3 MMA Fighters That Use Wing Chun Techniques

As a martial art with a rich history, Wing Chun’s influence on modern fighting techniques and self-defence is widespread. So much so that Wing Chun techniques have been carried over into the internationally recognised sport of Mixed Martial Arts (or MMA, as it is more commonly known).

Some of the most notable and successful fighters in MMA have incorporated Wing Chun techniques into their strategy and fighting styles to great success, proving that though the martial art itself has many years of history, its relevance is still felt strongly today.

Here are some of the most notable MMA fighters that make use of Wing Chun techniques.

Anderson Silva

Known for his incredible striking accuracy, elusive movement, and long reign as the UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva has often spoken publicly about his admiration for Bruce Lee and the martial art of Wing Chun.

Silva's use of Wing Chun is particularly evident in his close-quarters combat. He utilises hand trapping and rapid-fire strikes to create openings and disrupt his opponents' rhythm, which are core Wing Chun techniques.

One of his most famous fights against Stephan Bonnar showcased Anderson Silva’s use of trapping and short-range strikes effectively.

Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson is best known for having an unconventional and unpredictable fighting style, which also makes him one of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the UFC Lightweight division.

Evidence of Tony Ferguson’s use of Wing Chun techniques is seen clearly both in and outside of the ring, with multiple training videos showcasing his work on the Wing Chun wooden dummy. It’s also been said that he takes this practice dummy along with him to training camps in order to hone his Wing Chun techniques in preparation for a fight.

Ferguson’s incorporation of Wing Chun techniques into his fighting style can be seen in his use of constant forward pressure toward his opponents in order to capitalise on the use of Wing Chun’s close-range combat philosophy.

Jon Jones

Jon Jones is known for his outside-the-box thinking as an MMA fighter. Despite being primarily trained in wrestling and Muay Thai, he has adopted the Wing Chun-style oblique kick as a core part of his strategy, with it seeing use in almost every match. 

Apart from this signature move, Jon Jones also has a tendency to grab his opponent’s wrist and come over the top with a strike, a technique that is very reminiscent of the Wing Chun style.

Is Wing Chun good for self-defence?

Unlike some other styles of martial arts that are designed specifically for combat, Wing Chun’s roots lie in self-defence and the development of body, mind, and soul.

Learning Wing Chun is naturally suitable as a means of self-defence, especially in close-quarters combat when faced with an assailant that is within arm’s reach of you.

Learn Wing Chun from the right teacher

At UMF Academy, we have a direct lineage from Ip Man to Grand Master William Cheung, down to Sifu Pablo Cardenas, who runs our Wing Chun programs and ensures that all teaching and techniques are true to the original form of the martial art. 

Our Wing Chun programs in Townsville use instinctive movements, science, and proper body mechanics with a no-holds-barred mentality to help individuals not only gain a useful method of self-defence but also a way to discipline themselves to achieve greater success in all areas of their lives.