Fusion Martial Arts: Blending aspects of multiple disciplines

THe United combat arts curriculum features aspects of the following fusion martial arts:

       jeet kune do/
   june kune do concepts
 (wing chun, muay thai, Savate,
 filpino martial arts, western
       boxing, silat)
     Combative Gung-fu
    (Blend of Chow gar
  southern mantis, Bak mei, 
Hung gar, wing chun, fu jow pai,
Choy li fut, baguzhang, hou quan)

Of all the classifications, Fusion disciplines are almost certainly the most challenging to define, as many if not all previously mentioned styles, arts, and systems, can also be considered Fusion in some fashion. For example, recognizing that many traditional disciplines did not resolve or provide optimal techniques for all facets of combat, 17th century Shaolin warrior monks were combining Hung Gar’s long hand strikes, its low and powerful stances, with Wing Chun’s short hand center line system, along with Chi gung for internal and spiritual development to complete their training. Similarly, practitioners of the Wudang Taoist schools were combining Xing Yi’s linear concepts with Bagua’s circular movements, and Tajiquan’s internal dan t'ian training. Hakka gung-fu specialists blended aspects of Pak Mei (White Eyebrow), Lo Mun Ga (gypsy styles), and others to create the four main Southern Praying Mantis disciplines. Thus, contrary to popular opinion, Fusion disciplines have existed in some ways long before the legendary Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, what Bruce Lee did however, was to help define this category’s modern interpretation. First and foremost, Master Lee shattered cultural and political borders by studying various Asian and European arts, styles, and systems. By creating techniques fusing Wing Chun, Kali, and Western Boxing, he was merging China, the Philippines, and the United States/Europe in a way never seen before, and when he fused SavateKickboxing, and Muay Thai, Master Lee provided a combination never previously established. Thus, the tremendous variance with which he fused distinguishes Jeet Kune Do from its predecessors. However, and far more significantly, it was Master Lee’s final objective that defines his discipline as Fusion: seeking combative skills, remarkable fitness, while training with competitive athletes, along with a quest for deep philosophical and spiritual comprehension, Bruce Lee very much defines the modern Fusion martial artist.

At UNITED COMBAT ARTS the slogan "Combine and Conquer" attests to our belief that many disciplines are ultimately fused to create the complete warrior. Our classes are designed to give students legitimate skill in all facets of close quarters combat: hand-to-hand (kicking, trapping, punching, grappling), bladed and edged weapon(s) defense, and firearms disarming (retention for law enforcement and military professionals).