We were given a lot of martial arts role models as martial arts became more and more well-liked around the world. The martial arts have long represented more than simply fighting methods; they are a way of life that teaches you how to become the best version of yourself. This essay will talk about the historical martial arts that have been the most inspirational.
List of Inspirational Martial Arts Role Models To Look For
1) Bruce Lee
The martial arts of the past were quite tribalistic. Martial artists frequently belittled other fighting systems and only trained in the style that was prevalent where they came from. Due to the development of more useful contemporary combat techniques like Western boxing, many of these fighting systems began to lose their efficacy.
Bruce Lee, one of the best martial arts role models, who was decades ahead of his contemporaries, saw how absurd it was to choose one combat style over another. There is no such thing as the “perfect” martial art, according to Lee. In his opinion, the ideal way to practise martial arts was to “be like water.”
This entails being open to incorporating strategies from any martial art as long as they are successful. This kind of thinking inspired the development of Jeet Kune Do, the first contemporary martial art to combine techniques from several other combat disciplines.
A few decades after Lee’s passing, mixed martial arts were invented. Nowadays, it’s uncommon to encounter a martial artist who thinks one style is superior to another. Cross-training in many martial arts is increasingly commonplace, and Bruce Lee’s view of martial arts plays a big part in it. Lee wasn’t merely a skilled fighter. He was a pioneering philosopher who dismantled numerous boundaries in his day.
2) Muhammad Ali
Those who are unfamiliar with Muhammad Ali’s life may assume that his phenomenal fame was a result of his extraordinary boxing prowess, but that is just half of the tale. Ali was undoubtedly one of the greatest heavyweight boxers to ever compete, and his capacity to overcome hardship and triumph was unmatched.
But it was because of who he was, not what he did for a career, that Ali became well-known. Minorities were asked to be treated with respect and dignity at a time when racial tensions were at an all-time high in the United States and many other Western nations.
At a period when most people were afraid to speak up, Ali was not a man who could be subjugated and he boldly questioned the current quo. He put himself in danger by refusing to submit, and as a result, he lost his heavyweight title and was sentenced to prison. But Ali wouldn’t be broken. He remained true to his beliefs and won the respect of everyone in the world for doing so.
You might also be interested in reading this: What Can Mixed Martial Arts Do To You?
3) Royce Gracie
When Royce’s name is mentioned, even the most dedicated BJJ practitioners frequently blush. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to suggest that as one of the creators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s sons, he is the reason BJJ has attained such global acclaim. Prior to his first battle at the first Ultimate Fighting Championship, the majority of spectators had no idea who Royce was; but, by the end of the event, everyone was attempting to determine his fighting style.
At roughly 180 pounds, Royce was the tournament’s smallest participant. In the first several matches of the competition, nobody had any responses for him or his BJJ. He won three of the first four UFC competitions by taking all of his opponents to the ground and submitting. If an injury hadn’t had him quit UFC 3 after reaching the quarterfinals, he probably would have won all four.
After Gracie’s historic victory in the first few UFC tournaments, BJJ schools began to spring up all over. BJJ immediately became one of the most well-known martial arts globally.
4) Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva is the one who has elevated cage fighting to a spectator sport. In his heyday, he combined techniques from other martial arts, such as Muay Thai, Wing Chun, and BJJ, making his technique leagues ahead of the competition. As he dodged blows with deft movements that were reminiscent of the scene in the Matrix movie where Neo dodges bullets, his defence was so strong that seeing him fight made you feel like you were witnessing a movie.
The longest-reigning champion in MMA history, Silva has held the UFC middleweight title for more than seven years. His unorthodox methods and openness to martial arts set him apart from other martial artists. Anderson Silva is the martial artist Bruce Lee would have faced off against in modern mixed martial arts.
5) Samart Payakaroon
Despite his unimposing look, Samart Payakaroon is widely recognised as the greatest Muay Thai fighter ever. Payakaroon had an advantage over opponents because of his special knowledge of Muay Thai.
Samart began learning Muay Thai as a young boy with his elder brother, and he soon began competing. He went on to triumph in more than 200 Muay Thai matches and also achieved success in boxing, with a 21-2 record.
6) Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey has had the greatest influence on women’s MMA. After competing well in the 2008 Olympic Games and taking home a bronze medal in judo, she made the switch to the sport. She has previously won several competitions sanctioned by the International Judo Federation and nearly all American Judo events.
However, we’re not here to discuss all of her achievements in judo. She is on our list because of the manner she dominated the MMA scene during her reign.
Rousey joined Strikeforce after going 3-0 in amateur competition. There, she won all six of her matches through first-round armbar. The most lucrative MMA event headlined by a woman at the time, her greatest fight was against Miesha Tate. Dana White, president of the Ultimate Participating Championship, changed his mind about women participating in the business after the fight because it was so exciting.
When Strikeforce was acquired by the UFC, Rousey was given the UFC women’s championship. She successfully defended the title six times, with the majority of her victories coming by first-round armbar. In the end, she was defeated by Holly Holm for the championship, then she was defeated by Amanda Nunes in her rematch. Without a doubt, Rousey is the reason why women’s MMA is where it is now.
7) Manny Pacquiao
Even though Pacquiao does not have a 50-0 record like Floyd Mayweather, his tale is nonetheless motivational. Manny Pacquaio overcame every challenge life could throw at him, including poverty at birth and running away from home as a young boy, but he never gave up.
Rustico Torrecampo knocked Pacquiao out in his debut fight as a boxer, but he bounced back to win his next 15 fights.
The most remarkable aspect of Pacquiao’s life is how he made the switch from boxing to politics after hanging up his gloves. He now represents the Philippines in Congress.
8) Marcus Almeida
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, who has over 128 victories and only 13 losses in competition, is perhaps the greatest BJJ player ever. In international tournaments, he has won more than 25 gold medals, along with a few silver and bronze.
Almeida later made the switch to mixed martial arts (MMA), where he has built a perfect 4-0 record while competing for ONE title, with the majority of his victories coming by way of submission.
9) Angela Lee
Angela is a martial arts prodigy who began practising when she was six years old. She is one of the most well-rounded women in MMA because she has training in BJJ, wrestling, Taekwondo, Pankration, and Muay Thai. In 2016, Angela claimed the ONE Women’s Atomweight Championship, which she has since successfully defended five times. A whole new generation of young girls has been motivated by her to achieve their goals and learn martial arts.
10) Demetrious Johnson
Mighty Mouse, a member of the Evolve Fight Team, is another one of the most motivational martial artists in the world. Even though he is the tiniest individual on our list, nobody would ever doubt his sincerity. In addition to being the most well-rounded fighter in MMA, DJ has overcome hardship on several occasions.
Despite the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s efforts to ruin his career, he was able to maintain his position at the top of the flyweight class for years. After losing to Adriano Moraes, he bounced back even more powerfully and went on to exact revenge by winning the ONE Flyweight World Championship.
These are the top martial arts role models who inspire us. Let us know your views in the comment section below.
