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10 Best Martial Arts Fights Between Genre Icons, Ranked

10 Best Martial Arts Fights Between Genre Icons, Ranked

Many martial arts icons fought each other in incredibly well done fight scenes. The choreography of a martial arts fight scene is what can make or break it, but the connection between the actors involved also plays a major role in the final outcome. The physical prowess and immense skill of these characters creates an exciting atmosphere as they engage in combat. The use of popular martial arts styles in film has allowed martial artists to break into the film industry and showcase their skills in spectacular fight scenes. Stars like Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeoh have dominated the martial arts scene thanks to their expertise in these scenes.

10. Gordon Liu Vs. Lo Lieh

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)

Two martial arts icons of the 1970s, Gordon Liu and Lo Li, met in the 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Liu played San Te, a monk who learned kung fu after his training was interrupted by a failed rebellion against the brutal general Tian Ta. San Te finally gets his revenge on Tien Ta when they meet and fight at the end of the film. The fight scene itself is quite short, as San Te’s training has made him a much better fighter. Using his invented three-section staff, San Te successfully disarms and defeats Tien Ta. Part of the scene’s success is due to its realistic sound. The rattling of the staff’s chains and the ringing of Tian Ta’s swords immerse the viewer in the battle.

9. Donnie Yen Vs. Sammo Hung

Ip Man 2 (2010)

A sequel to the successful biopic Ip Man, Ip Man 2 continues the story of Ip Man’s life as he moves to Hong Kong and opens a Wing Chun training school. Yip’s school angers Hung Chun Nam, Hung Ga’s teacher, played by Sammo Hung, and they fight. Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung’s skills shine as their characters battle. The scene between Yip and Hung is short but interesting as the entire fight takes place on the table. The cooperation required by Yip and Hung to keep their balance during the fight is an interesting use of foreshadowing for how their relationship will develop later in the film.

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8. Jet Li Vs. Collin Chou

The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)

The Forbidden Kingdom is full of martial arts icons, as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Collin Chou are all featured. The fight between Jet Li’s Monkey King and Collin Chou’s Jade Warlord, however, is the best fight scene in the movie. Known as wuxia, the genre combines martial arts skills with spiritual powers inspired by various beliefs. The Monkey King and Jade Warlord are able to use their powers to pull tricks like cloning and manipulating objects to try to win the fight.

7. Michelle Yeoh Vs. Zhang Ziyi

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

The sword fight between Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one of the best sword fights in a martial arts movie. Playing fighters Shu Lien and Jen, respectively, Yeoh and Ziyi duel for ownership of the Green Destiny sword. Shu Lien was meant to bring the sword to Sir Te for her friend, but it was stolen by Jen. The fight is well-choreographed and exciting. Shu Lien uses a variety of weapons against Jen, as the Green Destiny is powerful enough to break most of the ones she has. Yeoh and Ziyi execute such precise strikes and every movement is clean.

6. Jackie Chan Vs. Hwang Jang-lee

Drunken Master (1978)

The final fight between Jackie Chan’s Wong Fei Hung and Hwang Chang Lee’s Thunder Leg in the action comedy Drunken Master is a great showdown between the icons. After being defeated by Thunder Leg in their first meeting, Wong devotes himself to learning a technique that will bring him victory. When Thunder Leg is sent to kill Father Wong, the duo come face to face again. Part of what makes the fight so good is that Wong doesn’t defeat Thunder Leg right away. Although he can now keep up with the experienced fighter, Wong is forced to act on the fly when Thunder Leg reveals his new move.

5. Jet Li Vs. Donnie Yen

Hero (2002)

Another wuxia film, Hero, tells the story of the Nameless Man, a man who comes to kill the king. He tells the king how he killed three assassins who tried to kill the king. The fight between Jet Li’s The Nameless Man and Donnie Yen’s assassin Long Sky is a masterpiece. The action takes place in a playhouse in the rain. The scene is atmospheric. There are technically two fights taking place in one scene, as Nameless and Long Sky fight both in their minds and in reality. Both fights have stellar choreography and good back and forth action. Lee and Yen’s skills are on full display. However, the very end of the fight provides one of the most amazing sights as the Nameless One breaks through the storm of raindrops that Long Sky created with his staff to kill him.

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4. Donnie Yen Vs. Wu Jing

SPL: Sha Po Lang (2005)

Following Inspector Ma Kwun, portrayed by Donnie Yen, SPL: Sha Po Lang has an excellent combat sequence featuring Ma Kwun and an assassin named Jack. Played by Wu Jing, Jack confronts Ma in an alleyway to keep Ma from going after triad boss Wong Po. With Ma wielding a baton and Jack a knife, the choreography of the scene hinges on Yen and Jing’s abilities to keep up the pace. They deliver with so much energy that it’s hard for the audience to keep track of who’s doing what. This works so well in a martial arts movie because it allows for the skill of the actors to tell the story more realistically than if the scene were slowed down.

3. Jean-Claude Van Damme Vs. Bolo Yeung

Bloodsport (1988)

Bloodsport is Jean-Claude Van Damme’s breakout movie as Frank Dux, an Army captain who joins a martial arts tournament in Hong Kong. Van Damme shows off his powerful kicks throughout the movie, but his final fight with Chong Li is the most exciting part of Bloodsport. Played by Bolo Yeung, Chong Li is the epitome of physical power. Chong Li is the clear favorite to win, but Dux puts on a brilliant performance. Li resorts to cheating and throws salt in Dux’s eyes, effectively blinding him. The greatest part of the fight is when Dux remembers his training and uses his other senses to block Li’s blows and defeat him. Bloodsport’s final fight one of the most iconic action movie moments of all time.

2. Donnie Yen Vs. Collin Chou

Flash Point (2007)

The fight scene between Donnie Yen’s Ma Jun and Collin Chou’s Tony is long and grueling, but it is worth the watch. Sergeant Ma Jun, having finally cornered gangster Tony, realizes that he’s run out of ammo and resorts to hand-to-hand combat. The action never stops, ramping up the tension of this final fight. Similarly to SPL: Sha Pol Lang, the balance between realism and iconic martial arts is what makes this scene so good. Ma Jun and Tony move with such precision as they throw hit after hit at each other with little sign of slowing down.

1. Bruce Lee Vs. Chuck Norris

The Way of the Dragon (1972)

As it stars two of the genre’s icons, the fight scene between Tang Lung and Colt in The Way of the Dragon is one of the most iconic martial arts fights. Played by Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, respectively, Tang Lung and Colt face off at the Colosseum after Colt is hired to kill Tang. The Way of the Dragon was Chuck Norris’s breakout role. Bruce Lee brought him on personally and Steve McQueen encouraged Norris to pursue acting after the success of the movie. Lee and Norris express so much emotion throughout the fight scene, all while putting on an incredibly skilled performance. Lee and Norris convey everything through their movements. The subtlety of the scene makes it even more beautiful and iconic.

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