Finding Purpose Through Pain: American MMA Fighter Gilbert Nakatani's Journey From Loss to the Global Stage

Some people spend their entire lives searching for purpose. Gilbert Nakatani found his in the most unlikely place – a martial arts gym in California, discovered during a period when his life could have spiralled in a very different direction. At ONE Fight Night 37 on Friday, November 7, the American flyweight will face Indonesian MMA star Eko Roni Saputra in Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, carrying with him a story of loss, redemption, and the unbreakable human spirit that refus

Mixed Martial Arts

Like Father, Like Fighter: How Jonathan Di Bella and His Champion Dad Built a Legacy Together

Some fighters change coaches throughout their careers, searching for the right voice to guide them to greatness. Jonathan Di Bella has...

Mixed Martial Arts

The TRUTH About Martial Artists in Hollywood, According to Gene LeBell and Today's Stunt Legends

As the theme song to the 1978 Burt Reynolds movie Hooper noted, “There ain’t nothing like the life of a Hollywood stuntman.” A lot of martial artists take those words to heart. There’s a seeming army of skilled — and not-so-skilled — practitioners of karate, taekwondo, kung fu, and other arts trying to break into the motion-picture industry by making use of their ability to kick and punch, but how realistic is this? What do martial artists interested in stunt work need to kno

Entertainment

To Hit or Not to Hit: The Head Contact Dilemma for Fighters

On January 29, 2015, the British Journal of Sports Medicine posted the results of a research study that examined 131 MMA fighters and 93 boxers. It concluded that “greater exposure to repetitive head trauma is associated with lower brain volumes and lower processing speed in active professional fighters.” Although not surprising to many, this inevitably will lead to questions from martial artists who wish to continue to make head contact during training but want to maximize

Traditional Arts

Musashi, Kano, and Gracie: The History of Martial Arts Challenge Matches

When asked about the aesthetics of a certain martial arts bout, Helio Gracie once replied gruffly, “A fight is a fight.” It wasn’t that he didn’t see beauty in the art of jiu-jitsu. He merely thought it was imperative to emphasize that fighting is a serious affair with potentially dire consequences for the loser — and sometimes for his or her family. Judging whether a martial art is good is very different from judging whether a dance or a painting is good. Dancing and painti

Traditional Arts

Demo Legends: The History of the Modern Martial Arts Demo

From Bruce Lee’s one-inch punch to stadium-filling choreographed spectacles, the martial arts demo has evolved into a cornerstone of martial culture bridging tradition, creativity, and entertainment, and laying the foundation for how the world experiences martial arts today. That said the martial arts demonstration has been one of the most under-appreciated contributions to modern martial arts.

Traditional Arts

A Lost Black Belt Photo from 1967: What's the Story Behind These Two Men?

Who Were These Two Gentlemen and What Was Their Place in Karate History? Read on to find more... The All-Japan Karate Championships, founded in 1957, has long stood as the ultimate proving ground for Japan’s top karateka. Organized annually by the Japan Karate Association (JKA), the event brings together the best of the best to test their skill in Kata and Kumite . When the very first championship was held, it was strictly a domestic affair - only Japanese competitors were p

Traditional Arts

The Sparring Edge: Underrated Habits That Win Fights

Ask most martial artists how to get better at sparring, and you’ll hear the same advice on repeat: “Keep your guard up,” “Don’t drop your hands,” “Relax.” All solid points—but let’s be honest, you already know that. So, let’s go a little deeper. Here are the underrated tips for sparring success—the ones most people overlook until they learn them the hard way. 1. Learn to Lose… Well Getting tagged isn’t failure—it’s feedback. The best fighters aren’t the ones who never get hi

Traditional Arts

The Crescent Kick: Retro or Relevant?

Back in the 1970s, an action movie hero once delivered a classic line: “I'm gonna take this right foot, and I'm gonna whop you on that...

Traditional Arts

Before the Fame?! The First Time Chuck Norris Appeared in Black Belt Magazine

Before the movies and before the legend, there was just a 1st dan Tang Soo Do Black Belt named Carlos. This dashing first-degree Black...

Traditional Arts

Strength vs. Skill: The Eternal Debate in Martial Arts Training

It’s an argument as old as the dojo itself: Would you rather face someone who’s stronger than you — or better trained? Every generation...

Traditional Arts

Enter the E-Reader: The Black Belt Book Collection Returns

In the 1970s, Black Belt Magazines owner Mitoshi Uyehara created a book publishing company known as Ohara Publications . The book...

Traditional Arts

Cover Throwback: Alex Gong

In the June 2001 issue of Black Belt , a young Alex Gong was spotlighted as the founder of the U.S. branch of Fairtex. A world champion in ISKA Muay Thai (junior middleweight), Gong held an impressive professional record of 27–2. Gong also appeared as a fighter in the Walker, Texas Ranger episode “Legends,” sharing the screen with martial arts icons Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Don Wilson, Jean-Claude Leuyer, and Danny Steele. Beyond the ring, Gong opened a Fairtex Gym in San Fr

Muay Thai

Cover Throwback: Abdul Latif Muhammad (Lenny Ferguson)

The January 1976 cover featured acclaimed point fighter turned kickboxer and proud BKF member Lenny Ferguson—now known as Abdul Latif Muhammad. He made history as the first African American to win the Grand Championship at the Long Beach Internationals and was a member of the Los Angeles Stars in the NKL league. Still active today, Muhammad is regarded as one of the true pioneers of Southern California martial arts.

Traditional Arts