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.