Fighting like Jason Bourne

Fighting Like Jason Bourne: What’s His Real Combat Style?

Ever watched Jason Bourne effortlessly dismantle opponents and thought, “I wish I could do that”? Same here. Jason Bourne (whose real name is David Webb) became a household name when Matt Damon portrayed him in the 2002 hit movie The Bourne Identity, based on Robert Ludlum's 1980 novel. But let's be clear—most of us aren't exactly trained CIA assassins. Still, understanding Bourne’s actual fighting style might get us a bit closer to his level.

It’s Not Krav Maga (Despite Popular Belief)

You might've heard people say that Bourne uses Krav Maga, but that's actually a common misconception. According to fight choreographer Jeff Imada—the man behind Bourne's iconic combat sequences—the primary styles used in the films are Filipino Kali and Jeet Kune Do. Imada, a renowned Kali and Jeet Kune Do expert, trained Matt Damon for these roles, with support from fight coordinators Damon Caro and Jonathan Eusebio, both specialists in these martial arts.

Gary Puckering reinforces this, explaining that Krav Maga wasn't part of the original choreography at all. So if you've been thinking about enrolling in Krav Maga to fight like Bourne, you might wanna reconsider.

Krav Maga

Krav Maga is een realistisch en instinctief zelfverdedigingssysteem dat is ontworpen om bedreigingen snel en effectief te neutraliseren. Het combineert technieken uit verschillende vechtsporten om praktische oplossingen te bieden voor situaties in de echte wereld.

Kali and Jeet Kune Do—Why These Martial Arts?

Filipino Kali emphasizes fluid, weapon-based movements and practical self-defense, typically using knives and sticks (bastons). Although Bourne doesn't wield traditional Kali weapons in the films, his ability to repurpose everyday objects—like a pen in The Bourne Identity or a rolled-up magazine in The Bourne Supremacy—perfectly illustrates Kali's adaptability. Jeet Kune Do, created by Bruce Lee, is known for efficiency, directness, and the philosophy of using whatever works best in any situation.

Dwight Woods, a seasoned practitioner, highlights Imada’s influential role not only in the Bourne series but also in films like The Book of Eli.

Boxing and In-fighting

Interestingly, Bourne also incorporates elements of boxing into his fighting style. He's particularly skilled at delivering powerful punches at close range, as demonstrated in underground fight scenes in Greece during the film Jason Bourne. His ability to adjust punches based on the opponent's distance and deliver devastating hooks showcases boxing as a core part of his fighting toolkit.

Other Opinions—Is It Really Just Kali and JKD?

Martin Blanco offers a different perspective, describing Bourne’s fighting style as "movie-fu," a cinematic blend including aspects of Krav Maga, Silat, and military combatives. Andy Kowalski even identifies influences from Wushu and Muay Thai, particularly evident in Bourne’s effective elbow strikes.

Peter Ingram, referencing DVD extras, suggests the filmmakers used Krav Maga for close-ups, Kali for weapon-based action, and Jeet Kune Do for dynamic, wide-angle scenes. Honestly, the choreography probably changes based on what's visually impressive rather than sticking strictly to a single martial art.

Wing Chun Influence and Source Material Differences

Marc Hanson critiques the films for straying from Ludlum’s novels, where Bourne, trained during the Vietnam War era, utilized traditional martial arts like Wing Chun, Hapkido, Jujitsu, and Tang Soo Do. However, even in the films, Bourne’s talent for trapping and short-range punches shows subtle influences from Wing Chun techniques, though he doesn't fully adopt the art's signature "chain-punching."

Training Like Bourne

Can you genuinely train like Jason Bourne? Probably not exactly. Still, practicing martial arts like Filipino Kali, Jeet Kune Do, boxing, or even Wing Chun can make you incredibly effective and adaptable in self-defense situations.

Next time you're holding a rolled-up magazine or a pen, remember—maybe Bourne wasn't completely exaggerating after all.