Strawweight sensation Loopy Godinez is gearing up for a heated encounter against Mackenzie Dern at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. The upcoming bout marks Godinez’s 12th UFC fight, but it’s her first outside the U.S., stirring a mix of excitement and opportunity. "When they offered me the fight, I was ecstatic," she revealed. "This career is fleeting, and they're presenting me with a chance to be on the main card, face a formidable opponent, and travel to a part of the world I might never have seen without the UFC." Raised in Canada and born in Mexico, Godinez is no stranger to international stages, but Abu Dhabi is a new pin on her map. As she prepares for the fight, she reflects on the adjustments she's made since her last bout—a unanimous decision loss to Virna Jandiroba that halted her four-fight winning streak. Admitting the challenges of altering her training setup due to teammate Alexa Grasso’s coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter, Godinez acknowledged the disruption wasn't ideal. "It was the longest two weeks of my life," she confessed, explaining how the change upended her preparations. Despite the setback, Godinez is optimistic about her clash with Dern, ranked seventh in the strawweight division. She sees this as a rebound opportunity, aiming to leverage her wrestling and grappling skills against Dern’s renowned jiu-jitsu prowess. "I’m not afraid of her ground game," Godinez stated firmly. "I’ve enhanced my defense and offense on the mat, and I'm ready to showcase a smarter, more aggressive approach." Tune in to UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov on August 3, 2024, to see if Godinez can turn the heat into her advantage and climb the strawweight rankings. The action starts with prelims at 12 PM ET, followed by the main card live on ABC, ESPN & ESPN+ at 3 PM ET.

In a thrilling display of skill and endurance, the Olympic judo finals in Paris saw emotions running high and underdogs rising to the occasion. While seven jubilant judokas celebrated their victories, Ilia Sulamanidze faced a tough loss. In a dramatic turn of events, Sulamanidze lost his lead in the crucial last moments, resulting in two penalty shidos from the Hungarian referee. This paved the way for Zelym Kotsoiev to claim Azerbaijan's second gold of the week, following Hidayat Heydarov's earlier win in the -73kg category. Kotsoiev's victory not only added an Olympic gold to his world title but also marked Azerbaijan's third-ever Olympic judo gold. Meanwhile, four nations rejoiced as their athletes clinched their first medals of the Games. Italy's Alice Bellandi, the world number one, showcased her prowess by securing Olympic gold, compensating for previous misses at the world titles. Israel saw both Inbar Lanir and Peter Paltchik stepping onto the podium, while Portugal's Patricia Sampaio and China's Zhenzhao Ma also claimed their spots among the medalists. Bellandi delivered an impeccable performance, dominating her matches with unwavering focus and intense pressure. Her victory not only continues Italy's tradition of claiming a judo gold every eight years but also fills her with overwhelming joy and adrenaline. On the men's side, Kotsoiev demonstrated why he is both a world champion and now an Olympic gold medalist. His dynamic and powerful judo left many competitors struggling, with only Sulamanidze initially posing a serious challenge. Yet, despite Sulamanidze's strategic efforts, Kotsoiev's relentless attacks ensured his victory and a significant chapter in Azerbaijan's sporting history. Adding to the excitement, celebrity Snoop Dogg was spotted among the audience, witnessing the judo stars and Kotsoiev's dramatic qualification for the finals. As the Paris 2024 Games progress, the medal tally has expanded from 22 to 26 countries, thanks to remarkable performances in the women's -78kg category by athletes from Italy, Israel, Portugal, and China.

Starring Anthony Hopkins and brought to you by Roland Emmerich , Those About to Die on Peacock is an epic historical drama series set in the complex and brutal world of ancient Rome's gladiatorial arenas. Based on the classic 1958 book by Daniel P. Mannix, the series explores the lives of the gladiators, their training, the political machinations of the Roman elite, and the intense spectacles that captivated the populace. The show promises to combine rich historical detail with gripping storytelling, offering viewers an immersive look into the perilous existence of those who fought for their lives and glory. With its high production values, compelling characters, and intricate plots, Those About to Die aims to capture the grandeur and brutality of Rome, bringing history vividly to life on the screen. For our audience, are you aware that there were common styles of fighting? It wasn't simply do whatever you could to survive, many gladiators came from specific lineages of technical training. Roman gladiators trained in various fighting styles, each tailored to specific types of combat and weaponry, reflecting the diversity of martial techniques in ancient Rome. We decided to highlight the styles avid martial artists might find particularly interesting: Murmillo : These gladiators were heavily armored, often resembling Roman legionaries. They wielded a gladius (short sword) and a large rectangular shield (scutum). The Murmillo's fighting style focused on strong defensive techniques and powerful, precise strikes, emphasizing endurance and the ability to withstand prolonged combat. Thraex (Thracian) : The Thraex gladiators used a small, curved sword called a sica and a small rectangular or square shield. Their armor included a distinctive helmet with a griffin crest and greaves for leg protection. This style emphasized agility and quick, slashing attacks, relying on speed and the ability to exploit openings in an opponent's defense. Retiarius : The Retiarius were lightly armored, equipped with a trident, a weighted net, and a dagger. Their fighting style was highly unconventional, focusing on evasion, entanglement, and long-range thrusts with the trident. This required a high degree of agility and tactical thinking, as the Retiarius aimed to trap and disable their opponents before delivering a decisive blow. Secutor : Often paired against the Retiarius, the Secutor wore a smooth, rounded helmet to avoid getting caught in the net and carried a gladius and a large shield similar to the Murmillo. The Secutor's fighting style combined relentless pursuit with strong defensive capabilities, aiming to close the distance quickly and overpower the Retiarius with close-range combat. Hoplomachus : These gladiators were inspired by Greek hoplites and used a spear and a short sword (gladius or pugio), along with a small, round shield. Their fighting style was versatile, incorporating both long-range thrusts with the spear and close-combat techniques with the sword, requiring skill in both offensive and defensive maneuvers. These styles illustrate the diversity and specialization of gladiatorial combat, each requiring distinct skills and strategies, much like different martial arts disciplines today. See which ones you can spot in the new Peacock series! Start streaming Those About to Die  now!

Umar Nurmagomedov stands just one victory away from a coveted shot at the UFC bantamweight championship. The undefeated Russian contender is poised to seize his big moment and make a statement to the entire MMA world. Nurmagomedov's talent is far from hidden. His performances in the UFC have spoken volumes, with a perfect 17-0 record and five consecutive wins since joining the organization. His dominance has consistently caught the attention of the division's elite, and now he’s ready for the ultimate test. This weekend, Nurmagomedov faces fellow contender Cory Sandhagen in a five-round main event at UFC Abu Dhabi. The clash at the Etihad Arena promises to be the biggest fight of his career, and Nurmagomedov is brimming with confidence. “I feel very, very good. I’m feeling excited, and I’m happy for this opportunity,” he said. “It’s a very important fight for me, and I have prepared for this fight all my life.” Nurmagomedov's UFC journey has been nothing short of spectacular. He has claimed submission victories over Sergey Morozov and Brian Kelleher, a knockout win against Raoni Barcelos, and decision wins against Nate Maness and Bekzat Almakhan. His impressive record has him ranked 10th in the official UFC bantamweight rankings, and a win against the No. 2-ranked Sandhagen could catapult him to the top contender spot. “Cory’s a high level, technical fighter,” Nurmagomedov acknowledged. “He has a good IQ. He’s a good striker, I think he’s one of the best in this division. But I’m ready. If it is a long night, I’m ready, but I will try to finish. I will try to get a submission.” Known for his relentless approach and incredible cardio, Nurmagomedov remains tight-lipped about the secret to his endurance. “It’s secret! I don’t have any juice, it’s just a secret! I just want to fight and show this, but I don’t want to talk about my cardio, it’s secret!” A victory for Nurmagomedov would likely earn him a title shot, and he had a message for current bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who doubted his abilities compared to Sandhagen. Nurmagomedov reminded O’Malley of his past incorrect predictions and dismissed his opinions on MMA. He also addressed potential future matchups with O’Malley or Merab Dvalishvili, expressing confidence in his ability to defeat either. “I don’t care about who’s gonna win,” he said. “I just want to win this fight and I get the opportunity to beat one of them. It’s two victims of TikTok, and I think they deserve to fight each other. I don’t think they are hard fights for me. I think I can find keys to beat both of them.” Don't miss UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov, live from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on August 3, 2024. Prelims start at 12pm ET/9am PT, with the main card live on ABC, ESPN & ESPN+ at 3pm ET/12pm PT.

The men's U100kg final at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a technically, tactically, and emotionally charged match between Ilia Sulamanidze of Georgia and Zelym Kotsoiev of Azerbaijan. From the start, Sulamanidze appeared to be the more dangerous competitor, finding ways to unbalance world champion Kotsoiev with relative ease. Sulamanidze scored the first waza-ari and shifted to a defensive strategy to maintain his lead. However, his attempts to save time by attacking without proper preparation led to false attacks. This resulted in three penalties, with the final one coming just seconds before the end of the match. This gave Kotsoiev the victory and the gold medal, marking Azerbaijan's second gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games. Israel had been chasing their first judo medal of the week, and Peter Paltchik had the chance to secure it against Daniel Eich of Switzerland. The match was tense and closely contested. Paltchik appeared to have the upper hand and scored a waza-ari. Despite this lead, he had to manage his penalties carefully. There was some uncertainty about the penalty count at the end, but it was confirmed that Paltchik had only two penalties, allowing him to win his first Olympic medal. The two judokas shared a long hug in a show of sportsmanship. The second bronze medal contest was shorter, with Muzaffarbek Turoboyev of Uzbekistan quickly defeating Nikoloz Sherazadishvili of Spain. Turoboyev threw Sherazadishvili twice in quick succession, first with a uchi-mata and then with a massive makikomi, securing his first Olympic medal. Ilia Sulamanidze wasted no time in his semifinal match against Daniel Eich, countering a ko-soto-gake attempt by Eich and pinning him flat on his back in just twelve seconds. This quick victory sent Sulamanidze to the final. In a rematch of the Abu Dhabi World Championships final, Zelym Kotsoiev faced Muzaffarbek Turoboyev. Kotsoiev won with a backward movement, the same technique that secured his world title in Abu Dhabi, earning his place in the Olympic final. The first repechage bout between Peter Paltchik and Michael Korrel of the Netherlands was tightly contested, with neither judoka able to gain an advantage during the regular four minutes. In golden score, Paltchik executed a masterful o-soto-otoshi, sending Korrel to the mat for ippon and securing his place in the bronze medal match. The second repechage bout was between Aaron Wolf of Japan and Nikoloz Sherazadishvili. The match was intense, with high stakes for both judokas. In golden score, Wolf attempted a uchi-mata, which Sherazadishvili anticipated. Sherazadishvili countered with his own uchi-mata, rolling Wolf onto his back and eliminating the reigning Olympic champion from the podium. The men's judo final and bronze medal matches at the Paris 2024 Olympics showcased the highest levels of skill, strategy, and determination. Zelym Kotsoiev’s victory over Ilia Sulamanidze was a testament to his resilience and tactical prowess, while the bronze medalists demonstrated their excellence in judo through fierce and strategic battles. The excitement and drama of these contests added another rich chapter to the history of Olympic judo.

Today, an incredible story unfolded for Israeli athletes, particularly for Peter Paltchik, at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Deeply affected by the loss of his coach Oren Smadja's son due to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, Paltchik stood by his coach during these trying times. The loss was a significant personal blow to Coach Smadja’s family, a situation acknowledged by President Netanyahu, who supported the Israeli team coach. Together, Paltchik and Smadja celebrated a medal that symbolized resilience and a tribute to overcoming pain for both the coach and the entire team. Peter Paltchik addressed the media after securing the medal for his country. On winning Israel's first medal at Paris 2024: "I'm so proud, I'm so happy, I'm so thrilled to bring it home after a very difficult day. There were uphills, downhills, the energy was so intense. Some great ippons. A crazy crowd. Thank you to all the crowd who came all the way from Israel to cheer me during this day. It was history for me. I hope I made their day and made them happy. The first medal for (Paris) 2024 goes for me, for Israel, and I hope many more will follow." On how the 'difficult day' gave him strength: "It gave me motivation and spirit because the world is going through hell, and my country especially. I respect so much the Olympic values and I hope very much for world peace, and for my country as well. For all the families facing difficulties and all the families that have lost their dear ones. I am devoting my win, my medal, to all the families of my country, to everyone. They are with me in their heart, and they were with me during this day. I hope I made them happy." On having a penalty withdrawn during his bronze medal bout: "I didn't think I'd lost it. I thought that this was a mistake because all through the fight I was looking with half an eye on the judges' board and I saw only one penalty, and so I could take one more. I knew it was a mistake, and so I stayed calm. I respect the referees, they are humans like you and me, and sometimes they make mistakes. So when the mistake was deleted, I knew that I had five seconds, the longest five seconds I ever had, and I knew what I had to do, and I'm so glad I did it." On being a flagbearer for Israel during the Opening Ceremony: "It was one of the biggest honors I have had in my life, to be a flagbearer, to carry my country's flag and represent my country. I flew my flag so high during the ceremony and I felt the energy. I saw some Israeli flags during the sailing on the boat and I knew that a lot of people came from Israel to cheer all the athletes, to cheer the team. And we have a wonderful team, so many special, strong athletes." On shutting out what is happening in the world: "It wasn't easy to put it to one side and to focus. You know what is happening (in the world). I was a flagbearer and I felt very much in the last week all the energy on my social media profiles, and all the people cheering for me, people who didn't even come here. So I knew I had a big responsibility. But I succeeded in putting things to one side and focusing, that was my secret, during this very long day. I respect Olympic values, and the most important is world peace. I pray for that with all my heart. I don't want to see any casualties, it doesn't matter on which side, pain is pain, and I hope we get to better days." Peter Paltchik's journey and his heartfelt words resonate not just as a testament to his athletic prowess but also as a powerful message of hope, resilience, and the unifying spirit of the Olympic Games.

BRAVE Combat Federation has revealed a stacked full fight card for BRAVE CF 86, scheduled to happen on August 24 in Burgas, Bulgaria. The event, which marks BRAVE Combat Federation’s debut in Bulgaria, will be part of the organization’s 2024 Europe tour and features top names from Bulgaria fighting MMA stars from around the world.  The headliner of the event will feature a clash of giants as BRAVE CF veteran and Arab legend Mohamed Said Maalem takes on Bulgarian superstar Atanas Djambazov in a Light Heavyweight showdown. Said Maalem will be looking to bounce back from his loss to Erko Jun in the main event of BRAVE CF 81 while Djambazov is returning to MMA after a short hiatus, in hopes to relaunch his MMA career.  A crucial fight in the Super Welterweight division between Alex Lohoré and Jivko Stoimenov will serve as the co-main event of the night. Lohoré, after taking out former Super Welterweight champion Marcin Bandel in his promotional debut at BRAVE CF 83, is looking to secure a title shot with another dominant performance. Standing across from him is promotional debutant Jivko Stoimenov who will be looking to extend his two-fight winning streak in Infront of his home crowd in Bulgaria. Christian Mach makes a quick return to the cage following his huge win over David Forster at BRAVE CF 81 in Slovenia. The German takes on Bulgaria’s Pavel Vladev in a Lightweight contest in what is bound to be an exciting fight for the fans.  Khamzat Maaev looks to bounce back from his first career loss when he takes on hometown favourite Antonio Bushev who is gearing up for his BRAVE CF debut on the back of an impressive three-fight winning streak. The Lightweight division will see plenty of action as well at BRAVE CF 86 featuring promotional newcomers as Anton Yanchev takes on Patryk Krzak and Rusi Minev takes on Christos Tsirimokos. Sandwiched between those two bouts is a Featherweight duel between Rusi Hadzhiev and Eduard Evodkimov. BRAVE CF 86 Fight Card Light Heavyweight: Atanas Djambazov vs. Said Maalem Super Welterweight: Jivko Stoimenov vs. Alex Lohoré Lightweight: Pavel Vladev vs. Christian Mach Super Lightweight: Khamzat Maaev vs. Antonio Bushev Lightweight: Rusi Minev vs. Christos Tsirimokos Featherweight: Rusi Hadzhiev vs Eduard Evdokimov Lightweight: Anton Yanchev vs. Patryk Krzak

The highly anticipated 2024 PFL Playoffs kick off tomorrow, Friday, August 2, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium following today’s official weigh-ins. Nashville will play host to the semi-finals of both the Heavyweight and Women’s Flyweight divisions, featuring 2023 PFL Heavyweight finalist Denis Goltsov (34-8) taking on Bellator veteran Tim Johnson (18-9) in the main event. Surging undefeated superstar Dakota Ditcheva (12-0) squares off against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Jena Bishop (7-1) in the co-main event, while England’s Linton Vassell (25-9) clashes against Oleg Popov (18-1) in a Heavyweight tilt. In addition, reigning Bellator Women’s Flyweight Champion Liz Carmouche (22-7) looks to punch her ticket to the finals when she meets Brazil’s Talia Santos (21-3).  The PFL Nashville main card will air live in the U.S. on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT. The card can be seen live in Europe and Canada on DAZN. The preliminary card will begin at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT and will air on ESPN+, as well as DAZN. Full weigh-in results are below. PFL Nashville Card: Friday, August 2 – Live on ESPN / ESPN+ / DAZN Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT Heavyweight Playoff Main Event: Denis Goltsov (247.6 lbs) vs. Tim Johnson (265.8 lbs) Women’s Flyweight Playoff Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (125.2 lbs) vs. Jena Bishop (125.2 lbs) Heavyweight Playoff Bout: Oleg Popov (247.2 lbs) vs. Linton Vassell (248 lbs) Women’s Flyweight Playoff Bout: Liz Carmouche (127 lbs)* vs. Talia Santos (125.8 lbs) Early Card: Live on ESPN+ / DAZN 6 pm ET/ 3 pm PT Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Tyrell Fortune (255.6 lbs) vs. Sergei Bilostenniy (249.6 lbs) Featherweight Showcase Bout: Alexei Pergande (146 lbs) vs. Daniel Boehle (145.2lbs) Featherweight Showcase Bout: Cody Law (145.1 lbs) vs. Zach Hicks (145.6 lbs) 163-Pound Catchweight Bout: Sergio Cossio (162.8 lbs)** vs. Dedrek Sanders (155.2 lbs) 173-Pound Showcase Bout: Jaleel Willis (172.6 lbs)*** vs. Anthony Ivy (172.8 lbs)*** Welterweight Showcase Bout: Kevin Pease (169.2 lbs) vs. Nick Meck (170.6 lbs) *Liz Carmouche missed weight. She will be fined 20% of her purse to her opponent and PFL will deduct one point for League purposes. **Sergio Cossio missed weight. He will be fined 20% of his purse to his opponent and the fight will move forward at a catchweight of 163 pounds. ***Both Jaleel Willis and Anthony Ivy missed weight. Neither will have their purse deducted. The bout will move forward at a catchweight of 173 pounds.

Despite a Pair of Highlight Reel Finishes, Elves Brener Remains an Underdiscussed Lightweight Standout Ahead of His Clash with Joel Álvarez at UFC Abu Dhabi. While UFC Abu Dhabi is packed from top to bottom with established stars and promising up-and-comers, there’s one budding contender flying under the radar: Elves Brener. The Chute Boxe Diego Lima product has done nothing but entertain crowds since his debut in February of last year when he earned a hard-fought victory over veteran Zubaira Tukhugov to open UFC 284 in Perth. Five months later, Brener returned to action at the UFC APEX against Guram Kutateladze. The Georgian closed as a -675 favorite over Brener, who entered the fight as a +500 underdog. After a competitive first round, Kutateladze landed an elbow flush across Brener’s hairline less than 40 seconds into the second, opening up a gnarly cut. To make matters worse in the eyes of the judges, Brener’s glimmering white hair, symbolic of the fighters and coaches at his gym, quickly turned red as blood continued to pour. Despite being in a dominant position on the ground, Kutateladze backed off and called for Brener to join him in the middle of the Octagon. But as soon as Brener got back to his feet, it was as if his entire demeanor changed, and he began stepping on the gas, putting Kutateladze on the back foot with no worry of the shots coming back his way. Brener started realizing a lot of success of his own until Kutateladze took him back down to the mat to close out the final 45 seconds of the round. After a momentary scare when the Octagon-side physician spoke to referee Chris Tognoni regarding the severity of the cut, action resumed, and Brener got back to work. Entering the final round still as a massive underdog on the live odds, Brener slugged it out until a left hook found the mark, knocking down Kutateladze. Brener jumped on him to land a few ground-and-pound strikes to close the show. His thrilling performance earned Brener his first Fight of the Night bonus, but it would not be the last time Brener walked away with an extra $50k in his pocket. Four months after his war with Kutateladze, Brener hopped right back into the Octagon to face Kaynan Kruschewsky at a catchweight of 165 pounds. Only four minutes into the opening round, Brener landed a perfect left hook, shutting Kruschewsky’s lights out for the walk-off knockout victory. In his most recent outing, Brener suffered his first loss inside the Octagon in an extremely competitive bout against Myktybek Orolbai, who’s lost just one of his 15 fights as a professional. Sharing 15 minutes inside the Octagon after a pair of finishes is still valuable experience for Brener as he heads into his next challenge at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi. This Saturday, Brener will open the main card against Joel Álvarez, a submission artist with 13 first-round finishes to his name. Both fighters are in a similar position where a win would take them one huge step closer to a fight against a Top 15 ranked opponent in the stacked 155-pound division. Brener is currently must-see TV, and Álvarez is the perfect dance partner to help kick off an electric main card live on ABC, ESPN & ESPN+ at a special time of 3pm ET/12pm PT. Don’t miss a moment of UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov, live from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on August 3, 2024. Prelims start at 12pm ET/9am PT, while the main card kicks off live on ABC, ESPN & ESPN+ at 3pm ET/12pm PT.

Kayla Harrison has been one of the top stars in judo when she won two Olympic titles. Kayla Harrison has left an indelible mark on American judo, not only through her extraordinary achievements but also through her role as an inspiration to countless young athletes. Olympic Achievements Kayla Harrison stands as a towering figure in American judo, primarily due to her unparalleled success in the Olympic Games. Born in Middletown, Ohio, Harrison made history by winning gold in the 78-kilogram division at both the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. These victories marked her as the only American to ever achieve this feat in judo, solidifying her place in the annals of the sport. Harrison’s journey to her first Olympic gold in 2012 was a testament to her dedication and skill. Competing in the 78-kilogram division, she overcame numerous formidable opponents to clinch the top spot, making her a household name in the world of judo. Four years later, Harrison repeated her triumph at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, once again dominating the 78-kilogram division. This victory not only reaffirmed her status as a world-class judoka but also demonstrated her consistency and resilience in maintaining peak performance across two Olympic cycles. Historic Promotion In 2016, Kayla Harrison achieved another significant milestone in her judo career. The United States Judo Association promoted her to Rokudan, equivalent to a 6th-degree black belt. This promotion made her the youngest person ever to reach this rank, highlighting her exceptional prowess and contributions to the sport. The promotion to Rokudan is a rare honor, reflecting not only Harrison’s technical skill but also her deep understanding of judo’s principles and philosophy. It underscores her role as a trailblazer and a mentor in the judo community, inspiring young judokas to pursue excellence. Transition to MMA Kayla Harrison had a notable career in mixed martial arts (MMA) with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). She made her MMA debut on June 21, 2018, against Brittney Elkin, winning by submission in the first round. Harrison quickly established herself as a dominant force in the PFL, winning the Women’s Lightweight Tournament in both 2019 and 2021. Her success in the PFL included multiple victories by knockout and submission, showcasing her versatile combat skills beyond judo. Signing With UFC On January 23, Dana White announced that the UFC had signed Harrison and that she would make her promotional debut, as well as her bantamweight debut, against former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm on April 13 at UFC 300. Harrison won the fight against Holm by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. Kayla Harrison’s Legacy in American Judo Kayla Harrison’s legacy in American judo is significant, as she inspires the next generation of athletes with her achievements and perseverance. Hailing from Middletown, Ohio, she became a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a feat unmatched by any other American in judo. Fans in Ohio have a unique bond with her story and her accomplishments. They can enhance their support and celebrate her impact on judo through Fanatics Sportsbook Ohio, recognizing her remarkable journey and influence. Harrison’s story resonates deeply with young athletes who aspire to reach the pinnacle of their sports. Her journey from a small town to global stardom exemplifies the power of hard work, resilience, and unwavering dedication. By breaking barriers and setting new standards, she has become a role model for aspiring judokas and athletes across various disciplines. Kayla Harrison’s impact on American judo is both profound and far-reaching. Her historic achievements, including two Olympic gold medals in the 78-kilogram division at the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, have cemented her legacy as a trailblazer and an inspiration. As the only American to win Olympic gold in judo, her accomplishments have set a new standard for excellence in the sport. Her promotion to Rokudan in 2016 by the United States Judo Association further underscores her skill and dedication, making her the youngest person ever to reach this prestigious rank. Transitioning to MMA, Harrison continued to excel, dominating in the Professional Fighters League before making her UFC debut against Holly Holm, where she won by rear-naked choke submission in the second round. Kayla Harrison‘s story of perseverance, versatility, and relentless pursuit of greatness continues to inspire young athletes, solidifying her enduring legacy in the world of sports.

Day six of the Women's Judo at Paris Olympics 2024 tournament saw unexpected and dramatic turns in the 78 kg category, where world champions and top athletes faced off in a pool of intense competition. The French crowd was left in disbelief as Portugal's Patricia Sampaio delivered a stunning blow by defeating French favorite and former world champion Madeleine Malonga. Malonga, a silver medalist from the 2021 Games, was unexpectedly overpowered by Sampaio in her first match. Sampaio now advances to the semifinals to battle the determined Italian Alice Bellandi. Bellandi, with her eyes set on gold, seized the opportunity of a lifetime by swiftly dispatching Brazilian legend Mayra Aguiar, a former world champion with three Olympic medals, thus ending Aguiar’s fairy tale run. Bellandi then sent the talented Ukrainian Lytvynenko to the repechage. Meanwhile, two-time world champion Anna-Maria Wagner confidently secured her semifinal spot with ease. She began her journey by overcoming her former compatriot Branser and then defeated the formidable Japanese contender Rika Takayama. Wagner’s next challenge comes from Israel’s 2023 world champion Inbar Lanir, who displayed remarkable prowess by winning her match against the experienced Guusje Steenhuis in just 23 seconds. Despite having defeated Steenhuis three times previously, the Olympics bring a unique set of challenges governed by hunger, form, and mental resilience. Among the semifinalists, Wagner appears to have the strongest prospects, but at this high level of competition, past statistics hold little sway.

In August 1984,  the cover showcased  Dan Inosanto demonstrating his nunchaku skills. He is recognized as the instructor who taught Bruce Lee these techniques . Photo by Mario Prado. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com