Wing Chun: MMA?

[BennyMeng]

Recently, there was a post online by a Wing Chun Sifu stating that Wing Chun needs to catch up otherwise the style won't survive. His solution was for Wing Chun to become a mixed martial art (MMA).

Apparently, this attitude suggests that this person's experience of Wing Chun is not complete.

The VTM has been researching Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun since 1998 and Chi Sim Weng Chun since 2001. I can say that the majority of the VTM’s students and members that have been exposed to both Shaolin systems have enough knowledge to see that there is no need to mix in any other martial arts to these two systems.

If you agree with this viewpoint, why do you think there is no need to add other martial arts to either system?

[Cang Long]

With a complete (meaning weng kiu level) knowledge of self there is nothing to add and nothing to subtract. Mastering time space and energy propels one beyond the fau kiu level of range.

[Savi]

Originally posted by BennyMeng
Recently, there was a post online by a Wing Chun Sifu stating that Wing Chun needs to catch up otherwise the style won't survive. His solution was for Wing Chun to become a mixed martial art (MMA).

Apparently, this attitude suggests that this person's experience of Wing Chun is not complete.

The VTM has been researching Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun since 1998 and Chi Sim Weng Chun since 2001. I can say that the majority of the VTM’s students and members that have been exposed to both Shaolin systems have enough knowledge to see that there is no need to mix in any other martial arts to these two systems.

If you agree with this viewpoint, why do you think there is no need to add other martial arts to either system? Sigung, I have not read the entire thread over there. However, I am in agreement that what the VTM has come across so far is precisely what everyone is looking for, based on their own concepts of "complete".

To me, the definition of complete fighting system has to be:

1. systematic: where everything within is symbiotically connected and functional to its root; there are no elements within the system that function in isolation. Where the system is a clear reflection of "our" human nature.

2. has one and only one identity/gravity: meaning it does NOT have to borrow from other styles or systems to address certain combative realities; like long range kicking or anti-grappling or groundfighting - and even the realities of cultivating your body, mind and spirit.

3. universal/multidimensional: it can be applied to all aspects of life, whether it is some physical activity, dealing with an argument from a technical/tactical POV, finding yourself when you have lost yourself (spiritual perhaps)

What the VTM has come across, with HFY and CS, has proven to be completely functional in all areas of life that I have experienced. I have learned that there are some areas of combat that are not necessary to deal with provided you are in a position of control. Why should you have to go to the ground to subdue someone? Why should you have to grapple to beat someone? Why should you have to go to the ground if the attacker does? Why should you have to play their game? If you do not have the means to do otherwise.

HFY and CS gives the user the means to decide what is the best option to take while staying true to what is natural for the human structure. These are the only two systems I have ever seen to give the user the ability/power to say "what happens next" in combat with a clear mind. What we know today about hand to hand combat is that it involves:

1. weapons
2. kicks
3. strikes
4. traps
5. grabs
6. anti-grabs

If a system or style of fighting does NOT fully address any of these areas with an answer true to that system's own purposes (like efficiency, directness, simplicity and effectiveness for example), then I'd have to say there is a problem. Then I could say there is a reason to fill in the holes by two possible means:

1. internal research: find the missing pieces within my own kung fu family

2. external research: find the missing pieces within other combat methods