ONE Fight Night 24 put ONE Championship back in U.S. primetime on Prime Video. At night's end, a familiar face was back on top of the strawweight division, and a new queen emerged in atomweight submission grappling. Here are the results of ONE Fight Night 24. Jarred Brooks was not intimidated by Gustavo Balart's Olympic wrestling background. The American took him down right away and began searching for submissions. Balart did well in reversing the position once, but he could not keep "The Monkey God" off his back as more scrambles came. Finally, Brooks secured a rear-naked choke and the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Championship. Brazilian Mayssa Bastos added to her trophy room with the ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Championship. Danielle Kelly had an early catch to take the lead in the match, but Bastos remained aggressive. In the later stages of the round, Bastos got a catch of her own to even the score and took the decision based upon her aggressive nature throughout the bout. There was a shakeup in the flyweight kickboxing division when #5-ranked contender Elias Mahmoudi finished #3-ranked Taiki Naito. Mahmoudi looked the better man in the opening round when he dropped his Japanese foe. The same spinning back-fist that leveled Naito in the first finished him in the third to elevate Mahmoudi another step closer to gold. Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu beat the buzzer with his last-second submission over Carlo Bumina-ang. The win marked his third victory over a member of Team Lakay, perhaps making him their biggest rival. Baatarkhuu reaffirmed his spot among the best in the bantamweight MMA division. Aliff Sor Dechapan did not need long to put away Zakaria El Jamari in their catchweight Muay Thai affair. Aliff first put El Jamari down with a head kick. Although he got back to his feet, Aliff put him away with a body shot to return to the win column. Amy Pirnie put herself in title contention right away in her ONE debut. The Scot flattened Yu Yau Pui within the first minute of their atomweight Muay Thai contest with a crushing left hook to the jaw. The spectacular knockout kicked off the event and positioned Pirnie as a threat to the crown. Relive all of the action on-demand at Prime Video. ONE Fight Night 24 Full Results Jarred Brooks def. Gustavo Balart via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:39 of the first round Mayssa Bastos def. Danielle Kelly by unanimous decision Nabil Anane def. Felipe Lobo by unanimous decision Nakrob Fairtex def. Dedduanglek Wankhongohm MBK by unanimous decision Shamil Gasanov def. Aaron Canarte by unanimous decision Dmitrii Kovtun def. Ferrari Fairtex by unanimous decision Elias Mahmoudi def. Taiki Naito by knockout at 2:56 of the third round Keito Yamakita def. Yosuke Saruta by split decision Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon def. Craig Coakley by unanimous decision Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu def. Carlo Bumina-ang via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:59 of the third round Aliff Sor Dechapan def. Zakaria El Jamari by knockout at 1:37 of the first round Amy Pirnie def. Yu Yau Pui by knockout at 0:49 of the first round

Arab MMA superstar Izzeddine Al-Derbani returns to action at BRAVE CF 84 in China, where he will face Chinese MMA veteran Maimaitituohe and this time, Al-Derbani is driven by a dual motivation: defending the honor of BRAVE Combat Federation and an eagerness to return to winning ways. One of the biggest names in Arab MMA, Al-Derbani recently faced a setback at BRAVE CF 80, losing by decision to Dean Garnett. Despite the loss, his performance was well-received, and he now aims to regain his footing in the most global MMA organization in the world. Al-Derbani is among many Arab MMA fighters who have thrived under BRAVE Combat Federation’s global vision. Fighters such as Said Maalem, Mohammad Fakhreddine, Jarrah Al-Silawi, and Hamza Kooheji have achieved international recognition through BRAVE CF by competing outside of the Middle East against global stars and now, Al-Derbani, representing the Arab world, will fight in China to earn bragging rights for BRAVE CF in the BRAVE CF vs. WLF (YFU) tournament.  Already a top name in Arab MMA, Al-Derbani made his BRAVE CF debut at BRAVE CF 65 against Jose 'Shorty' Torres. Although he faced a setback in his debut, the Jordanian rebounded strongly in his second fight, submitting Eduardo Mora at BRAVE CF 70 in Slovenia. Now, Al-Derbani stands at a crucial juncture in his career as he prepares for BRAVE CF 84 in China. A victory would significantly enhance his standing in the BRAVE CF Featherweight division and could potentially reignite his rivalry with BRAVE CF legend Hamza Kooheji, setting the stage for one of the most exciting matchups in Arab MMA. However, Al-Derbani must first overcome the challenge posed by Maimaitituohe, who enters the fight with 44 bouts of experience and a two-fight winning streak. In addition to Al-Derbani, BRAVE CF 84 will feature Bahrain’s Mohamed Alsameea, considered the next big thing in Arab MMA. Alsameea will compete against Yang Weiqiang in a battle of prospects.

Displaying the shaven head and orange robes of a Shaolin monk, representative of Shaolin Martial Arts with a hip gray hoodie tossed on top, Shi Yan Ming cuts a disconcerting image. That’s especially true when his hands start flashing mock gang signs as he crosses his arms, strikes a street-savvy hip-hop pose and pronounces, “Yo, yo, baby, check it out! Respect!”  Standing in his USA Shaolin Temple headquarters, located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, and holding discourse on kung fu, Buddhism and life, Yan Ming is the ultimate juxtaposition of East and West, old and new, playful and profound — a yin-yang conundrum made flesh.  “The world is changing,” he says. “We’re in modern times.”  Although he’s a Chan Buddhist monk, Yan Ming doesn’t consider what he teaches to be Buddhist philosophy. Instead, he proclaims, “I teach global philosophy.”  Regional or global, it’s a philosophy that has roots in China’s Shaolin Temple, which Yan Ming, under his birth name Duan Gen Shan, entered in the late 1960s at age 5.  “I was very sick as a child,” he says. “My parents were Buddhists and believed the monks could save my life, so they brought me to the temple.”  TOUGH TIMES  That happened at the height of China’s Cultural Revolution, a time when the Red Guards, paramilitary troops loyal to Mao Zedong, ran roughshod across the country, doing their best to stamp out any remnants of pre-communist China — including Buddhism. Shaolin paid a heavy price.  Yan Ming recalls that it was a terrifying era when monks frequently had to abandon the temple to take temporary refuge outside because the Red Guards were passing through. The boy was accepted into the Buddhist community and given the name Shi Yan Ming. The relocation was an improvement in that he avoided the chaos of the countryside, but his new home was anything but a sanctuary.  Fleeing the temple for reasons of personal safety was not a new thing at Shaolin. Frequently in the past, monks were forced to leave the compound and live in nearby communities as laypeople. Often they would continue to practice kung fu and sometimes even teach it to locals. Most monks were quick to return to the temple once it was re-established.  It was from two such monks who had to take up residence in a nearby village that Yan Ming began learning kung fu. With few responsibilities other than studying Buddhism and performing daily chores, the youngster grew healthy — not a surprise when you learn that he was moving his body nine to 10 hours a day. It was a harsh lifestyle but one befitting a novice monk.  BOYS WILL BE BOYS  Yan Ming was one of the few children at Shaolin Temple at the time, a fact that forced him to find ways to entertain himself. The youth often resorted to playing pranks on other monks, including his kung fu teachers. “I’d do things like dig a hole in the ground and watch them fall into it,” he recalls with a touch of glee.  Despite the responses to his flights of whimsy — which included corporal punishment and being forced to hold a horse stance for hours — Yan Ming remembers these as good times. In fact, his recollections are so positive that he occasionally wishes he could revisit his childhood.  Life at Shaolin began to change, he says, in the early 1980s when a young wushu champ and budding movie star named Jet Li arrived to make the eponymous film The Shaolin Temple. Released in 1982, the movie was a seminal event in the history of the Chinese martial arts. Suddenly, young people from across the nation began making their way to the facility in hopes of becoming Shaolin monks. Foreigners, too, rediscovered Shaolin and started planning pilgrimages.  The Chinese government was quick to take note. They rebuilt the temple so it could handle the increasing visitation. The Chinese arts in general and Shaolin Temple in particular became prime examples of cultural “soft power,” a way to present Chinese society in a positive light so the rest of the world could see.  By the early 1990s, the government of China had designated a group of Shaolin monks to serve as a demonstration team, then sent them overseas to display their kung fu to Western audiences. As part of that team, Yan Ming visited California in 1992 where, on the last leg of the tour, he decided to defect.  He now says he was motivated by a desire to introduce the Shaolin way, along with all the benefits it can bring, to the citizens of the West. But he also admits that he felt constricted by the many rules monks were expected to live by. Despite the fact that he’s wearing the robes of a full-fledged monk, that child who laughed when his elders would fall into holes is still there, yearning to be free.   MONK IN MANHATTAN All that might seem odd, given that Yan Ming not only came to America, the epitome of consumerism, but also went on to open his own commercial temple in New York. To him, though, it’s just another example of a yin- yang duality, one he believes is necessary to embrace if a person wishes to live successfully in the modern world. “When I left the Shaolin Temple, they had 250 rules for monks,” Yan Ming says. “Buddhist nuns had even more. But this is the 21st century — we have to be modern.” The key to maintaining a balance between the old and the new, between the ideal and the practical, he says, is being honest with yourself and others, something that’s not always easy to do in the traditional martial arts. He says he’s had people come to him to learn kung fu with the expectation that it will enable them to fly through the air.  “I tell them, ‘You can do that, but you need a wire like they have in the movies,” he says.  IN DEMAND IN THE WEST  He may not be able to fly, but Yan Ming is still an authentic Shaolin monk capable of performing some impressive physical feats, which has led to his becoming something of a minor celebrity in America. He’s been featured in national television shows, and his reputation has attracted a number of famous students, from movie star Wesley Snipes to the kung fu aficionados who make up the Wu-Tang Clan. Quite comfort- able crossing over between genres, Yan Ming has even appeared in a short film/music video titled Shaolin Quest, from Wu-Tang’s RZA.  It’s from his association with the likes of RZA and fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah that Yan Ming has acquired his unique Chinese-inflected, urban-jive patois: “Yo! Wu-Tang in da house. Peace!” Coming from a Shaolin monk, such utterances can’t help but bring a smile to the face of any listener.  “I learn from my students, just like they learn from me,” he says. “You can learn from anyone. Just be honest with yourself.”  Although schooled in the classical Chinese martial arts, Yan Ming is honest to a fault when he talks about what kung fu can and cannot do. He cites a recent incident of a tai chi practitioner proclaiming he could defeat a Chinese MMA fighter before being summarily grounded and pounded in a challenge match. The video of the fight, widely circulated on the internet, caused something of an existential crisis in traditional Chinese martial arts circles. However, Yan Ming sees it as a perfect example of the need for more candor in kung fu.  “Don’t lie to yourself,” he says. “Martial artists always act like there’s a secret, but real life is not like that.”  Sounding as if he’s taken a page from Bruce Lee’s book, he adds, “There are no styles in a fight. If you defend yourself, that’s your style. In a fight, don’t think about what style you do or what technique you use. Just hit him!”  ROOTS IN RELIGION  Yan Ming’s philosophy of fighting actually comes from schooling in his Chan, which is better-known in the West by its Japanese name Zen. It boils down to advising students to take action without unnecessary thought or analysis.  Although he offers a weekly Chan Buddhism class in addition to the standard kung fu training at his New York temple, Yan Ming says the stereotypical sitting meditation found in most Zen sects is not essential. Instead, he recommends what he calls “action meditation.”  “Mindfulness” has become a buzzword in pop-psychology circles in recent years, advocating a simple awareness, the notion of “being in the moment,” of focusing on whatever task is at hand rather than let- ting your concentration obsess on a myriad of distracting thoughts. Essentially, this would seem to be the core of action meditation: Be in the moment and completely focus on what you’re doing, whether that’s practicing kung fu or mowing the lawn.  “Everything is meditation,” Yan Ming says. “Chan means life.”  He also says that kung fu can be just as much a reflection of life as Buddhism and that people must extend themselves in kung fu just as in life. To emphasize his point about extending, he uses a hand to pull his leg straight up until his toes are over his head.  As he holds his foot aloft with perfect ease, Yan Ming points to the school slogan emblazoned on the side of his customized kung fu slippers. The words emphasize what he claims is the real — and the only — secret to success in martial arts: Train harder!  Shi Yan Ming’s website is usashaolintemple.com .

The Black Belt Hall of Fame announcements will be revealed on August 10th, 2024. Private ceremonies will be held in October in Hollywood, California, honoring the most influential martial artists who have shaped the world. Black Belt Magazines iconic award began in 1967 with awards posted in 1968 and included a stellar lineup including a young up and coming champion Chuck Norris. Past recipients include iconic figures such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Cynthia Rothrock, Bill Wallace, Graciella Casillas, Dana White, Kathy Long, Ed Parker, and Jhoon Rhee. This year's ceremonies will be a groundbreaking event, uniting masters, legends, and stars under one roof with a shared purpose: to celebrate the martial arts community and honor those who have dedicated their minds, hearts, and souls to elevate the industry. Stay tuned for more...

On August 10, 2024, the UFC Apex will once again be the epicenter of high-octane mixed martial arts action as UFC Fight Night, Tybura vs. Spivac 2 takes center stage. This event, broadcast live on ESPN, promises to deliver a night of thrilling bouts with eleven matchups featuring some of the most dynamic fighters in the sport. Main Event: Marcin Tybura vs. Serghei Spivac II (Heavyweight - 265 lbs) In the main event, heavyweight contenders Marcin Tybura and Serghei Spivac will lock horns for the second time. Their first encounter was a closely contested battle, and fans are eagerly anticipating this rematch to see who will emerge victorious. Tybura, known for his resilience and striking power, will look to solidify his position in the division. Spivac, with his grappling prowess and ground-and-pound skills, aims to even the score and make a significant statement. Co-Main Event: Javid Basharat vs. Chris Gutierrez (Bantamweight - 135 lbs) The co-main event features a bantamweight clash between rising star Javid Basharat and the ever-dangerous Chris Gutierrez. Basharat's unblemished record and versatile skill set make him a formidable opponent, while Gutierrez's striking acumen and experience in the Octagon will test Basharat's mettle in this high-stakes bout. Main Card Fights: Jarno Errens vs. Youssef Zalal (Featherweight - 145 lbs) This featherweight showdown promises fireworks as Jarno Errens brings his dynamic striking to face Youssef Zalal, whose agility and technique make him a tough adversary. Both fighters are known for their high output and will look to put on a show for the fans. Allan Nascimento vs. Jafel Filho (Flyweight - 125 lbs) In the flyweight division, Allan Nascimento and Jafel Filho will battle it out in a fight that could have title implications. Nascimento's submission skills and Filho's striking make for an intriguing stylistic matchup that could end in a flash. Chepe Mariscal vs. Damon Jackson (Featherweight - 145 lbs) Chepe Mariscal and Damon Jackson will face off in a featherweight bout that has the potential to be a grappling clinic. Mariscal's aggressive wrestling will clash with Jackson's submission game in what promises to be a technical and exciting contest. Karol Rosa vs. Pannie Kianzad (Bantamweight - 135 lbs) Karol Rosa and Pannie Kianzad will square off in a bantamweight bout that could steal the show. Rosa's striking volume and Kianzad's durability and well-rounded skills set the stage for a competitive and entertaining fight. Preliminary Card Highlights: Karl Williams vs. Jhonata Diniz (Heavyweight - 265 lbs) Heavyweights Karl Williams and Jhonata Diniz will collide in a bout where one punch can change everything. Expect a slugfest as these two powerhouses go head-to-head. Yana Santos vs. Chelsea Chandler (Featherweight - 135 lbs) In the women's featherweight division, Yana Santos will take on Chelsea Chandler in a fight that could shake up the rankings. Santos' experience versus Chandler's tenacity will be a key storyline. Stephanie Luciano vs. Talita Alencar (Strawweight - 115 lbs) Strawweights Stephanie Luciano and Talita Alencar will compete in a bout that showcases the depth of talent in the division. Luciano's striking and Alencar's grappling will be the key points to watch. Charalampos Grigoriou vs. Toshiomi Kazama (Bantamweight - 135 lbs) Bantamweights Charalampos Grigoriou and Toshiomi Kazama will face off in a bout that promises action from the opening bell. Both fighters are known for their relentless pace and aggression. Danny Barlow vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (Welterweight - 170 lbs) In the welterweight division, Danny Barlow and Nikolay Veretennikov will battle it out in a fight that could have significant implications for their futures in the UFC. Barlow's wrestling and Veretennikov's striking will be the focal points in this bout. With a stacked card and high-stakes matchups, UFC Fight Night: Tybura vs. Spivac 2 is set to be an unforgettable night of MMA action. Fans should tune in on ESPN to catch all the excitement live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Stay Tuned with Black Belt Magazine, for more news and updates.

BRAVE Combat Federation will be returning to Pakistan on August 18 with BRAVE CF 85 and a high-stakes Featherweight bout between Rauan Bekbolat and Omar Solomanov has been announced as the headliner of the event. Omar Solomanov, who emerged as a title contender in the Featherweight division following his victory over Ilyar Askhanov at BRAVE CF 71, will have to overcome the challenge posed by Rauan Bekbolat before he can secure a Featherweight world title shot.  The Ukrainian fighter remains undefeated in BRAVE Combat Federation, winning all three of his fights in the organization. Rauan Bekbolat, on the other hand, enters BRAVE Combat Federation riding a four-fight winning streak, with all four victories coming through finishes.  The Kazakh superstar has a huge opportunity in his promotional debut; a win could propel him into title contention in the Featherweight division, given Solomanov's current standing. The current titleholder, Nemat Abdrashitov, from Kyrgyzstan will likely welcome the winner of this fight as his first challenger. The full fight card will be released in the next few days as Pakistani fans can look forward to an amazing event, in the same style of BRAVE CF 17, the first-ever international show that took place in the country.  On that occasion, athletes such as Abdoul Abdouraguimov, JP Buys, Gamzat Magomedov, Frans Mlambo, Abbas Khan, Ahmed Amir, and many others were in action. ‘ Many of those became household names in the MMA world, and the BRAVE CF 85 card will look to integrate the future of the sport alongside Pakistan's finest talents. Held as part of the BRAVE International Combat Week which will also feature the IMMAF Asian Championships, BRAVE CF 85 will mark BRAVE Combat Federation’s second event in Pakistan following BRAVE CF 17 which happened back in 2018.

Bong Soo Han , the man behind "Billy Jack"  graces the April 1980 cover of Fighting Stars. he was was a Korean martial artist, author, and the founder of the International Hapkido Federation. His early claim to fame was stunt doubling and fight choreography in the movie Billy Jack. He was one of the foremost and most recognized practitioners of hapkido through his participation in books, magazine articles, and popular films featuring the martial art. He is often referred to as the "Father of Hapkido" in America. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

The MMA world turned its eyes to Abu Dhabi for UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, an event that delivered 13 electrifying bouts at the Etihad Arena. With a mix of knockouts, submissions, and hard-fought decisions, fans were treated to an unforgettable night of fights broadcast live on ABC and ESPN 2. Main Event: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Cory Sandhagen In the highly anticipated main event, Umar Nurmagomedov showcased his superior grappling and striking skills against Cory Sandhagen, securing a unanimous decision victory. Nurmagomedov's relentless pressure and precise technique overwhelmed Sandhagen, earning scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46 from the judges. Co-Main Event: Shara Magomedov vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk Shara Magomedov dominated Michał Oleksiejczuk in the co-main event, also winning via unanimous decision. Magomedov's striking and clinch work proved too much for Oleksiejczuk, who struggled to find his rhythm throughout the bout. Main Card Highlights Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo:  Former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo moved up to bantamweight and secured a unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera. Figueiredo's speed and power were on full display, earning him a successful debut in the 135 lbs division. Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa:  Michael Chiesa handed Tony Ferguson another setback, submitting him with a rear naked choke at 3:44 of the first round. Chiesa's grappling prowess was too much for Ferguson, who has now lost six straight fights. Mackenzie Dern vs. Lupita Godinez:  Mackenzie Dern bounced back with a unanimous decision victory over Lupita Godinez. Dern's superior grappling and striking versatility secured her the win in this strawweight clash. Joel Alvarez vs. Elves Brener:  Joel Alvarez impressed with a third-round TKO over Elves Brener, utilizing devastating knees to ground and pound at 3:36 of the final round. Alvarez's striking accuracy was the key to his victory. Preliminary Card Highlights Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov:  Azamat Murzakanov defeated Alonzo Menifield with a second-round TKO, finishing the fight with powerful punches at 3:18. Mohammad Yahya vs. Kauê Fernandes:  Kauê Fernandes stopped Mohammad Yahya with ground-and-pound punches at 4:45 of the first round, earning a TKO victory. Shamil Gaziev vs. Don'Tale Mayes:  Shamil Gaziev outworked Don'Tale Mayes to win via unanimous decision in this heavyweight bout. Guram Kutateladze vs. Jordan Vucenic:  Guram Kutateladze secured a unanimous decision win over Jordan Vucenic, showcasing his striking and grappling skills. Victoria Dudakova vs. Sam Hughes:  In a close contest, Sam Hughes edged out Victoria Dudakova via split decision, displaying great resilience and determination. Jai Herbert vs. Rolando Bedoya:  Jai Herbert earned a unanimous decision victory over Rolando Bedoya, using his technical striking to control the fight. Sedriques Dumas vs. Denis Tiuliulin:  Sedriques Dumas defeated Denis Tiuliulin via unanimous decision, showing his all-around skillset in this middleweight clash. UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi delivered a night full of action and memorable performances. From Nurmagomedov's dominant main event victory to the thrilling prelims, fans were left buzzing with excitement. Stay tuned to Black Belt Magazine for more thrilling fights and unforgettable moments in the world of MMA.

Teddy Riner delivered a stunning performance, clinching a spectacular ippon to secure Olympic team gold for France in an electrifying finale against Japan. The Olympic Games concluded with a storybook ending that captivated the audience. The French team triumphed in a nail-biting finish, narrowly avoiding a 4-1 defeat. The home crowd's energy was pivotal, with Joan-Benjamin Gaba emerging as a standout hero. The final kicked off with a match between Sanshiro Murao (JPN), the Olympic silver medallist, and Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou, the Olympic bronze medallist. Despite Ngayap Hambou's relentless pressure, Murao clinched an ippon with his sharp left uchi-mata in golden score. In the subsequent bout, Takayama executed an o-uchi-gari against Dicko, winning with a waza-ari despite facing two penalties. Next up, Teddy Riner took center stage, dominating Saito and throwing him for ippon with a massive uchi-mata two minutes into golden score. The scoreboard now read 2-1 in favor of Japan. In a surprising match-up, Natsumi Tsunoda faced Cysique. Tsunoda’s relentless tomoe-nage eventually threw Cysique for ippon, putting Japan ahead 3-1. Double Olympic champion Hifumi Abe then faced Joan-Benjamin Gaba in a masterclass of judo. After nearly 9 minutes of intense combat, Gaba stunned the crowd by throwing Abe for ippon with kata-guruma, bringing France back into contention. Riding high on Gaba's win, Clarisse Agbegnenou faced her old rival Takaichi. Agbegnenou threw for ippon with a left-sided makikomi, leveling the scores and setting the stage for a dramatic final draw. The heavyweight +90 kg category was chosen, pitting Tatsuru Saito against Teddy Riner. In a tense six-minute contest, Riner, now a judo icon, threw Saito for ippon, sealing the gold for France. Earlier in the evening, Brazil and Italy battled for an Olympic Mixed Team bronze. Brazil opened strongly, with Macedo and Souza securing wins. Despite Italy's efforts, Brazil led 3-2. Italy's Savita Russo leveled the match at 3-3, but Silva's uchi-mata in the final bout secured the bronze for Brazil. The second bronze medal match saw Korea facing Germany. Joonhwan Lee of Korea lost to Trippel, but Kim and Huh extended Korea’s lead. Wandtke kept Germany's hopes alive by defeating An. Miriam Butkereit tied the match for Germany, forcing a tiebreaker. The tiebreaker saw An and Wandtke face off again, with An prevailing on penalties to secure the bronze for Korea. Key Highlights: France defended their mixed team judo title in a thrilling final against Japan at the Olympic Games, mirroring the Tokyo 2020 outcome with France taking gold and Japan securing silver. Despite Japan's strong start, winning three out of the first four contests, France made a remarkable comeback. Clarisse Agbegnenou brought the score to 3-3 by defeating Takaichi Miku with a waza-ari. The legendary Teddy Riner clinched the gold for France by triumphing over Saito Tatsuru with an ippon in the final and deciding contest. Brazil and the Republic of Korea both emerged victorious in the bronze medal matches, defeating Italy and Germany with 4-3 wins, respectively. This event marked only the second time that mixed team judo has been featured in the Olympic Games, following its debut in Tokyo 2020.

Leo Fong’s journey in the Wei Kuen Do & Martial Arts began when he was just 7 years old — on his very first day of school in Arkansas. The only Asian on campus, he found himself surrounded by a group of students during recess. They began throwing racial slurs at the newcomer.  W HEN LEO RETURNED HOME, his father asked how his first day had gone. “Great!” the boy replied. “Everybody likes me. They even sang to me.”  His father asked, “What did they sing?”  Leo said, “Ching-chong Chinaman.”  His face red with anger, his father said, “They don’t like you. Don’t you know they are making fun of your racial heritage?”  The next day at recess, a teacher organized a softball game and told Leo to play first base. One kid hit the ball and ran to first. He looked at Leo and said, “Chink!” Without hesitation, Leo punched him in the nose, knocking him to the ground.  The teacher grabbed Leo, spanked him and sent him to the office. An administrator made him stand in the hall for two days, which gave other students a chance to further taunt him. But the scrappy youth was not about to let that chase him away, as racism had done to his cousins. While serving his punishment, he vowed to fight back. Leo would have other run-ins with bullies during the ensuing years, and he frequently found himself in the principal’s office.  BACK THEN, no martial arts schools existed in the part of Arkansas where the Fong family lived, a fact that forced Leo to turn to the preferred Western method of self-defense. The 12-year-old bought a book called  The Fundamentals of Boxing and devoured it. To practice his techniques, he hung a pillow on the wall to serve as a punching bag. Despite the lack of legitimate gear and instruction, he honed his hand skills. From that point forward, whenever a bully would unleash a wild swing, he’d get knocked silly by one of Leo’s jabs or hooks.  Leo Fong fought in his first formal match at 15. Although he lost a close decision, he learned much from his first foray in front of an audience. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, where he promptly joined the boxing team. That’s when he received his first formal lesson from an old pro fighter named Kirby “KO” Donoho. During his first year of competition, Leo won seven of his eight fights, scoring five first-round knockouts — all with his left hook.  IN 1974 Fong received a call from a movie producer in the Philippines who had seen him on the cover of Black Belt. The producer offered Fong the lead role in two films. Fong flew to the Philippines to visit some movie studios to get a sense of what filmmaking there was all about. He returned home and then, with his business partner and friend Ron Marchini, jetted back to the Philip- pines to begin filming.  Fong’s first movie there was Murder in the Orient, aka Manila Gold. Although he and Marchini got the star treatment in the Philip- pines, the movie was a disappointment. Despite that, Fong decided to remain in country for a year to school himself on action filmmak- ing. After returning to America, he went on to star in 16 movies and direct, write and/or produce six others — including the very successful Killpoint, which co-starred Cameron Mitchell and Richard Roundtree.  Fong then decided to travel to Hong Kong to visit kung fu schools in search of a place to train. Interestingly, he wound up selecting a local muay Thai gym. During this time, Chaplin Chang, the production man- ager for Enter the Dragon, set up an interview for Fong with a Hong Kong magazine. On the way to meet the writer, Chaplin asked him what he called his style. Fong couldn’t give a short answer because he’d trained in so many systems.  Chaplin’s suggestion was, “Why don’t you call it wei kuen do?”  Fong asked about the meaning, to which Chaplin replied, “The way of the integrated or assimilated fist.” He went on to explain that wei means stomach, where food starts to get integrated into the body. Fong immediately liked the name. Having grown up in the Southern United States, he knew all about integration and supported it wholeheartedly. He also liked that the name hinted at a connection to his friend Bruce Lee.  WHILE STILL LIVING in the Philippines, Fong befriended Remy Presas and became a student of his modern arnis. When he moved back to California, Fong trained extensively under Angel Cabales, founder of serrada escrima. Later, Fong developed his own style of stick fighting called modern escrima. The footwork he devised for it was subsequently integrated into wei kuen do.  Believing that learning is a never- ending journey, Fong spent decades as a martial arts student, eventually earning black-belt-level rank in choy lay fut, sil lum kung fu, wing chun, taekwondo, tang soo do, karate, arnis, escrima, judo and jujitsu. Naturally, he incorporated elements of all of them into wei kuen do. During that whole time, he lifted weights diligently. In fact, he and Marchini co- wrote Power Training in Kung-Fu and Karate and Advanced Power Training in Kung Fu and Karate, both of which were published by Black Belt Books.  It’s been that very combination — boxing, weightlifting and wei kuen do with its moves culled from a variety of traditional arts — that’s enabled Fong to live a long and healthy life. Now that he’s 90, he spends his free time extracting select components from his system and mixing them with chi kung to form a program he calls chi fung.  Although it’s designed for seniors, chi fung is great for everyone, Fong says. It resembles tai chi and chi kung but with light weights and calisthenics. The goal is to connect physical skills with internal energy and spirituality.  It’s those spiritual elements on which Fong now focuses because he believes they can help martial artists refine their skills so that in combat, they can hit without getting hit and fight without fighting. They can more easily overcome size, strength and stamina differentials. And outside the training hall, they can deal more effectively with adversity. Clearly, wei kuen do stacks up as much more than a fighting art.  “Wei kuen do is a process, always changing, always growing, always striving but never quite arriving,” Fong says. “A person must learn to adapt to the changes that will always come.”  The development of wei kuen do also was influenced by Leo Fong’s friendship with Bruce Lee. To read more about it, visit blackbeltmag.com .  Adam James is founder and president of Rainbow Warrior Martial Arts ( rainbowwarriormartialarts.com ) and vice president of the National College of Exercise Professionals. He’s an instructor in wei kuen do, chi fung and modern escrima under Leo Fong, as well as a fifth-degree black belt in kempo, karate, jiu jitsu and kobudo.

The final day of the judo tournament was nothing short of magical, with powerhouse teams France and Japan gearing up for an epic showdown. While Team Judo Final will be a France vs Japan faceoff, the path to the finals, was packed with unpredictable and fiercely contested matches that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The day kicked off with the round of 32, where Spain swiftly crushed the Refugee Team 4-0. Meanwhile, Israel faced a tough battle against Mongolia, clinching the first three wins before Mongolia rallied to tie the match at 3-3. In a nail-biting final match, Muki redeemed himself, securing Israel’s advancement to meet France in the round of 16. Next up, Italy clashed with Hungary. Pirelli threw Veg for an early waza-ari, and Toniolo secured an ippon after an intense 7-minute battle. Despite Hungary's comeback efforts, Italy emerged victorious with a 4-1 win. In the round of 16, the Netherlands faced off against Serbia. Kukolj's decisive win over Michael Korrel led Serbia to a 4-2 victory. Japan, on a redemption mission, faced Spain with a strong lineup. Abe triumphed over Toro Soler with a last-second throw, Takaichi won in ne-waza, and after a fierce fight from Mosakhlishvili, Japan claimed a 4-3 victory after a golden score rematch. France's bout against Israel saw Cysqiue throwing Nelson Levy for ippon, and Gaba outlasting Butbul in an 8-minute marathon. Gahie quickly dispatched Sharir, and Ngayap-Hambou sealed the win by throwing Muki twice, leading France to a 4-0 victory. Germany dominated Austria with a 4-0 win, thanks to stellar performances from Starke, Butkereit, and Trippel. Kazakhstan faced Brazil in a closely contested match where Silva and Souza led Brazil to a narrow 4-3 victory, with Goncalves clinching the win. Korea swiftly took a 3-0 lead against Turkey, but Zgank's ippon gave Turkey a glimmer of hope. Kim's victory over Ozdemir, however, confirmed Korea’s 4-1 win. In a dramatic encounter, Georgia faced Italy. Liparteliani's quick ippon against Giuffrida was followed by a Lombardo victory. Polling and Bekauri also secured wins, but a disqualification of Somkhishvili for aggressive gripping led to a 3-3 tie. Lombardo triumphed in the deciding rematch, sending Italy to the quarter-final. Uzbekistan dominated Canada, with Aminova and Yuldoshev securing their matches, followed by strong performances from Matniyazova and Bobonov, culminating in a 4-0 victory. With these intense preliminary rounds, the stage is set for an electrifying final team event between France and Japan, promising a thrilling conclusion to the judo tournament. Don't miss out on this epic battle for gold!

Get ready for fireworks! UFC CEO Dana White has just dropped a bombshell, revealing that UFC 308 will return to Abu Dhabi on October 26 with a card that's sure to blow fans away. Headlining the event, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will make his first title defense vs the legendary Max Holloway, the former featherweight king and current BMF champion at UFC 308. Both fighters are riding high on sensational knockouts this year. Topuria snatched the title with a stunning second-round sleeper against Alexander Volkanovski, while Holloway's last-second right hand sent Justin Gaethje to the canvas at UFC 300. Their online banter and cat-and-mouse antics only add fuel to this highly anticipated showdown. Topuria, undefeated and hungry, aims to cement his reign atop the featherweight division. But standing in his way is Holloway, a fighter many regard as one of the best in featherweight history, looking to reclaim the belt he lost in 2019. Holloway’s journey back to the top has been marked by unforgettable performances, and this fight is set to be another classic. But that's not all! White also confirmed the rebooking of a colossal middleweight clash between former champion Robert Whittaker and the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev. Originally set for the UFC’s first event in Saudi Arabia, Chimaev was forced to withdraw due to illness. Whittaker then dispatched Ikram Aliskerov in record time, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle that could determine the next title challenger. The excitement continues with a heavyweight rematch between French phenom Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov. Gane secured a unanimous decision in their first encounter in 2019, but Volkov has been on a tear, winning five of his last six fights. A victory here could catapult either fighter into title contention. Additionally, light heavyweights Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakić will clash in a bout that could define the next challenger for Alex Pereira's title. Rakić is seeking redemption after a long injury layoff, while Ankalaev is looking to build on his momentum following a decisive win over Johnny Walker earlier this year. Stay tuned to Black Belt Magazine for all the latest updates on this explosive card and other thrilling UFC events. You won't want to miss it!