MMA fighter on a mission to expose ‘fake’ kung fu
He shot to fame defeating a tai chi master in seconds.
But Xu Xiaodong says his mission to expose ‘fake’ kung fu has earned him verbal abuse.
How does Xu Xiaodong view the practicality of traditional Chinese martial arts in real-life situations?
Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Xu Xiaodong has made it his mission to expose what he calls “fake” kung fu. Xu, who has a background in MMA and kickboxing, gained fame in China for defeating multiple kung fu practitioners in high-profile fights. He has since been trying to expose what he sees as the myth of traditional Chinese martial arts and their lack of practicality in real-life situations.
Xu’s crusade started in 2017 when he defeated a Tai Chi master in a fight that went viral on social media. The Tai Chi master, Wei Lei, claimed that his martial art was too deadly to use in MMA-style fights and cited his training in the mystical energy of “chi.” However, Xu quickly dispatched him in less than 30 seconds, exposing the limitations of the Tai Chi style.
Since then, Xu has gone after several other kung fu practitioners in public challenges, including a Wing Chun master and a group of Shaolin monks. He has been criticized by some for disrespecting traditional Chinese martial arts and being overly aggressive.
However, Xu sees himself as a truth-teller, exposing the fraudulence of those who make false claims about the effectiveness of their fighting techniques. He believes that many kung fu practitioners have been deluded by the mysticism and mythology surrounding their training and lack the practical experience necessary to defend themselves in real-life situations.
Critics of Xu argue that he is too focused on the sport of MMA and does not understand the cultural significance of traditional Chinese martial arts. They point out that kung fu is more than just fighting; it is a way of life and a means of self-cultivation. They argue that Xu’s approach is too aggressive and lacks the refinement and subtlety that characterizes kung fu.
Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Xu has become something of a cult figure in China for his willingness to challenge the status quo and expose what he sees as a fraudulent industry. He has pledged to continue his mission of exposing “fake” kung fu and elevating the standards of martial arts training in China.
While some may disagree with Xu’s approach, it is hard to argue with his results. By challenging kung fu practitioners in public fights, he has exposed the limitations of traditional Chinese martial arts and pushed many to reexamine their training methods. Whether or not Xu is right about the fraudulence of kung fu, his crusade has sparked an important conversation about the purpose and effectiveness of martial arts training in the modern world.