Jackie Chan once revealed he doesn't like UFC
Jackie Chan once explained why he hates UFC: Chan is one of the most famous fighters of all time, and he's given fans many memorable movies, including Rush Hour and The Karate Kid.
Chan is a well-respected film actor and a staunch adherent to the ground rules of MMA, and his ideology is one of the main reasons behind his disdain for the UFC.
Jackie Chan once revealed what he doesn't like about UFC
Jackie Chan is a traditional martial artist. He values respect and other aspects of martial arts. Chan also does not associate martial arts with violence. UFC, on the other hand, is cage fighting between two individuals.
Chan explained that he doesn't like it, telling ESPN at the premiere of The Spy Next Door, “I don't like watching 'ultimate fights.' As a martial artist, I think it's too violent, it's like locking your opponent in a cage. In the end, it's not a fight anymore. It's not martial arts. Martial arts is about respect.”
He added: “When someone gets knocked down, stop them. I really respect Sugar Ray Leonard.” [when a guy is down,] “Stop. Don't fight. That's not the spirit. If you fall, I'll pick you up. 'Are you OK? Shall we continue?' That's the spirit of martial arts. That's what I want.”
However, Jackie Chan is widely respected, and his films have influenced many professional fighters and fans to take up martial arts.
When UFC superstar Israel Adesanya paid tribute to Jackie Chan
Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan are two of the most respected martial arts actors in the world, and former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya once revealed that he was influenced by Chan in some ways.
“Bruce Lee is the godfather of MMA, but to me it's Jackie Chan,” Adesanya said on UFC Countdown ahead of his bout against Alex Pereira at UFC 281. “Seeing him in movies made me laugh, smile and marvel at what he was doing. He's the one who got me interested in martial arts, I was taking taekwondo in primary school.”
Adesanya is one of the few fighters who focuses on the artistic side of mixed martial arts. He is a skilled striker who fights with his head as well as his hands and feet.
Related article: Martin Lawrence reveals why he turned down Jackie Chan's offer to star in Rush Hour
