top of page


Sho Kosugi's Story: Rise of the Ninja
Before ninjas were everywhere—from cartoons and video games to Halloween costumes—there was Sho Kosugi, the man who helped introduce the...
Justin Lee Ford
1 day ago


Friday Watchlist - Skin Trade (Starring Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, and Michael Jai White)
Each week's Black Belt Watchlist is free to watch on Pluto TV! What happens when you drop Dolph Lundgren , Tony Jaa , and Michael Jai...
Black Belt Team
2 days ago


Fighting Fathers: Celebrating the Martial Arts Dads Who Shaped Legends
Behind every great martial artist, there’s often a teacher. And sometimes, just sometimes, that teacher is also Dad. This Father’s Day,...
Justin Lee Ford
Jun 15


Friday Watchlist - Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday (Kick it With Scott Adkins!)
Each week's Black Belt Watchlist is free to watch on Pluto TV! This Week’s Black Belt Watchlist is a packed tour de force starring...
Black Belt Team
Jun 13


Ballerina: John Wick’s World Turns Deadly This Summer!
The temperature’s rising—and so is the body count. From the universe of John Wick comes Ballerina , a high-impact thriller where...
Black Belt Team
Jun 6


Exclusive Interview: On The Road With Justin Ortiz & Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz
The following is a snippet of a feature found exclusively in the Spring 2025 issue of Black Belt Magazine. From Karate Champs to Industry...
Justin Lee Ford
May 31


Black Creek Marks Cynthia Rothrock's Bold Debut as a Writer/Producer — And It's Available Now
In her first-ever role as writer/producer, Cynthia Rothrock makes a bold leap into new territory with BLACK CREEK — a gritty Western...
Black Belt Team
May 31


Fists of Love: The Mothers Who Raised Martial Arts Legends
We’re honoring the matriarchs of martial arts. Sometimes, the most powerful warrior in the story we see never throws a punch—she raises...
Justin Lee Ford
May 11


Kung Fu Queens: 5 Groundbreaking Women in Martial Arts Who Shaped Action Cinema
There was a time when Saturday afternoons meant grainy VHS tapes, dubbed dialogue, and the unmistakable rhythm of kung fu battles on...
Justin Lee Ford
May 9


Jackie Chan's Top 5 Death-Defying Stunts (That Prove He's Basically Indestructible)
Jackie Chan is a walking, flipping, falling miracle of modern cinema. While most actors leave danger to the stunt team, Jackie is the...
Justin Lee Ford
May 2


Fight Like Everyone’s Watching! What It’s Really Like to Be a Martial Arts Performer
Most of us would love to be in movies. Unfortunately, no matter how good we are, most will never get a chance to perform on film. The...
Mark Jacobs
Apr 29


Blow by Blow: Rigan Machado Debuts His Feature Film!
Rigan Machado in His Feature Debut, the High-Stakes Film Screens April 28 at the TCL Chinese Theatre Blow for Blow is set to make its...
Black Belt Team
Apr 25


The Last Dragon: A Martial Arts Cult Classic with a Motown Twist
If you’re a martial artist and you haven’t seen The Last Dragon (1985), stop what you’re doing and fix that immediately. Directed by...
Black Belt Team
Apr 25


The 36th Chamber of Shaolin: The Kung Fu Classic That Still Trains Us All
If you’ve ever suffered through stance training until your legs were jelly or repeated a form until you could do it in your sleep— The...
Justin Lee Ford
Apr 19


5 Unforgettable Tony Jaa Fight Scenes That Changed Action Cinema
Tony Jaa is the undisputed king of heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, next-level fight scenes. With his insane Thai-style fighting skills and...
Justin Lee Ford
Apr 11


Cover Story Throwback: Richard Norton
The March 1994 cover of Black Belt Magazine featured Richard Norton alongside kickboxing champion Peter Cunningham, photographed by Doug...
Black Belt Team
Apr 10


Martial Arts Movies That Made Us Fans: A Journey Through the Most Iconic Decades!
Martial arts movies have always been more than just films—they’re a window into cultures, philosophies, and fighting styles. Whether it’s...
Justin Lee Ford
Apr 4


The Secret to Becoming a Martial Arts Writer: Insights from Stephen K. Hayes, Matthew Polly, and more!
With a deadline fast approaching, the need for 1,000 words on the business of writing about martial arts and a case of writer's block, I...
Mark Jacobs
Mar 26


7 Most Memorable Martial Arts Quotes from Movies and TV
When it comes to martial arts, the action is often the main attraction—fast fists, dramatic kicks, and bone-crushing throws. But...
Justin Lee Ford
Mar 19


Mortal Kombat (1995): A Martial Arts Masterpiece That Still Resonates Today
Released in 1995, Mortal Kombat was a game-changer for both video game adaptations and martial arts cinema. Directed by Paul W.S....
Black Belt Team
Mar 14


Trailblazing Women in Martial Arts: Top Forms Champions Who Defined the Sport
In the world of martial arts, forms (kata) competitions have long been a showcase of precision, power, and artistry. Over the years,...
Black Belt Team
Mar 8


Martial Artists Behind Mortal Kombat: The Fighters Who Shaped the Franchise
Mortal Kombat is known for its brutal fighting and iconic characters, but what many fans don’t realize is that real martial artists...
Justin Lee Ford
Feb 28


Why Mike Chat’s Martial Arts Career Is a Masterclass in Cultivating Excellence
In the world of talent, success is often contagious. If there’s anyone who’s proven this truth time and again, it’s martial arts...
Black Belt Team
Feb 22


Cobra Kai vs. Miyagi-Do: The Martial Arts That Define The Karate Kid Franchise
When you think of The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai , what comes to mind? The legendary crane kick? The clash between aggressive violence and...
Justin Lee Ford
Feb 14
bottom of page