- George Chung
- Nov 9, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 15, 2024
On November 16th and 17th, the Battle of the Martial Arts tournament will be held in South Florida at the Broward County Convention Center as part of the Fit and Flex Expo, an event expected to draw over 100,000 attendees.
With an impressive lineup of martial arts icons in attendance as special guests—including Cynthia Rothrock, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, and more—this tournament aims to revitalize martial arts competition.
The event will feature over $50,000 in prize money, with $15,000 awarded for sparring grand champions, $5,000 each for forms and weapons categories.
Bringing Back the "Martial" to Martial Arts
"If you look at tournament footage from the 60s to the 80s, your thoughts would be: those guys can fight! They were known and recognized the world over." The president of the tournament, Alexander Perez, says.
Feeling that martial arts tournaments nowadays often resemble games of tag more than actual combat, the Battle of the Martial Arts organizers are committed to bringing back what they call “old-school rules.”
This means placing a greater emphasis on techniques that are effective and powerful, rather than just fast. Competitors will be allowed to grab and sweep, followed by strikes, rewarding those who demonstrate skill and effective technique instead of just speed.
The tournament's rules aim to eliminate point scoring based on mere touch. In a shift from the trend, the tournament will only count punches and strikes that are fully executed with proper extension and retraction—no pushes or ineffective hits. Organizers believe this approach will restore the intensity of martial arts, showcasing the athleticism and discipline that made martial arts legends iconic.
"If you think back on those old tournaments, anyone not involved in martial arts could still name the champs. You had your Chuck Norris, Benny the Jet, Superfoot, etc." Perez says. "Today, I couldn't name a single champion from a tournament. What we want to create is recognition that if you are the champion of our tournament, you know how to fight."
Ensuring a Smooth, Professional Event
Hosted by the founder of Ultimate Kenpo Warriors, the event’s structure is designed to avoid common issues that plague martial arts tournaments today. Registration will close one week prior to the event to prevent delays.
Referees, who are often volunteers at other events, will be paid for their roles to ensure they’re fully invested in the competition’s success.
Additionally, competitors must arrive on time or risk disqualification, bringing discipline and timeliness to the tournament—core tenets of martial arts.
Perez, who is a seasoned martial artist himself, has observed issues at major events where delays often detract from the experience.
“We want competitors to leave saying, ‘this was well-organized’ or ‘I had a blast,’” Perez says. Along with his business partner, Tom DeFranco from Innovative Insurance Consultants, he is committed to hosting an event that martial artists will remember for its structure and professionalism.
Special Seminars with Martial Arts Legends
The weekend kicks off with exclusive seminars on Friday, November 15th, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel.
Cynthia Rothrock will lead a seminar on forms. Following Rothrock, Darryl Vidal will host a sparring seminar, sharing insights into his unique approach to fighting.
The final seminar of the evening will feature Master Ken, known for his comedic "ameri-do-te," who will offer a memorable experience to attendees.
Event Schedule
Friday, November 15th: Seminars at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 16th: Competition for under belts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 17th: Black belt competition from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Grand Championships from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
With its focus on professionalism, discipline, and a return to martial arts’ true roots, the Battle of the Martial Arts promises to be a landmark event in the competitive martial arts community. For those looking to experience the thrill and rigor of martial arts at its finest, this tournament is not to be missed.
