push hands

“Four ounces can move a thousand pounds.” – Tai Chi Saying

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Tai Chi and other Chinese internal martial arts contain real, legitimate power—refined over centuries and rooted in deep principles of energy, structure, and strategy.

However, let’s be honest: many of the so-called “masters” being exposed and defeated by MMA fighters in China are not true representatives of these arts.

They are misusing the name and philosophy of internal martial arts without embodying the real skill, discipline, or combat-proven ability behind them.

In short—they are internal power impostors.

Their failures are not a reflection of Tai Chi itself, but of their own lack of authenticity and experience.

This Chinese tai chi master tried to fight a MMA fighter!

I’ve experienced true internal power firsthand.

It’s real.

I can apply some of it myself, and we specifically teach these principles at Tier 3 in RAT Synthesis, drawing from the powerful Bagua system and Denis Decker’s gung fu.

So, how do you deal with a legitimate internal martial arts fighter?

The answer is simple:

Avoid close-range engagement.

Notice all these guys are crossing hands with them?

Don’t get trapped in cross-hands, sticky hands, or push-hands scenarios.

Instead, stay at long range and use low-line attacks—specifically, low kicks to break their legs and target the groin.

Disrupt their power base before they can channel their internal energy.

Their foundation is both mental and physical—their mind and their legs.

This is known in Jeet Kune Do as “fencing with the feet.”

It allows you to control the distance, dictate the pace, and neutralize their strengths.

This is the ‘non-contact’ phase.

Once you’ve compromised their foundation and inflicted pain, then close the distance decisively.

Pain disrupts the mind and blocks their ability to focus or channel internal power
(Unless they’re an advanced meditator).

If their hands and arms are still in the way, attack them using destructions like leopard fists and phoenix eye fists.

That will prevent you from having to go into a cross-arm position.

Once you penetrate, strike the eyes to disrupt their vision, immediately follow with relentless pressure—like a straight blast—to overwhelm them, then finish the job.

Alternatively, consider Mike Tyson’s brutal approach:

Use broken rhythm to set them up—throw off their timing—and deliver a devastating knockout punch.

This too is the ‘non-contact’ phase.

Broken Rhythm is one of the legendary Bruce Lee’s Five Ways of Attack, here analyzed and applied by martial arts icon Joe Lewis, Bruce Lee’s student and world champion.

We teach all Five Ways of Attack in the RAT Synthesis system—giving you the edge in any fight.

The Mike Tyson entry

And here is Iron Mike using it in the ring.

He closes the gap using head movement and broken rhythm (non-contact) which sets them up and knocks them out.

Right hook with head movement

That was quick.

Did you catch it?

But be warned—these strategies aren’t foolproof.

A true high-level internal martial arts master is in a league of their own.

At very high levels they can vibrate their chi through their legs, creating a shockwave effect that causes your kick to bounce off, repelled by their energy.

Worse, you could get hurt just by making contact.

Some can even withdraw their testicles, rendering groin strikes useless.

Then what?

At that point, your best strategy may be to respectfully disengage—after all, wisdom is knowing when not to fight.

Then, take the time to study authentic Tai Chi for yourself—and when you’re ready, return to engage in push hands with them.

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The Reality Check

Internal power is real—but very few have truly mastered it.

Especially the ability to vibrate shock waves through their body repelling strikes and kicks sending your force boomeranging back into you.

Or withdrawing testicles.

That is even rarer.

That’s why, after just six months of serious training in RAT Synthesis—achieving Tier 1 level—you’ll be equipped to handle 80% of street fighters.

• They’re not internal masters.
• They’re not elite-level Silat fighters.
• They’re not elite combat sport fighters with exceptional physical attributes.
• They’re not seasoned warriors.

Conclusion:

This post exposes the myth of fake Tai Chi “masters” while acknowledging the real power behind authentic internal martial arts. It offers practical strategies for dealing with legitimate internal fighters—avoiding close-range traps, using long-range low kicks, disrupting their base, and employing tactics like broken rhythm and eye jabs to dominate.

RAT Synthesis integrates these strategies along with advanced principles from Jeet Kune Do, Bagua, and Bruce Lee’s Five Ways of Attack. The key message: adapt, improvise, overcome—and always train smart to win.

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