This being a BJJ site, most of you should be thoroughly familiar with the style, so the bulk of this article will deal with Kung Fu and, most importantly, how it fares against Jiu-Jitsu in its effectiveness for MMA, self-defense, and a direct battle between the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>What Is BJJ<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBrazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling martial art emphasizing leverage and technique to secure dominance on the ground, ending with a submission or complete control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The style was created as an extension of judo and catch wrestling taught by Mitsuyo Maeda to the Gracie family in Brazil in the 1920s. While they are not solely responsible for the evolution of the style, the Gracies have been the main force behind creating and popularizing it, first in Brazil and then in the USA and worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After MMA hit the mainstream within the first few years after the UFC was created, BJJ gained massive popularity worldwide. What was mainly a self-defense system for one-on-one fighting became a hugely popular grappling sport and a fundamental part of mixed martial arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>What Is Kung Fu<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile many traditional martial arts have sub-styles and the main name is more of an umbrella term, none are as broad as kung fu. Kung Fu is a system of Chinese martial arts that includes many sub-styles, each with a different approach, set of techniques, and philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The story of Kung Fu can be traced back thousands of years, but the concepts of distinct styles and not martial skills taught by lineage appeared during the Ming dynasty (1368\u20131644). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The richness of martial arts styles corresponds to the vast territory of China, the population, and the geographical variance. Many classifications exist to differentiate the styles, like geographical, external or internal, religious influence, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out of this variety, a few main styles present a genuine interest in this article, and these styles have a large following not only in China but worldwide. These are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Shaolin Kung Fu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wing Chun<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wushu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Shuai Jiao<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tai Chi<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Baguazhang<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Internal styles like Tai Chi are notoriously bad as fighting styles. They are excellent spiritual practices and have physical benefits. Still, their effectiveness in even light contact fighting is nonexistent, so there is no point in comparing them to BJJ, which is a fighting system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only competitive style of Kung Fu is Wushu, which is again an umbrella term for many substyles. Most of the disciplines are choreographed, and participants are judged on the cleanliness of their technique, much like in gymnastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only style that is a combat sport in the modern understanding of the word is Sanda, also called Chinese kickboxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Differences Between BJJ and Kung Fu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Kung](\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Kung-Fu-vs-BJJ.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\nSanda is the only comparable sport to BJJ from the myriad of kung fu styles. Here are the key features and rules of both sports:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rules and key features of BJJ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Grappling only, no striking allowed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Matches are played on open mats<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A match can be won by a submission or on points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Points are awarded for securing a takedown, a sweep, or dominant positions like mount, side control, or back control<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There are two main variations- gi and no-gi<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Rules and key features of Sanda<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Sanda is predominantly striking, but it has a strong standing wrestling element.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- All kinds of punches and kicks to the head, torso, and legs are allowed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Throws, sweeps, and trips are allowed and scored. The attacker must remain on his feet to receive points for the takedown.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clinching for up to 5 seconds to attempt a takedown is allowed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bouts take place on an elevated platform called a \u201cleitai,\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Most Sanda competitions use protective gear in the form of head guards, chest guards, and shin guards, but the level of protection may vary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"BJJ](\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/BJJ-vs-Kung-Fu-For-MMA.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTraining methodology is the most crucial element in determining whether a martial art will be effective outside of a preplanned sequence or not. BJJ is as good as it is because most training revolves around free sparring, called rolling, and drills against at least a mildly resisting opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most kung fu styles do not have any live resistance training or sparring and practice mainly forms and techniques in the air, with some partner drills but without any actual resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanda is the style breaking this mold because it is a competitive, full-contact style. Training in Sanda is similar to what you would do in a typical kickboxing or Muay Thai gym.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside of physical training, though, kung fu is its strongest. All styles are inclined heavily towards philosophy, spirituality, self-awareness, and a holistic approach to life, not just combat. It also has a strong traditional cultural element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brazilian jiu-jitsu does not require a lot of equipment for training because it has no striking, hence no need for protective gear. But it still has a set of stuff you need, which includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- A BJJ gi<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- BJJ Rashguard<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- BJJ Fight shorts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mouthguard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Groin guard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Kung Fu equipment largely depends on the style you are training in. For Sanda, which is the only truly comparable style you will need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Boxing gloves<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Shinguards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Head Guard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mouthguard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Groin guard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>BJJ vs Kung Fu For MMA<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBy now, the effectiveness and claims of actual fighting effectiveness of most kung fu styles have been thoroughly debunked. But this does not refer to Sanda. As a full-contact competitive style, Sanda is an excellent base for mixed martial arts because it covers the striking aspect competently and has some incredible takedowns and trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like any other style, it needs some modification before being fully applicable in a cage fight. But after this, Sanda can be an excellent base for MMA, with Cung Le being the most famous fighter to transition from Chinese kickboxing to the MMA big leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While many traditional martial arts have sub-styles and the main name is more of an umbrella term, none are as broad as kung fu. Kung Fu is a system of Chinese martial arts that includes many sub-styles, each with a different approach, set of techniques, and philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The story of Kung Fu can be traced back thousands of years, but the concepts of distinct styles and not martial skills taught by lineage appeared during the Ming dynasty (1368\u20131644). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The richness of martial arts styles corresponds to the vast territory of China, the population, and the geographical variance. Many classifications exist to differentiate the styles, like geographical, external or internal, religious influence, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out of this variety, a few main styles present a genuine interest in this article, and these styles have a large following not only in China but worldwide. These are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Shaolin Kung Fu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wing Chun<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wushu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Shuai Jiao<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tai Chi<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Baguazhang<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Internal styles like Tai Chi are notoriously bad as fighting styles. They are excellent spiritual practices and have physical benefits. Still, their effectiveness in even light contact fighting is nonexistent, so there is no point in comparing them to BJJ, which is a fighting system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only competitive style of Kung Fu is Wushu, which is again an umbrella term for many substyles. Most of the disciplines are choreographed, and participants are judged on the cleanliness of their technique, much like in gymnastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only style that is a combat sport in the modern understanding of the word is Sanda, also called Chinese kickboxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Differences Between BJJ and Kung Fu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sanda is the only comparable sport to BJJ from the myriad of kung fu styles. Here are the key features and rules of both sports:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rules and key features of BJJ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Grappling only, no striking allowed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Matches are played on open mats<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A match can be won by a submission or on points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Points are awarded for securing a takedown, a sweep, or dominant positions like mount, side control, or back control<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There are two main variations- gi and no-gi<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Rules and key features of Sanda<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Sanda is predominantly striking, but it has a strong standing wrestling element.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- All kinds of punches and kicks to the head, torso, and legs are allowed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Throws, sweeps, and trips are allowed and scored. The attacker must remain on his feet to receive points for the takedown.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clinching for up to 5 seconds to attempt a takedown is allowed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bouts take place on an elevated platform called a \u201cleitai,\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Most Sanda competitions use protective gear in the form of head guards, chest guards, and shin guards, but the level of protection may vary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTraining methodology is the most crucial element in determining whether a martial art will be effective outside of a preplanned sequence or not. BJJ is as good as it is because most training revolves around free sparring, called rolling, and drills against at least a mildly resisting opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most kung fu styles do not have any live resistance training or sparring and practice mainly forms and techniques in the air, with some partner drills but without any actual resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanda is the style breaking this mold because it is a competitive, full-contact style. Training in Sanda is similar to what you would do in a typical kickboxing or Muay Thai gym.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside of physical training, though, kung fu is its strongest. All styles are inclined heavily towards philosophy, spirituality, self-awareness, and a holistic approach to life, not just combat. It also has a strong traditional cultural element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brazilian jiu-jitsu does not require a lot of equipment for training because it has no striking, hence no need for protective gear. But it still has a set of stuff you need, which includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A BJJ gi<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- BJJ Rashguard<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- BJJ Fight shorts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mouthguard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Groin guard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Kung Fu equipment largely depends on the style you are training in. For Sanda, which is the only truly comparable style you will need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Boxing gloves<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Shinguards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Head Guard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mouthguard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Groin guard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>BJJ vs Kung Fu For MMA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
By now, the effectiveness and claims of actual fighting effectiveness of most kung fu styles have been thoroughly debunked. But this does not refer to Sanda. As a full-contact competitive style, Sanda is an excellent base for mixed martial arts because it covers the striking aspect competently and has some incredible takedowns and trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like any other style, it needs some modification before being fully applicable in a cage fight. But after this, Sanda can be an excellent base for MMA, with Cung Le being the most famous fighter to transition from Chinese kickboxing to the MMA big leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- BJJ Fight shorts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n