Chinese prospect answers MMA’s Clarion Call

One Championship 12:00 07/02/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • A few years later, MMA is growing at a considerable rate in China, with multiple promotions hosting events in the nation. Meanwhile, several others are trying to break into the market and tap into the Chinese market’s estimated potential earnings of up to US$724 billion by 2025.

    With China paying attention to MMA more so now than ever before, Chinese fighters are in high demand with major organizations across the globe.

    In the Western Hemisphere, household names Li Jingliang and Ning Guangyou are starting to carve their own niches. On the Eastern front, China battles with the products of neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea by having top-notch prospects including Li Kai Wen, Ma Jia Wen, and Ma Hao Bin in its frontline.

    Due to the vast opportunities available to Chinese combatants, the list of homegrown talents is getting longer. Amidst the continuous rise of the Chinese MMA industry, many are given the break to compete on an international stage such as ONE Championship.

    ONE Championship, which is widely considered as the premier MMA organization in the Asian region, made its maiden foray to China in 2014. Ever since that historic event, ONE has held six more blockbusters in China, with five taking place on the mainland.

    In one of its trips to China, ONE Championship opened its doors to MMA standout Bu Huo You Ga, a proud native of a minority hill tribe in West China.

    A natural martial artist

    Bu has been living the life of a martial artist since an early age, as training, learning, and teaching martial arts are a big part of his daily routine. At 13 years old, his flair in grappling was discovered, which sent him to a sports academy for wrestling in Chongqing City.

    Bu was able to translate his outstanding aptitude in wrestling into success, as he won four championships in the local ranks. His winning streak continued overseas when he captured a title in the Greco-Roman category at the age of 20.

    According to Bu, he owes a lot to martial arts and is very grateful because he now lives his dream life because of it.

    “I’ve been a full-time athlete since I was 13 years old. Training is ingrained into my routine now. I believe that through martial arts, I have the life I want,” he said.

    With success on the wrestling mat, it seemed that he was destined to become an Olympian. However, an unfortunate stumbling block came his way when he injured his back, shelving him for two years.

    Calling it a career crossed the mind of Bu after spending a few years sitting on the sidelines, but he had a change of heart when he watched a live MMA bout on television.

    “I fell in love with MMA the first time I saw it on TV. I got involved as soon as I got the chance,” he stated.

    Bu asserted that the sport’s multi-faceted element was the major factor in his decision to make the jump from wrestling to MMA.

    “I still wrestle, but I love how complex the sport of MMA is. The sport is also very comprehensive because of its rules. That’s why my countrymen are accepting the concept with open arms,” he shared.

    Reawakening his desire to compete again, Bu traded his wrestling singlet for four-ounce MMA gloves. However, his transition to MMA was not a walk in the park, as he had to put his highly-touted grappling arsenal aside to learn various striking disciplines such as kung fu and wushu sanda.

    “I think MMA athletes need to cover all the bases. I am a wrestler crossing over to MMA, so I’ve been filling the holes in my game by cross-training in different disciplines including some traditional Chinese martial arts,” Bu explained.

    Tough challenges as a professional MMA athlete

    With the help of matchmaker Vaughn Anderson, who is considered one of the founding fathers of the Chinese MMA scene, Bu was given a chance to strut his wares in ONE Championship.

    “I’m honored to compete on the same platform with ONE Championship’s world-class athletes. I am proud to represent China on the world stage,” Bu stated. “I get strength from thinking about my compatriots. I strive to show the world the potential of a Chinese warrior inside an MMA cage.”

    Bu participated in the four-man bantamweight tournament at ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS (CHANGSHA) in January 2016, effortlessly submitting compatriot Cai Chang Bo with a bulldog choke in the first round to advance in the finals.

    In the championship-deciding contest of the tourney, Bu fell short to bring home the coveted competition trophy by yielding to Ma Hao Bin via a 68-second submission.

    Despite tasting a setback in his first ride as a prizefighter, it did not derail the hopes of Bu to elevate himself into greater heights in MMA.

    “I already expected it that it would not be a smooth path. But I know these obstacles would lead me to success,” he disclosed.

    Seeking to place himself back on the winning track, Bu took part in another a four-man bantamweight tournament at ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS (HEFEI) in July 2016.

    Bu easily dispatched the first assignment in front of him, forcing Wan Jian Ping to wave the white flag with a guillotine choke in the first round. He then finished the tourney with flying colors by defeating Li Hao Jie by way of unanimous decision

    “I can’t describe the moment that I won the tournament. It was a surreal feeling. I was so happy because all my hard work finally paid off,” Bu recalled.

    Iron sharpens iron

    Everyone admires the beauty of gold, but before it becomes a prized possession, it appeared as a dark ore. It has to be refined and polished in order to reveal its luster.

    The same holds true for every MMA fighter as they endure tough challenges and suffer defeats to bring out their true and full potential.

    For a highly-decorated wrestler who directed his career path to MMA, Bu had to go through the eye of the needle to realize that great fighters are forged with tremendous amounts of hard work and determination.

    With his triumph in ONE Championship’s one-night tournament seven months ago, the sky’s the limit for Bu as he envisions himself as a world champion in the constantly-evolving sport of MMA.

    “The biggest goal in my life is to win the ONE Flyweight World Championship belt and become the best flyweight in the world. I’ve already become the top Chinese athlete in wrestling. Right now, I’m aiming to be at the top of world in MMA,” he revealed.

    “Even if I become the world champion, I will still be competing. I love the rush that I feel whenever I compete,” Bu added.

    Although he aspires greatly for himself, Bu desires to give back to the Chinese MMA circuit, which was instrumental in catapulting him to the pinnacle of success.

    “I want to train abroad and see what training in other countries is like. In that manner, I can give back and develop more MMA fighters in China. You have to share your success because it will also be part of your legacy,” he ended.

    Recommended