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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Guest&nbsp; 85555" data-source="post: 8037262">I do often wonder about this aspect of the topic. It always struck me as a silly discussion because Bruce Lee was 5'7"(I've seen 5'8" listed too) and 140 pounds, and in these conversations it is often a matter of pitting him against a 200 pound opponent (which would not happen in modern MMA), to prove he isn't a bad-ass or something. I was in exactly that weight category when I competed (and the same height). I once competed against a 200 lb opponent and he destroyed me (as you would expect). So imaging scenarios where he is fighting people who outsize him significantly seems unfair. I think had Bruce Lee invested the time and interested in competing in that weight category: he had the talent, the dedication to training, the innovation in training methods, the physicality and the deep martial arts experience, that he could have been a top contender in any number of fight sports. Outside that weight category, you are obviously going to see different results (but that is true of any human being, whether they are Bruce Lee or not). Also who knows what that 140 pounds mean. His weight fluctuated. He always looked bigger to me in his earlier films, so I think it is entirely possible he could have gained muscle weight and gone up several weight categories if he wanted to, and done well in higher weight categories. On the subject of styles like Kung Fu competing against MMA or Muay Thai, while my gut is usually with the combat sport practitioner, I've seen enough footage of Kung Fu guys holding their own against Muay Thai or MMA guys to know this: it comes down to the fighter and how they train. Plucking people at random from styles and squaring them off, tells you very little. I think it is unwise to underestimate any style of martial arts, as it often comes down to the individual anyways.</blockquote>

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