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.

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.

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

When Black Belt  magazine featured Benicio del Toro on its May 2003 cover, it captured an actor at the height of his intensity known for his brooding roles and quiet power. Two decades later, at 58, del Toro channels that same presence in a surprising new form: as Sensei Sergio St. Carlos, a local karate instructor in the upcoming film One Battle After Another . Del Toro’s latest performance bridges art and philosophy, echoing the martial wisdom celebrated in the pages of Bla

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

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...