Jarred Brooks got strawweight gold back over his shoulder at ONE Fight Night 24 in Bangkok, Thailand. It was an easy night for “The Monkey God,” who finished Gustavo Balart via rear-naked choke submission for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Championship. Ever confident about his abilities, Brooks reflected on his performance inside Lumpinee Stadium. “Gustavo is smaller than me. I went against Bokang Masunyane [in April 2022], and I finished him in a similar fashion. So, I knew that the body triangle was going to be there and that we would find that,” Brooks told ONE.   “I think I was better than him across the board in every aspect of mixed martial arts. He did put me on my back for the first time in my whole career. So, props to him for that. I was trying to keep him there and trying to get him tired because I knew he was going to get tired within that second to third round.”   “But yeah, I’m thankful for actually going on my back for once and having to rely on my jiu-jitsu and my other skills.” The win was not just about the belt for Brooks. It was also about proving his skills inside the ring. The submission win allowed his coaches to give him his black belt, as he became the first person to submit the Cuban athlete in professional competition. “I was glad to show people that I could finish Gustavo Balart in spectacular fashion. The only time he’s really been finished was with a head kick out of the blue. It’s the first time that he’s ever been submitted, and I’m glad that I could be that guy,” Brooks stated.   “Getting my BJJ black belt [after the win] is right up there [with my best achievements]. I’ve been doing jiu-jitsu for almost my whole life. I think I started when I was nine, so this is an accumulation of time. It was a super big surprise. I was not expecting it. It meant the world to me.” Once again, the American is sitting at the top of the strawweight mountain. However, given the interim tag, he is not sitting alone. The victory secured a trilogy match with Joshua Pacio for the undisputed crown, but no date is set as Pacio is still recovering from injury. “I’m super excited to go against Joshua Pacio again. He’s a great Christian, a great person, and a great fighter. And if I can go back to his home country – I love Manila, I love the Philippines, all those people are huge fans of mixed martial arts – and be around that fan base, around that energy again, that would mean the world to me,” Brooks admitted. The unconfirmed timeline is allowing Brooks to chase other dreams, and he is looking for a chance to compete against arguably the greatest to ever step foot in the sport. Brooks wants a match against “Mighty Mouse.” “Demetrious Johnson was somebody that I was watching on TV at Buffalo Wild Wings, winning a World Title in 2012, thinking, ‘Hey, that could be me one day,’” Brooks said.   “I think that God gives me signs and getting into ONE Championship and getting the accolades where Demetrious is now, I think it would be a great matchup between me and him.”   “I’m somebody that tries to go up and beat competition. I climb the mountains, and I’m not worried. I know that GOATS are really good at climbing mountains too, but I’m not afraid to try to chase a GOAT.”

If there’s such a thing as karate DNA, the Funakoshi family must have it in spades. Kyle Funakoshi, the subject of this article, has been featured in Black Belt numerous times and appeared on the cover of our January 2010 issue. His brother Kevin Funakoshi is a master based in Texas. Their father Kenneth Funakoshi, who debuted in the magazine’s February 1965 issue when he was a first degree and then worked his way onto the cover in June 1992, is the originator of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association. And then there’s Gichin Funakoshi, a distant cousin and the founder of the art. Since this interview was conducted, Kyle, 45, has become the proud father of twins who likely will enjoy that same genetic predilection for kicking and punching.   On Carrying the Shotokan Torch  “My dad is 80. Last year was his last one traveling over- seas for exams and seminars. When he was doing that, he would go for four to six months out of the year. He’s fully retired from teaching now. I’m the chief instructor of the association.”  On the Responsibility That Comes With Being a Funakoshi  “A lot of people hear the name and think, He’s probably good ... but I have to see. They ask me about the relation- ship with Gichin Funakoshi. I explain it, then say, ‘But don’t worry about that. Just come and watch the class.’ Usually, I tell them to watch our kids class because most times they’re interested in karate for their kid. They’re usually impressed with how structured it is, and they sign up. So the name doesn’t even matter. It’s just some- thing they think about when they read it online. But it’s good in a way because it stirs up interest.”  On His Early Days in the Art  “I was forced to train a minimum of three times a week. I could do other sports, but I had to train in karate. I didn’t realize how important that would be until I was in my 20s. Then I said, ‘I understand why my dad did this.’ It was for my own good.”  On How Training Back Then Differs From Training Today  “We didn’t move [from Hawaii to California] until I was 12. Training was a lot harder and more strict in Hawaii when my dad was teaching. The instructors would walk around with a stick and smack you if you made a mis- take. It was a different culture, one that was closer to the roots of traditional karate. In the ’60s and ’70s, karate stayed really traditional in Hawaii, and even in the ’80s. Now it’s a little more relaxed there.  “Nowadays, control and safety are more important. Parents don’t want their kids to get hit and have some- thing broken. Before any kids class, I demonstrate what is acceptable and what is not so we can avoid injuries, especially to the head and neck. With kids, it just takes one second, if you’re not watching them, for someone to get hit too hard. Sometimes being a teacher is like being a lifeguard and making sure nobody drowns.”  On Why Shotokan Remains Popular Not Just With Kids  “Shotokan’s got a good balance of punches and kicks, roughly 50-50, but it’s popular because of the basic training in stances and in generating power and speed. These are the things that determine how much you can do later with more advanced techniques. If we just teach you how to do the advanced techniques without the stances needed to generate speed and internal power, it’s not going to be effective.  “Traditional shotokan guys will teach stances first, but it looks weird to outsiders because they think, Why are you doing those long, low stances? We have to explain that it’s to develop speed and power through contraction and expansion, through using your legs, hips and shoulders instead of just snapping out with your elbow. It takes more time to learn the basics correctly with shotokan, but when you do learn them, you can make your techniques shorter in a fight and still generate speed and power.”  On Grabbing the Floor With the Toes  “In shotokan, you use all your body to generate speed and power, which means using your feet to grab the floor with your toes. A lot of people punch hard, but they don’t have any traction with their toes, which keeps them from punching even harder. Everything begins from the feet, from the ground up. If you have no traction, you’re like a car in snow with no chains. You just spin.”  On Staying in Fighting Shape  “Genetics can play a part, but if you could rely just on genetics, you could eat anything and not worry about it. I’ve done that before, and I tended to gain weight in the midsection.  “Karate training is definitely good for staying in shape, but many people, myself included, also need to train outside the dojo. You’ve got to tailor that training to the structure of your body and what you need to strengthen. For example, I had a shoulder injury and wondered why I kept reinjuring the same shoulder. Finally, a chiropractor explained that my shoulders were turned forward, which made my back muscles weaker. Whenever I would grab an opponent in the dojo and he would resist, my back muscles weren’t strong enough to fight back. So I started working on my back muscles with [elastic-band] exercises. When the body is more stable, the punch gets faster.”  On the Benefits of Endurance Training  “In kumite, besides toughness, you need stamina. If you don’t have stamina, you’ll be taking all kinds of beatings. Let’s say you’re sparring with somebody who is tough and has good stamina. If you have good stamina, too, you can avoid the punches and kicks without gassing. Then you can put the pressure on your opponent and start throwing stuff, too.  “If it’s a controlled match where there are no armbars, chokes, leg locks or anything like that, it can easily go on for an hour. That’s good because when you’re exhausted, you learn what works and what doesn’t. With the stuff that does work, you learn how to make it more efficient — so your opponent doesn’t see it coming even though you may be dying inside when you throw it.  “This type of kumite also teaches you how to be less vulnerable. A lot of times in the longer matches, a guy will leave his leg out there after a technique. I’ll grab it and kick him in the groin lightly just to let him know he made a mistake. He’s leaving it out there because he’s tired and doesn’t have the energy to snap it back. Well, if he’s that tired, he shouldn’t do that technique because it will get him hurt more.”  On Pushing Limits in Kumite  “Another way we practice is I’ll put on pads and a face mask and tell students to throw techniques at me without worrying about control — just to see how long they last. Often, they’re so tired in two minutes because they’re trying to hit me as hard as they can. That’s their mistake: They try too hard. It’s a big dose of reality.  “Then I explain that in a real fight, if they try too hard to knock somebody out, they’re going to get tired very quickly. The lesson is to stay relaxed, even if it’s a real fight, so you can throw things efficiently.”  On Having a Good Mix in the Dojo  “Tournaments are good. They teach you about distance, timing and rhythm, as well as the role speed plays. Train- ing for tournaments is important for students who are into competition. But things can get monotonous if you only prepare for tournaments. You also have to work on the practical side of karate. What if something happens in the street? You throw a tournament-style punch or a flashy kick and just touch the attacker on the head. I teach my students street and tournament are two different things. If you can do both, it’ll make you a better fighter and you’ll be more confident.  “When a student says, ‘I wonder if I should do this in a real fight,’ I usually say, ‘Let’s pad up and try it.’ This makes them realize that not every tournament technique will work in a real fight. Having them try it is better than just telling them. That’s why I say, ‘Let’s test it. Let’s see if it hurts me.’ Most times, it doesn’t.”  On Lyoto Machida  “Machida is a traditional shotokan stylist who has done very well for himself in MMA. From what I’ve seen, he does more than just shotokan. When he moves and when he throws a punch, however, he’s very shotokan-like. Other MMA guys may try to do what he does, but if they don’t have the basics, it won’t work. They train in shotokan for a short time and then try to use it, but they’re not really doing the techniques correctly — like the front kick, for example. A lot of guys attempt the kick but end up telegraphing it. Their hands go up slightly before they kick, and that’s the mistake. If you do the front kick correctly with kime, your hands don’t move. Your foot comes right up from the floor. If you’ve got good reach with your leg like Machida does, you might not even have to step in. You can reach the guy from where you are.”  On Other Elements That Make Shotokan Useful in a Fight  “They all matter — the distance, the stances that generate speed and power, the fakes — but the most important thing is how you do the techniques. If you have correct basics, you’re going to be effective. If you don’t have correct basics, you can do any technique and it’s going to be seen by your opponent. For example, with the mae geri, if your hand comes up before you kick, a smart opponent will just take a step back. But if you do it without telegraphing, he’s really got to be careful or you’ll catch him.  “In shotokan, it’s all about how you do things, how you generate power and speed, how you start the technique. It all has to come from the bottom up, from the legs to the hips to the arms. If one gear is broken, you’re going to be flailing — and telegraphing.”  On the Ability to Cover Distance Fast  “In shotokan, it all begins with correct stances. Stances make your technique stronger. If we teach beginners only high stances, they won’t get proper leg develop- ment. They won’t learn how to push off, how to pull. Everything is a push and pull, and if they don’t learn that correctly with their stances — to push, push, punch and then pull to go into the next stance — they’re not going to have the right footwork. If they spar and they’re just pushing and dragging their feet, they’ll be working against themselves by making their feet heavier. The basic stances carry on through the fancy footwork that everyone needs for fighting.”  On Mobility in a Fight  “Distance is everything. You need to be able to go from where you are to where your opponent is in a split second without telegraphing — or your opponent will see everything coming. The key is moving quickly and in a straight line so it’s harder for him to see you.  “There’s a deep connection between stance and mobility that most people don’t understand. They ask, ‘Why do I have to do this long stance? I’m not going to fight like this.’ I tell them, ‘That’s correct. You’re not. But if you don’t do it and just go into a high stance, you’re not going to feel what you’re doing. You’re not going to have traction for the push and pull. You’re going to be stationary, or you’ll be telegraphing a lot. Those are all things you don’t want to do.  “Sometimes to get this point across, I spar with them and let them do whatever [stance] they want. They’ll try it their way and see that it doesn’t work. Then I’ll do the technique my way, and they’ll see that it does work. They say, ‘OK, I got it. I couldn’t even see that coming.’”  On the Olympics Changing the Way Karate Is Taught  “It might for some instructors, but I’m sticking with traditional karate: Teach students the basics, and tell them if they want to do tournaments or try out for the Olympics, I’ll show them the techniques. That doesn’t mean I would use the same techniques in a fight. I tell them, ‘Yes, we can prepare you for the Olympics, but that’s not our goal. Our goal is to teach traditional shotokan. Wherever you want to go from there is up to you.’”  On Whether the Funakoshi Way of Shotokan Will Continue  “Some of our older black belts ask, ‘Who’s going to take over the association when you’re gone?’ I say, ‘I don’t know.’ Then they ask, ‘Don’t you care?’ I used to say, ‘I’m not going to worry about it because I’ll be gone.’ But now I think there might be a future in shotokan for my chil- dren. They can take over — if they want to.”  Kyle Funakoshi’s website is fska.com .  This article originally appeared in a 2019 edition of Black Belt Magazine.

UFC returns to the APEX in Las Vegas on August 24 with a thrilling middleweight main event featuring No. 5 ranked Jared Cannonier vs No. 12 Caio Borralho. This explosive fight night also showcases a welterweight clash between No. 12 Neil Magny and undefeated Michael Morales. Event Details Date:  Saturday, August 24 Location:  UFC APEX, Las Vegas Broadcast:  ESPN+ (English and Spanish), ESPN, ESPN Deportes Prelims:  4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET exclusively on ESPN+ Main Card:  7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+ Main Event Breakdown Jared Cannonier (17-7)  steps into his seventh main event, aiming to secure another victory against rising contender Caio Borralho (16-1, 1 NC) . Cannonier, a seasoned UFC veteran, has notable wins over elite fighters like Sean Strickland, Anderson Silva, and Kelvin Gastelum. He is determined to derail Borralho’s hype train. Caio Borralho , unbeaten in the Octagon, seeks to break into the Top 10 with a victory over Cannonier. The Dana White’s Contender Series signee has rapidly ascended the rankings with dominant wins over Paul Craig, Michal Oleksiejczuk, and Abus Magomedov. The Brazilian prospect is eager to make a statement by finishing Cannonier. Co-Main Event Neil Magny (29-12) , a fan favorite and record-holder for the most wins in UFC welterweight history, looks to continue his winning streak. Magny, with recent victories over Mike Malott, Phil Rowe, and Daniel Rodriguez, aims to hand Michael Morales (16-0)  his first career loss. Michael Morales , an undefeated prospect, faces his toughest challenge yet. The 25-year-old has impressed with wins against Trevin Giles, Max Griffin, and Jake Matthews. Morales is ready to showcase his talent by delivering a highlight finish against Magny. Additional Bouts Angela Hill (#9)  vs. Tabatha Ricci (#11) : A pivotal strawweight matchup. Edmen Shahbazyan  vs. Gerald Meerschaert : A middleweight showdown. Viacheslav Borschev  vs. James Llontop : Lightweight bout featuring Dana White’s Contender Series signees. Jacqueline Cavalcanti  vs. Josiane Nunes : Bantamweight clash. Zachary Reese  vs. Jose Medina : Middleweight battle. Wang Cong  vs. Victoria Leonardo : Flyweight tilt featuring undefeated Road to UFC alumna. Danny Silva  vs. Dennis Buzukja : Electric featherweight bout. Don't miss out on this action-packed UFC Fight Night! Secure your spot and experience the thrill live at UFC APEX or tune in on ESPN platforms.

Over the course of many years of teaching survival-based strategies and tactics for self defense, I’ve heard such exchanges more than a few times. The but-what-if question is usually posed by a well-meaning person who hasn’t quite grasped the seriousness of physical violence.  These are people whose own humanity, whose sense of civility, is so strong that they’re caught vacillating between fight-or-flight decisions. It’s a shame these good qualities can stand in the way of grasping just how dire a threat can be.  THE BUT-WHAT-IF questions are usually followed by objections based on unfounded trust and an incorrect grasp of probability. The first objection is often predicated on a promise from the predator to the effect of, “Do what I say, and I won’t hurt you.”  These sorts of reassurances are no doubt nice to hear in the middle of an assault, but I’m forced to ask, “What makes you think you can trust this person?”  The attacker has already stepped outside the confines of civilized society and decided to commit a violent crime or deprive you of your property, which are dishonest acts in and of themselves. If the predator is already behaving in a fundamentally dishonest manner that involves the threat of violence, what makes you think he’ll turn over a new leaf of integrity simply by saying, “Do what I say, and I won’t hurt you”?  What the predator is doing with his promise is using a mimicry strategy we see in other predator species. Many venomous reptiles blend in with their surroundings, as do some mammals. Consider the tiger: Its stripes are meant to mimic its jungle environment to make stalk- ing easier. Similarly, the human predator who promises safety is mimicking civilized behavior to make victim acquisition easier. Nothing more, nothing less.  ...those who fought back saw no significant statistical rise in the severity of injury. Those who fought back automatically increased the odds of halting the assault in its tracks.... - DOJ Report THE SECOND OBJECTION that follows the but-what-if often stems from an improper grasp of probability. It’s akin to a gambler who exhibits a faulty understanding of house odds in a casino or an inveterate lottery player who greatly overestimates the odds of winning. Victims who make this sort of probabilistic error are engaging in a sort of false precognition in which they calculate that “perhaps it won’t get any worse.”  This thinking leads people to hope that perhaps the carjacking won’t lead to abduction and murder, that perhaps the armed robbery is only about money and there will be no violence once the property has been obtained. Yes, there are many examples of crimes of property stop- ping once said property has been acquired, but there are also many examples of crimes of property pro- gressing to violence.  I fail to see why people should gamble that they’ve been con- fronted by a “kind” criminal as opposed to a bona fide violent predator. To gamble on kindness and choose inaction can get you hurt or killed if the situation escalates. On the other hand, gambling that all who have stepped outside the dictates of civilized conduct intend to do you bodily harm will keep you primed and prepared, and most likely it’s the correct action.  I MUST OFFER a brief digression here on the subject of rape. I’ve come across more than a few women’s self-defense programs that advocate not fighting back during a sexual assault. The strategy is a form of the two thinking errors mentioned above, but it is also reprehensible and irresponsible advice.  Telling a woman to submit to a rapist is a hateful strategy. I’ve seen it originate, more often than not, from male-led programs — with very little protest from the female attendees. This dumbfounds me. If the vast majority of rape victims were men instead of women, would this same advice be offered? Would such an all-male audience be so accepting? I doubt it.  This heinous advocacy of complacency should be dismissed by everyone. Women should dismiss it with even more disdain. It seems to come from the “Well, you’re a woman, and you can’t fight off a man” perspective. That’s insulting and demeaning, not to mention wrong.  Fight back. Always.  ARE YOU WORRIED about making an assault worse? Well, how much worse can rape, or murder, be? But for those who still aren’t convinced and have a few more but-what-ifs loaded and ready to go, I direct your attention to a 1985 Department of Justice study that examined the crime of rape in tremendous detail. One portion of the study concerned injuries suffered by women who fought back compared to those who didn’t. The sample breaks nicely for statistical purposes because 51 percent of the women in the study fought back while 49 percent complied.  More than 96 percent of the injuries to both groups were contusions, lacerations and abrasions, which are not life-threatening. This held true even if the rapist was armed. Less than 4 percent of women received injuries serious enough to warrant hospitalization. (Of course, I’m not speaking of the psychological trauma; I’m merely comparing physical injury rates.)  Here’s the crux of the study: The injury level for women who fought back was only 2 percent above the level for those who didn’t. What does this mean? A 2-percent increase in injury severity when those injuries are contusions, abrasions and lacerations. I don’t mean to sound coldhearted, but this might amount to a few more bruises, an extra scrape and one more stitch on a cut in exchange for fighting off an attacker and not being raped. The data seem to support the notion that one should resist no matter what. Similar DOJ studies for other crimes show similar results — those who fought back saw no significant statistical rise in the severity of injury. Those who fought back automatically increased the odds of halting the assault in its tracks. This is a claim that cannot be made by those who choose not to fight back.  So it’s with good information in hand, and not some primal rah-rah, that I implore you all to fight back. The odds are on the side of those who do.  Mark Hatmaker’s website is extremeselfprotection.com . This article originally appeared in a 2019 edition of Black Belt Magazine.

The latest UFC rankings updates are here, and they're packed with surprises! Discover which fighters soared and who tumbled after the bantamweight showdown in Abu Dhabi. Plus, get ready for a thrilling heavyweight rematch at UFC Fight Night: Tybura vs Spivac 2 at the UFC APEX. Men’s Pound-For-Pound Belal Muhammad : Climbs to No. 5 after clinching the welterweight title. Sean O’Malley : Drops to No. 6 in the rankings. Women’s Pound-For-Pound Raquel Pennington : Moves up to No. 5. Julianna Peña : Also ranks at No. 5. Bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov : Rockets to No. 2 after defeating Cory Sandhagen. Cory Sandhagen : Falls to No. 4. Deiveson Figueiredo : Rises to No. 5 with his third straight win. Henry Cejudo : Drops to No. 6. Marlon Vera : Slips to No. 7. José Aldo : Now at No. 9. Rob Font : Moves down to No. 10. Mario Bautista : Advances to No. 11. Featherweight Movsar Evloev : Drops to No. 6. Bryce Mitchell : Moves up to No. 12. Lightweight Rafael Dos Anjos : Climbs to No. 13. Jalin Turner : Falls to No. 14. Light Heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov : Jumps to No. 11 after a big win. Anthony Smith : Drops to No. 12. Bogdan Guskov : Down to No. 13. Dominick Reyes : Falls to No. 14. Volkan Oezdemir : Moves up to No. 6. Women’s Bantamweight Miesha Tate : Rises to No. 8. Karol Rosa : Advances to No. 8. Norma Dumont : Moves up two spots. Women’s Flyweight Viviane Araujo : Climbs to No. 9. Amanda Ribas : Moves up to No. 10. Women’s Strawweight Mackenzie Dern : Falls to No. 8 despite her win. Amanda Ribas : Moves up to No. 7. Looking Ahead: UFC Fight Night: Tybura vs Spivac 2 Heavyweight Rematch : Marcin Tybura vs. Serghei Spivac. Tybura, ranked No. 8, is fresh off a win over Tai Tuivasa. Spivac returns after almost a year, looking to avenge his previous loss to Tybura. Women’s Bantamweight : Yana Santos vs. Chelsea Chandler. Santos seeks her first win since 2021, while Chandler aims for back-to-back victories. Another Women’s Bantamweight Clash : Karol Rosa vs. Pannie Kianzad. Rosa hopes to bounce back after a loss, and Kianzad aims to end her losing streak.

Due to injuries, the following changes have occurred: Javid Basharat is no longer competing against Chris Gutierrez in the bantamweight bout. Quang Le, a UFC newcomer with an undefeated 8-0 record, including five wins by finish, will now replace Basharat. Uros Medic will not be facing Danny Barlow in the welterweight bout. Nikolay Veretennikov, a veteran of Dana White’s Contender Series , will step in for Medic. Veretennikov enters his UFC debut on a three-fight win streak, all victories coming by finish. Johnny Parsons has been removed from the welterweight bout against Yusaku Kinoshita, resulting in the cancellation of this weekend's event. Furthermore, Allan Nascimento has been forced to withdraw from his flyweight fight against Jafel Filho due to illness. Consequently, this bout has been canceled from the upcoming event scheduled for this weekend. The event UFC FIGHT NIGHT: TYBURA vs SPIVAC 2 is scheduled for August 10 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and will be aired on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, with a simulcast on ESPN+ in both English and Spanish. The preliminaries start at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT, while the main card kicks off at 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT.

Bellator Champions Series  will return to San Diego on Saturday, September 7 at Pechanga Arena San Diego with a massive Lightweight World Championship main event and 10 additional bouts. Bellator Champions Series San Diego  will be headlined by undefeated  Usman Nurmagomedov  (17-0, 1 NC) attempting to retain his 155-pound title when he locks horns with  Alexander Shabliy  (23-3) a man who has not tasted defeat in eight years. In addition, one of the world’s best Bantamweights and former champion  Raufeon Stots  (20-2) returns to action against Brazil’s  Marcos Breno  (15-3). Also, Southern California’s own  Lorenz Larkin  (26-8) will be competing against Georgia’s  Levan Chokheli  (13-2), a winner of his last three contests. Both men will be vying to earn the distinction of being No. 1 contender for the Bellator Welterweight title. Tickets for  Bellator Champion Series San Diego  are available now at  AXS.com . The event will take place at Pechanga Arena on September 7 with the early card starting at 5 pm PST. All  Bellator Champions Series  events can be seen live in the U.S. on Max, as well as the U.K. only on DAZN. Bellator most recently held its historic 300th event at Pechanga Arena San Diego, and has frequented the premier venue throughout its over 15-year history. Now, the sports league, returns to Southern California with  Bellator Champions Series San Diego . The 2024 Bellator Champions Series schedule is as follows Saturday, September 7 –  Bellator Champions Series San Diego  – Pechanga Arena San Diego Saturday, September 14 –  Bellator Champions Series London  – OVO Arena Wembley Saturday, November 16 –  Bellator Champions Series Paris  – ADIDAS Arena Tuesday, December 31 –  Bellator Champions Series  – TBD    Completed Bellator Champions Series San Diego Main Card Max (U.S.) | DAZN (U.K.) Saturday, September 7 - 5:00 pm PST Lightweight World Title Bout   C- Usman Nurmagomedov  (17-0) vs.  Alexander Shabliy (23-3) Bantamweight Co-Main Event  Raufeon Stots  (20-2) vs.  Marcos Bren o (15-3) Welterweight No. 1 Contender’s Bout   Lorenz Larkin  (26-8) vs.  Levan Chokheli  (13-2) Middleweight Main Card Bout  Douglas Lima  (33-11) vs.  Aaron Jeffery  (14-5)  Lightweight Main Card Bout:   Yancy Medeiros  (12-8) vs.  Jora Ayvazyan  (14-1) Completed Bellator Champions Series San Diego Early Card Middleweight Bout Jordan Newman  (6-0) vs.  Imamshafi Aliev  (9-0) Women’s Flyweight Bout Keri Taylor Melendez  (6-0) vs.  Sumiko Inaba  (7-1) Middleweight Bout Grant Neal  (9-2) vs.  Khalid Murtazaliev  (17-3) Welterweight Bout Masayuki Kikuiri  (9-2-1) vs.  Herman Terrado  (15-6-1) Bantamweight Bout Bryce Meredith  (6-0) vs.  John MaCalolooy  (4-1) Heavyweight Bout Josh Hokit  (1-0) vs.  Sean Rose  (2-2) Strawweight Bout Aysia Cortez  (3-0) vs.  Ashley Thiner  (4-1)

UFC Bantamweight, Chelsea Chandler’s passion for fighting ignited early in life. “I went to a karate class when I was really little; I had like a free week to try it out,” begins the Stockton, California native, who is set to take on Yana Santos on the main card of this weekend’s Fight Night event at the UFC APEX. “I don’t think it was a real karate gym because they put me with this boy that was about my size and they just told us to fight each other. “I remember beating this boy up — I think he cried — and I had so much fun in class. Afterwards I told my mom that I wanted to go back, and she goes, ‘No, you’re never going back; what if someone does that to you?’” Despite shifting her focus to track and basketball during high school, a family trip to Thailand following her freshman year at the University of Miami rekindled her love for combat sports. The month-long stay led Chandler to train in Muay Thai and compete in several fights. With her fighting fire fully raging, she paused her academic pursuits for a year, returning to Thailand with her sister to train and compete. After graduating, Chandler returned to Stockton and started training at the Nick Diaz Academy, where veteran fighter Leslie Smith became one of her main training partners. Chandler missed weight for her first contest, coming in a pound over the 136-pound limit. She recognizes that her appearance on the scale on Friday is as intriguing to observers as her fight with Santos on Saturday. “At the end of the day, the UFC is the best organization to fight for and that’s where I wanna be, so this is what I’ve gotta do.” Chandler’s new UFC contract and the open nature of the bantamweight division serve as additional motivators heading into the weekend. After losing her professional MMA debut, Chandler rattled off four straight victories to earn a call to the UFC, debuting with a first-round stoppage win over Julija Stoliarenko in October 2022, which earned her a Performance of the Night bonus. Since then, the Diaz Academy representative has fought twice, dropping a decision to Norma Dumont last year at featherweight before collecting a unanimous decision win over Josiane Nunes in March in her return to bantamweight. Currently stationed at No. 14 in the divisional rankings, two spots behind Santos, Chandler believes there is a clear path to climb the divisional ladder in the next 12-18 months, provided she wins this weekend. “I feel like the division is wide open, like it has been for the past few years,” begins Chandler, who carries a 6-2 record into Saturday’s main card fixture. “You’ve got the champion (Raquel Pennington) who is probably fighting (Julianna) Pena, then you’ve got Kayla Harrison who is probably fighting for the title next, and then you’ve got a bunch of names that nobody really knows. But Chandler is not underestimating Santos this weekend. Despite Santos’ three-fight losing streak, Chandler recognizes the quality of competition Santos has faced and the challenge she presents. “I think she’s a formidable opponent,” Chandler says. “She’s on a three-fight losing streak, but it’s to really good people and a couple of them were really close decisions that I don’t think she lost. “I feel like a lot of people are counting her out, but she’s really good. She’s high level — she was the Invicta champ, she fought Cyborg; she’s been in there with the best. “I’m pretty open — just give me somebody that will get me to the title.” Don’t miss a moment of UFC Fight Night: Tybura vs Spivac 2 live from UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 10, 2024. Prelims start at 4pm ET/1pm PT, while the main card kicks off live on ESPN & ESPN+ at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

UFC, the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization, is set to debut its new docuseries, Dana White’s Contender Series: Next Level,  on August 5, exclusively on ESPN+ and ESPN2. This new series provides an in-depth look at the journey from rising prospect to emerging UFC star. It offers a behind-the-scenes view of up-and-coming MMA talent who made their debut in Dana White’s Contender Series  and faced the challenges of building a successful career in the world-famous Octagon. Starting today, all six episodes of Dana White’s Contender Series: Next Level  will be available to stream on demand on ESPN+. Additionally, ESPN2 will air the docuseries, with episodes 1-3 broadcasting at 7 p.m. ET, and episodes 4-6 airing next Monday, August 12 at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all six episodes of the docuseries, leading up to the season 8 premiere of Dana White’s Contender Series,  which will stream live on Tuesday, August 13 on ESPN+ with a special 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT start time. Dana White’s Contender Series  has been a launchpad for numerous fighters who went on to become UFC champions, contenders, and stars, including Sean O’Malley, Jamahal Hill, Bo Nickal, Maycee Barber, Jailton Almeida, Brendan Allen, Jack Della Maddalena, Caio Borralho, Johnny Walker, and more. Dana White’s Contender Series: Next Level Episode Descriptions Ep1 – The Hype is Real (Bo Nickal): Bo Nickal, a three-time NCAA champion, is ready to test himself in the UFC by competing in Dana White’s Contender Series.  He aims to impress Dana White enough to earn a contract and prove he is already a rising star, ready for the next level of competition. Ep2 – Age is Just a Number (Raul Rosas, Jr.): At just 17 years old, Raul Rosas, Jr. is the youngest fighter ever to compete in the UFC Octagon, navigating his budding popularity with the support of his family. Ep3 – For My Country (Nazim Sadykhov, Farid Basharat): Nazim Sadykhov is a proud son of Azerbaijan who hopes to bring honor to his country, while Farid Basharat aims to join his brother in the UFC and show the world that their Afghan roots are strong. Ep4 – Until We Meet Again (Ramon Tavares, Serhiy Sidey): Ramon Tavares and Serhiy Sidey are forever linked by their match in Dana White’s Contender Series,  which left Serhiy with a UFC contract but a question mark over his finish, and Ramon with the opportunity to prove his loss was an early stoppage before they meet again in an epic rematch. Ep5 – The Cowboy and The Soldier (Zachary Reese, Connor Matthews): Texas-born fighter Zachary Reese draws strength from personal tragedy to make his UFC dreams come true, while Massachusetts native Connor Matthews uses his skills in the Octagon to cope with PTSD as a former Army soldier who served in Afghanistan. Ep6 – Never Give Up (Carlos Prates, Mitch Ramirez): Brazilian native Carlos Prates has convinced Dana White that he might be the next Anderson Silva, while Las Vegas prospect Mitch Ramirez aims to transform his life from one behind bars to inside the Octagon.

Mythical Origin of Ju-Shin During the early part of the Tokugawa era (1603-1868), there lived in Japan’s Saikaido province a respected samurai named Saik- ouhou Matsuyama. He had a beauti- ful daughter called Ju Shin, which means “gentle spirit.” At that time in history, women weren’t allowed to train in the martial arts. However, because Saikouhou was a doting father, he’d let his daughter sit on the edge of the tatami while he practiced his jujitsu.  Ju Shin would study his every movement from afar. Each day after he left, she’d slowly go through the motions of the techniques. Eventually, Saikouhou caught on, but because she’d translated his fight- ing moves into a flowing form that looked like a dance and because she kept her knowledge to herself, he allowed her to continue.  One day, as she’d done many times before, Ju Shin walked to a meadow to pick wildflowers. Two ronin spied on the girl and decided to take advantage of her. As they grabbed her, she executed a few of the techniques she’d practiced as part of her “dance.” Her slow, smooth form sped up, and she dispatched both attackers in seconds.  When Ju Shin got home, she told her father about the two attackers in the meadow. He ran there, found the men nursing their wounds and beheaded both with his katana.  Although Saikouhou was upset, he hugged his daughter and tried to comfort her, letting her know how proud he was of her reaction. He said he’d never dreamed that her dance-like movements would mani- fest into self-defense, much less into a system a girl could use effectively against men. He could think of no greater honor to bestow on Ju Shin than to classify all her slow, graceful movements as ju-shin in honor of her gentle spirit.  Real History of Ju-Shin  Early in my jujitsu studies with Jack Seki in the 1960s, my sensei mentioned that women in old Japan weren’t allowed to train like men. Women could practice many of the moves, but they had to do them slowly with another woman in a dance-like form composed of prearranged sequences called kime- no-kata.  Seki encouraged us to practice techniques slowly so we’d learn how to execute them smoothly. Speed comes naturally with continued prac- tice, he said. Our sensei also encouraged us to practice this way at home with an imaginary partner. Of course, I followed his instructions.  Over the years, I’ve looked back on this part of my martial education and wondered what name could be given to this type of slow execution other than kime-no-kata, a rather generic term. Although I devised several Japanese names, none really conveyed the main idea while retaining all the physical, attitudinal and philosophical elements that go into jujitsu.  That bugged me for decades. I longed to come up with a simple name that conveyed the relevant ideas within the physical framework of combining jujitsu techniques into smooth-flowing sequences. Then, in 2013, I started writing my seventh book, Jujitsu: Advanced Techniques for Redirecting an Opponent’s Energy. One of the things I was searching for was a Japanese term that conveyed the importance of maintaining one’s physical and emotional balance while perform- ing jujitsu techniques. I managed to develop a list of terms, a few of which made it into the text.  Early in 2014, a student named Sharon Takeshita agreed to research the topic. Among the words her relatives recommended was ju-shin, which means “center of gravity.” Unexpectedly, she’d solved the problem.  As you may know, in Japanese, one word often can be written with different kanji characters and thus have different meanings. The name of my art is budoshin jujitsu, which included both halves of “ju-shin.” The kanji for shin is identical, but the kanji for ju is different. By changing the kanji for ju, my ju-shin, which meant “center of gravity,” could be linked with the old ju-shin, which meant “gentle spirit.”  I now had a name for the sequences my students and I have practiced for decades.  Analysis Of Ju-Shin In a nutshell, it refers to the slow and smooth execution of a series of basic jujitsu moves in a way that has one technique flow into the next while combating an imaginary opponent. There are usually five to 10 techniques in each sequence. To the unaware, they can resemble tai chi, but there are four important differences. • Ju-shin is based on traditional jujitsu kata. It uses techniques that have direct self-defense applications. If the movements of one or two sequences are sped up, they become effective. Thus, a student who learns ju-shin is also learning self-defense. • Ju-shin can be practiced by any- one. No special clothing or surface is needed. Footwear can be wornas long as you can move your feet smoothly without slipping. Because techniques are done slowly and from a balanced position, there’s no risk of injury. • Ju-shin provides an excellent form of training for both new students and experienced practitioners. Performing basic techniques slowly helps you develop the foot- work, body positioning and balance needed to do jujitsu in the real world. When you learn what each technique feels like under ideal conditions, your execution under less-than-ideal conditions becomes more effective.  • Ju-shin improves balance, joint flexibility and sensory awareness. It leaves you simultaneously relaxed and energized.  Meaning Of Ju-Shin Jujitsu translates as “gentle art,” but clearly it can be devastating. A practitioner has the option of using whatever is needed from the art’s skill set, which ranges from simple releases to painful control techniques to moves that can cause permanent injury. Within the system are two ways to practice these techniques with minimal risk to one’s training partner: kata-no-nage and the aforementioned kime-no-kata. Kata-no-nage refers to executing a technique until just before the crux occurs. This allows the tori (person doing the move) to practice the technique numerous times without forcing the uke (attacker) to endure endless punishment. It’s an excel- lent way to perfect one’s form at normal speed while stopping short of the throw or lock.  In the second alternative of kime- no-kata, the tori and uke execute prearranged moves in a cooperative manner. Some jujitsu ryu have kime-no-kata competitions, and impressive technique is frequently seen because movements can be full speed and flashy.  But it would be a mistake to assume that kime-no-kata and ju- shin are identical. Whereas kime-no- kata can be done at normal speed with a partner, ju-shin is executed slowly by oneself as a mental, spiritual and physical exercise that improves balance in life while polishing technique. In short, the slow and artistic movements of ju-shin are based on the significantly faster self-defense movements of jujitsu.  The value of slowly executing a jujitsu (gentle art) technique so it becomes a solo activity known as ju-shin (gentle spirit) is that you, the practitioner, are carrying the spirit of jujitsu in the execution of ju-shin movements. Although you’re not performing techniques on your partner or opponent, you’re going through the movements needed to construct a memory map of each technique — in the same way that Ju Shin used dance-like routines to memorize her moves. Both can lead to a state of mushin, or no-mind, which refers to doing techniques without having to think about them.  Getting Started In Ju-Shin  Ju-shin practice can benefit almost anyone, from those who are experienced in jujitsu or aikido to those who have no martial arts background (assuming they have access to a competent instructor). There’s no limit to the kinds of sequences one can do using ju-shin. All that’s required is a willingness to slow down the techniques so the sequence becomes a relaxing-but- stimulating exercise.  As you become more experienced at executing a ju-shin sequence, you develop a greater awareness of your balance, as well as improved coordination and a sense of inner peace that stems from getting closer and closer to mushin. You learn how to move from one technique to another with no conscious effort.  Environment is not important, but removing yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life — asyou might do for meditation — is ideal. I’ve practiced ju-shin while on a morning walk, sitting at a desk, working in the backyard and waiting in a car at a red light.  As mentioned above, the true value of ju-shin revolves around memory-mapping through slow repetition, which happens to be the reason martial artists practice kata. The only way you can effectively defend yourself in a real situation is if you’re in a state of mushin. If you have to think about what you will do while you’re under attack, it’s probably too late. Therefore, memory-mapping — which results from repeated strikes, throws, joint locks, take- downs, nerve attacks and submissions, as well as the transitions that occur between them — is crucial. Ju-shin not only helps you memory-map your moves for instant recall but also provides ready options in case your chosen response gets countered.  So how do you get started? Whether you’re a sensei or a stu- dent, you need to ensure that you perform your techniques smoothly and slowly with all parts of your body — including your feet and head — positioned properly and pointed in the direction you want your ki to flow. So before you begin, make sure you’re mentally prepared to do this.  Next, if you have a good core knowledge of your art, put several techniques together in a sequence that flows. That sequence might have you facing different directions at different times before returning to your original ready position of tachi waza, which is standing, or sutemi waza, which is sitting.  Once you have developed a few such sequences and practiced them repeatedly, you’ll find that you’re furthering your physical under- standing of your art. You’re start- ing to move from one technique to another without conscious thought. You’re finding it’s easier to modify a sequence on the fly by incorporating other moves into it as the situation requires. And that, as we all know, is the essence of self-defense.  A 10th-degree black belt based in Southern California, George Kirby has taught jujitsu since 1967. He was Black Belt’s 2007 Instructor of the Year.

ONE 168: Denver is set with an outstanding 12-match lineup for Friday, September 6, at the Ball Arena. Here is the full fight card of ONE 168. In the main event, ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 will challenge ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan Haggerty for his 26-pound Muay Thai title. This bout takes the place of Stamp Fairtex’s planned two-division title fight against Xiong Jing Nan, which was postponed due to Fairtex's torn meniscus. The co-main event features ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo defending his title against ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey Musumeci. "Darth Rigatoni" Musumeci has been a dominant force since joining ONE, but Ruotolo has been equally impressive. Musumeci will move up three weight divisions for a chance to prove himself as the pound-for-pound best submission artist in the world. The rest of the card boasts a lineup of elite martial artists. Liam Harrison will face Seksan Or Kwanmuang, and Aung La N Sang will battle Shamil Erdogan. Additionally, former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker will make his Muay Thai debut against Asa Ten Pow. Lineker’s powerful strikes will be tested against a rising contender in the bantamweight division, showcasing the “art of eight limbs.” New talent will also be featured as the next generation of martial artists takes the stage early in the evening. Teen stars Adrian Lee and Johan Ghazali will compete against Nico Cornejo and Josue Cruz, respectively. Catch all the action live on Prime Video on Friday, September 6, at ONE 168: Denver. The event starts at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. ONE 168: Denver Full Card ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship: Jonathan Haggerty vs. Superlek Kiatmoo9 ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship: Kade Ruotolo vs. Mikey Musumeci Liam Harrison vs. Seksan Or Kwanmuang Aung La N Sang vs. Shamil Erdogan John Lineker vs. Asa Ten Pow Maurice Abevi vs. Samat Mamedov Hiroyuki Tetsuka vs. Isi Fitikefu Alyse Anderson vs. Victoria Souza Hiroba Minowa vs. Sanzhar Zakirov Adrian Lee vs. Nico Cornejo Johan Ghazali vs. Josue Cruz Sean Climaco vs. Johan Estupinan

BRAVE Combat Federation returns to Pakistan with BRAVE CF 85 on August 18 and the co-main event will see the biggest India vs. Pakistan showdown in MMA today as Pakistani superstat Rizwan Ali returns to mixed martial arts to face Indian MMA veteran Srikant Sekhar in a Lightweight bout.  The latest addition to the historic sports rivalry, Srikant and Rizwan's bout will be a contest between two of the top fighters in India and Pakistan, offering a display of the very best from both nations.  Rizwan Ali aims to maintain his undefeated MMA record and extend his seven-fight winning streak. His recent victory in an India vs. Pakistan Karate matchup adds extra motivation, as he looks to impress BRAVE CF matchmakers and defend his country’s honor in front of his home crowd. Meanwhile, Srikant Sekhar, a seasoned figure in Indian MMA, aims to rebound from a recent loss and reestablish his winning ways. With an MMA career which started in 2012 and six of his seven wins by finishes, Srikant will be eager to not only revitalize his career but also proudly represent India on Pakistani soil. With only three combined fights going the distance, the bout promises to deliver fireworks when these two fighters clash in Lahore. BRAVE CF 85, part of the BRAVE International Combat Week, marks the organization’s return to Pakistan after six years. The event will be headlined by a Featherweight title eliminator between Rauan Bekbolat and Omar Solomanov. The full fight card will be revealed soon, promising an unforgettable MMA event for fans in Pakistan and around the world.