Latest Issue

AUGUST 2009

On-sale date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009

COVER STORY

THE COBRA STRIKE
Master Toddy’s surprise punch is the secret weapon of the numerous muay Thai and MMA fighters he coaches.

WATCH EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FEATURING MASTER TODDY!

FEATURES

STAND AND FIGHT!
A combat-submission-wrestling instructor explains how the methods MMA fighters use to get to their feet in the cage can benefit you on the street.

FAST COMBATIVES
Bill Kipp won a Black Belt Industry Award for his women’s self-defense program. His new adrenal-stress system is poised to make an equally impressive mark on the reality-fighting world.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS
Ralek Gracie demonstrates four Brazilian jiu-jitsu arm locks, reminding us why the family’s grapplers are renowned for their attention to detail.

CROWD PLEASERS
A fourth-degree black belt outlines three spectacular board breaks that will rouse audiences and win competitions.

BODY AS WEAPON, PART 2
Black Belt Hall of Fame member Hee Il Cho teaches the knee thrust and the core kicks of traditional taekwondo.

WATCH EXCLUSIVE TECHNIQUE SLIDESHOW FEATURING HEE IL CHO!

MOST COMMON MISTAKES
Last month, Joe Lewis pointed out 20 mistakes that fighters make in the heat of battle. Here are 20 more that demand fixing.

MY LEFT FOOT
A veteran practitioner of the Japanese arts looks at the medieval origins of the custom of stepping forward with the left foot first.

DEPARTMENTS

JEET KUNE DO SOURCE
Teri Tom continues her discussion of the straight lead with an examination of the power-generating role of the hips and shoulders.

VERSUS
Mark Hatmaker lists some of the confusing and contradictory expressions associated with the phrase “winning mind-set.”

FIGHTBOOK
Tom Atencio, vice president of the Affliction mixed-martial arts promotion, talks about his and his company’s plans for future fights.

HIGH RISK
According to Sgt. Jim Wagner, anyone who regularly faces danger—and even those who don’t—should have access to a new product that stops bleeding fast.

FULL CONTACT
Bill Wallace remembers when it was possible for a champ to stay the champ. In a nutshell: It’s all about the quality and quantity of your opponents.

KARATE WAY
Dave Lowry warns against adopting a fighting stance during the opening moments of a street altercation.

FAR EAST
Mark Jacobs unveils ESPN Deportes’ efforts to promote the mixed martial arts on cable television.

WAY OF THE WARRIOR
Fantasy in the martial arts may drive serious practitioners crazy, but Keith Vargo argues that it’s been the inspiration for many important developments.

SCREEN SHOTS
Patrick Vuong reviews The Rebel, a Vietnamese action film, and Cyborg Soldier, a sci-fi flick that stars UFC veteran Rich Franklin.

CELEBRITY WATCH
Taekwondo black-belt Adam Hicks stars in the Disney XD teen series Zeke and Luther.

PLUS

Editorial + Mailbox + News + Essential Gear
Black Belt Pages + Classifieds + From the Archives

ABOUT THE COVER

Master Toddy was photographed by Rick Hustead.
Deborah Reed Brown designed the cover.