UFC MACAU: Wushu Sanda Style Breakdown

UFC MACAU: Wushu Sanda Style Breakdown

Hey everyone! Today, I'm diving into the exciting world of MMA and the intriguing Wushu Sanda style we got to witness during the UFC Macau card. This blog post will walk you through my observations of the Wushu style and how it seamlessly merges with modern combat sports.

What is Wushu Sanda?

Wushu Sanda, also referred to simply as Sanda, is a Chinese martial art that combines both striking and grappling techniques. It's often compared to kickboxing or Muay Thai, but with its own unique flair. Unlike traditional martial arts, Sanda fighters often stand in a bladed stance, allowing them to utilize a diverse array of attacks and defenses. What really sets Sanda apart is its emphasis on fast, hard strikes combined with tactical throws.

The Historical Roots

Sanda originated as a component of the larger Wushu sport, which incorporates multiple traditional Chinese martial arts styles. Over time, Sanda evolved to become a full-contact combat sport on its own. It's practiced not only in China but also in other parts of the world, thanks to its efficiency and battle-readiness.

How Wushu Fits within the UFC?

Integrating Wushu into the UFC landscape adds an interesting dynamic to the fighting style mix. Wushu practitioners bring a fresh approach to striking, often reminiscent of the PKA kickboxing popular in the 80s and 90s. This era of martial arts involved fighting with pants and focusing on waist-up kicks—skills that match well with the disciplined attacks seen in Wushu.

The Unique Style of Wushu Sanda Explained

Wushu Sanda fighters are known for their dynamic movement and the ability to strike while maintaining a tactically advantageous position. Here's what makes their style stand out:

Stance and Movement

Wushu Sanda practitioners utilize a 'bladed' stance—standing with their lead foot forward and the rear foot angled. This positioning allows them to launch powerful kicks and quickly shift their weight to evade incoming strikes. Their strategies often involve:

• Maintaining a closed stance: Orthodox vs. orthodox or southpaw vs. southpaw fighters stand with similar angular footings.
  
• Leveraging the bladed stance to counter attacks: Unlike many traditional fighters who square up to absorb leg kicks, Sanda fighters keep their guard and balance—able to dish out quick counters.

Striking Techniques

The striking techniques of Wushu Sanda are particularly notable for their emphasis on quick, decisive blows:

1. Boxing-Heavy Approach: Sanda fighters often have robust boxing skills, enabling them to deliver precise punches while avoiding damage.
2. Kicking Variety: Incorporating both Taekwondo-style kicks and those unique to Sanda, practitioners often catch opponents off-guard with rapid transitions between punches and kicks.
3. Pressure Fighting: Many Wushu athletes are pressure fighters—advancing constantly to unsettle and overwhelm their competition.

Countering Leg Kicks

Sanda fighters are innovative in how they handle opponents' attempts to target their legs:

• Footwork: Agile movements ensure leg vulnerability is minimized.
• Counter-Kicks: They expertly use sidekicks or spinning hook kicks to keep aggressors at bay.

MVP: A Modern Fighter with a Traditional Twist

While not exclusively from a Wushu background, Michael "Venom" Page (MVP) is a perfect example of a modern striker who incorporates Sanda-like style in his fights. By standing bladed and staying mobile, he has achieved considerable success, particularly against opponents who struggle with his height and reach.

Learning from Wushu Sanda

For budding martial artists inspired by the Wushu style, it's possible to adopt similar skills without direct instruction:

1.  Boxing Basics: Start with a solid foundation in boxing to develop your hand speed, technique, and defensive head movement.

Checklist for Boxing Training:

• Perfect your jab and cross
  
• Develop defensive maneuvers like slipping and bobbing
  
• Focus on footwork for distance management

2.  Taekwondo for Kicking Proficiency: Once boxing fundamentals are down, transition to Taekwondo to learn different kicks—if possible, emphasizing keeping your guard up while kicking.

Your hands must remain your shield and your sword, even when your feet are flying.

3.  Muay Thai for Leg Kicks: To cope with full-contact fighting, a year or two in Muay Thai will teach you the devastating power of leg kicks and clinch techniques.
Training Pathway:

• 2 years of boxing
  
• 2 years of Taekwondo
  
• Supplement with Muay Thai

By blending these disciplines, fighters can mirror the skills of Wushu practitioners without direct access to a Sanda gym.

Recent Fight Highlights in the UFC Macau Card

Witnessing the skills of Wushu fighters firsthand during the UFC Macau card was exhilarating. Here’s a breakdown of some key performances:

• Zhan's Striking Masterclass: Demonstrated the quintessential Wushu approach by mixing sidekicks with powerful punches and elbows—eventually leading to a TKO.
• The Boxing Phenomenon: A female Sanda fighter showcased her prowess, though she succumbed to a chokehold, her striking game was sharp and relentless.
• Russian Wushu Wonder: A phenomenal spinning hook kick ended one match with a knockout—an iconic move executed with impeccable timing.

The card shone a spotlight on the efficacy of the Wushu style, with fighters effectively delivering everything from fast-paced jabs to precise leg kicks.

The Future of Wushu in MMA

As MMA continues to grow and evolve, the diverse approaches like Wushu are gaining more recognition. Its integrations help enrich the sport with varied techniques and tactics. Ensuring that fighters know how to manage leg kicks in open stances and blend disciplines strategically will be key for teams looking to innovate and triumph in modern mixed martial arts environments.

Do you want to give this style a try either as a fighter or a fan? Have queries on martial arts tactics or suggestions for our content? Hit the comments below. And for those eager to find the perfect martial arts school, check out my "Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School." 

Stay tuned for more fight breakdowns and insights. Thanks for reading!