No. 2: Chong Li
Discipline: Freestyle
Strengths: Strong, mean, doesn’t need tissue paper
Analysis: I can already hear the Dux fanboys knocking at my door: “How are you gonna rank guys who Dux beat above him!?”
Again, just because the Kumite played out a certain way doesn’t mean those results have any bearing in how these fictional characters would do in MMA.
I labeled Chong Li as a “freestyle” fighter because – despite being prominently shown as a representative of Korea – Li shows little commitment to one particular style, as he is undoubtedly one of the most well-rounded competitors in the tournament.
Li has the hard kicks you’d associate with Korean fighters, while still displaying powerful punches and the ability to counter on the feet. Li also possesses the second best takedowns in the Kumite and, though his rear-naked-choke still needs a lot of work, even finishes a fight via submission (albeit technical).
Sure, Li’s fight IQ is just as culpable as Jackson or Dux’s given how much time he let a blinded opponent recover (in the finals of all times), but he carries an undeniable meanness that would translate seamlessly to any era of MMA. I’ll even go as far as to say that his methods of “dirty fighting” would be allowed more room to fly than most of his Kumite colleagues’ tactics.
Don’t get me wrong: I doubt the athletic commissions will be as lax about crushed salt pills or in-ring deaths as the I.F.A.A. (International Fighting Arts Association) was, but when comes to leg breaking and (alleged) throat kicking… well, those things can be classified as “accidental” a bit easier than the ole “full-splits low blow.”
Basically, I see Li as a similar archetype as Rousimar Palhares, having similar successes until everyone eventually figures out that his 1980s steroid physique offers him little protection to the body.