Liam Harrison was on the precipice of history when he finally got his crack at the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship in 2022. A leg injury suffered during the title tilt with Nong-O Hama stripped away the momentum and halted his career. At ONE 167 , Liam Harrison “Hitman” will return in a bantamweight collision with Katsuki Kitano. Finally, getting back to the spotlight has challenged Harrison, who is grateful for his upcoming return to action. “This sport is the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows. I say this all the time. The fight before [the injury against Nong-O], I fought Muangthai. I knocked him out in the first round, it got voted Fight of the Year, five knockdowns in the space of 90 seconds. I got a $100,000 bonus from that fight,” Harrison told ONE. “Then the next fight I leave on a stretcher and get put in the back of an ambulance. So what can you do? You’ve got to suck it up and be able to come back strong. And that’s what I’m doing.” Knowing his time near the top of the division is coming to an end, Harrison struggled with his return. However, it was less of a physical struggle and more about the impact the recovery had on his mind. “It was very hard mentally to come back from this, especially as an older athlete. I had to push the boundaries of my mental strength. Luckily, I had a great rehab team behind me and great support from my family and friends,” the Brit stated. Forced to change his way of training while injured, the British star has seen different impacts on his game, so much so that he anticipates an even more dangerous “Hitman” to wow audiences on June 7. “When I was injured and out for the injury, all I worked on was explosive movements and things like that. So I changed my training, changed up a lot, and I feel like I’ve come back stronger than I was before,” Harrison commented. For Harrison, it is less about chasing the gold and more about the love of the sport. The 38-year-old, quite simply, loves to compete. Fully healthy, Harrison is ready to step back into action and throw leather in the hopes of stealing the show in Bangkok. “Now I’m back to training like I was before. Getting lots of hard, hard sparring rounds in because, obviously while I’ve been out with injury, that’s what I missed. So I’m getting all that locked in now. I’m sparring with some real heavy hitters, some real sharp guys, and I’m just enjoying it,” Harrison said. “I was in pain all the time. The main thing is now I’m not. And I’m enjoying it again. So it’s gonna be good to be back.” ONE 167 airs live on Friday, June 7, from the Impact Arena in Bangkok. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on watch.onefc.com .

BRAVE CF Bantamweight world champion Nkosi Ndebele has his eyes set on becoming a two-division champion in BRAVE CF. The South African superstar successfully defended his Bantamweight World title against Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres in a historic main event at BRAVE CF 82 in Mauritius on May 11. Nkosi got the nod from the judges after five rounds of action and in his post-fight speech, Nkosi revealed his intentions of going up a weight class and challenging for the Featherweight World title which is currently held by Nemat Abdrashitov.  “Nemat Abdrashitov, I need a challenge. I need to challenge myself so that I can keep the greatness in me flowing. I know there are a lot of challenges in the Bantamweight division but they do not really stress me at all,” Nkosi said after his fight at BRAVE CF 82.  Nemat Abdrashitov captured the BRAVE CF Featherweight title back at BRAVE CF 72 when he outclassed Roman Bogatov. The Kyrgyz fighter, who is undefeated in BRAVE CF, is yet to defend his title in the division.  Interestingly, Nkosi is no stranger to the Featherweight division. During his run in the amateur circuit, Nkosi became the Featherweight champion at the 2017 IMMAF African championship and even made his professional MMA debut at Featherweight by taking out a more experienced Ahmed Faress at BRAVE CF 19

Official Rankings from Combate Global View Here: https://combateglobal.com/en/fighter-rankings Here are the current Combate Global rankings. Current Combate Global Rankings - Bantamweight Rank Name of Athlete Pro MMA Record 1 David Martinez 11-6-0 2 Anas Azizoun 5-0-0 3 Tommy Garcia 9-3-0 4 Ismael Zamora 8-2-0 5 Javier Basurto 23-10-0 6 Harry Gomez 11-2-0 7 Kevin Garcia 9-5-0 8 Hector Ferral 8-2-0 9 Brandon Gonzalez 4-1-0 10 Danny Martinez 21-9-0 Current Combate Global Rankings - Featherweight Rank Name of Athlete Pro MMA Record 1 Ramiro Jimenez 10-0-0 2 Javier Reyes 17-3-0 3 Patrick Lehane 6-2-0 4 Roberto Romero 7-3-1 5 Martin Bravo 13-4-0 6 Leonardo Morales 14-9-0 7 Pablo Burgos 5-3-0 8 Tony Cortez 3-0-0 9 Martin Justiz 4-2-0 10 Luis Escudero 3-2-0 Current Combate Global Rankings - Lightweight Rank Name of Athlete Pro MMA Record 1 Enrique Gonzalez 13-4-0 2 Cristian Perez 13-1-0 3 Ivan Castillo 24-17-0 4 Jose Ferreira 11-1-0 5 Samuel Alvarez 9-6-0 6 James Gonzalez 10-7-0 7 Alfrego Ruelas 5-6-0 8 David Aguilar 3-1-0 9 Michel Martinez 3-0-0 10 Gabriel Mazzetti 2-0-0 Current Combate Global Rankings - Atomweight Female Rank Name of Athlete Pro MMA Record 1 Ana Palacios 7-3-1 2 Claire Lopez 8-6-0 3 Gloria Bravo 6-6-0 4 Daniela Hernandez 4-1-0 5 Diana Mendoza 2-1-0 6 Alitzel Mariscal 2-4-0 7 Andrea Meneses 5-2-0 8 Anna Somers 1-2-0 9 Irlanda Galindo 1-2-0 10 Jade Jorand 4-2-0 Current Combate Global Rankings - Strawweight Female Rank Name of Athlete Pro MMA Record 1 Caroline Gallardo 9-4-0 2 Criszaida Adames 5-2-0 3 Paulina Vargas 5-2-0 4 Andrea Amaro 5-2-0 5 Camila Rivarola 4-4-1 6 Stephanie Frausto 8-9-0 7 Yajaira Cunningham 4-3-0 8 Karen Cedillo 4-3-0 9 Claudia Diaz 1-6-0 10 Dulce García 2-1-0 Current Combate Global Rankings - Flyweight Female Rank Name of Athlete Pro MMA Record 1 Maritza Sánchez 6-1-0 2 Melissa Amaya 6-0-0 3 Rosselyn Chavira 3-0-0 4 Lucero Acosta 5-2-0 5 Mariel Celimen 2-2-0 6 Tina Pettigrew 4-3-0 7 Dee Begley 4-5-0 8 Gillian Noll 3-3-0 9 Aitana Alvarez 6-5-0 10 Tyler Schaefer 1-5-0

Opportunity has knocked for Orlando Wilson Prins ahead of next weekend's Cage Warriors 172 card, as the Dutch featherweight has stepped up at the eleventh hour to challenge Harry Hardwick for the vacant 145lb title on May 25th. Visa issues have prevented Hardwick's original opponent - Germany-based Afghan Zafar Mohsen - from competing in the scheduled main event at the Vertu Motors Arena. Cage Warriors officials have today confirmed the news that Prins has agreed to replace him against Hardwick in the five round bout, which is now locked-in after the Middlesborough man was quick to accept the change in opponent. Hardwick (10-3-1) enters the contest in the midst of a six fight unbeaten run dating back to April 2021. He most recently saw action at CW 157, defeating Vitor Estevam with a 'Submission of the Year' nominated rear-naked choke. Groningen's Prins (5-2) has won his previous two in the famous yellow gloves, outpointing hard-nosed striker Antonio Sheldon last April, before stopping local favourite Bailey Gilbert in November. The Dutchman was originally scheduled to face The MMA Fight Academy's Milad Ahady on the card, but was left without an opponent when 'The Baddy' was forced to withdraw following an injury sustained in training. Announcing the news earlier today via Cage Warriors social media, Play-by-Play commentator Brad Wharton said... "Dutch fan favourite Orlando Wilson Prins is stepping up, and he's challenging Harry Hardwick for the vacant Cage Warriors featherweight title."  "It's the same belt that was held by the likes of Conor McGregor, Paddy Pimblett and so many others...we've seen what that title does for people's careers."  Also set to feature on the CW 172 card is the return of Kennedy Freeman, James Power vs Daniel Kolasiński and former title challenger Aiden Lee taking on local hero Josh Abraham. All the action goes down on Saturday, May 25th at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, with tickets available via  CageWarriors.com . All the action will be broadcast live on  UFC Fight Pass  and international broadcast partners.

Superlek Kiatmoo9 has the world in the palm of his hands, but a fellow Thai athlete will be looking to steal it at ONE Friday Fights 68  on Friday, June 28. The ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion already has a date with Jonathan Haggerty for the fall as he eyes the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship. But before he gets to the United States for that match, he will take on Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in Bangkok. Kongthoranee is on an impressive seven-bout winning streak. During that run, the 27-year-old has wins over Taiki Naito, Sherzod Kabutov, and ET Wankhongohm MBK. Now, he is eyeing one of the most spectacular strikers on the planet and the No. 1-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender to show the world he belongs among the elite. Superlek has been near-perfect over the last two years. During the unbeaten streak, he has toppled Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Takeru Segawa. At ONE 168, he will be moving up in weight to challenge Haggerty to further prove he is the pound-for-pound best striker in the world. However, nobody is unbeatable. Kongthoranee hopes to shock the world with a thunderous performance inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. It would be a stunning result and instantly make him a top threat for the gold in the flyweight division. Although no title is on the line, the stakes are incredibly high in what is sure to be a Muay Thai thriller. ONE Friday Fights 68 airs live on Friday, June 28, at 8:30 a.m. ET/5:30 a.m. PT. The event can be seen at watch.onefc.com .

Kade Ruotolo has dominated the submission grappling scene and is hoping to take that success into mixed martial arts. The 21-year-old will make his MMA debut at ONE 167 on Friday, June 7, against Blake Cooper. One piece to his success has been finding the right music to play while training. For Ruotolo, reggae has been an essential part while rolling on the mats. “I love reggae music. My entire life, my parents grew us up on it. I’ve always just kind of been growing up in that style of music, ” Ruotolo told ONE. “I love the rhythm and the flow. It’s really easy to train jiu-jitsu to reggae because there’s a good rhythm, and you can honestly find yourself getting lost in the songs while training.” However, reggae is not the exclusive music choice for the young gun. When it comes time to shift his mental focus, as he is doing for ONE 167, Ruotolo puts on a different vibe. “The only times I’ve found myself changing it up is when I’m going in for MMA sparring. I’ll put on some rap or whatever, just to hype me up and get into kill mode,” the BJJ ace commented. “But other than that, I’m just going in for jiu-jitsu, it’s mostly just good vibes, and I’m listening to reggae.” Many athletes train while music is playing at the gym. As Ruotolo describes, it plays an essential part in helping settle the athlete into a rhythm in the gym. The impact is hard to deny, especially with his success throughout his career. “Music has a rhythm the same way fighting has rhythm. And if you’re not in rhythm, it always feels like the match isn’t going your way. I believe it can even start with music, just getting into your rhythm, and you can bring that into the match,” Ruotolo explained. Could a specific artist or band stand out for an athlete? Everyone has preferences, and Ruotolo leans upon a fellow San Diego act for his go-to music. “Tribal Seeds is the best. We’ve been listening to Tribal Seeds forever, all their albums, I’ve probably listened to every single song they’ve made. They’re out of San Diego,” the lightweight said. With the geographic proximity, it was only natural the Ruotolo brothers and Tribal Seeds would end up following each other on their journeys. It is not uncommon for Ruotolo to use their music in videos or for his walkout music, and the band is always appreciative. Likewise, Ruotolo hopes to have them in attendance soon to show his appreciation for how they help him find his rhythm in the gym. “It’s super cool. Sometimes when we post the stories, or now, even when we’re walking out, they’ll tune in and they hear the Tribal Seeds, so they’ll throw it on their story, so it’s super cool,” Ruotolo said. “One of their recent shows out in Mission Bay, they got us a couple tickets for it, so we went out there, and it’s super cool. We’re super thankful for that relationship. I told them, ‘If you guys want to come out to the next one, let me know.’ Yeah, those guys are absolute legends.” ONE 167 airs live on Friday, June 7, on Prime Video. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the Impact Arena in Bangkok.

John Wick meets European MMA? We’re in! In case you missed it, this German-language Netflix film is giving audiences a fast-paced, stylized, action film in the vein of  John Wick and Ballerina . Here’s the plot:  MMA fighter Octavio (Emilio Sakraya) has 60 minutes to make it to the birthday party of his daughter -- otherwise he risks losing custody forever. But when he ditches a fight in order to get there, he finds himself on the run from dangerous criminals, in a race against time across the city. Don’t let the dubbing or subtitles deter you, with enough action and visual storytelling, the movie punches at all the right times with a dynamic lead who you’re rooting for! Check out Sixty Minutes on Netflix: the trailer or watch now on Netflix worldwide:

Scott Coker, the visionary promoter, steps back in the ring of pro-fights as the Executive Producer of Fight Night at the Tech.  Stepping back into the spotlight in San Jose, California, the very nucleus of California MMA, Coker returns to the sacred grounds where his legacy as a trailblazer began, igniting legendary promotions like West Coast Promotions and Strike Force. Teaming up with promoter Gilbert Melendez. Coker unveils a spectacular evening dedicated to the raw essence of combat sports: kickboxing, MMA, and Muay Thai.  Since his tenure at Bellator, Coker has meticulously evaluated his options, soul-searching amidst the chaos of the fight game. And now, he plunges back into the fray. For professional fighters and the champions of tomorrow, Coker's presence is nothing short of a beacon of hope. With his wisdom, experience, and unwavering commitment, they have a true pioneer in their corner—a visionary who doesn't just see the potential in the sport but actively cultivates it, nurturing it into something extraordinary.  May 18th, 2024 Fight Night At the Tech Leeana Vs Amanda

The fight card is here for BRAVE Combat Federation’s debut event in the Netherlands and it promises to deliver big time for MMA fans in the country and across the globe. BRAVE CF 83, which will be held in association with Enfusion’s MMA brand ECE on May 25 at Alkmaar, Netherlands will be the third event of the year and the second event of the 2024 Europe Tour for BRAVE Combat Federation.  In the headliner of the historic event, former Super Welterweight champion Marcin Bandel makes his return to the BRAVE CF cage, facing off against European MMA superstar Alex Lohore. Bandel, aiming for redemption following his title loss at BRAVE CF 77, looks to reassert himself in the division, while Lohore seeks to showcase his championship pedigree in BRAVE CF's visionary Super Welterweight division as he debuts in BRAVE CF. The co-main event showcases a clash of promotional debutants in the Middleweight division as Suriname’s Noach Blyden takes on Poland’s Adrian Gralak. Blyden, known for his prowess in kickboxing, brings a three-fight winning streak into his first BRAVE CF appearance, while Adrian Gralak is a Polish grappling champion who aims to capitalize on his recent victory in the regional circuit and add another win to his professional MMA record. Former Kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion Youssef Boughanem makes his BRAVE CF debut against local favourite Anando Amoksi. Fresh off a knockout victory in his MMA debut, Youssef looks to continue his winning streak as he takes on Amoksi in a Lightweight showdown.  Another interesting matchup on the card features Muhammad Idrisov, returning to BRAVE CF after a significant regional win, as he moves up to Bantamweight to take on Brice Picaud. Idrisov will be looking to bounce back after his loss against Bidzina Gavashelishvili at BRAVE CF 72, while Picaud returns to the organization after a three-year hiatus. Riding on a two-fight winning streak, the French superstar will be eager to secure his first victory under the BRAVE CF banner when he takes on Idrisov. Chequina Noso Pedro returns to BRAVE Combat Federation after his promotional debut back at BRAVE CF 79. He will be looking to secure his second straight win in the most global MMA organisation in the world as he takes on undefeated Austrian prospect Ali Isajew at Super Welterweight.  Also on the card is a Light Heavyweight showdown between Nills Van Noord and Guilherme Cadena with both fighters hoping to make a strong first impression at BRAVE Combat Federation.   BRAVE CF 83 Fight Card Super Welterweight Main Event: Marcin Bandel vs Alex Lohore Middleweight Co-Main Event: Noach Blyden vs. Adrian Gralak Lightweight: Youssef Boughanem vs Anando Amoksi Super Welterweight: Chequina Noso Pedro vs. Ali Isajew Bantamweight: Muhammad Idrisov vs Brice Picaud Light Heavyweight: Nills Van Noord vs. Guilherme Cadena

Steven Seagal featured in the 1990 cover shot by Doug Churchill. The feature promotes Marked for Death and shows Seagal is a strong pose with the wooden sword. Read more in the Black Belt Magazine section https://www.blackbeltmag.com/free-magazines

Ramiz Brahimaj finds solace in the solitude of his car, parked in a secluded area, where he can freely express his emotions without fear of being overheard. “It’s like revisiting a nightmare that I’ve somehow survived,” he shares with a heavy Bronx accent, emphasizing the intensity of his journey. “It’s been an unbelievably tough ride, but here I am—alive, like the Morning Star, ready to seize every moment.” A New Battle Emerges Brahimaj's last UFC fight was on February 26, 2022, where he triumphed with a first-round rear-naked choke against Micheal Gillmore, balancing his UFC record at 2-2. A severe cut during training forced him out of a high-profile fight at UFC 277, intensifying his determination to recover and return stronger. His preparation for a comeback fight against Carlston Harris in mid-February revealed his peak physical condition—until a sudden, intense pain changed everything. “It was a pain I’d never felt before,” Brahimaj recounts, his optimism faltering as he recalls the struggle. Despite excruciating discomfort and a significant shoulder injury that hindered his training, he resisted doctors' urgent recommendations for spinal fusion surgery, fearing it would end his fighting career prematurely. Confronting the Pain As the pain persisted and treatments like trigger-point injections only provided temporary relief, Brahimaj faced a stark reality. The potential end of his career loomed, challenging his identity and resilience. “I've always needed to be strong—for myself and for my family. Feeling powerless was devastating,” he admits, revealing the emotional and physical toll of his condition. Overcoming the Odds Rejecting surgery, Brahimaj sought alternative treatments, slowly making progress with the support of his mother and his team. He continued to support his teammates and maintain his presence in the gym, drawing strength from the community and his role as a mentor. Return to the Octagon Now, as he prepares for his fight against Themba Gorimbo, Brahimaj reflects on his journey with a renewed appreciation for his career and health. “This entire ordeal was a reality check that made me love and miss fighting so much,” he shares, determined to make the most of his return to the sport. Brahimaj's story is about battling through life's most challenging moments. It’s a testament to his unyielding spirit and the profound realization that vulnerability and resilience can coexist, inspiring others facing their battles. As he looks forward to his upcoming fight, it's clear that for Brahimaj, the greatest victory is already his—the strength to continue and the chance to fight another day.

Jamie Christine Lim  is a Filipino Karateka and SEA Games gold medal champion in the women's kumite. Her legacy started before her birth as the daughter of the legendary PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) legend Samboy Lim. Now attending Imperial College in London in pursuit of her masters degree, she balances training with studies in pursuit of academic excellence. Black Belt: No secret you come from a lineage of famous sports in your blood as your father's a legendary basketball player. What inspired you to pursue martial arts, particularly karate? Jamie Christine Lim: My parents were the ones who enrolled me in a karate class for summer. It was imperative that I joined a sports clinic every summer so I had an activity and not just stay home and watch tv. I tried swimming, gymnastics, basketball and others as well, but my coaches in karate made me continue even after that summer and join competitions.  Black Belt: Being still young and having achieved many great things, what current goals do you have for your martial arts career? Lim: It was always a dream of mine to compete for the country in international competitions, and especially the SEA games, knowing how important this is for the country, and how we get together as a nation to cheer for all our athletes. I just continue to do my best as a national team member, and hope to inspire more people to be great and dream big, and to not be afraid to go for their dreams.  Black Belt: Could you elaborate on the training approach to returning to competitive karate after a four-year hiatus focused on your studies? Lim: This was so difficult for me. Jumping back into training, with 5 months to go before the SEA games was so intense. We had training twice a day, 6 days a week. We had weights training, running, and karate training. It was all so difficult for me, I lifted the lightest weight but struggled the most, I was always last in runs, and my reaction during sparring was also so bad. I had to stay the course and accept that I needed to put in extra work just to get back in shape and to actually have a chance. My teammates were very supportive as they helped me through it, partnered with me when I needed extra training, and reviewed my opponents videos so I could have a tactical plan. It all worked out but behind the scenes, it really was one of the most difficult things I had to do, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well, trying to manage my stress of not being that good in the start, as well as joining a very big competition so soon after my hiatus.  Black Belt: How have you managed to balance your rigorous karate training with your academic commitments at a university in London? Lim: It was also so challenging since my MSc in Business Analytics at Imperial College was very fast paced and difficult. I had to spare extra time for training instead of going out a lot, and it entailed me doing this every day until the SEA games in Cambodia. I knew I was at a disadvantage because I was not training with the team, which was more difficult since I needed training partners because my event is sparring. I thankfully had access to a karate gym thanks to our coach’s connections in the UK, where I went there once a week. I knew this was not enough, so I made up for it in trying to get my techniques perfect in front of a bag, and working on my stamina and strength, as well as reviewing my opponents again on video.  Black Belt: As a female martial artist from Asia, how do you  perceive your role in promoting diversity and representation in the martial arts community? Lim : I love being a female martial artist. It was not very common especially when I was young, but I hope to show kids that women can do anything they want to do, even when people think otherwise. I want people to know that there are no limits unless we decide there are. It is an honor for me to be called a role model because I am just doing what I love to do, but because of this, I have a platform and a voice to share to people what I believe in. So I hope to simply share my story and hopefully I can touch a few lives.  Black Belt: : Can you share any memorable moments or achievements from your competitive career in karate? Lim : The SEA Games are always my favorite competitions, just because it is so important to the country and to the family. I joined  3 SEA Games so far, and all times  my family was there to watch. The first one was in Manila, so it was very special. Against the odds since I just came back, fighting the then Asian Champ. For more about Jamie, check out her Instagram HERE!