The February 1984 issue of the Fighting Stars  magazine showcased Graciela Casillas  on its cover, cementing her status as a trailblazer...

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...

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...

Eric Lee, captured mid-air with his flying broadsword, faces off against Art Camacho—seen here in a rare photo without his signature...

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...

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

The Smashing Machine  officially lands in theaters today, bringing the legendary story of Mark Kerr to the big screen. The 2025 American...

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

Billy Blanks , the legendary creator of Tae Bo® who inspired millions in the 1990s, is back — this time in virtual reality. Taebo Reboot:...

“Sensei, is what you’re talking about similar to what Miyamoto Musashi said in Go Rin No Sho  when he was explaining the effects of go no sen ?” This is the sort of question one occasionally hears in the dojo. Of course, we can say that there are no stupid questions, but we need to understand that at times there are inappropriate questions. One of the most inappropriate questions you can ask in the dojo is one that’s intended not to better your understanding of a topic but to

Some stars don't shine long enough to make a difference. Conversely, Demetrius Havanas' star shone so bright on his short time on earth,...

When most people think of Chuck Norris, they picture Walker, Texas Ranger , his karate championships, or that legendary fight with Bruce...

In today’s world of deepfakes and AI-generated content, it’s getting harder and harder to tell what’s real and what’s fabricated. With...

Richie Barathy was equal parts as a brawler and a showman, Barathy earned a reputation for his explosive breaking demonstrations in an...

Most champions walk their path alone, but Nabil Anane has never known solitude in his martial arts journey. For every training session,...

On November 12, 1993, two men stepped into an oddly shaped cage to determine who possessed superior fighting skills. Twenty-six seconds later, the face of the martial arts and the entire sporting landscape had changed forever - although no one knew it at the time. One of those men was a massive sumo wrestler from Hawaii, who fought under the name of Teila Tuli. The other was a lanky Dutch striker named Gerard Gordeau. Their looks weren’t the only thing that was different; the

Who remembers this classic? The January 1987 cover of Karate Kung Fu Illustrated  featured the aerial kicks of taekwondo, performed by...

Fifteen years ago, a homesick teenager from Phatthalung Province stood overwhelmed on the bustling streets of Bangkok, tears streaming...

In the 1980s, a wave of devices hit the market promising to improve one’s flexibility. Among them was a contraption that became legendary...

There was a time when Thai star Shadow Singha Mawynn's mother couldn't afford a 50-cent tube of skin cream for her son. But now, those...

Every martial artist dreams of training for life—not just hitting a peak in their twenties and fading out, but staying strong, sharp, and motivated well into their fifties, sixties, and beyond. The secret? It’s not about training harder. It’s about training smarter and building habits that keep your body—and your passion—going for the long haul. Here are the habits that can keep you kicking, punching, and rolling for decades: 1. Treat Recovery Like Training You don’t “earn” t

The July 7, 2015, edition of The Washington Post  described an incident in which a man on a moving train allegedly punched a passenger until he fell, then stabbed him repeatedly in the torso and arms until he died. As the crime unfolded, other passengers in the coach watched; not one intervened. The tendency to not get involved, dubbed the “bystander effect,” is becoming the norm these days, particularly in big cities where a sense of community doesn’t exist. Rather than help

How a humble start, a master’s in psychology, and a passion for coaching shaped one of MMA’s rising grapplers. As the managing editor of...