Chuck Norris VS. Bruce Lee

[northerndragon]

Okay,

maybe this is an age old topic, but I recall reading an old article about Chuck Norris agreeing to costar in Bruce Lee's movie back in the day. As everyone knows, Lee won their epic battle in the Colloseum. In a real life sparring/kumite event between the two, Who Would Win?

At the time of this movie, Mr. Norris was the undefeated World Full Contact Karate (spelling?) Champion.

In particular,

Norris, in this article, complements Lee emphatically about his mental attributes as an advantageous tool that he used to great effect when sparring. Norris recalls how mentally savvy Bruce was during free sparring and/or training. He remembers it causing much malign for the opposing sparring partners that Lee faced during practice: Lee's decision making was what Norris wished he had during his fighting days, and Norris was already undefeated!

I wonder how that would translate in a kumite with Lee vs. Norris. food for thought.

peace.

[bushido_man96]

Well, I don't know how we can call this one, because I think most of us are going to assume that Lee could have taken Norris no matter what.

I do think that Lee was in superior physical condition, and that he was definitely faster than Norris. However, Norris was fast in his own right. At the time, I would give Lee the edge.

Now, however, Norris also has a black belt in BJJ. Assuming that Lee didn't take a grappling art as well, I would then give the edge to Norris. However, we all know that Lee was adamate about learning new things, so he would probably have been on par to grapple with Norris as well.

[Kajukenbopr]

Bruce Lee's speed and strength made him too much for competition, he had to slow down in pictures so it could be seen and it was still pretty fast.

Chuck Norris was good, dont get me wrong, but his technique and speed would have been too slow...

[CTOWNP]

Id have to go with bruce. he just trained to hard and was to talented

[DWx]

Now, however, Norris also has a black belt in BJJ. Assuming that Lee didn't take a grappling art as well, I would then give the edge to Norris. However, we all know that Lee was adamate about learning new things, so he would probably have been on par to grapple with Norris as well.

I think I remember reading somewhere that Lee did learn some Jujitsu under Wally Jay. Would Norris have been able to take Lee to the floor though?

IMHO I think Lee would have beaten Norris. He was incredibly fast, strong and totally committed. Don't get me wrong Chuck Norris is too, but I think Lee was even more so.

[bushido_man96]

These facts are true, but we see the better fighter get beat all the time now in UFC. It would just depend.

[northerndragon]

hmm, great responses.

 

I'd agree that Bruce's speed was his greatest asset. Never gave it any thought though in regards to his mental attributes, until reading Norris' article. The article describes how Lee was always five or six "steps" ahead of his sparring partners, including Norris.

 

Good question, to wonder if Bruce would've easily gone to the ground to grapple. IMHO, if Lee faced a competitive match, at least in terms of speed vs. speed, he might have needed grappling skills to end it on the ground.

 

Either way, I agree with you folks that in their prime, Bruce Lee would've won in kumite versus Norris. BUT, ALL respect to Chuck Norris and what he's accomplished.

[Kajukenbopr]

i often wonder if bruce lee's ability to fight was that much, or just the byproduct of the countless hours he spent exercising.

If your body has been conditioned well beyond ur competition, the competition cant really compete with you, can it?

not that the man didnt have his talent, mind you.

[NightOwl]

Absolutely.....Norris. While most would not give this answer, I believe it is the correct one. During that time, Chuck proved again and again has tremendous skill as a fighter beating out many talented individuals. Bruce on the other hand, while there are many rumors of back door fights, proved that he had talent as an action star and a teacher. But being a good fighter and being a good teacher aren't mutually exclusive (same with screen persona going back to Bruce and Norris). Comments declaring Bruce the greatest fighter not only have no backing, but even during his day he wasn't the best.

From comments from those who have worked with him such as Joe Lewis and Gene Lebell, he was fast and had talent, but was an entertainer first and a fighter second. I listened to an Interview with Joe Lewis not too long ago saying as much. BUT, while he mentioned that Bruce sometimes roughed up people who wanted to 'challenge' him on set, when he sparred against a top kickboxer of the day he lost pretty badly*. Shucks, Gene Lebell (who is one of the greatest martial artists ever IMO) could put Bruce in a hold and run laps with him (http://www.genelebell.com/stories.html#11

).

*The interview was on 'Karate Kast' which you can get for free on itunes. I forgot the name of the fighter but if anyone is more motivated than me they can go back and look it up

[bushido_man96]

Good presentation, NightOwl.