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

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    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

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    MVP & Wonderboy spring to mind
     
    Webbiano, Mar 9, 2026
    Webbiano, Mar 9, 2026
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  3. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    Thanks for the answer!
     
    catchwtboxing, Mar 21, 2026
    catchwtboxing, Mar 21, 2026
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  4. ForemanJab

    ForemanJab Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Lyoto Machida trained Karate and sumo.
     
    ForemanJab, Mar 27, 2026
    ForemanJab, Mar 27, 2026
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  5. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    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
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  6. RichQw1rt

    RichQw1rt New Member Full Member

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    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
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