Are there any MMA fighters who use Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwan Do in their styles?

Discussion in 'MMA Forum' started by catchwtboxing, Mar 8, 2026.


  1. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

    31,456
    42,332
    Jul 4, 2014
    I haven't really watched regularly since the days when it was style against style, and I know that it has become a lot more standardized. Just wondering if anyone is still successful in this day and age using the background of traditional striking-based martial arts.

    Wasn't there a former Tibeten Monk or something like that that has some success?
     
    catchwtboxing, Mar 8, 2026
    catchwtboxing, Mar 8, 2026
    #1
  2. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

    10,039
    2,849
    Nov 6, 2011
    MVP & Wonderboy spring to mind
     
    Webbiano, Mar 9, 2026
    Webbiano, Mar 9, 2026
    #2
    catchwtboxing likes this.
  3. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

    31,456
    42,332
    Jul 4, 2014
    Thanks for the answer!
     
    catchwtboxing, Mar 21, 2026
    catchwtboxing, Mar 21, 2026
    #3
  4. ForemanJab

    ForemanJab Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,333
    12,773
    May 8, 2014
    Lyoto Machida trained Karate and sumo.
     
    ForemanJab, Mar 27, 2026
    ForemanJab, Mar 27, 2026
    #4
    catchwtboxing likes this.
  5. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

    36,494
    21,095
    Jul 29, 2004
    Aside from the names mentioned Silva, Shevshenko, Showtime Pettis have a tae kwon do background.
    I cant remember his name but there was some Dagestani Sandist who had some success. Cung Lee and Roy Nelson have some kung fu backgroud.
    Seems like heaps of guys started in Karate..Whitaker, Uriah Hall, The Iceman, GSP among others.
     
    WhataRock, Apr 11, 2026
    WhataRock, Apr 11, 2026
    #5
    catchwtboxing likes this.
  6. RichQw1rt

    RichQw1rt New Member Full Member

    11
    12
    Apr 27, 2026
    A lot of fighters have that background and blend it into MMA. Guys like Lyoto Machida (karate), Stephen Thompson (karate), Wonderboy, even Conor had some TKD influence early on. You’ll also see spinning kicks, side kicks, that kind of stuff from TKD backgrounds.
    But nobody really fights straight karate or kung fu anymore — everything gets mixed with boxing, wrestling, BJJ, etc.
     
    RichQw1rt, Apr 27, 2026
    RichQw1rt, Apr 27, 2026
    #6
    catchwtboxing likes this.