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Xu Xiaodong
Martial ArtsMixed Martial Arts

Censored MMA fighter Xu Xiaodong says he’ll leave China to become an Australian citizen

  • Outspoken ‘Mad Dog’ says ‘all patriots are going abroad … long live China’
  • ‘I’m learning from you, I’m leaving too,’ says Xu in sarcastic rant at Chinese actors

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Xu Xiaodong delivers his passionate rant. Photo: YouTube/Fight Commentary Breakdowns
Nicolas Atkin

Outspoken Chinese MMA fighter Xu Xiaodong has said he wants to leave China and become an Australian citizen.

“Mad Dog” has made it his mission to expose fake kung fu over the past two years by pulverising fraudulent traditional martial arts “masters” – but his actions have drawn the ire of Chinese authorities.

In a bizarre video posted to Chinese social media where he is wearing some kind of medieval knight’s helmet, Xu railed against his treatment in his home country.

“I want to see how I can become Australian,” Xu said, according to a translation by YouTube channel Fight Commentary Breakdowns. “Apparently, I can only become a resident but I’ll try for Australian citizenship. You ask me why? Because I love my country. You understand? Because I love my country, so I’m becoming Australian.”

In a situation some observers have pointed out seems like an episode straight out of Black Mirror, Xu’s presence is being censored in China. He is disappearing from Chinese search engine listings, while he had to compete at his last fight – he broke a weedy wing chun practitioner’s nose in a one-minute beat down – with a demeaning nickname while wearing cartoonish face paint, under threat that the event would not otherwise go ahead.
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