would someone who study both white crane kung-fu & ninjutsu be called a mixed martial artist?
Not by most MMAists. Strictly speaking, studying two martial arts is just cross training. To be MMA, the elements of the two would have to be blended together and trained in a realistic way (sparring), with equal attention being paid to the stand-up, clinch, and ground-fighting phases of combat.
My strictly Kung Fu favorites are Fearless, Ip Man, Ip Man 2. Kung Fu Hustle and Four Dragons come in very, very close behind. Ong Bak 2 showcased some Kung Fu, but wasn't strictly. If it counts, it'd rate with Kung Fu Hustle and Four Dragons, but wouldn't make my top three.
technically yes, mixed martial arts is when you study both and mix them, however there is a mixed martial arts rule set which usually means anything goes except the obvious fouls. now can someone studying white crane kung fu and ninjutsu beat someone who practices boxing and sambo ... probably not. also, MMA is a martial sport, not so much as an art, AKA you will spar and maybe compete which means it wont look nice or 'artsy'.
It is mixing two martial arts but its not mma. MMA is more for fighting. While the styles you speak of are thought to be more of an ART. White crane kung-fu is not even used today and very rare to find. Most people that claim to teach it are probly teaching there own crane style. That goes for the same as ninjutsu. Both I styles i find to be not affective when matched up against an mma fighter. Some people from watching movies have this belief that ninjutsu is some deadly art when what is left of it today is not. Ninjutsu has not evolved and does not possess the ground game the brazilian Jui jitsu posses. Its also widely known that finding a true ninjutsu school is next to impossible. Now to Emerald. Your wrong. I must disagree with just about all your points. Its widely known that Boxing is the oldest known martial art in the world. Next to that is wrestling. You forget that another popular style among MMA practitioners is Muay Thai which has been around just as long as kung fu. It is also known to be one of the most powerful styles used today. Sorry to say its been proven that a master of one art will lose to a master of BJJ. We all remember the gracie challenge that got this started. U must of never seen all the karate and kung fu guys get choked out. Ignorance is bliss. Your styles failed and that is why they are no longer is use in mma today. Watch the UFC then watch your karate point sparing. Think about it.
Most say they are mixed martial artists when they do MMA, but you are doing 2 different styles with standing techniques and ground techniques, so why not
