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Nicolas Atkin

Xu Xiaodong’s latest highlight-reel knockout of another dubious kung fu “master” has sparked the usual debate, but this time the Chinese MMA fighter has a right to be upset about some of the criticism.
Many choose to mock “Mad Dog” for pulverising such weak and obviously inferior opponents all the time, which is fair.
Though the 40-year-old will tell you that is the point – he is showing up these people for the frauds they are.
Now, though, Xu finds himself having the defend his right to getting paid for doing it.


Zheng Zhaoyu, a Chinese kick-boxing champion with the Kunlun Fight promotion, mocked Xu after he bludgeoned out-of-shape, 56-year-old Tian Ye last weekend, saying he should not accept money for such a “fake” fight.
“You said you would not take any money from the fight,” Xu said in a social media video addressed Zheng. “If you have the guts, don’t take money from all your fights in future, you dare to do so?
Xu Xiaodong accepts challenge to fight Zheng Zhaoyu after Chinese kick-boxer claims he could knock him out in 30 seconds
“But I won’t fight without getting any money. I need to support my family and I am always true to everybody. Is there any fighting champion that does not fight for money?”
It’s a fair point. Xu is gaining notoriety in China, and has had to deal with several altercations – some physical – with those looking to defend the honour of traditional martial arts.

He said in an interview with Time magazine last November that he had to go into hiding with his family for their safety after being attacked by three men for 15 minutes.
Many are desperate to see him humbled by a practitioner of kung fu, and Chinese tycoons have offered prize money of millions of yuan for anyone who can beat him.
Xu Xiaodong bludgeons another kung fu ‘master’ as Chinese MMA fighter leaves 56-year-old looking like he’s trying Bird Box challenge
That was the case last weekend with Tian Ye, who would have earned 30 million yuan if he had somehow done the impossible.
In the end, Tian Ye had to make do with just his initial 3 million yuan appearance fee, which will have been of some comfort when he was shuffling through the airport the next day with bandages covering his nose and bruises and welts all over his ribs and legs.


But if these guys can also profit off the whole thing, why shouldn’t Xu get a slice of the pie?
There is huge interest in his exploits, and he deserves recompense for all of the time and work he has put in at his Beijing gym improving his craft.
Some think Xu is wrong to try to monetise his mission to expose “fake kung fu”, but putting his fights on bigger platforms than just social media will draw more attention to the message he is trying to get across.
While some see Xu’s actions as being arrogant and disrespectful to Chinese culture for challenging the effectiveness of traditional martial arts in fighting situations, he is proving some undeniable truths that many don’t want to accept.
Xu Xiaodong could next face Yi Long – but this ‘fake Shaolin monk’ can actually fight

Yes, some elements of traditional martial arts can help fighters, especially defensively – a lot of self-defence classes focus on wing chun and krav maga.
But in a ring or a cage, you need to possess several other skills to stand a chance against a similarly trained opponent.
Xu Xiaodong, the Chinese MMA fighter challenging fake kung fu, gets backing from Shaolin Temple monk
Xu is not even that good at what he does, but that’s the point – he’s showing that mixed martial arts is a far more effective combat tool than kung fu.
Pour scorn on him all you want for his methods, but to say he should be denied the right to earn a livelihood is silly.


And let’s be honest – it’s not exactly the kind of shameful cash grab Floyd Mayweather pulled off on New Year’s Eve in Japan when the undefeated American boxer pulled in US$9 million for 139 seconds of work against the much lighter and smaller Japanese kick-boxer Tenshin Nasukawa.
If people want to pay money in the hope they will see Xu get his comeuppance at the hands of a traditional martial arts practitioner, then there can be no argument he deserves a cut of the profits.


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Martial arts

Xu Xiaodong deserves every dollar for exposing kung fu frauds – quit complaining about Chinese MMA fighter making a living

Tian Ye has his head bandaged while Xu Xiaodong mocks him by pretending to look bored. Photo: YouTube

Xu Xiadong floos Tian Ye

Xu Xiaodong lands an elbow

Xu Xiaodong accepts challenge to fight Zheng Zhaoyu after Chinese kick-boxer claims he could knock him out in 30 seconds

Xu Xiaodong showboats during his fight against Tian Ye. Photo: Zhong Tai Boxing Club

Xu Xiadong mocks his opponent

Zheng Zhaoyu

Xu Xiaodong bludgeons another kung fu ‘master’ as Chinese MMA fighter leaves 56-year-old looking like he’s trying Bird Box challenge

Tian Ye (left) after his battering by Xu Xiaodong. Photos: YouTube

Xu Xiadong pretends to sleep

Tian Ye is knocked down

Xu Xiaodong turns his back on Tian Ye

Tian Ye is bandaged up

Tian Ye crawls on his knees

Xu Xiadong lands a knee

Xu Xiaodong lands a kick

Tian Ye waves to the crowd

Xu Xiaodong could next face Yi Long – but this ‘fake Shaolin monk’ can actually fight

Yi Long (left) could be Xu Xiaodong’s next opponent, according to reports in Chinese media. Photo: Twitter

Yi Long in action for MAS Fight

Yi Long.

Tian Ye is interviewed

Xu Xiaodong, the Chinese MMA fighter challenging fake kung fu, gets backing from Shaolin Temple monk

Xu Xiaodong takes on tai chi master Wei Lei. Photo: Handout

***ONE TIME USE ONLY, PLEASE CLEAR THE COPYRIGHTS BEFORE RE-USE - OTUO*** TAICHIMMA02 - Xu Xiaodong. SCMP Pictures (UNDATED HANDOUT)

***ONE TIME USE ONLY, PLEASE CLEAR THE COPYRIGHTS BEFORE RE-USE - OTUO*** TAICHIMMA02 - Lei Lei. SCMP Pictures (UNDATED HANDOUT)

*** ONE TIME USE ONLY *** Xu Xiaodong, the mixed martial artist (MMA) fighter, promoter, and coach in the high-profile match, was set to take on tai chi master Ma Baoguo on Monday before police intervened. SCMP Pictures (UNDATED HANDOUT)

=== PHOTO CAPTURED FROM WEIBO === FLAG Laurie Chen/ 20CM/ China's famed Shaolin temple held a high-profile flag-raising ceremony on Monday - its first in 1,500 years - following a joint proposal last month to raise national flags at all religious venues by state-sanctioned religious organisations. The move is part of a "patriotism campaign" as China tightens control over its religious institutions. http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2018-08-27/doc-ihifuvph8674199.shtml Photo: WEIBO

Xu Xiaodong, the Chinese MMA fighter who pummels martial arts masters, vows to expose kung fu ‘fakery’

A screenshot of China MMA fighter Xu Xiaodong taking on tai chi master Wei Lei. Photos: Handout

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts

Kung Fu

‘Mad Dog’ receives criticism for profiting from pulverising fake martial arts masters
But Chinese MMA fighter has every right to get paid when opponents are offered millions to beat him


‘Mad Dog’ receives criticism for profiting from pulverising fake martial arts masters, but he has every right to get paid when opponents are offered millions to beat him


Xu Xiaodong

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}‘Mad Dog’ receives criticism for profiting from pulverising fake martial arts masters But Chinese MMA fighter has every right to get paid when opponents are offered millions to beat him

‘Mad Dog’ receives criticism for profiting from pulverising fake martial arts masters

But Chinese MMA fighter has every right to get paid when opponents are offered millions to beat him