Celebrated on the Black Belt Magazine  cover in January 2000, LeBell embodied both the grit of a true martial artist and the showmanship of a Hollywood insider. Truly a larger-than-life figure whose legacy continues to straddle two worlds: the discipline of judo and the spectacle of cinema. Long before MMA was mainstream, LeBell was already blending styles, demonstrating how throws, locks, and submissions could level the playing field. Known as “Judo” Gene LeBell, he was more

I'm amused — and, in some ways, delighted — by the comments that still get posted on YouTube regarding the 1987 matchup of Rickson Gracie and me. Judo enthusiasts say they're proud I was able to upend Gracie a couple of times. Any advantage I received, however, disappeared as soon as we hit the ground and I was caught in an armbar. So judoka say judo won, while Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylists insist their art won. It's a true win-win situation for the martial arts.

The wrestler — having quickly disposed of his first four judomen — stood before the fifth opponent, glaring like a wild animal about to...