on a serious note I would lean toward Jim Kelly because after all his role in Enter the Dragon paved the way for future black martial artist to Showcase their abilities on film

I was a Kelly fan. Saw him in Melinda when I was ten years old and was hooked from then on. Got a chance to meet him in 2010 and he was very nice to my buddy and me. Classy guy.

Jim Kelly hands down!!! I dig like RVC but his Jim Kelly was the man!!

Jim Kelly was the most popular martial artist in Hollywood but Ron Van Clief was most popular black martial all over the world & he was 5 times world's champion & he was in movies across the globe' Thank you.

Jim Kelly, of course.

Jim Kelly was by far the more recognizable name in martial arts movies including his "Blaxploitation" films like Black Belt Jones. Unfortunately, the market became saturated with martial arts movies which quickly became hackneyed and cliche that Kelly's career never really took off. But to martial artists, Ron Van Clief was the man. Van Clief competed at competitions like the full-contact open tournaments in Hong Kong. Van Clief, in 1994, at the age of 50, took on a much younger, Royce Gracie in UFC 4. Although Van Clief was soundly beaten by Gracie, ever the martial artist he took up Brazilian Jiu-jitsu late in life and at the age of 72, won a silver medal in his first jiu-jitsu competition as a blue belt. This is a true martial artist. I know to many that Bruce Lee is a hero but I have to put Ron Van Clief right up there for his "no fear". I'm not Black but color has no boundaries when you respect someone.

Jim Kelly

Jim Kelly, Oooeee!!!!

I would say Jim Kelly.

Simple and plain they was two different style but in my neighborhood it was Jim Kelly he was my favorite in Ron was popular but Jim was more noisable in my grandparents love Jim Kelly in so do I Rip Good brother

I think Jim Kelly was more popular due to his role in Enter the Dragon. I like them both and they have inspired me to be a martial artist and to want to see more black martial artists on the big screen.

Jim kelly is one of my favorites.

Hollywood jim kelly....martial arts Ron Van Clief

Kelly was more flamboyant and charismatic in his moves and personality, plus he was in Enter The Dragon and was Bruce Lee's friend; Ron was excellent in technique, quick, dynamic, versatile, but not as much a dynamic showman as Kelly. Ron was also more mystical in his approach. In a real fight back in the day, Ron would have k.o.-ed Kelly in round 1

I grew up in Switzerland. Never heard of Ron till late i my live. So internationally i have to go for Kelly.

Jim (the Dragon ) Kelly by far

Jim Kelly was my favorite, Enter the Dragon, made him famous. That's when I start watching his movies.

the question that you should ask brother teacher is which one had the flyest afro LOL

I believe Jim Kelly was popular but so is Ron but I still think Jim Kelly was more popular God Rest his soul Ron Van clief is also the man both of them worked very hard to earn their martial arts status

My heart says Jim Kelly. Does anyone know what style of Karate Jim Kelly studied? Looks very similar to Tang Soo Do and Shotokan.

What a fun question. Jim had just finished," Three the Hard way" and Ron was promoting, "The Black Dragon's Revenge." Jim had the "wow" factor with the fans. Ron had respect of the seventies blue collar knockaround martial artists ... who happened to like Shaw brothers movies. Both were rising in the U.S. market thanks to that Bruce Lee film. Neither one of them could act. They didn't have to. They were personas. Jim Kelly was lean like "pretty Tony" in "The Mack. A" Perfect "Fro". The camera liked him. Ron was bulldog functional. Kind of "raging Bull". Jim was arms length...space oriented. You had to wait for the eye contact to say something. Ron invaded space with.."Hello. and you are?" Jim didn't like discussing "Enter the Dragon". The death scene, you know. Ron did because he helped choreograph the mass courtyard brawl. Bruce lee? Jim said he was just "pretty" fast and changed the subject. Ron said if you got lucky and swept Bruce, he would still black your eye on the way down. He didn't fear the ground. I recall as a pre teen purple belt the look on their faces when they discovered they were using the same dressing room for a Martial Arts Expo in Chicago back in 75. Ron came in first. You had to look twice because he blended in. Kelly arrived...with an entourage...like Prince... but all wearing turtlenecks. They posed for photos but never stood side by side...always on the end with someone in between. They were sitting across a table from each other...and didn't share one word. They did, however, have bottled water...from the SAME ice bucket. Outrageous. The black belts stood shoulder to shoulder...just "processing them" and the moment as they sat. An occasional flashbulb would go off from a starstruck polaroid one step camera. Who would speak first? No one sipped a drink until finally Ron reached and opened his bottled water, Kelly drumming his fingertips...grinning. Ron elected to perform in the show while Kelly was content with signing autographs on "ETD" posters. He didn't even bring a gi. Someone lit the fuse of why won't Kelly perform. One of the black belts said he was afraid since Bruce wasn't around to choreograph his moves. Another said,"Didn't Bruce get him killed in that movie? " " Well...no one wants to die twice...right Ron? " Someone loaned Kelly a red satin uniform. He changed his mind. Jim would not spar unless he was paid. He started at three grand. Ron whipped your ass for free and then changed the subject. Jim was more popular than Ron because of Lee's shadow. Ron had the black belt fraternity vote. That was the midwest attitude in 75. Since then, both mellowed in careers and toward each other. Kelly is gone and Ron grieved as we too did. They had only two things they shared and rightly so : a politeness to children...and a ride to the bank.

Jim Kelly easy! I only heard of the other guy in my late 40s

Jim Killy

I would say Jim Kelly because of his role in ETD. Open the door for more Hollywood roles. But I grew up in NY, so Ron’s name carried a lot of weight on the street level side of things. I would still say Jim Kelly had that one. Even though I felt Ron Van Clief had a better skill set. Kelly had some hands and was very athletic, But his kicks? Anyway loved them both, especially as a young black male looking for a role model. What about Carl Scott? I mean he came later but that cat had some skills.

Im bias Ron van Clief

I'm thinking maybe Jim Kelly. Haven't got the chance to see any Ronald Van Clief films.

What about master moses Powell wasn't van clief his student.. He was off the chain..awesome..

Jim Kelly was the more Popular, due to the output of the films he was in (with ENTER THE DRAGON putting him at the top), yet, Ron Van Clief came 2nd, THE BLACK DRAGON being his "Freshman" film, followed by the sequels and (I could be WRONG) no "BLAXPLOITATION" movies as Jim did (although Mr. Van Clief was a fight choreographer on one of the SHAFT films - I think SHAFTS BIG SCORE and possibly on TROUBLE MAN, starring ROBERT HOOKS); as far as the 1980s, it was CARL SCOTT (although, he played 2nd billing to Bruce Lee imitator BRUCE LI and later, with the talented BILLY CHONG) in BRUCE LEE, THE MAN, MYTH AND LEGEND (Cameo appearance) SOUL BROTHERS OF KUNG FU, KUNG FU EXECUTIONERS and A HARD WAY TO DIE Aka "SUN DRAGON", honorable mention to a African American student of Grandmaster ALAN LEE, (who's name I can't recall) and unfortunately, the movie he starred in had a limited release/no American distribution outside of Cinemas in Chinatown, it's title I believe was VALLEY OF THE DRAGONS (I remember seeing this Black practitioner of Alan Lee's demonstrating techniques in a issue of KARATE AND KUNG FU ILLUSTRATED), but, other than him was TAIMAK.

Combat to combat ron van cleave was higher in degrees than Jim Kelly being that he earned his 10th.degree black belt over Jim Kelly 7th.degree now steave Sanders actually did beat Jim Kelly in his own studio

When are we gonna see you spar

However, Vic Moore would take them both! No Hollywood shit there.

Van clief is and now is a joke

Jim Kelly

Jim Kelly