Kickin' it up a notch

The growing appreciation of combat sports in China has seen enthusiasts channel their interests from just watching kung fu movies starring the likes of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan to throwing kicks and jabs at gyms to learn self-defense, keep fit ... and have fun.

The surge of mixed martial arts－a full-contact sport that includes various combat techniques－in the birthplace of kung fu has impressed Rich "Ace" Franklin, a former world middleweight champion and current vice-president of Singapore-based MMA promotion ONE Championship.

"I have enjoyed traveling to China over the last five years and seeing the growth of the mixed martial arts industry," Franklin told China Daily on Friday after concluding a visit to Shanghai.

"Every time I return to China, I see how much the martial arts industry has grown, and how the quality of talent is only getting better. It will not be long until we see Chinese athletes dominating in competition."

During his stay in Shanghai, where ONE Championship opened its China office in 2016, Franklin hosted an open workout at the Action MMA Academy to demonstrate his signature striking techniques to 22 local amateurs, alongside MMA commentator Ni Tianqi.

"I hope that through sharing my experience, more and more young martial artists will enjoy the fun that training and competition bring, and hopefully they will pass that passion to their friends and encourage them to enjoy the sport," said the 43-year-old, who retired from fighting in 2015.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a master's degree in education, Franklin gave up a job as a high school mathematics teacher to focus on full-time fighting and won 14 of his first 15 professional bouts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

He captured the UFC world middleweight title in June 2005, defeating compatriot Evan Tanner by way of a fourth-round stoppage.

Spearheaded by Franklin and other former pros, ONE Championship has built a scouting network covering major clubs in China.

The organization has staged six multi-fight events on the Chinese mainland since its debut in Beijing in December 2014 and has enrolled 70 local mixed martial artists.

"It's going to be a big challenge for us. It's a new sport in China. We have to educate the public," Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and founder of ONE, said of MMA's effort to punch its way into China's sports mainstream.

"But at the same time, there is a very rich history of kung fu in China. That's why I feel like there are a lot of reasons for us to take a foothold and together celebrate the beauty of martial arts."

After securing an equity investment led by Sequoia India Mission Holdings to take its total capital to $100 million last July, ONE promised to invest more in developing local talent and landing more events in China.

The strong comeback of featherweight kick-boxer Li Kaiwen, ONE's leading Chinese male fighter, to submit Filipino Muay Thai specialist Roel Rosauro in February in Myanmar and Chinese female Xiong Jingnan's TKO (punches) win over Singapore's Tiffany Teo to win the inaugural strawweight world title have proved the success of the localization initiative.

ONE's next China card is slated for June 23 in Macao, followed by shows in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai between July and December.

"I really appreciate the opportunities provided by ONE for me to continue fighting on this high-profile platform and to further demonstrate my combat talent in more fights to eventually challenge for the world title," said Li, 22, who is 7-4 since turning pro with ONE in 2014.

To identify more local prospects, Franklin will expand the talent search by specifically targeting Chinese youngsters in Season 2 of his reality TV show－ONE Warrior－which kicked off earlier this month in Phuket, Thailand.

Winners on the reality show earn $100,000 plus a pro contract with ONE.