Here are the most recent UFC rankings updates for all divisions. See which fighters have risen or fallen following a key flyweight main event in Las Vegas and which positions are at stake in Saudi Arabia at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Aliskerov.  Two divisions – flyweight and middleweight – saw changes following UFC Fight Night: Perez vs Taira.  Flyweight Surging flyweight Tatsuro Taira stepped into his first UFC main event against former title challenger Alex Perez and won by second-round TKO, bumping him up to No. 5 in the rankings. Perez’s loss bumped him down two spots to No. 7, with Manel Kape now at No. 8. Matheus Nicolau fell two spots and is now at No. 10. Tim Elliott fell to No. 11. Matt Schnell moved to No. 12 and Tagir Ulanbekov got bumped down to No. 13, as his fight with Joshua Van was canceled last weekend. Middleweight Khamzat Chimaev was set to fight former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia this weekend, but had to withdraw due to illness. As a result, he was moved down one position and is currently ranked 11th in the 185-pound division. Looking Forward To UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Aliskerov  With the UFC making its debut in Saudi Arabia, there is a lot at stake. Whittaker, currently ranked No. 3, will put his ranking on the line against Ikram Aliskerov, who replaced Chimaev at short notice. Aliskerov, in his third UFC fight, has secured victories over Phil Hawes and Warlley Alves. Whittaker, aiming for championship glory, seeks to extend his winning streak following his triumph over Paulo Costa in February. The co-main event will feature a showdown between heavyweight contenders No. 3 Sergei Pavlovich and No. 5 Alexander Volkov. Pavlovich makes his return to the octagon after his interim heavyweight title bout against Tom Aspinall last November. Meanwhile, Volkov steps back into action following his submission victory over Tai Tuivasa in Sydney last September. With the interim heavyweight title up for grabs in Manchester next month, this matchup could determine the next contender in line for a title shot. Over in the light heavyweight division, Johnny Walker will face off against Volkan Oezdemir. Walker aims to bounce back after two consecutive no-contests and a loss to Magomed Ankalaev. Oezdemir, on the other hand, is riding high from his first-round submission win over Bogdan Guskov in Paris last September and seeks to defeat Walker as he climbs the ranks in the 205-pound division.

Jarred Brooks will have a chance to get back on the strawweight throne on Friday, August 2, at least on an interim basis. The former ONE Championship strawweight king lost his crown at ONE 166: Qatar when he spiked Joshua Pacio on the canvas during a takedown attempt, resulting in a disqualification. As Pacio is still on the mend, Brooks will take on Gustavo Balart for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title at ONE Fight Night 24. Balart has earned his title shot after storming back following a 20-month layoff due to the pandemic. After suffering a three-bout losing streak in 2019, the Cuban wrestling standout reeled off four consecutive wins starting in 2021. Balart added two former champions, Yosuke Saruta and Alex Silva, to his list to prove he is among the division's upper echelon. His wrestling will be put to the test at ONE Fight Night 24 against Brooks. The American has dominated the strawweight division since signing on the dotted line with ONE. Brooks has used his wrestling to control and smother opponents, claim the title, and emerge as a true star of the sport. He has only lost due to the disqualification, a motivating factor heading into this main event opportunity to prove he is still the best in the division. The extraordinary strawweight title tilt will have everyone's attention, including Pacio's. Interim gold will undoubtedly set up a major unification bout when the Filipino is healthy, and one incredible talent will get to wear the gold walking out of Bangkok. ONE Fight Night 24 will all go down on Prime Video on August 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), is proud to announce that undefeated  Baissangour Chamsoudinov  (8-0) has signed an exclusive contract with the promotion, and will compete across the PFL, PFL Europe, and Bellator Champions Series franchises. Baissangour made his promotional debut earlier this year at PFL Europe Paris in front of a sold-out crowd at the Accor Arena, as he faced fellow French phenomenon Cédric Doumbé in one of the most anticipated French MMA bouts in history. Now, ‘Baki’ has signed a multi-fight contract to further build his status as one of the biggest MMA prospects in the world. “I'm very happy to have signed with PFL as they are growing more and more just like myself as a developing fighter, so it's perfect. The goal for my career has remained the same since the beginning, to become the best fighter on the planet. I'm here to clean out the division.”  Baissangour Chamsoudinov said. At just 22 years of age, Baissangour joins an ever growing roster at PFL of young prospects due to change the landscape of MMA for years to come. Following his win earlier in 2024, the future for ‘Baki’ at PFL is bright.

Undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov defends Lightweight Title against Alexander Shabily at Pechanga Arena San Diego on September 7 Middleweight Championship on the Line when undefeated Johnny Eblen Rematches Fabian Edwards on September 14, at Ovo Arena, Wembley, in London Both Events Stream Live on Max in the USA and Dazn in the UK Bellator Champions Series will return in September with two straight weeks of global action, headlined by two Bellator World Championship bouts. First, on Saturday, September 7, Bellator Champions Series San Diego will feature a Lightweight World Championship main event, as  Usman Nurmagomedov  (17-0, 1 NC) attempts to remain undefeated and retain his 155-pound title when he locks horns with  Alexander Shabliy  (23-3) a man who has not tasted defeat in eight years. One week later on Saturday, September 14, the Bellator Middleweight World Championship will be on the line in the main event of Bellator Champions Series London, when undefeated  Johnny Eblen  (15-0) will face-off once again with England’s  Fabian Edwards  (13-3). “September is set to be a huge month for Bellator Champions Series, and we’re continuing to step up our game to deliver incredible cards that we know the MMA community across the globe will love. Both San Diego and London are massive markets for us, and we’re confident we’ll put on a show that the fans in attendance and those watching around the world on Max and DAZN deserve,” said Peter Murray, CEO of PFL. “Our world-class roster has allowed us to hold two cards in two weeks, and you’re going to see that as we announce more fights and events, the future is incredibly bright for PFL and Bellator. It’s going to be a September to remember, see you there.”Both of these world-class Bellator Champions Series events can be seen live in the U.S. on Max, as well as the U.K. only on DAZN. Additional contests for both cards will be announced shortly.Tickets for Bellator Champion Series San Diego are available via pre-sale beginning this Wednesday, June 19, with general on-sale taking place Thursday, June 20 at  AXS.com . Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexander Shabliy Originally set to take place at Bellator Champions Series Paris in May, this Lightweight World Championship fight has been highly anticipated since it became a possibility. Usman Nurmagomedov has proven to be one of the most dominant champions in the sport at just 26 years of age. In seven fights with Bellator, Nurmagomedov has gone undefeated and captured a world title in a division many consider to be the toughest in the sport. Dethroning former Lightweight World Champion Patricky Pitbull, the Khabib Nurmagomedov protege defended his title against MMA legend Benson Henderson enroute to this matchup on September 7. A striking specialist who has gone 8-0 under the Bellator banner, Alexander Shabliy has also defeated the upper echelon of the 155-pound division, including the aforementioned Pitbull and Tofiq Musayev, and impressively scored a second-round knockout against former Bellator Lightweight Champion Brent Primus.  Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards A rematch from 2023, Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards took each other to the limit during their first encounter in Dublin at Bellator 299, where Eblen finished the fight via TKO in the third round and emotions flew high in the immediate aftermath. Since then, the American Top Team standout went on to pick up a win over Impa Kasanganay at PFL vs. Bellator: Champs vs. Champs for the Middleweight Super Belt, while Edwards bounced back with a unanimous victory against Canada’s Aaron Jeffery this past March at Bellator Champions Series Belfast to earn his rematch. The 2024 Bellator Champions Series schedule is as follows: Saturday, June 22 – Bellator Champions Series Dublin – 3Arena Saturday, September 7 – Bellator Champions Series San Diego – Pechanga Arena San Diego Saturday, September 14 – Bellator Champions Series London – OVO Arena Wembley Saturday, October 12 – Bellator Champions Series Chicago – Wintrust Arena Saturday, November 16 – Bellator Champions Series Paris – ADIDAS Arena Tuesday, December 31 – Bellator Champions Series – TBD

ONE Championship is on course for its biggest financial year yet, according to ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. Earlier this year, Forbes ranked ONE as one of the world's most valuable combat sports properties at over $1 billion. 2024 will only serve to strengthen that position with record-high revenue for the organization. "Through a combination of strong revenue growth and good cost optimization, ONE will achieve profitability and positive cash flow in the third or fourth quarter of this year," Sityodtong said (h/t South China Morning Post). "Our run rate revenues will approach US$200m this year, representing a 50 percent increase from 2023." In the post-COVID world, ONE has been able to increase its live event schedule. ONE is looking to run 60 live events this year, including two in the United States. "In 2024, ONE continues to set record highs in viewership metrics with 60 live events, underpinning the sharp increase in revenues from multiple countries," Sityodtong stated. The organization has staged its ONE Friday Fights series from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. That series has become a massive success for the promotion in the country, winning Best Sports Program at Thailand's Nataraja Awards (h/t Bangkok Post). "ONE's popularity in Thailand is unprecedented for any content genre in the Thai media industry," Sityodtong detailed. "According to Nielsen, ONE has consistently been the most watched programme of any kind every week in Thailand ever since the launch of ONE Friday Fights at Lumpinee Stadium." Sityodtong is excited about the pathway to profitability and what is to come next. Expected to hit the achievement by the year of the year, Sityodtong is not ready to slow down. Instead, it will mark a new beginning for the company and bring forth even more martial arts action to the global fanbase in the future. "After more than 12 years of investing in our global brand, a worldwide platform, a live content and distribution engine, our global fandom, and our world championship athlete roster, my team and I are thrilled that ONE has entered a new phase of profitable growth," Sityodtong said.

Following a week of fighter reveals, Cage Warriors has now confirmed the full lineup for the $50,000, one-night bantamweight Prize Fighter, to be held on Saturday, July 20th. The tournament – the first of four scheduled for 2024 – will take place as part of the CW 174 card at London’s indigo at The O2.     The six athletes will be placed into a blind draw for the four semi-final slots, with the remaining two fighters taking part in a reserve bout.  Tournament fighters will also have the opportunity to add $10,000 per fight in bonuses, by correctly predicting their round and method of victory.  The full line up for the bantamweight PrizeFighter is as follows…  Michele Martignoni (9-2, 2NC) The former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion – who never lost his belt – was revealed as the first PrizeFighter entrant. The hard-hitting Italian recently returned to the bantamweight division with a first round KO of Israeli prospect Raz Bring, and will be viewed by many as the tournament favourite.     Shirzad Qadrian (5-1) London-based Iranian Shirzad Qadrian will be the youngest PrizeFighter entrant at 23. ‘The Lion’ has looked impressive in recent outings, stopping both Emanuele Zaccaria and Rory Evans in the Famous Yellow Gloves. As well as the prize money, he’ll also have the opportunity to avenge a loss against an old foe…  Alexander Lööf (6-1) One half of Cage Warriors 2023 ‘Fight of the Year’ against Luke Riley, Sweden’s Alexander Lööf recently returned to action with a points victory over CW veteran Andrey Tyshchenko. Making the drop down to bantamweight, the powerful striker will be looking to put his talents to good use with a couple of quick victories.     Alessandro Giordano (7-3) A top prospect on the Italian circuit, it took Giordano a couple of bouts to find his feet in Cage Warriors. After dropping competitive bouts to TUF’s Nathan Fletcher and compatriot Enrico Di Gangi, the 26 year old returned with a blistering performance against the UK’s Sam Kelly in March. Arguably the dark horse of the tournament, he’ll be looking to carry that momentum into PrizeFighter.   Aidan Stephen (10-4) After a hiatus from the cage lasting more than two years, Aidan Stephen finally made his bantamweight debut at CW 171 in April, turning in a workmanlike performance against Gianluca Scottoli. Now primed for a run at the top of the bantamweight division, he intends to pick up a $50k cheque en route to the top.     Weslley Maia The final entrant of the bantamweight PrizeFighter, Wesley Maia knows all about risk/reward, having previously stepped up to face bantamweight champion Jack Shore on less than 48-hours notice. With a win over Shirzad Qadrian already under his belt, and the chance to avenge a loss to Michele Martignoni, the GB Top Team man has everything to play for on July 20th.  Details of the PrizeFighter draw will be made available in the coming days.

New Featured Lightweight Bout: Michel Martinez vs Rudisel Mora A pair of fighter injuries, including one sustained by previously announced main event competitor Kayla “Kayrock” Hracho, has prompted COMBATE GLOBAL to re-shuffle its talent deck and create two new bouts, including a featherweight (145 pounds) main event between  Kevin “El Prendido” Garcia  (10-4) and undefeated  Anas “The Rainmaker” Azizoun  (5-0), for its Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event on Saturday, June 22, airing live from Miami on  Fuse  at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Hracho, who was slated to face off with Claire Lopez in an Atomweight (105 pounds) main event contest, was forced to withdraw from the event due to a knee injury sustained in training camp.  COMBATE GLOBAL made its best effort to replace Hracho with less than two weeks remaining before the show but was unable to do so. The newly re-signed Garcia is a 26-year-old battler hailing from Monterey, N.L., Mexico and a two-time veteran of COMBATE GLOBAL action. Garcia was last seen in La Jaula, the COMBATE GLOBAL competition cage, on April 20, 2018, when he earned a unanimous decision over Argentina’s Juan Pablo Gonzalez in Garcia’s hometown.  Standing opposite the Mexican fighter will be the 26-year-old Azizoun, a hard-hitting striker from Saint Etienne, France. Azizoun, who sports a nearly unblemished record of 17-1-1 in professional kickboxing and is a reigning world champion and four-time French national champion in the sport, was nicknamed after his aggressive punching style. To date, Azizoun has been perfect in La Jaula, defeating Mexico’s Ismael “Kraken” Zamora and American Adam “Kid Solo” Ortiz via majority decision and unanimous decision, respectively. In another new, featured matchup that will replace the previously announced bantamweight (135 pounds) fight between David Camacho and Danny Martinez, undefeated  Michel “La Furia” Martinez  (3-0) of Valencia, Spain will take on  Rudisel Mora  (0-1) of Miami. The new bout was put together as a result of Martinez’s withdrawal from the fight against Camacho due to a cut Martinez sustained over his right eye in training.  COMBATE GLOBAL was not able to find a suitable replacement to face Camacho on short notice. In the previously announced women’s atomweight co-main event, two-time national Karate champion  Andrea Meneses  (5-2) will square off with unbeaten  Janet Garcia  (2-0). The 27-year-old Meneses of Gava, Spain holds a Kyokushinkai Karate black belt, and is a member of Team Uppercut, the Barcelona-based fight camp that competed in the 2022 COMBATE GLOBAL ‘Exclusivos’ competition reality series. Garcia is a 33-year-old upstart out of San Francisco, Calif. and a member of Team AKA, the famed camp led by trainer and former world kickboxing champion Javier Mendez, who has produced and mentored a slew of MMA champions and other superstars. Garcia, to date, is unbeaten in La Jaula, since defeating Mariah Castro and Katie Perez, respectively, in 2023, with both wins coming by way of unanimous decision.

Danielle Kelly will have her stiffest test to date when she defends the ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Championship on Friday, August 2. At ONE Fight Night 24 , Mayssa Bastos will step into Lumpinee Boxing Stadium to try and claim ONE Championship gold. The multiple-time IBJJF World Champion made her organizational debut earlier in 2024 with a win over Kanae Yamada. The controlling victory was a strong introduction for Bastos on the global stage and netted her this opportunity. Kelly has been the darling of the jiu-jitsu scene and became one of its top stars when she arrived in ONE. The American has won all four contests on the global stage, including the inaugural title win against longtime rival Jessa Khan. The emotional victory was a culmination for the American, who silenced her sharpest critics and took the gold back home to Philadelphia. Kelly’s aggressiveness has paid off under ONE’s global submission grappling rule set that incentivizes athletes to go for the finish. Against Bastos, Kelly will have to be on point against one of the division’s most technically sound competitors. As the summer heat keeps rising, Kelly and Bastos will keep the action hot inside the ring. The stellar submission grappling encounter is another showcase for the sport, and both women will try to carry its banner on what will no doubt become another fun night in Bangkok. ONE Fight Night 24 airs live and free on Prime Video on Friday, August 2. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

EDGE WEAPONS ATTACKS are on the rise. Through- out the European Union, they’re almost epidemic. Even worse, edged weapons used in attacks overseas many times aren’t the 4-inch folders Americans are used to seeing. They’re 10- to 12-inch- long kitchen knives, which makes many of the standard disarms taught in martial arts schools more danger- ous, if not impossible. The problem has grown so significant that London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently issued a proclamation: “No excuses. There is never a reason to carry a knife. Anyone who does will be caught, and they will feel the full force of the law.” He basically banned knives for civilians to carry. LET’S STEP OVER the clichés — you know, “You’ll likely be cut when you fight someone with a knife,” “Use your pistol to defend against a knife,” and so on. Instead, let’s try to accomplish something here. Many people believe that combat- ives legend W.E. Fairbairn never published any techniques for countering a knife because he didn’t believe it could be done effectively. True, a lot of clichéd instruction is premised on the unrealistic use of an edged weapon — i.e., the training knife is wielded slowly; the knife is displayed early to give the partner plenty of time to recognize it; the knife thrust is left extended and stationary; the attacker doesn’t use the opposite hand to punch, grab or otherwise actively engage the victim; and so on. To be fair, attempts to identify trends in the specific use of knives in attacks have largely relied on anecdotal information and small sample groups. The reality is we simply can’t know because it hasn’t been studied properly. About the only thing that’s even marginally reliable is the observation that the weapon will likely be held in the right hand — and that’s only because statistically 90 percent of the world is right-handed. WHAT WE DO KNOW is that, depending on where you’re stabbed, it’s difficult to differentiate being stabbed from being punched, that knives are difficult to recognize in a sudden (as quickly as a hand) and that the attacker can use both hands. Many of the “solutions” to knife attacks are promulgated by people who are compelled to give definitive or absolute answers without regard for the reality that nobody or no technique is 100 percent. Given a particularly challenging situation such as a blade attack or multiple-assailant situation, it’s decidedly proper to provide potentially effective solutions with the caveat that, given the complexity of the attack, a successful outcome simply cannot be guaranteed. I’ve said this many times before, but I’ll say it again: Anytime force is used, the ungovernable elements of risk and chance exist and favor neither combatant. Many times, the person who should win doesn’t. It is called an upset in combat sports and is sure as hell going to be upsetting on the street. If you want to be undefeated, don’t fight. You win 100 percent of the fights you don’t have. That is a guarantee. WHILE WE ALL likely train to block and lock the arm wielding the knife, it’s important to really understand the conditions that will exist when you attempt it. Will it be dark? Will there be any early warning? Physiologically, what will your condition be? How much will your performance be diminished? It’s crucial to expand the definition of a “disarm” beyond the classic application. You’ve effectively dis-yourself from the situation. You’ve disarmed someone when you make him unwilling to continue his attack by avoiding (not controlling) the knife and making him unwilling to continue to attack with effective strikes. You’ve disarmed someone when you make him unable to continue by breaking bones, dislocating joints or rendering him unconscious. A disarm isn’t necessarily the stereotypical sequence of blocking, locking, establishing control and removing the weapon. EDGED WEAPONS continue to be one of the most challenging types of attacks we must satisfactorily address. It’s human nature for people to want formulaic, drillable, absolute tactics to resolve the issue. It’s also human nature for people in a position of authority to want to deliver those tactics (many times, without regard for reality). But to understand the truth about fighting is to realize that it’s impossible to guarantee success in any situation. After a career spanning 40 years, I’m tired of hearing instructors speak in absolutes. Doing that just confirms their ignorance, their arrogance and their self-important need to establish themselves as the burning bush of self-defense. To order Kelly McCann’s Combatives for Street Survival, go to blackbelt mag.com/store . To sign up for his online course, visit madrills.com .

Can Martial Arts Help with ADHD? Studies indicate that engaging in complex physical activities, such as martial arts, can strengthen neural networks in the brain, aiding children with ADHD in practicing self-control. Martial arts movement helps them develop better coordination and build physical strength. Additionally, the structured environment and disciplined routines of martial arts classes provide these children with a consistent framework to channel their energy positively, enhancing focus and improving their overall cognitive function. This holistic approach not only supports physical development but also fosters mental and emotional growth. READ MORE: Breathe Like a Master Combating Stress with Martial Arts Cutting Edge Techniques for Self-Defense

How Were Martial Arts Created? Martial arts were developed as a means for humans to defend themselves against both other people and animals. Over time, these arts became more sophisticated, incorporating weapons alongside empty-hand techniques such as kicking, punching, and the use of various body parts. READ MORE: Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris: Who Wins? Quick Guide to Kung Fu Styles Breathe Like a Master The Way of Mastery Cutting Edge Techniques for Self-Defense

To longtime readers of Black Belt, Steve DeMasco needs no introduction. A student of the martial arts since 1968, he's been a fixture in the magazine since his debut in the February 1998 issue. Over the ensuing years, he's espoused his views on the physical and philosophical sides of the Shaolin fighting arts—specifically, Shaolin kempo. At the end of 1998, he was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Instructor of the Year. In the following article, the New Hampshire-based master, who serves as Shaolin Temple's cultural ambassador to the United States, continues the topic he started in his March 2007 Shaolin Path column by describing and demonstrating the self-defense techniques of the five animals of the Chinese arts. Kung Fu Animal Style #1: Tiger Popularity: high (for tiger), rare (for black tiger) Shaolin saying: "Tiger strengthens the bones." Characteristics: strength, agility; considered one of the two most powerful animals in Chinese astrology Strategy: tends to charge the opponent and attack directly with brute force, uses circular arm movements to overwhelm the enemy, relies on the arms but occasionally uses low kicks Targets: any part of the body, especially those that react to tearing techniques Physical requirements: relaxed muscles, speed, solid build, ability to adopt a strong stance and quickly change to another stance Training: push-ups, sit-ups, calisthenics, sparring, chi- development exercises Trademark: tiger claw, an open-hand grabbing and striking weapon formed by spreading the thumb and fingers, then bending them slightly In legend: "It offers the power to shake the earth and to be the authoritative king of its lair," kung fu master Rob Moses says. Kung Fu Animal Style #2: Leopard Popularity: high Shaolin saying: "Bend fingers hard, like iron." Characteristics: strong, efficient, fast, technical, defined by accuracy, capable of stealth attacks Strategy: strikes quickly to inflict pain, then follows up for the kill Targets: soft-tissue regions and other vital areas, including the ears, neck, armpits, temples and groin Physical requirements: relaxed muscles, supple strength, ability to quickly retract the arms and legs after a strike Training: striking drills that develop accuracy and precision Trademark: leopard paw, a half-fist that strikes with the second knuckles of the four fingers. It's a rigid weapon that makes contact with a small, penetrating surface. In legend: "It's nature's master of precision and prowess—sharp, efficient and lightning fast," Rob Moses says. Kung Fu Animal Style #3: Crane Popularity: medium Shaolin saying: "The spirit of the crane resides within the stillness." Characteristics: evasive, rarely offense-oriented, subtle, graceful Strategy: keeps the opponent at a distance and capitalizes on the length of the arms and legs, tends to strike with the very end of the natural weapons, attempts to overwhelm the enemy with rapid hand strikes, evades using circular movements Targets: soft areas such as the eyes, throat, ears and heart; sides of the head; ribs Physical requirements: tall, long reach, ability to remain still for extended periods, good balance, concentration, minimal strength Training: mobility-enhancing drills to develop the ability to maintain distance between oneself and the opponent, speed training, quick retraction of natural weapons, chi-development exercises Trademark: crane beak, formed by bunching the thumb, index finger and middle finger together to strike with the fingertips In legend: "It dances with accuracy and control, and offers weightlessness to rise above crises," Rob Moses says. Kung Fu Animal Style #4: Snake Popularity: medium Shaolin saying: "Hard like steel and soft like a rope of silk." Characteristics: deceptive, agile, fast, accurate Strategy: relies on awareness, employs coiling motions and hisses to intimidate, uses whipping toe kicks to the lower half of the opponent's body, utilizes simultaneous striking and locking techniques, avoids using the traditional fist Targets: vital parts of the body, especially the eyes, face and throat Physical requirements: thin build, quick muscles Training: drills to increase explosiveness, which enables one to take the opponent by surprise; exercises that enhance balance and accuracy Trademark: snake hand, which uses one or two fingers—or, in the case of the spearhand, all of them—to attack and defend In legend: "It has extreme chi power, which helps activate profound sensitivity and enables all the muscles to work as one," Rob Moses says. Kung Fu Animal Style #5: Dragon Popularity: rare Shaolin saying: "Dragon fist trains the spirit." Characteristics: strong, smart, deceptive, unpredictable; includes traits of the other four Shaolin animals; considered one of the two most powerful animals in Chinese astrology and the sign of the emperor Strategy: uses quick, snapping kicks that hit with the blade of the foot; uses the full fist and the forearms to strike; may combine physical techniques of the other Shaolin animals Targets: any body part that can be grabbed; the head, which is simultaneously grabbed and struck Physical requirements: relaxed muscles, ability to switch from soft movements to hard movements Training: drills to build explosive power Trademark: dragon-tail kick, which is used to hit or sweep; dragon claw, which positions the digits in a flatter orientation than does the tiger claw In legend: "It protects treasure, defends against famine and floods, and is filled with ancient wisdom and folklore," Rob Moses says.