming to he rules of the UFC. Good call.
Take care.
LOL Thanks Chuck
I'll have to google Bruce vs Royce – they sound interesting.
Glad you like my articles – keep comin' back!
“Maybe you even have a poster of him somewhere in your house?”
Life size with a great quote on the wall of my man cave. How did you know? LOL. I worship the Dragon, always have. My uncle used to take me to kung fu double features at the drive in to watch him. If ever there was a Bruce Lee nut hugger I am guilty guilty guilty. That said, I also have a special place in my heart for Baby J. I have a confidence every time he fights that allows me to believe he will smash anyone he faces. I also feel the same way about Bruce Lee in a mystical, movie star belief sort of way. And he has tenure on my heroes list so Lee by brutal KO. You heard it hear first, Lee would be the first ever to stop Penn by KO. God that hurt to say.
Right there with you, my friend. My copy of The Tao of Jeet Kune Do is on prominent display in my library. It goes without saying that technique and method have improved tremendously since Lee's time… but you can't teach the kind of athleticism that Lee had. His feats of strength and quickness bordered on superhuman. I mean, jamming your extended fingers into unopened tin cans? Two finger pushups for reps? I mean, this is a guy who could snatch a quarter out of your extended hand and leave a dime before you could close it. Directors had to tell him to slow down because cameras hadn't advanced to the point that they could keep up with him! You'll have a hard time convincing me that he couldn't knock Penn out before the fight ever even went to the ground. He only needed one inch, after all.
BJ took down Ludwig within seconds rather than stand with him.
I know that BJ has lately been standing with his opponents, but I kind of think that once he gets popped, he tries to take Bruce Lee down.
That being said, I think that if Bruce Lee had trained for modern MMA, that he would have been awesome.
Also,…
WAR Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida
I think Bruce could teach them all a lesson, lol
his ability to adapt was incredible
First off I think Bruce Lee would never have even considered entering the octogon if his grappling was not up to speed. He was the kind of guy who worked on his skills obsessively. I think he would go into that fight with very good grappling skills or he simply wouldn't take the fight.
With his speed he peppers Penn every time Penn gets close and would have enough grappling skill to avoid Penn's takedowns. Overmatched in the striking game Penn would take a beating.
…Bruce lee had the speed of a cobra..and the strength of attack similar to a cheetah ..he was also ahead of his time…the first true mixed martial arts fighter…
” don't stagnate yourself by using one particular style over and over again, use only what works, and take it from anywhere you may find it, from all forms of fighting.” Bruce Lee-> (not an exact quote)
Consider that before UFC 1, Brazilian Jiu Jitzu and other submission specializing grappling forms were massively under-appreciated and not terrible well developed. When the Gracie's brought BJJ storming onto the scene, absolutely everyone was stunned and amazed at it's effectiveness. Brazilian Jiu Jitzu has come a very long ways since then. Today, it is a fine tuned combat art that continues to evolve and change. Judo, Catch-wrestling, Greco Roman Wrestling and other grappling arts have sprinted to catch up and take their place as formidable alternatives to Brazilian Jiu Jitzu in MMA's ground game, and they've all mixed into a beautiful thing that really has no name. Just call it mixed martial arts and call it a day I guess.
Bruce Lee would have had access to some grappling styles. None of them were as well developed or refined as we see in MMA today. Bruce Lee would quite likely beat BJ Penn in a kickboxing match, but what did Bruce Lee have in terms of takedown defense, submission defense, etc? In my opinion, not nearly enough.
Bruce Lee will win any such poll and he'll do it because of all the massive hype surrounding his legend, not because he'd actually win.
Jeet Kune Do (Chinese Cantonese: Jitkyùndou lit. “Way of the Intercepting Fist,” also “Jeet Kun Do”,”JKD,” or “Jeet Kune Do”):
A hybrid fighting system and life philosophy founded by Bruce Lee in 1967 with direct, non classical, and straight forward movements based on a compilation of different systems.
With Wing Chun as the core of the system, Bruce Lee incorporated a modification of various techniques from Northern Praying Mantis, Southern Praying Mantis, Choy Lay Fut, Eagle Claw, Boxing, Savate, Muay Thai, Lethwei, Wrestling, Sambo, Fencing, Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, Tai Chi Chuan, Pigua, Xingyi, Pak Hok Pai, Bak Fu Pai, Wuzu Chuan, Five Animals, Bak Mei, Northern Shaolin, Southern Shaolin, Law Horn Kuen, Chin Na, Hou Chuan, Zui Chuan, Pananjakman, Buno, Kali Sikaran, Tan Tui, Tae Kwon Do, Goju-Ryu Karate, Shotokan Karate, Systema, Brazilian Jujitsu, Shoot Wrestling & Maphilindo Silat.
Jeet Kune Do is primarily an open hand system. The system works on the use of different 'tools' for different situations. These situations are broken down into ranges(Kicking, Punching, Trapping, & Grappling), with techniques flowing smoothly between them.
Also, it is referred to as a “style without style”. Unlike more traditional martial arts, Jeet Kune Do is not fixed or patterned, and is a philosophy with guiding thoughts.
In 2004, the Bruce Lee Foundation decided to use the name Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do to refer to the martial arts system that Lee founded. “Jun Fan” was Lee's Chinese given name, so the literal translation is “Bruce Lee's Way of the Intercepting Fist.”
i consider machida's style an homage of sorts to the memory of bruce lee and the exact reason lee could and would beat penn even if he TRIED to take it to the ground …any superior fighter would not follow in if a grappler goes to the ground…
With his natural talent and dedication, Lee could of taken about anybody with proper MMA training, nice work… I'm still waiting on Sonny Chiba vs Lyoto “the Dragon” Machida, which he deserves the nickname simply because of the “the” in it. lol
I think Penn would take him down and finish it fairly quickly.
Nothing against Lee.. but I think any high level MMA fighter could take out guys like Lee. Mainly because MMA fighters train to win actual fights while legends like Lee are the highest level of training for individual disciplines.
Bruce Lee would win no doubt. Forget the fact that Bruce Lee was incredibly fast,strong and in top phisical condition. Bruce Lee was a genious, BJ Penn not so much. Master Lee studied Philosophy, phisics, nutrition and martial arts and created Jeet Kune Do. BJ Penn just practices martial arts he doesn't study it to the extent Lee did.
And Lee was a world Champion, that wasn't enough so he went on to train two world champions under his tutlage. If Lee was still alive today he would still be producing world champion fighters.
Good instalment…I disagree with the outcome and here is why? He was one dimensional. He would get taken down and destroyed. I dont see the hang up on Bruce Lee. He is an image i have never seen any footage of him fighting. If there is I would like to see it and not with chuck norris. BJ is a full time fighter he doesnt do movies or write books everyone questions he lack of conditioning but that was like 7 years ago. Besides fighting st pierre at 175 show me a fight in his last 10 where he looked gassed. And dont go that one inch punch or instoppable stuff. Sports are all albout copying and improving so if could be done other fighters would have pick that up along the way. And we never know who B.Lee has fought I guess it would the toughest guys from that time. so his competetion wouldnt be that great. I guess it comes down to this If you believe the legend of bruce lee you will think he will win. I just dont see it like I dont see jessie ownens ever beating bolt in a race…Ruth ever hitiing 50 in today baseball. Those athletes were all great for there time periods but atheletes evolve and get better and it would be no different in this case.
Well put Bruce all the way a true warrior
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Sorry, coming into the discussion a little late.
IMO, there’s plethora of fighters who would beat Bruce if you simply zapped him from 1967 into an octagon today.
That would change though if you got him back in touch with Dan Inosanto, gave him six months to train and a library of MMA fights to review and learn from. I have no doubt that he could take on the heavyweight title under those circumstances, without being a heavyweight himself.
On the “street” however, i.e., no rules/self defense, regardless of time period, I wouldn’t get within 50′ of the guy without a long gun.