A match between a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and a tai chi master has gone viral, sparking a stinging debate about modern versus traditional fighting techniques.
On one corner was Xu Xiaodong, a Beijing-based MMA fighter and coach, who was hailed as a “madman” for his beast-like skills. He faced Chengdu-based Tai Chi artist Wei Lei in a bout witnessed by many spectators in Sichuan province, China, on Thursday.
While people were still probably placing their bets, Xu effortlessly pummeled his rival and the match clocked in the 10-second mark.
The quick face-off, which was uploaded on YouTube and Sina Weibo several times, has ignited a flurry of comments from Chinese netizens about the “weakness” of Chinese martial arts, South China Morning Post reported.
Xu wrote on the Chinese microblog site, “All of China’s martial arts masters were watching…I will do what I should do. Everyone should calmly use their independent thinking abilities.” Gianna Francesca Catolico /ra