UFC 301 delivered a thrilling night of fights for the raucous Brazilian crowd, with flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja securing a hard-earned defense and former champion José Aldo showcasing his enduring skill. Here are the UFC 301 Results. Main Event: Pantoja Outlasts Erceg In a gritty flyweight championship battle, Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his title against surging contender Steve Erceg. After five grueling rounds, Pantoja emerged with a unanimous decision victory, proving his staying power at the top of the division. Co-Main Event: Aldo's Vintage Performance Brazilian legend José Aldo turned back the clock with a dominant display against rising star Jonathan Martinez.  Aldo's experience and well-rounded skills earned him a decisive unanimous decision victory, signaling his continued relevance in the bantamweight division. Other Notable Results Anthony Smith picked up a quick first-round submission win over Vitor Petrino with a slick guillotine choke. Michel Pereira continued his unorthodox and exciting style, submitting Ihor Potieria with a standing guillotine choke in under a minute. Caio Borralho scored an impressive second-round knockout of Paul Craig with a devastating left cross. Joanderson Brito surprised Jack Shore with a doctor's stoppage TKO due to a nasty cut on Shore's shin. Rising Brazilian star Ismael Bonfim impressed with a unanimous decision win over the experienced Vinc Pichel. UFC 301 showcased a mix of thrilling finishes and strategic battles, solidifying the reputations of established stars and paving the way for new contenders to emerge. Results of UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg MAIN EVENT | UFC FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP | 125 LBS Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg Pantoja defeats Erceg via Unanimous Decision CO-MAIN EVENT | BANTAMWEIGHT · 135 LBS | PRO MMA Jonathan Martinez vs. José Aldo Aldo defeats Martinez via Unanimous Decision MAIN CARD | LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT · 205 LBS | PRO MMA Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino Smith defeats Petrino via Submission, Guillotine Choke at 2:00 Round 1 of 3 MAIN CARD | MIDDLEWEIGHT · 185 LBS | PRO MMA Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria Pereira defeats Potieria via Submission, Standing Guillotine Choke at 0:54 Round 1 of 3 MAIN CARD | MIDDLEWEIGHT · 185 LBS | PRO MMA Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho Borralho defeats Craig via KO/TKO, Left Cross at 2:10 Round 2 of 3 PRELIMINARY CARD | FEATHERWEIGHT · 145 LBS | PRO MMA Joanderson Brito vs. Jack Shore Brito defeats Shore via KO/TKO, Doctor Stoppage (cut on Shin) at 3:35 Round 2 of 3 PRELIMINARY CARD | STRAWWEIGHT · 115 LBS | PRO MMA Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo Lucindo defeats Kowalkiewicz via Unanimous Decision PRELIMINARY CARD | LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS | PRO MMA Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai Orolbai defeats Brener via Unanimous Decision PRELIMINARY CARD | LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS | PRO MMA Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose Klose defeats Silva via Unanimous Decision PRELIMINARY CARD | LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS | PRO MMA Mauricio Ruffy vs. Jamie Mullarkey Ruffy defeats Mullarkey via KO/TKO, Flying Knee and Punches at 4:42 Round 1 of 3 PRELIMINARY CARD | FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS | PRO MMA Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite Barbosa defeats Kareckaite via Unanimous Decision PRELIMINARY CARD | LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS | PRO MMA Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel Bonfim defeats Pichel via Unanimous Decision PRELIMINARY CARD | FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS | PRO MMA Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas Costa defeats Borjas via KO/TKO, Punches From Back Mount at 1:35 Round 2 of 3

With the success of the John Wick legacy, other creatives are starting to ask, “What is possible if action films were created, directed, and starring real-life martial artists and stunt performers?” The Proposal  is a short, brought from idea to execution by Neraida Bega (Mike Chat’s wife) and the 87 North Pro Stunt Class Team went to work on a "class assignment" from director David Leitch to create a gun fight.  Black Belt readers are probably already familiar with Mike Chat and his martial art skills. He serves as producer and stunt coordinator on this project. His wife, Bega trained in muay Thai for seven years. And the director, Dan Liu, is a longtime martial artist who mentioned that he was “always looking to incorporate my experiences to push the boundaries of my storytelling.” What’s more, Black Belt  spoke with Mike about the project as a potential launching pad, not just for a feature film based on the short as proof of concept, but as a series, and more evidence that audiences want to see convincing action stars.  John Wick is so good because both directors, David Leitch  ( John Wick: Chapter 1 ) and Chad Stahelski, is a bona fide martial artist (having trained under Dan Inosanto) and a legend in stunt performing/coordinating. Mix in a lead actor, Keanu Reeves, who has 20+ years of experience training in martial arts, and you are going to see some groundbreaking performances and scenes.   The Proposal is a proposal in and of itself, let’s elevate more stunt performers.  Artwork by GRAVILLIS More about the Film Through Neraida's vision, she developed this simple concept into a full blown, kick-ass, empowered, sharp shooting, romantic dark action comedy short! This explosive action piece signifies the debut production of her company, NEA Productions !  Logline -  A special agent’s plans to propose takes an unexpected turn when his partner loses her temper over her newly scuffed shoes and all hope is lost for a “happy ever after” ending.  AWDPS - Asian Writer, Director, Producer, & Star Director - Dan Liu (Star Trek Picard, For All Mankind, NCIS Los Angeles, Walking Dead) Writer - Utter Singh Producers - Neraida Bega & Mike Chat Star - Neraida Bega Director’s Statement: Dan Liu After a few seasons directing on television shows such as “For All Mankind”, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” “Star Trek: Picard”, “NCIS: Los Angeles”, “Shadow and Bone,” and “The Walking Dead”, I was pleasantly surprised when I was approached by our lead actress and producer, the up-and-coming action star Neraida Bega, and producer Mike Chat of 87 North Productions. They had an action comedy concept that was dark with a lot of action potential, but also felt fun, light, and refreshing. As a longtime martial artist always looking to incorporate my experiences to push the boundaries of my storytelling, collaborating with this all-Asian creative team felt like an incredible opportunity to contribute to the continuing push for inclusion, diversity, and female empowerment in our film industry. Fueled by our female star/producer and writer duo, “The Proposal” started as a simple “gun fight class assignment” from director David Leitch for his next generation stunt team in training. Just to create some choreography. From idea to execution, the 87 North Pro Stunt Class Team went to work. This was also a great opportunity for me to help educate and add value to their tool box as filmmakers. Neraida was part of this process from the very beginning. She brought in our writer Uttera Singh and developed it into a full blown kick ass, empowered, sharp shooting and funny female John Wick dark comedy action short! What we thought would be a 3-day shoot ended up condensed to a single night due to the availability of the cast and crew, and without any script changes we were determined to get it done and show what we could do. Everyone donated their time, and in the last week of prep, our crew ballooned from 26 to 44 brilliant creatives who came together to make some movie magic! We started filming in the evening, and 16 hours later, we all left the location thanks to a third crew that came in to handle equipment rental and truck drop offs so the rest could get home safely. It was a tremendous effort that I’m extremely proud of and we are looking forward to sharing this short with everyone!

BRAVE CF 82 showcases four athletes who have risen from their beginnings in IMMAF to become champions on the global stage of BRAVE CF. Over the years, BRAVE Combat Federation and the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) have been working together to create a thriving ecosystem in MMA. Through the partnership, both parties have been growing the sport at the grassroots levels across the globe and have also created a successful amateur pathway through which athletes coming through the IMMAF system are able to seamlessly transition into professional ranks and gain global exposure through BRAVE Combat Federation. More than 50 fighters from 20 nations have already made use of this visionary pathway and BRAVE CF 82, which is scheduled to happen in Mauritius on May 11 will once again showcase how this amateur pathway has paid dividends to the world of MMA. Headlining BRAVE CF 82 are Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres and Nkosi Ndebele, both products of the IMMAF ranks. Jose Torres is a two-time IMMAF world champion having won the Gold Medal in the Bantamweight category in 2014 and 2015, the first fighter to win two world gold medals under IMMAF. Nkosi, on the other hand, was the 2017 IMMAF African Champion at Featherweight, and is now the reigning, defending BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion of the world. Touted as the best amateur MMA fighter of all time, Ramazan Gitinov will also be in action on the BRAVE CF 82 card. Ramazan is a three-time IMMAF World champion and won medals at the IMMAF European, African, Oceania and Asian Championships as well before transitioning into professional MMA.  The event also features notable success stories like Eliezer Kubanza, whose 2017 IMMAF African Championship victory over Ramazan Gitinov propelled him to prominence within the MMA community. Kubanza went on to achieve two African IMMAF titles before taking the pro ranks by storm within BRAVE CF in 2023. While these are the success stories that are already visible to the world, the next generation of global superstars is making use of the pathway by competing in the IMMAF events happening across the world, and is especially true for the African amateur fighters, who will land in Namibia on May 27 to fight at the 2024 IMMAF African Championships, hoping to become the next Kubanza and Ndebele.  BRAVE CF 82 will happen on May 11 in Mauritius and will be the debut event in the nation for BRAVE Combat Federation and the fourth event in the continent. It will also be the second event of 2024 for BRAVE CF following a successful outing in Slovenia for BRAVE CF 81.

Women's Flyweight Co-Main Event: Nadia Vera faces undefeated Veronica Vargas Mexican Social Media Sensation Luis "Pride" Escudero makes his Combate Global Debut against Carlos Cordoba Combate Global and Fuse Media today announced an Ireland vs Mexico main event showdown between lightweight (155 pounds) thrillers  Patrick “The Leech” Lehane  (7-2) and  Ivan “Choko” Castillo  (24-17), live from Miami on Saturday, May 18, and airing exclusively in English on Fuse at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.  The 24-year-old Lehane of Cork, Ireland has emerged as one of COMBATE GLOBAL’s premier athletes and most exciting fighters to watch since making his professional debut with the promotion on August 1, 2021 and scoring back-to-back upset victories over two opponents – Sebastian Santana Guedes and Maxime Giacalone – with over a dozen professional bouts combined, to win the first-ever COMBATE GLOBAL one-night European tournament. Following his last COMBATE GLOBAL victory – a unanimous decision over Mexico’s Roberto Romero on December 17, 2023 – Lehane ventured to Tokyo, Japan where he represented COMBATE GLOBAL in a Shoot Boxing Federation contest, coming out victorious by way of unanimous decision over local Japanese star Ryoga Imoto on February 10. Castillo is a 33-year-old native resident of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and a member of The Blackxicans fight squad. Known for his outstanding gas tank, the 12-time veteran of COMBATE GLOBAL action was last seen in action on December 17 at the promotion’s first-ever ‘Ireland vs. Mexico’ where Castillo took on a previously unbeaten Lee Hammond, scoring a second round (1:37) TKO (punches) on the Dublin resident and member of John Kavanagh’s Straight Blast Gym (SBG). In the women’s flyweight (125 pounds) co-main event,  Nadia Vera  (5-2-1) will face off with undefeated  Veronica Vargas  (3-0). Vera hails from Mexico City, Mexico and is a member of the Bonebreakers fight team, which won the 2022 COMBATE GLOBAL competition reality series pitting four of MMA’s top camps against each other in a series of bouts. Vera is coming off a first-round (2:39) submission (rear-naked choke) of Giuliana Cosnard on April 12. Vargas of San Jose, Costa Rica will return to COMBATE GLOBAL action for the second time this year, following a thrilling, three-round battle with Spain’s Blanca Medina that Vargas pulled off after being out of MMA action for two years, a hiatus she took in order to compete in grappling events. Prior her latest win, Vargas had beaten all of her professional and amateur opponents by way of (T)KO or submission. In a featured featherweight (145 pounds) contest, social media sensation and Mexican MMA prospect  Luis “Pride” Escudero  (3-2) will battle  Carlos Cordoba  (1-4). Fighting out of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, Escudero is a 26-year-old TikTok star with over 6.8 million followers and subscribers across all of his social media pages. In his last effort, Escudero produced a  highlight reel armbar submission  of Juan Campos in the first round (1:11) of their meeting on August 25, 2023. Cordoba is a 31-year-old native of San Jose, Costa Rica fighting out of Orlando, Fla., and is looking for his first COMBATE GLOBAL victory. Coming up live, Saturday, May 11, Colombia’s Alejandra "Azul" Lara takes on Argentina’s Gisela "La Emperatriz" Luna in a Combate Global main event, while “Jimbo Slice” battles unbeaten Jaden Ortega, in a 175 pound limit catchweight fight, and undefeated rivals Tony “The Conqueror” Cortez and Mauricio Rios face off in a 145 pound, U.S vs. Mexico showdown.

The summer will stay hot when ONE Championship delivers ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video  on Friday, July 5. The marquee had already been lit up with the battle for the inaugural ONE Women's Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship between Jackie Buntan and Anissa Meksen. ONE has continued to bolster the card with two more exciting additions. Strawweight MMA contenders Hiroba Minowa and Jeremy Miado will scrap in a three-round contest to see who can get closer to the top of the division after recent setbacks. Minowa is looking to get back in the conversation after tough losses to the division's elite but has shown himself well in the outings to prove he is near a breakthrough. It's a similar story for Miado, who made waves with big knockouts before the recent rough patch. One man will notch a win and begin to build their momentum back in a red-hot division. Former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champions Petchtanong Petchfergus and Alaverdi Ramazanov will light it up as both men seek to regain the division's top prize. Ramazanov stood on top of the division in 2019 but was dethroned by Capitan Petchyindee. "Babyface Killer" evened the score in their 2022 rematch to get another shot at the gold. However, Nong-O Hama delivered a stunning KO to end his bid for the title. Petchtanong defeated Hiroki Akimoto to claim the gold in 2022 but was later stripped of the crown after failing a drug test. ONE Fight Night 23 marks the Thai star's big return as he hopes to right the wrongs and show he is among the elite. Both former World Champions have huge motivation as Jonathan Haggerty stands on top of the division they once ruled. ONE Fight Night 23 airs live and free on Prime Video on Friday, July 5. The action will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The eight-man one-night  GLORY Light Heavyweight Grand Prix , set for  June 8  at the Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands, will crown the baddest light heavyweight striker on the planet. The eight participants are: GLORY champion, Tarik Khbabez (58-10-1, 28 KO) , Morocco. Former champion, No. 1  Donegi Abena (27-10, 7 KO) , Suriname. Former champion, No. 2  Sergej Maslobojev (38-6, 23 KO) , Lithuania. Undefeated in GLORY, No. 3  Stefan Latescu (17-2, 8 KO) , Romania. ‘Mister Cool’ No. 4  Ibrahim El Bouni (41-9-1, 22 KO) , Morocco. The wild & unpredictable, No. 5  Bahram Rajabzadeh (67-2, 59 KO) , Azerbaijan. Top French light heavyweight, No. 6 Pascal Toure (20-6, 7 KO) , France. Veteran fighter, No. 7  Bogdan Stoica (58-14, 40 KO) , Romania. Also confirmed today, former interim-title challenger  Mohamed Amine (29-7, 16 KO)  will take on the debuting  Cem Caceres Aygun (15-1, 12 KO)  in a reserve bout for the Grand Prix and, fresh of his huge victory in Paris, Morocco’s  Sofiane Abdelkhalek (4-2-1, 2 KO)  takes on his compatriot  Ilyass Chakir (16-4-1, 6 KO)  in a feature bout on the preliminary card. Elsewhere, a heavyweight collision between Turkey’s  Murat Aygun (32-3, 8 KO)  and Rico Verhoeven training partner  Ionut Iancu (28-9, 10 KO)  of Romania will take place in the co-main event slot while Morocco’s  Iliass Hammouche (34-6, 7 KO)  faces rising French star  Ramy Deghir (6-1, 1 KO)  in a top ten middleweight clash. Fans in the Netherlands will be able to watch live exclusively on Videoland, on DAZN in France & Belgium, Bally Live in North America, and via worldwide PPV on  TrillerTV.com . For full broadcast information, please visit  GLORYKickboxing.com .

The latest season of the UFC’s long-standing reality series, "The Ultimate Fighter," is set to captivate mixed martial arts fans worldwide starting June 4, 2024. This season, labeled "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Grasso vs. Team Shevchenko" and also known as TUF 32, airs on ESPN and ESPN+, featuring top-tier coaching from current UFC Flyweight Champion Alexa Grasso and formidable former champion Valentina Shevchenko. In this Season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter, Team Grasso is helmed by the dynamic Alexa Grasso, whose recent victories in the octagon have propelled her to the pinnacle of the flyweight division. Her coaching style is anticipated to reflect her sharp, strategic approach to fighting, emphasizing agility and precision. Opposing her is Valentina Shevchenko of Team Shevchenko, a celebrated fighter known for her versatility and strength across multiple martial arts disciplines. Her extensive experience in high-stakes fights is expected to offer her team an invaluable perspective on handling pressure and adversity. This season will showcase the talents of male featherweights and middleweights. The featherweight roster includes Edwin Cooper Jr., known for his explosive power; Nathan Fletcher, a technical fighter with a keen tactical mind; and Zygimantas Ramaska, noted for his resilience and adaptability. The middleweight group is equally impressive, featuring Omran Chaaban, who brings a high-octane fighting style; Shamidkhan Magomedov, renowned for his grappling prowess; and Robert Valentin, a well-rounded athlete with a reputation for fierce competitiveness. Reflecting the global appeal of MMA, this season’s cast includes fighters from 14 different nationalities, adding a rich diversity of fighting styles and techniques. This international flavor not only enhances the competition but also broadens the show's appeal to a worldwide audience. Filming for the season began in March 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, setting the stage for a series of intense battles and personal growth stories. As these 16 contestants face off under the guidance of Grasso and Shevchenko, viewers can expect a thrilling mix of drama, strategy, and elite fighting from the next generation of UFC stars. Stay tuned for the premiere on June 4, as TUF 32 promises to be a season filled with compelling matchups and the continuous evolution of MMA’s promising athletes. Here is the complete list of Fighters for TUF Season 32 Featherweights Edwin Cooper Jr. Nathan Fletcher Zygimantas Ramaska Roedie Roets Bekhzod Usmonov Guillermo Torres Kaan Ofli Mairon Santos Middleweights Omran Chaaban Shamidkhan Magomedov Robert Valentin Mark Hulme Ryan Loder Giannis Bachar Thomas Theocharis Paddy Mccorry

Joaquin Buckley's dream is coming true. At an earlier press conference, the St. Louis native made a bold request to Dana White for a fight in his hometown—the place he last fought in 2018. His wish was granted, not as the main event but as an equally thrilling co-main bout. Buckley is set to bring the house down, expecting to deliver a stunning knockout that could redefine his career. In the lead-up to the fight against the towering Nursulton Ruziboev, Buckley's preparation has been nothing short of intense. Despite the height disadvantage, he is confident his knockout power will see him through. Ruziboev, standing at an imposing 6’5", brings a formidable record into the Octagon, but Buckley is undeterred, promising an unforgettable performance that won't need the judges' intervention. Just five weeks ago, Buckley achieved a career-defining victory over Vicente Luque, propelling him into the welterweight rankings. Now, as he faces Ruziboev, he's not just fighting for another win but for his future in the UFC, aiming to leapfrog the ranks and captivate a growing fan base. With both fighters known for their finishing ability, this matchup is guaranteed to be explosive. Buckley's clash with Ruziboev is an opportunity for him to become a superstar. As he steps into the Octagon, it’s clear Buckley is ready to seize the moment and deliver a show-stopping knockout that will resonate far beyond his hometown.

If You’re A Student Of Japanese Or Okinawan Karate, You’ve Been Introduced To The First Of The Five Heian Or Pinan Kata. From a standing position with your feet slightly apart and your fists in front of your thighs, you pivot 90 degrees to your left and execute what’s usually called a left downward block. Do you understand it? Many karateka not only would say they do but also would regard the question as vaguely insulting. It’s a basic technique, after all. Black belts have done it thousands of times. Of course they understand it. So tell me this: From the beginning position of the kata, which part of your body moves first? Do you look first to your left? If so and if you’ve perceived a threat, looking at it before moving is going to put you behind in your response, isn’t it? You’re looking to your front, and a guy on your left launches a punch. Can you turn and look at it and receive it effectively before it lands? You must be fast. Or he must be a slow puncher. Do your hips move before your knees flex, or is it the other way around? Which direction do your hips rotate? To the left? If so, how do you generate the power to make the block? If you just rotate your hips to the left, you look like a robot without any real power. If you counter-rotate first, moving to the right to generate power, you’re making two moves. Your attacker is making only one. You must involve your knees, right? How? Do the muscles in your hips relax to allow knee rotation? Where are you in the rotation of your hips when your left foot starts to move? Where is your center? Is it behind the movement of your foot, or does it move simultaneously? If it’s the latter, how do you maintain stability? In this kata, the block is achieved by pulling your left arm back so the fist comes almost to your right ear; at the same time, your right arm stretches out to the left. Then you reverse this to make the big, swinging movement that gives the block enough energy to interrupt an attack. So your left arm comes down, and your right fist comes back to rest on your right hip. Ever see that work in a real confrontation? Me, neither. So why do you do it? Again, it’s making two movements, both of them rather large, that are supposed to address a single direct attack. The math doesn’t add up. Now, remember that this is a basic movement from a basic kata. You understand it. Perhaps you’re thinking, It’s a kata. That’s not how we fight. OK. Then what’s the kata for? Karate is a fighting art. You’re telling me that not only is the kata not meant to teach fighting but it’s also actually counterproductive to learning to fight? Or maybe you’re insisting that the big movements of the kata are for developing gross-motor skills and that as you advance, you’re supposed to be able to compress the movements and make them more efficient. OK. How does that work with this pivot and block? If you make the movement smaller and faster, where does the power come from that will make it strong enough to work? Can you create enough vibration in your hips to come up with that kind of power? Have you actually tried it against a kick or a punch to your side? If you’re going to make this movement more compact, how wide is your stance? In the basic kata, stances are deep. Once you develop the right muscles, it’s a stable position. But how stable are you with a much shorter stance? And long or short, where are you in taking this stance when you make contact with the attack? Are you already set in the stance at contact, or are you moving into the vector of the attack, sliding in to meet it? Putting that right fist on your hip looks good in performances of the kata. Is that a good place for it? Again, do you see a lot of fights where skilled combatants have a fist cocked at their hip? So is the kata wrong? If not, what’s the lesson? Here’s the truth: There are excellent answers to these questions. All of them can be found in the kata — when the kata is taught correctly by those who know what they’re doing. Here’s another truth: About 99 percent of those claiming to teach “traditional” karate don’t have the answers. That’s why their karate is so often superficial or incoherent when they try to insist that “kata is just as important as free fighting.” It is, but you’d never know it from the caliber of their teaching. Here’s yet another truth: There are karate sensei who can answer these questions, demonstrate those answers and convey the information to students. I’ve been in dojo and watched while students are exposed to these teachers, students who for years have been doing a very shallow kind of karate and who suddenly get a glimpse into the depths. When their faces are transformed with this realization, it’s a beautiful thing. Here’s a final truth: If you quit assuming that you understand the basics and instead take a long, hard look at those basics and feel for the messages contained within them, you can see for yourself what karate really is. Of course, this topic is one you can read about here and then turn the page in search of something more interesting. If you’re like most people, you won’t give serious contemplation to the notion that you might not understand one of the very first movements you learned. Maybe, though, you are different. Later on, you’ll find yourself alone. With no one watching, you’ll take up the posture described above and slowly, while thinking about it and trying to feel it, you’ll be mindful of a dozen points you’ve never entertained before. Then you’ll make that pivot and execute that block. Congratulations. You’ve started learning karate. Dave Lowry has written Karate Way since 1986. For more information about his articles and books, visit blackbeltmag.com and type his name into the search box. This article originally appeared in a 2020 edition of Black Belt Magazine.

Jack Seki, the traditional sensei who taught me Japanese jujitsu, never gave his students a separate term for each block they learned. For Seki, blocking was an integral part of any jujitsu technique that involved stopping or deflecting an attack before countering. Rather than it being a distinct movement, the block was just a step you took so you could protect yourself long enough to get to the attacker and deal with him. There were only two terms Seki used: te no tatake for blocking a hand technique and juji for blocking an overhead strike or a kick. That was it. Some jujitsu ryu and most karate ryu typically have 10 or 12 distinct names for blocks delivered at specific angles or elevations, and teachers devote lots of class time to conveying the proper terminology and the associated execution. But for Seki, all that was irrelevant. A block was just a motion you made as you moved in to continue your defense. It either worked or you got hit. Here are some Budoshin Jujitsu Blocking Techniques. Done! Guidelines According to Seki, a block executed while doing a complete jujitsu technique has one of two purposes. First, it can deflect the attack so the incoming weapon travels 2 to 4 inches to the side of its target, which is usually your head or torso. Second, it can stop the forward motion of the attack completely, which is sometimes called a hard block. Most overhead blows, kicks, and roundhouse or backhand strikes require a hard block because of their greater momentum and potentially greater impact. Most martial artists effect their hard blocks at 90 degrees to the attack’s trajectory because that’s the angle at which they’re most effective. Here are some common examples of this hard methodology: • You block an overhead strike with a club by making contact with a part of the limb that’s between the mid forearm and the elbow. You block a kick by making contact just above the kneecap before the opponent’s lower leg extends beyond 90 degrees. • You block a roundhouse swing by connecting with the forearm close to the wrist. • You block a hook by intercepting the upper arm before the elbow extends forward of an imaginary line that would go through both shoulders. • You block a backfist by using both forearms to hit the adversary’s arm between the elbow and the fist, or by using one forearm to make contact above the elbow and one to make contact between the elbow and the fist. Why is the point of impact important when using a hard block? Because a proper block can cause the closest parent joint to transfer the energy of the block to the attacker’s torso, thus off-balancing him. In the case of a roundhouse, backhand or overhead strike, a properly executed hard block can make the attacker’s hand lose strength and/or open, and that can cause the person to drop his weapon if he has one. Mechanics A hard block is a technique that impacts the attacking arm or leg at a 90-degree angle. Although all juji are initially hard blocks, a hard block also can be delivered with just one forearm against a punch. Also, a juji can deflect an attack slightly to either side after impact. Note that with a hard block, you typically “stand your ground” (refrain from moving your feet) or take a slight step toward your attacker with your lead foot so your body can better absorb the impact of the blow. In either case, it’s your strong base that enables you to execute a successful block. Most hand strikes and attempted grabs can be effectively dealt with using a deflection block. You’re not trying to stop the forward momentum of the attack, just change its path by 2 to 4 inches to either side. Deflection blocks are also different from hard blocks in that the target (you) usually moves slightly in the opposite direction of the block. This body movement, either a circular pivot or a side step, sets you up for your response. Deflection blocks give you the option of moving into the attacker (to execute a technique) or away from him (to create space) more quickly compared to hard blocks. Tactics Why would you choose a deflection block that gives you the option to move away from your attacker? Because on the street, you may want to give common sense a chance to prevail before tensions escalate even more. At that moment, if you can successfully deflect his intended attack and step back, one of two things will happen. First (and ideally), he might recognize that his attack didn’t work, that you’re ready if he attacks again and that you actually might hurt him if he proceeds — although he doesn’t know how you’ll do it. Putting doubt in your attacker’s mind can be a powerful weapon. Second, you might opt to step back to force your opponent to move forward to continue his assault, which will make him look even more like the aggressor in the eyes of witnesses. The fact that he has to step forward to attack you also gives you a better opportunity to judge his direction and use his energy or momentum to your advantage. Furthermore along those lines of thinking, when you deflect his attack and step back, it gives you the opportunity to verbalize that you don’t want to fight. This can be an important factor in your defense should you end up in court as a result of a physical confrontation. Witnesses will be able to verify your physical actions and your verbalizations, all of which were intended to defuse the situation. Definitions So far, I’ve focused on blocking guidelines, mechanics and tactics. However, I never really defined the terms “te no tatake” and “juji.” There are some important differences that will determine how you implement these moves. In my book Jujitsu: Toward One Technique, I defined a te no tatake as a “blocking hit” and a juji as a “cross-block, done with both hands clenched into fists and the arms crossed for a more effective and stronger block.” To elaborate, a te-no-tatake can be a hard block (effected at 90 degrees) or a softer deflection block delivered with one forearm — at the discretion of the defender depending on the situation and/ or his automatic response. However, both forearms are used occasionally, such as when your inner arm is used for a counterattack (common in krav maga). A te no tatake is not as strong as a juji because it doesn’t need to be. All it’s supposed to do is slightly alter the direction of the attack. To be more effective, a te no tatake is commonly done with an open hand rather than a closed fist. It’s a given that a closed fist gives you a stronger and harder block. However, an open hand allows you to more quickly hook your hand over your attacker’s forearm (called “sticky hands,” this is an essential element of wing chun kung fu) and maintain your hold on his arm as he retracts it or continues his forward motion. This enables you to more effectively use his energy to set up and execute your defense. If you maintain the hook, it also makes it difficult for him to continue to use his arm offensively, thus creating a serious distraction for him. A juji is always a crossed-forearm block that uses both arms. The right arm is over the left if it’s a right-handed attack, and the left is over the right if it’s a left-handed attack. Both of your arms and legs are bent slightly so they can serve as shock absorbers as you step in to meet the attack. A juji always has another distinct characteristic: Both hands are closed to form tight fists. There are two reasons for this. First, having clenched fists allows you to deliver a stronger — and more painful — block. Second, because overhead strikes, roundhouse punches and kicks carry more force, having closed fists tends to protect your fingers from being broken should they get hit. When it comes to blocking, two crossover variables exist and therefore warrant a brief discussion. A well-delivered juji can incorporate a slight amount of intentional deflection to help you off-balance your attacker. Conversely, a deflection block can be done with a closed fist if a juji isn’t possible or if doing so works more effectively as a prelude to your next technique. There are no absolutes in blocking or any other subsets of the martial arts; there is only good training. Guarantees Do blocks always work? No. Even after 53 years of teaching jujitsu, I occasionally don’t block as effectively as I should — and I usually suffer the consequences. However, as with any martial arts skill, the more you practice, the better you get. You learn that even when a block partially fails, in most cases, you can continue your defense As I mentioned, there are no absolutes when it comes to blocking. The situation determines what you can do. This is why Jack Seki didn’t differentiate the blocks he taught beyond distinguishing the one-hand/one-arm te no tatake from the two-hand/two-arm juji. For him, they constituted an integral part of a complete jujitsu technique, and that’s all they were. To separate them into their own categories with specific names and characteristics was anathema to their purpose, which was and is to quickly open a pathway to counter an opponent’s attack. For Seki, a block was a block. Either it worked or you got hit. Done! George Kirby, 10th degree, is a Black Belt Hall of Famer and the founder of budoshin jujitsu. His most recent book is Jujitsu: Toward One Technique. For more information, visit shop.blackbeltmag.com . This article originally appeared in a 2021 issue of Black Belt Magazine.

UFC, has announced a multi-year partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), LVMPD Foundation, and Fighting for The Future Foundation. This collaboration will launch a youth mentoring program aimed at high-risk youths aged 12-17 across various Las Vegas schools. The initiative will offer free after-school tutoring to student-athletes in the program, thanks to a collaboration with UNLV Boxing and the UNLV School of Dental Medicine, both of which are community partners with the LVMPD Foundation. Tutoring will be available five times a week at Fight Capital Gym. Program participants will also benefit from three weekly MMA-based fitness classes at the renowned Fight Capital Gym. These classes will cover foundational disciplines of mixed martial arts such as Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Judo, and Jiu-Jitsu. The program is designed to foster skills in self-discipline and self-defense, providing access to experienced coaches and tutors in a secure, supportive environment. UFC President & CEO Dana White expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, highlighting the benefits of combining academic support with physical training to boost discipline and confidence among youths. Additionally, the program will include periodic youth engagement events with local law enforcement, aimed at strengthening community ties and building trust within Clark County. LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill emphasized the preventative impact of the program, noting that active engagement in structured after-school activities reduces the likelihood of youth involvement in criminal activities. He praised mixed martial arts for promoting values such as discipline, integrity, and humility—qualities that align with law enforcement principles. Research has shown that mixed martial arts can significantly enhance physical and mental health, improving cognitive function, muscle strength, coordination, flexibility, and self-awareness among young people. The UFC Foundation, through its corporate social responsibility program, #UFCInTheCommunity, actively collaborates with partners, sponsors, and athletes to develop charitable initiatives that positively impact the community, focusing on youth, public service, equality, and support for those battling severe illnesses. The pilot program will be hosted at Fight Capital Gym, with plans to expand to additional gyms across the Las Vegas Valley by 2025. For more information or to register, visit FIGHTINGFORTHEFUTUREFOUNDATION

This weekend, the UFC makes a thrilling return to St. Louis, Missouri for the first time since 2018. The highly anticipated event will feature top-tier heavyweights Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento in a headlining clash. Adding to the excitement, St. Louis' own welterweight star, Joaquin Buckley, is set to face the seasoned Nursulton Ruziboev in the co-main event. The card also boasts several Midwest talents including Charles Johnson, Terrance McKinney, and Sean Woodson, ensuring a night of intense competition. With over six years since the last UFC spectacle in St. Louis, local enthusiasts are eager for the showdown this Saturday at The Enterprise. Reflecting on memorable moments from UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs Choi, we gear up for a spectacular night in the city known for its unique cuisine and Nelly's beats. Highlight Reels from UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs Choi: Darren Elkins' Stunning Comeback Against local favorite Michael Johnson, Darren Elkins, also known as “The Damage”, overcame multiple knockdowns. He turned the tide with a takedown early in the second round and secured victory with a rear naked choke, marking a significant milestone in his featherweight career. Kamaru Usman's Rise to Dominance Back in 2018, Kamaru Usman, then ranked No. 11 at welterweight, solidified his fearsome reputation with a dominating win over Emil Meek. This victory was crucial in propelling him towards welterweight supremacy. Jessica-Rose Clark Dominates Paige VanZant:  In the flyweight co-main event, Jessica-Rose Clark showcased a comprehensive performance against Paige VanZant. Despite VanZant’s resilience even after a first-round arm injury, Clark's tactical superiority led her to a unanimous decision win. Jeremy Stephens' Spectacular Knockout:  Featherweights Jeremy Stephens and Dooho Choi delivered a thrilling fight, with Stephens landing a decisive blow in the second round that ended the contest, electrifying the crowd. This weekend promises to be an unforgettable UFC event, filled with dramatic confrontations and showcasing St. Louis' fighting spirit.