Image: YouTube/purported_freelance
A four-on-four fight between mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters and tai chi practitioners was stopped by Shanghai police before it even began.
According to a report in Guangzhou Daily via South China Morning Post, the event was dubbed as a “group brawl” and planned by MMA fighter Xu Xiaodong. The same MMA fighter who beat a tai chi master Wei Lei in a one-on-one bout last May.
Xu is a staunch promoter of mixed martial arts and is known for his intense fighting style. Before his match with Wei, he had made controversial remarks about tai chi and wanted to expose its lack of merit.
“[I] crack down on fake things, because they are fake. Fake things must be eliminated. No question,” said Xu to state-owned tabloid Global Times.
People who saw the May match online said that traditional martial arts was found wanting in a real-world combat situation.
On the other hand, supporters of tai chi pointed out the art form’s place in Chinese history and culture. Others were even outraged that a western combat form like MMA could be considered more superior to traditional Chinese martial arts.
The Chinese Martial Arts Association said in a statement that the match last May “violated the morals of martial arts” and was illegal, as cited by the report.
Chinese tycoon Chen Sheng, founder of the Tiandi drinks company even offered to stake 10 million yuan (P74.6 million) to “defend the dignity” of traditional martial artists.
In any case, Xu will have to reschedule his match against tai chi masters, and delay his crusade to unmask the alleged follies of traditional Chinese martial arts. Alfred Bayle/JB