Despite passing away almost 42 years ago, the legacy left behind by martial arts legend Bruce Lee continues to impact mixed martial arts on a daily basis.



While technology and advancements in training have allowed MMA fighters to leap into the next century, it all comes back to the teachings of Lee from nearly a half-century ago.

Here is a look at the five key contributions that Lee made to modern MMA:

1) Creation of Jeet Kune Do

Flexibility, speed and effective striking have made champions out of the likes of ONE World Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki and others, and many of those principles and philosophies come from the teachings of Jeet Kune Do.

Back in 1967, Lee likely did not know exactly what he was putting together, but Jeet Kune Do would become a way of life for many.

It is based on "practicality, flexibility, speed and efficiency," which allows those that use it to showcase a different style of strength. You do not always have to be the biggest or the most powerful; instead, using your own inner core strength allows you to overcome.



2) Eating a healthy diet

This was not an actual creation of Lee, obviously, but back in the day, many fighters just got by on their own natural gifts.

Lee, though, noticed quickly that by keeping your body as healthy as your mind, you were a better fighter.

Using high-protein drinks, vitamin and mineral supplements, and healthy foods, Lee turned his 5-foot-8, 141-pound body into a lean and mean fighting machine.

3) Finding total fitness

Along with the healthy eating aspect, Lee mixed in the use of muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardio endurance and flexibility into his every day way of training.

To say the current state of MMA does not revolve around these four things would be a gross mistake, as you could point to each and every active fighter and see that they take them teachings to heart.

Keeping your body as flexible as possible, and as strong as possible, is what makes the complete martial artist.



4) Style with substance

If you have ever watched a Lee film, you know what "style with substance" consists of.

Lee had a knack for bringing out the entertainment aspect of martial arts while also being a professional and making it look as "real" as possible.

With fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Keith Jardine, Randy Couture and others making their way into the world of Hollywood and film, none of that would have been possible without Lee.

Starting in 1941 as just an infant and dating all the way to the many films that were released after his death, Lee starred in 33 movies. He will actually be recreated using CGI for "Ip Man 3," which comes out next year.

5) Popularizing MMA

Without the entire career of Lee taking off like it did, both while he was alive and after his death at just 32 years old, would mixed martial arts be seen on a world-wide level like it is today?

Doubtful.

In a matter of speaking, Lee made it cool to train martial arts. Instead of it being seen as a way of life for just a select few, anybody who wanted to devote themselves to the teachings could do so.

Lee and his incredible persona is what have made many call him one of the most influential martial artists of all-time.




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