Mike Möller grew up in Thuringia and began strength, conditioning, and martial arts training as a child. His professional career as a stuntman began in 2000 when he worked with Donnie Yen. He then worked for many national and international productions. In 2003 he was nominated for the Taurus World Stunt Award in the category Best Fight from the movie "Half Past Dead." In 2021 he was nominated for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture for "The Matrix Resurrections." In 2012, Möller released his first independent martial arts film "Urban Fighter" (aka Arena of the Street Fighter) and won the award for Best Action Film at the Movieville International Film Festival. In the same year, he played a leading role alongside Fred Williamson and Lorenzo Lamas in the action film Atomic Eden. His second independent martial arts film, "One Million K(l)icks," followed in 2015. He was the fight choreographer and co-producer of the film, "Ultimate Justice," released in 2018, also starring Mark Dacascos and Matthias Hues. The European martial arts scene is much different than the USA, can you share some of your experiences as a martial artist training in both regions?   I was born in the former German Democratic Republic and grew up in a small village in the east of Germany. Unfortunately, there was no martial arts club in our area at that time, so I learned a lot from books and movies. When I left my village to learn a trade, I joined a very good Taekwondo club near Nuernberg. In Germany, I also fought in local tournaments.     How did you get into the entertainment business? As a fan, I shot together with my friends our own little martial arts films. That was not easy at that time. We edited our short films with a VHS recorder and dubbed them with our stereo system or Super Nintendo games. In 2000, Donnie Yen shot a TV series called "PUMA" in Berlin. I've always been a big fan of his work so I wrote a letter to the responsible production company, asking them to visit the set as an observer and maybe get a picture of my idol. Together with the letter I sent a VHS tape of my short films. In the hope that they recognize that I am a real fan. 3 days later, I got a call from the capital from the local stunt coordinator and he invited me for a training session with the Donnie Yen Stunt team. A dream came true. I was very surprised when I learned that there was no training but a casting for the last part of the season. I was very excited, I also made mistakes but I did my best. For me, it was only important to meet Donnie Yen and his team. In the end, I got my photos with Michael Woods, John Salvitti, Kenji Tanigaki, and of course Donnie Yen. I was so happy and drove back home. Two days later I got another call, this time from the production manager of the series and he told me that Donnie Yen and his team liked my performance and my VHS tape so much. They liked my sense of humor and my skills. In the end, I got one rehearsal day with Donnie Yen and his team and 3 shooting days, where I fought against Mickey Hardt, the "PUMA" main character. This was my entrance into the professional film business and I owe that especially to Michael Bornhuetter (the local stunt coordinator) and of course Donnie Yen and Kenji Tanigaki. What was the first “stunt” job you ever had in a movie? After “Puma“ I got the invitation to join “Resident Evil.” I was playing a zombie who gets knocked down by Michelle Rodriguez. Nothing special, just one day of work. But here comes a little side story: At our lunch break we the stunt guys were doing some choreos, just for ourselves. One of my moves saw the second unit director and came to me...that was a „good move“, can I film it? So we did a little previz from „that special move“. Days later I still heard nothing from them so I called the local stunt coordinator, and asked him what was going on. Because the second director obviously liked the move I did and I thought they hired me again. His answer was..."Oh, we already shot that...they couldn't do it without wire so we put Milla and her stunt double in a harness." The result you can see in the film... when Milla runs up the wall with two steps, turns in the air, and kicks the zombie dog away. At that time I was a little bit disappointed, they stole my "wall run kick" and didn't inform me or give me at least a day more work. On the other hand, I was proud that I gave something special to the stunt team achievement.   What were some of the early challenges when you first started out, both physically and emotionally? The biggest challenge for me was fighting 14-16 hours a day, 6 days a week on set in Hong Kong. With all the language barriers and of course the sore muscles. Or the many different car hits I did for films. I learned how dangerous fire stunts can be. What is the most challenging part about stunt work? I would say to give the director and producer exactly what he had in his mind. And in the best case, to create something special, new, and unique, especially in all the action scenes. Often not easy, in the time and with the resources they give. And all this in a safe way. All stuntmen bring something special to the table. They train, they bleed and most of them struggle till they get the next job. I admire all who are working in this biz. And I look up to those who became fight/stunt coordinators or work as directors.   You must have seen a lot of martial arts movies. What era do you most enjoy or relate to? After the fall of the Eastern Wall, a completely new and unknown world opened up to us. Through the video stores, we were able to enjoy all the great films from all over the world. The martial arts and action films especially influenced me a lot. So I'm a child of the late 80s and 90s. Tell us about your latest feature "Black Creek"? It was a huge honor and also a big challenge to work on "Black Creek." We just had 14 shooting days, mostly night shoots. I was the Stunt/Fight Choreographer and it was not easy in this short time and with the resources we had. But we made it and I have to owe Cynthia Rothrock everything. She and the producers fully trusted me. It's so great to work with a leading actress who is open to new ideas. She can pick up the choreo very fast and delivers. She gave everything for this production. I'm also very happy that I had a stunt team around me who supported me all the time. And to work with all these legends I have admired since my childhood days makes me smile. What are some of your favorite movies you have worked on? "Hounds of War," because it's the first time I worked with the great director Isaac Florentine and stunt coordinator David Wald. "Pound of Flesh," because I worked with JCVD, one of my childhood heroes, and my friends and martial artists "Big" Mike Leeder and John Salvitti. Expendables 4, because I grew up with "Rocky" and now I had a little part in front of the camera with him, and besides that, I worked with JC's stunt team member Alan Ng and his team. "The Last Kumite," because I had the chance to choreograph all the fights for this martial arts film and met legends like Matthias Hues, Cynthia Rothrock, Billy Blanks, and many more. "Black Creek," because I saw the Wild West and worked with even more legends I never expected. "Puma," because this was my entry into the film biz and I met and worked with my idol Donnie Yen and Kenji Tanigaki.   What is the best advice for people entering the field of stunt work? Find something you are good at and become a specialist. In case of becoming a "movie fighter” for example, then you should train in different martial arts and find your unique style. Watch martial arts movies from all over the world, how they were filmed or edited, and get inspired. The slow-motion button on a remote control is still a good friend of mine. Train with like-minded guys choreos, timing, and reaction. Then grab the camera, learn how to use it, and shoot your own little fight scenes, be open to all the different styles. It 's always a challenge to find something new and never seen before! If you have the opportunity, make a demo reel or short film, upload it, and send it to every stunt agency and production company. If you don’t try...you never know. Connect with Mike here: https://www.instagram.com/mikemoeller For more clips on Mike Möller, visit his YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/showkick

PFL MMA fighter Khai Wu, from Tracy, CA, fights in the bantamweight (135 lbs) division and trains at the Onmi Movement MMA and Dave Camerillo’s Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu. You may recognize Wu as Mark Zuckerberg's trainer and as one of a few MMA fighters who have given a TED talk. His talk was titled “Play With The Cards You’re Dealt."  As a Taiwanese American fighter it's his personal mission to help grow the sport of MMA in Asia. This episode, Black Belt's Tony Parrish interviews Khai "The Shadow" Wu. To connect with Khai, visit: Instagram: @shadowkhai X/Twitter: @khaiwu Facebook: @khaitheshadowwu TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@_khaiwu

As the world of mixed martial arts gears up for one of the most anticipated rematches in the bantamweight division, Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera are set to headline UFC 299 in a bout that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. This matchup is not just a fight; it's a saga of redemption, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of glory that has captivated fans worldwide. The first encounter between these two formidable warriors was a display of skill, heart, and the sheer unpredictability of MMA. In a fight that had fans on the edge of their seats, Vera emerged victorious, handing O'Malley his first professional loss in a stunning upset. The bout was filled with action, drama, and a controversial finish that has since fueled debates and left fans clamoring for a rematch. Sean O'Malley, known for his flamboyant style and knockout power, has since rebounded from that loss with a string of impressive victories that have showcased his evolution as a fighter. His journey back to contention has been marked by spectacular finishes and a determination to prove that he belongs among the elite in the bantamweight division. Marlon Vera, on the other hand, has solidified his status as a feared contender with his well-rounded skill set and warrior's mentality. His victory over O'Malley was a testament to his resilience and tactical brilliance inside the octagon. Since then, Vera has continued to dominate his opponents, leaving no doubt about his readiness for the rematch. As UFC 299 approaches, the stakes could not be higher. For O'Malley, it's a chance to avenge his loss and prove that he can overcome adversity to claim his place at the top. For Vera, it's an opportunity to silence the doubters once and for all by demonstrating that his victory was no fluke. The build-up to this epic showdown has been intense, with both fighters expressing mutual respect while simultaneously vowing to leave everything inside the octagon. The MMA community is buzzing with anticipation, speculating on strategies, and debating outcomes. As Sean O'Malley and Brandon Vera prepare to go all in at UFC 299, fans are guaranteed a spectacle that will be remembered for ages. The clash of these titans is not just about settling scores; it's about etching their names in the annals of MMA history.

Two of the stop strikers on the BRAVE CF roster are set to clash for a possible shot at gold in the co-main event of BRAVE CF 81 A clash of two top Super Welterweights will co-headline BRAVE CF 81, as fans can anticipate a monumental display of striking ability between Ismail Naurdiev and Luiz Cado. The bout has been made official for the most global MMA organization in the world’s return event in Slovenia, which takes place on April 20, at the Hala Tivoli, in Slovenia, in association with leading regional promotion WFC. Following a victorious return to action at Middleweight, Ismail Naurdiev comes back down to 175 pounds in search of that elusive world title, currently in possession of undefeated Russian finisher Kamal Magomedov.  Naurdiev has had two shots at the title before, but came up short on both occasions, and will be hoping a victory in Slovenia means he will have the opportunity to prove the expression ‘’third time lucky’’ also applies to mixed martial arts. Luiz Cado, meanwhile, is coming off a trilogy of his own – he has three straight victories under the BRAVE CF banner, with a huge 2023 meaning he was nominated for two fan-voted end-of-year awards: Submission of The Year and Fighter of The Year.  Cado, who trains out of Brazilian TKO, under the stewardship of former Chute Boxe standout Andre Dida, is a muay thai fighter with a very dangerous ground game, as evidenced by his two last victories – a guillotine choke and a kneebar.  The expectation is that the winner of this co-main event is next in line for the best Super Welterweight in the world, champion Kamal Magomedov. However, former two-division titleholder Mohammad Fakhreddine is still in the picture to return and try to become a three-division champion. This added ingredient might be leading fans to a fight of the night candidate, as both men will be coming in to make a statement and look to leapfrog the legendary Arab champion for the title shot. BRAVE CF 81 will be headlined by superstar Erko Jun taking on the returning Mohammed Said Maalem in a huge Light Heavyweight bout with serious title implications.

Glob o’s Combate network and free-to-air platform continues as exclusive PFL Broadcaster in Brazil for all PFL and Bellator live events and on-demand video content Brazil’s deep roots in combat sports has produced six PFL World Champions The Professional Fighters League (PFL), today announced a multi-year media rights renewal with Globo, Brazil’s leading media rights company, who will continue to serve as the exclusive broadcast partner in the country for all PFL and Bellator live events, as well as archival footage and original content. PFL and Bellator live events will air live on Combate platforms (pay tv channel, website, app and social networks), in addition to being featured live on Globo’s free to air platform. The league’s world-class roster features some of Brazil’s best combat sports fighters, including eight fighters in the upcoming 2024 PFL Regular Season. Six Brazilians have become PFL World Champions including two-time PFL World Champion, Larissa Pacheco, Light Heavyweight Antonio Carlos Jr., Heavyweight fighters Renan Ferreira and Bruno Cappelozza, and Lightweight fighters Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte. “The Professional Fighters League is thrilled to expand our partnership with Globo, the premium media company in Brazil, as the continued home of PFL,” said PFL CEO, Peter Murray. “Brazil’s rich history in combat sports reigns supreme in the PFL, with six fighters achieving PFL World Champion status, and we are excited to continue delivering Brazilian MMA fans with access to the best action and fighters across the sport.” "We are very happy with this new agreement. It represents not only the maintenance of a partnership that has brought great results for Combate but also the possibility of continuing to offer our subscribers, the Brazilian audience who loves fighting, two of the best MMA events currently," says Rafael Gruenbaum, Combate Channel Product Manager. PFL is the only organization in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.

UFC 299: O'Malley vs. Vera 2 is gearing up to be one of the most exhilarating events in recent memory, featuring a stacked lineup that promises non-stop action. With a blend of high stakes, raw talent, and seasoned fighters, this event is a must-watch for MMA enthusiasts and casual fans alike. Main Event Breakdown The spotlight shines on the bantamweight championship showdown between Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera in a highly anticipated rematch. O'Malley seeks to solidify his place at the top, while Vera aims to upset and claim the title, making this a clash of both skill and will. Co-Main Event Analysis Lightweights Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis are set to face off in what promises to be a striking masterclass. Poirier's experience and resilience meet Saint-Denis's hunger and tenacity, creating a combustible mix that could ignite at any moment. Main Card Highlights The welterweight division sees action with Kevin Holland taking on Michael Page, where dynamic striking will be on full display. Gilbert Burns and Jack Della Maddalena also throw down in the welterweight category, offering a mix of grappling and power punching. Bantamweights Petr Yan and Yadong Song round out the main card, promising a technical battle with potential title implications. Preliminary Card Insights Heavyweights Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida showcase the division's power and agility. Flyweights Katlyn Cerminara and Maycee Barber are set to prove who's the next contender in the women's division. Lightweights Mateusz Gamrot and Rafael dos Anjos will battle for supremacy in a match that's sure to excite. Additional bouts feature talents like Pedro Munhoz, Kyler Phillips, and more across various weight classes, ensuring a full night of action. UFC 299 will be available live on Pay-Per-View (PPV) via ESPN+. Make sure to tune in early to catch the preliminary cards before the main event spectacle. The preliminary bouts are scheduled to begin at 6 PM ET, with the main card kicking off at 10 PM ET. Here is the Full Fight Card of UFC 299: O'Malley vs. Vera 2 MAIN EVENT UFC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP | 135 LBS Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera II CO-MAIN EVENT LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis MAIN CARD | WELTERWEIGHT · 170 LBS Kevin Holland vs. Michael Page MAIN CARD | WELTERWEIGHT · 170 LBS Gilbert Burns vs. Jack Della Maddalena MAIN CARD | BANTAMWEIGHT · 135 LBS Petr Yan vs. Yadong Song PRELIMINARY CARD | HEAVYWEIGHT · 265 LBS Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida PRELIMINARY CARD | FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS Katlyn Cerminara vs. Maycee Barber PRELIMINARY CARD | LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS Mateusz Gamrot vs. Rafael dos Anjos PRELIMINARY CARD | BANTAMWEIGHT · 135 LBS Pedro Munhoz vs. Kyler Phillips PRELIMINARY CARD | MIDDLEWEIGHT · 185 LBS Michel Pereira vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk PRELIMINARY CARD | LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT · 205 LBS Philipe Lins vs. Ion Cutelaba PRELIMINARY CARD | HEAVYWEIGHT · 265 LBS Robelis Despaigne vs. Josh Parisian PRELIMINARY CARD | FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS CJ Vergara vs. Asu Almabaev PRELIMINARY CARD | FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS Joanne Wood vs. Maryna Moroz

Motivation lies at the heart of success, whether you are a student or a teacher. Excellence comes from our habits, yet we must be motivated enough to take that first step towards progress and to stay disciplined in our pursuit of perfection thereafter. The problem is, motivation can be such a finicky thing! Many will say that you don't need motivation, you simply need discipline and habitual action. "Keep a steadfast mind and you will be good to go for your entire martial arts career", or so we're told. That...is actually kinda right.But it's not the whole truth either. It's true that discipline is extremely important and is a necessary component to our training, especially at the fundamental level (*cough* did somebody say "kihon"?). It's also true, however, that motivation allows a level of performance which can't be replicated if you are simply doing it because it is your habitual action. Motivation allows your body to better accept what it must do, involving more of your being into a deeper level of your actions. Motivation allows your mind to hold strong for a half-second longer, lasting when an apathetic mind would give up. Motivation allows you to break your limitations like dry wooden boards and reach new levels with your daily training, accomplishing that which we set out to do as martial artists studying in pursuit of excellence. See why this is important?But believe it or not, all sources of motivation are not equal. Whereas some sources of motivation lead to a healthy training career, others will suck the life from you and drain you mentally over time. Read on to see what the problem sources are and how to conquer them, then get out there and start training hard! Training ​Problem ONE: Awards/Outcomes Did your parents ever bribe you to behave well? On the other end of the spectrum, did they punish you harshly if you behaved badly? While that can encourage a certain type of preferred behaviour temporarily, there are caveats to it. Awards can become repetitious and punishments can be avoided by sneaking around (at least, nine-year-old me could hope). In other words, extrinsic motivation—motivation that stems from acclaim, awards, or promised outcomes—only lasts so long. There is a difference between doing it for applause and doing it for a cause however. Athletes who train because of their love for the game carry a vastly different type of motivation than those who simply clamor for the next certificate or award. Motivation which is sourced from a love for the process is coined as intrinsic. Imagine somebody who goes to work only for the paycheck and somebody who believes the work he is doing is part of his life mission; who do you believe is more likely to press the snooze button each morning? Yep. If you said it is Average Joe who is slumming his 9-5 for a few dollars each day, you're probably right. Passionate Paul might have the same job, however his perspective on the work he does helps reduce the mental fatigue and lack of motivation that his counterpart is prone to suffer. Mind you, there is a whole spectrum of motivation classifications, ranging from the externally sourced to the internally originating ones. Recognize what type of motivation you are fueling for yourself and/or your students. If you have students under you who are being groomed to act like a black belt solely for the sake of wearing one someday, they will eventually reach an impasse where they must decide whether to look for another award (perhaps another rank advancement) or quit now that they have met their end goal. Then they will reach that impasse again, and again, and again. Ad infinitum. Bear in mind, even the biggest trophy can fall apart and break. Reputations eventually fade into the annals of time. Instead, remind them why they love what they are doing. If you can't remember the reason, a deeper problem might be at hand and a band-aid solution to cover it up isn't going to help at all. Everybody has various reasons for starting an activity and it isn't unusual for that to change over time. What mustn't get lost, however, is the reasons why you have kept doing it thus far. Strive for intrinsic motivation and indulge in the experience you are taking part in. Enjoy the actions you take, not just the acclaim you earn. Problem TWO: Ambiguity It's hard to accomplish what you don't even understand. Beyond that, it is hard to take the first step on a path you can't even find. A lack of clarity kills motivation before it can even begin. Take a moment and fully understand the results you are looking for. Once you can properly envision and verbalize what a faster or more technically proficient version of you would look like, you can better reverse engineer the route to get there. Bear in mind that the path you walk is paved incrementally. In other words: seek progress, not immediate perfection. If you believe the ultimate result you desire is one which you can accomplish in only a couple hours worth of work, you either set a low-hanging fruit as your goal or are delusional. We often overestimate what we can do in a short amount of time and underestimate that which can be done over a long period. This is especially true for martial art teachers guiding students. The clearer a picture you can paint what you desire from your students, the easier it is for them to work towards it and stay motivated in progressing forward. Clarity clears a path for you to walk on, now get to steppin'! ​Problem THRE: Loathing In everything that we do, we are crafting a narrative in our head. Mind you, I'm not saying that we are slowly developing a separate personality in our brain (unless, maybe, you are starting to hear the ghost of Bruce Lee in your head). When you get up and train on the days you feel like horse crap, you are unconsciously telling yourself you are disciplined. You do the hard things even when it hasn't been an easy day. On the flipside, when you negotiate with yourself and craft excuses, you are unconsciously whispering to yourself that it is OK to cheat yourself and disregard your own health at times. I don't know about you, but I would rather live as the type of person I would love; somebody honest even to themselves and disciplined regardless of consequences. Here's the extension to that: even if you stay on track with your training, you may be crafting a narrative that is filled with self-doubt, loathe, and every other negative attribute that'll give you indigestion just thinking about it. Meditate on why you want to work harder. There is a dramatic difference between going to the gym because you love your body and want to preserve good health versus going to workout because you despise how you are physically and wish to be somebody different, bigger, and stronger, and faster. Base your motivation on self-love rather than self-loathe. Trust me, you'll feel better. If you steer clear of these three problems and instead source healthy motivation in your life, you're going to feel unstoppable during training. Why? Because you are unstoppable. Now get out there and prove it!

Even the Best Preparation May Not Guarantee Victory: Understanding the Unpredictable Nature of Martial Arts Competitions No matter how meticulously you prepare, success in martial arts competitions can remain elusive. Dedicating yourself fully to training sessions doesn't shield you from the possibility of defeat. When you enter the competition arena, the outcome, often represented by numerical scores, is beyond your direct control. Interestingly, there are instances where, despite achieving what feels like your peak performance, you might not clinch victory. Conversely, a performance you deem subpar, marred by minor errors, can sometimes unexpectedly lead you to win. This paradox underscores the importance of a competitor's IQ, which encompasses the ability to critically evaluate one's performance and make necessary adjustments for future contests. Enhancing Competitor IQ: Strategies for Self-Assessment and Improvement Leveraging Video Analysis Utilizing video recordings of your performances is invaluable. They offer a perspective that might differ significantly from what you felt during the competition, providing a more objective view of your form. Repeated Review for Detail Watching your performances multiple times helps in catching subtle details that might have been overlooked initially. Approach these sessions as if you are critiquing a stranger, focusing on an unbiased assessment. Form Optimization Identify elements of your form that could be enhanced or eliminated. Not all movements contribute equally to the effectiveness of your routine; removing filler moves can streamline and strengthen your performance. Evaluating Training Effectiveness Consider whether your training regimen is appropriately tailored to your sport. Longer sessions are not inherently more beneficial; the key is engaging in focused, productive practice. Maintaining a Growth Mindset Stay motivated for future competitions, always seeking to improve both as a martial artist and as a person. Accept that outcomes may not always reflect your efforts, but with the right mindset and a commitment to realistic self-assessment and continuous improvement, you can enhance your competitive intelligence and overall performance. By adopting these strategies, martial artists can navigate the complexities of competition with greater insight and adaptability, ultimately fostering a deeper resilience and a more refined skill set.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of articles and advertisements, all touting the myriad of benefits children receive from studying martial arts. Let's assume the reader is already sold on the idea of having their child study martial arts, and now it's just a matter of finding the right school. As a former school owner myself, I thought I would share three things to consider when choosing a martial arts school for your child. The Teacher This is the most important thing to consider. The culture of the school flows from the teacher both by their example and conduct. What are they like? Are they similar to John Kreese or Mr. Miyagi? Somewhere in between? Both styles can be effective, but you will need to determine which one is best for your child. Is the class fun? Although it's a fine line between entertainment and engagement, for children, I believe a teacher should have high energy and a positive attitude. You have to ask yourself, "Is my child going to learn here?" Of course, if they can try the class, that is a great way to tell Safety Most of the time when we think of safety, we think of the risk of injury. However, if the pandemic taught us anything, it was that keeping things clean keeps disease from spreading. Is the school clean? Once, I had a parent sign up their child and tell me, "This is the first place that didn't stink." What kind of supervision do they have? Is the class small enough for one teacher to manage, or is it so large they need an extra hand? Keeping that in mind, parents must remember that martial arts are a combat sport. There are going to be bumps and, bruises. The thing to look out for is a culture of recklessness or lack of supervision. Culture The behavior of the students and teachers, and the conduct of the classes will tell a lot about the kind of culture the school is fostering. Is there a pleasant, happy, constructive vibe that you can feel? Or is it a heavy atmosphere that puts you off? What was your first impression when you walked in the door? First impressions tell a lot. Although anyone can have a bad day, for the most part, it should be a positive experience. Trying to tick all the boxes and cover all the bases will not guarantee that things won't change later, but it is a good way to make the best choice you can in the beginning. There is no season for martial arts and no age limit. Instilling martial arts in a young person can be the beginning of a lifetime of healthy activity, learning, and peace of mind. Plus, it's a lot of fun. Oh, and all the great benefits for kids are great for adults too, so check out a class yourself. It's never too late to start.

With a world as vast as ours is, it is no surprise that there is a large amount of opinions and information regarding the martial arts we train. Sifting through the conflicting ideas to find the truth can be difficult, however it is an important step for anybody wishing to steer their training in a good direction. Luckily, you aren't alone in your pursuit for the truth in martial arts. We previously listed seven common misunderstandings martial art students have, now here are seven more! 1. You Must Start Training While You Are Young Short answer: no. Long answer: Absolutely not. Most martial artists understand that no two people perform exactly the same, however many forget that the same person performs differently at different ages as well. The preferences, disposition, and physical abilities of a martial artist are likely to be different at age twenty and age twenty-five. We know that this is fine. Of course, the same can obviously be said for a martial artist who begins training at age six versus sixty. And that is also fine.What's important, regardless of when you are beginning your martial art journey, is to tailor your training to you and what you can do. Recognize aspects of yourself, mentally and physically. Train in the ways that improve who you are and what you can do instead of seeking to improve who you used to be and what you were once able to do. Don't forget the most important thing! Even if you begin training when you are closer to your hundredth birthday than your first birthday, you are practically dancing circles around those who decided it is already too late to begin. 2. Advanced Martial Artists Are The Most Dangerous To Practice With Despite how fearsome an advanced practitioner may look in their execution of techniques, they are actually likely to be the safest to work with. More injuries result from beginner students who have unsure movements and excess tension in their actions than from advanced practitioners who have spent plenty of time learning the ins and outs of their techniques. Rather than run away from the "big and scary black belts", I'd advise you to seek them out. If you are the teacher running the class, encourage ranks to match up with different skill levels. The students will benefit from the variety of persons and the classes will be safer as advanced students can help guide the newer ones along—of course, be sure the advanced students still get to train at the practice levels they need to! 3. You Can’t Train If You Are Injured Or Out Of Shape Let me start by saying that it is good to rest and recover properly when you are injured. As much as us martial artists love to focus on the aspects of training that rely on physical exertion, physical recovery is equally important. Take a break before your body decides to break down further. With that being said, just because you can't do everything doesn't mean you can't do anything. Heck, isn't the purpose of training to learn how to overcome the challenges that get in the way of our health or survival? Rather than train around the injury—and certainly rather than training through the injury—find ways to adapt your skillset as you would if it were happening in a live situation. In most cases, you can intelligently modify your actions to accommodate your new handicap. This means you distill your techniques and tactics into the essential elements that make them work, then rebuild them in a way appropriate for your momentary challenge. Mind you, go slow and work smart. In the case of a more serious injury that prevents even movement adaptation (e.x. spinal injury), seek other methods of improvement. This is when book studying and introspective thought is extremely powerful. Even the most physical sport has mental and strategic aspects that can be worked on while in bed. 4. A Good Martial Artist Is Automatically A Good Teacher If only! While some schools and teachers do guide their students into becoming high level coaches and teachers, this is a skillset that does not automatically grow out of a person's ability to punch, kick, and grapple. Being a high level teacher involves an eye for recognizing nuances, an awareness of human emotion and thought, adaptability, a creative mind, and many more skills. What training will do is provide a personal blueprint for martial art progress. It is then up to that person to study their own blueprint, sharing the appropriate lessons from their accumulated experience and guiding others so that they can trek their own path towards greatness as well. 5. Martial Art Masters Have Magic Powers Er...no. Martial artists may not be able to shoot fireballs out of their fingertips after decades of training, however some of the abilities earned can certainly seem borderline supernatural. Unless you have been secluded from all aspects of pop culture, you can likely conjure up an image in your head of an orange-clad shaolin monk breaking chopsticks and bending spears with their throat or appearing immovable despite a mass of people trying to shove them. Though some of these skills are more similar to a magician's than a martial artist's, they still often require mastery of timing and misdirection. Like martial art techniques, many of these tricks require much rehearsal and expertise to execute properly. 6. The Internet Is Only Filled With Martial Art Phonies While there are certainly plenty of "masters" who would be tapped out by a wet paper bag falling on them, there are also many great lessons from authentic martial artists on the internet nowadays. While I wouldn't recommend attempting to learn martial arts from the internet if you are a complete novice, a martial artist with experience can look online and glean additional perspective on what they have learned in-person. The key is to balance an open mind with an appropriate amount of common sense based on your experience. Be willing to let go of preconceived ideas, however don't lose yourself in your pursuit to understand how others perform. 7. Studying Martial Arts Automatically Make You A Virtuous Person An instructor may withhold rank if you aren't meeting non-physical requirements, however this isn't the way every school operates. Regardless, the dojo can be a powerful place for self-improvement. Whether for a child or an adult, sometimes we do just need somebody to help us stay accountable for our actions. It is similar to the struggles most have in pursuing better health; most people know how to lose weight and be healthy, they simply struggle with the discipline to actually do it. Inspiration is one thing, action is another. The same can be said for becoming a righteous person. We know it is important to be disciplined, kind, and to maintain a collected mind. Sometimes we simply need help transforming that inspiration to actual action. We aren't a magic pill that transforms human personality and performance, however a martial arts instructor is sometimes the exact component necessary to help you stay on the right track!

Grading- ranking in martial arts varies from skill to skill and from style to style although for all of them it defines the degree of the disciple's knowledge. The general rule is that the knowledge a master has is formed into a system and certain style in order to transfer it to his disciples. The history of ranking is very long and it has been following the appearance of particular skills, and the current ranking system (belt -kyu, Dan) which appeared shortly after World War II has spread quickly worldwide and was accepted in almost all of styles. The belt, the Dan- what do these terms mean for martial arts? The history of the belt is very interesting. In ancient China, the belt was , in the beginnning , used for suspending trousers, but later it was also used for inserting some valuable items or weapons for personal defence. Different colours of the belt showed the social order, clan or region the wearer belonged to. Moreover, the colour of belt could also show which style of martial arts the man practised as the colours differed from school to school. Ranking at schools (styles) in China followed the pattern- the beginner, the more advanced disciple (assistant) and the master. Such type of ranking is also present in some schools nowadays. Between the two world wars Japan used the system of ranking in which the traditional symbolics of colours was used: white for beginners and black for masters. These colours symbolized the colours of life and death. The white colour, in contrast to the western concept, is the colour of death so that the white kimono and the white belt symbolized that the disciple comes to sacrify himself and rejects his previous life and therefore accepts a more sofisticated understanding of life. When the disciple gains the master belt (in black colour) it shows that he has won the fear from death ; that's why his attitude to life and death is something natural and he accepts it without any fear. There has been a rule that when the disciple puts on the belt once, he doesn't take it off throughout all his practice. The kimono is changed because the disciple grows and becomes stronger as well as it gets ruined by frequent trainings. But what happens with the belt? What makes the belt change the colour and what meaning does it have? Well, the belt is white in the beginning, but through long training it becomes yellowish (titled-Mudansha) from the disciple's frequent sweating. As practice was held in nature the belt would become greenish from sweat and grass and later purple brown from dust and soil while practising in the yards of a certain school. By the longtime training the belt got soaked with sweat, grass, soil, dust and even with the disciple's blood becoming dark brown i.e.dirty black (titled-Yudansha). If we have the knowledge how the colours of the belt were made and how they changed from white to black, we can understand the link between a colour and the length of the disciple's practice and development. Different schools or styles have different belt colours to rank the disciple's development from the beginner to the master as well the time intervals necessary for passing from one level of knowledge to the higher one. However, it's common to all schools that the colour of the belt (KJU) has the meaning of ranking and grading the disciple's knowledge (create – Mikonosuke Kawaishi master of ju jucu and judo - Paris 1948, and master Gichin Funakoshi -1953). The beginner's white colour is somewhere changed with yellow, and somewhere else with orange, while in a higher degree of knowledge, it can be replaced with green or blue, afterwards with brown ( red and purple in some styles) and finally with the master's black colour. It is also common to almost all the skills that the necessary time span between the beginner's to the master's degree of knowledge is nearly the same, about four years. For example, in karate (Shotokan, Goyu -ryu, Wado-ryu, Oyama- ryu and Shito-ryu) the necessary time interval from the white to the black belt is at least four years to maximum four and a half years. The only exception is the traditinal style Uechi-ryu which requires five years' practice from the white to the black belt. Such time interval is also needed in some traditional Kung-fu, Ju jutsu or Brazilian jiu jitsu style (with obligation competition). In Judo the average interval from the white to the black belt is four years. Masters wear the black belt from 1st to 5th Dan, the white-red from 6th to 8th and the red one from 9th to 11th Dan. The red colour symbolizes the colour of blood, an it is considered that a master holding such a high title in his practice should have spilt lots of sweat or even "blood". Ranking in belts was introduced in some kung fu schools in 1974 (wu shu -1993) implying that there is an average time span between the beginner to the master of three and a half years. The master title Dan is called Toan (duan) in Chinese styles. In Korean styles Tae kwon do, Tang soo do, Hwa rang do and Hap ki do, it normally takes four years from the first degree- the white belt to achieve the master of the skill- the black belt. The exception in martial arts is Savate ( the French boxing) where the ranking from the beginner to the master is not in the colour of the belt, but in the colour of the gloves; so that the beginner wears blue gloves,the competitors who are the masters of the skill have the silver ones , but the supreme knowledge is shown with masters who either wear silver or honorary platinum gloves. The time needed to reach the level of the master of the silver glove is three and a half years. Before World War II savate practitioners used to wear the belts as well as some boxers before World War I. Nowadays boxers,kick boxers, savate fighters and fighters in UFC (MMA) compete for the world champion's belt, which is somehow a tribute to tradition. Beginners in wrestling and boxing also need about 4 years of practice to achieve the master rank. What is the meaning of DAN ranking in martial arts? (create Jigoro Kano -1886) In JAPAN -"Jiki dan" would, in free translation, mean the personal consultation with the master, therefore, the sign Dan has the meaning of time interval which the master of martial arts , the wearer of the black belt spends in active training or knowledge transfer with the consultation of his tutor as the older and more experienced one whose knowledge he is going to inherit. It is interesting that the difference in ranking from the master of the black belt "the 1st Dan" to the top master skill of "the10th Dan" is small,so that the expected time interval between the 1st Dan and the 2nd Dan is two to three years. For the third Dan it takes two, or three years in some disciplines. After getting the third Dan you need three or four years to reach the 4th Dan. The 5th Dan implies about 17 years of continuous training and for the 6th Dan you should have 22 to 25 years' practice. The 7th Dan is obtained after 35 years of practice, and the 8th Dan requires 40 years of frequent exercise, studying and teaching the skill. The master of the skill is then about 55 years old ( there are subtle differences regarding the style). The 9th Dan is given to the masters more than 60 years old and still active in practising,studying and teaching the skill of fight. Finally, the 10th Dan is obtained by the masters whose age passes over the age of 69 presuming that they are still active in training, studying and transferring the knowledge of the martial arts. There are only 9 Dans in some Korean styles. The 11th and the 12th Dans are exceptional and only Judo (and traditional Ju-jucu, Aikido, some traditional styles both in China and Korea) have them, but these titles of judo masters are mainly theoretical. To understand their ranking better, one should know a little about Zen philosophy. For example, the classification in twelve Dan master titles represents the idea of one year interval. In Japan philosophy , the famous Zen master Hyakujo ( Pui Chang-726-814) declared the proverb: „A day without work is a day without food". It would figuratively mean that the master should practise and progress every day, every month, all the year and permanently all his life. Moreover, the theoretical title of the master of the 12th Dan is based on Zen philosophy. It is interesting that the master wears the white belt, which is related to closing the circle ( such a circle is called samsara in Zen philosophy), and, thus, completing one cycle. In fact it is a kind of a trap of ancient masters (J.Kano?) because Zen philosophy knows neither the end nor the beginning. In other words, the more a master knows about the skill, the more he becomes aware of his lack of knowledge. That's why enlargement turns into reducement. Moreover, no master of any martial arts can say he has all the answers, which means that a cycle can't be finished because it is endless. The end is only and exclusively - the death (only J.Kano have 12th DAN). It is also interesting that many folk forms of wrestling have a belt in the equipment so that the common technique of knocking down the rival is linked to ti the technique of catch for the belt (European-for the belt, Glima, Japanese - Sumo, etc.). Lots of wrestling masters decorate their belts in a special way. The belts in Sambo skill are the same as in Judo to the black belt, then comes the black one with the colour of the national flag, after which follow the so called international belts - in the colours of the medals: bronze, silver and gold, following on top by the gold belt with the colour of the national flag. The belt is also worn in certain folkdance fighting skills as Brazilian Capoeira. In Capoeira, the practitioners achieve the master title cordaose (corda- lace), and they use the belt to show which region they come from or as an ornament to tie the laces on. Some old masters of martial arts in Burma ( Bando, Burman boxing and Thaing skills) tattoo the degrees of their knowledge on the body of the practitioner, as well as jn India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and somewhere in Malaya. On the other hand, with the Sikhs in India, the mastership in martrial arts is shown by the turban, although not by its colour but by the size, weight and decorations on it. The belt is also worn in Japan fencing skill - Kendo (Tare) and archery- Kyudo. The masters who have got the master title in at least three martial disciplines or sports are called the masters of mixed martial arts, and the experts among them who have published research papers in several fighting skills or sports are called the experts for mixed martial sciences. According to some sources there are about thirty such experts in the world. It is interesting that among the leading experts for mixed martial sciences,besides men,there are also a few women and disabled persons. They are mostly unknown to the general public. Conclusion Some experts think that the story of how colours of the belt were created by longterm training is an old myth and a kind of legend, but it has a logical and historical meaning and presents the basic idea of the change of belt colour. DAN- the title in martial arts is connected to an old Japanese (Chinese) mind game GO, but this fact can't be proven either. There are some masters who think the black colour might be linked with the ancient tradition of swimming teams in Japan,but this fact can't be proven. Various belt colours for the beginners were invented by M. KAWAISHI in Paris (France) between 1935 and 1948, but their interpretation of symbolism differs from the east to the west as the understanding of symbolism does in the eastern and western culture respectively. The real truth is that neither Dr. J.KANO and M.KAWAISHI left any precise and written instructions. However, tradition tells us of the white belt that becomes black after longterm training, and when one deserves and gets such a belt, he doesn't change it until the belt after longterm training turns into white again, as well as the master's hair; which in fact presents the waste of the material.

Anatoly Malykhin completed his quest for history at ONE 166: Qatar  on March 1. The Russian battered Reinier De Ridder to become a three-division king by capturing the ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship. The unconquered king of three divisions is unquestionably one of the sport's best athletes. And it has some wishing for a dream match against heavyweight superstar Francis Ngannou. The question of Malykhin vs. Ngannou came up at the ONE 166 post-event press conference. Neither Malykhin nor ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong deflected the question. "I have the best trainer in the world in boxing [John Hutchinson]; therefore, he doesn't stand a chance," Malykhin said at the post-event press conference. The emphatic prediction is unsurprising from Malykhin. The confidence is warranted with an undefeated professional record, a string of knockouts, and his Russian wrestling credentials. Sityodtong went a step further with his prediction, believing that "Sladkiy" would utilize his wrestling against the heavy-hitter to assert himself as the world's top heavyweight. "There's no question Anatoly is the greatest heavyweight on the planet, full stop. Put aside different organizations and marketing. He has a 100 percent finish rate, one-punch KO power. He would take Francis Ngannou down and smash him. He's an elite wrestler," Sityodtong remarked. It would be an intriguing matchup but one that seems unlikely to happen at this time. But Malykhin has no shortage of options. As a three-division champion, "Sladkiy" will have plenty of challenges awaiting him from those seeking to achieve their own slice of history. Regardless, Malykhin is becoming one of the sport's biggest stars, and every outing from the unbeaten Russian is becoming a can't-miss event. Relive ONE 166: Qatar on-demand at watch.onefc.com or ONE’s official YouTube channel .