For the last couple of years, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has rapidly established itself as an emerging hotspot for sporting events, most especially those of the combat kind. Since 2022, some of the biggest bouts and the most high-profile matches have emanated from the largest country in the Middle East, and it’s easy to see why.  Middle Eastern fans have proven themselves to be some of the most passionate in the world, and the energy that they bring to live sporting events is quite frankly unlike anything else in the world. It’s no surprise that some of the best athletes in the world are jumping at the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of such a market.  This February, United States-based MMA (mixed martial arts) promotion the Professional Fighters League (PFL) will be just the latest to take their product to Saudi Arabia, and they’re pulling out all the stops.  For the first time in history, the PFL head to Pay Per View (PPV) live from Riyadh with perhaps the biggest card in the history of the promotion, which would not have been possible if not for a groundbreaking acquisition back in December with the historic PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions Just days before their 2023 season finale, the PFL announced that they had officially acquired once-competitors Bellator MMA in a landmark deal that included the promotion’s roster of fighters and champions. Almost immediately, fight fans began fantasy-booking cross-promotional contests.  Months later, fans no longer needed to play armchair matchmakers, as the PFL announced that they would be staging a PFL Champions versus Bellator Champions card, featuring some of the biggest names in the collective roster.  The card will feature three champion-versus-champion matchups as well as a handful of must-see matchups that absolutely would not have been possible around five months ago.  But while the champion-versus-champion bouts are the marquee attractions, PFL vs. Bellator will also feature some of the biggest names in combat sports including Thiago Santos, Yoel Romero, AJ McKee, Claressa Shields, and Biaggio Ali Walsh.  Here’s a rundown of the fight card:  Check out the full card below:  PPV Card Heavyweight Champion vs. Champion Bout: Renan Ferreira (PFL World Champ) vs. Ryan Bader (Bellator Champ) Middleweight Champion vs. Champion Bout: Impa Kasanganay (PFL Light Heavyweight World Champ) vs. Johnny Eblen (Bellator Champ) Welterweight Champion vs. Champion Bout: Magomed Magomedkerimov (PFL World Champ) vs. Jason Jackson (Bellator Champ) Featherweight Champion vs. Champion Bout: Jesus Pinedo (PFL World Champ) vs. Patricio Pitbull (Bellator Champ) Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Bruno Cappelozza (former PFL World Champ) vs. Vadim Nemkov (former Bellator Champ) Light Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Thiago Santos (PFL title contender) vs. Yoel Romero (Bellator title contender) Lightweight Showcase Bout: Clay Collard (PFL title contender) vs. AJ McKee (former Bellator Champ) Early Card Featherweight Showcase Bout: Gabriel Braga (PFL title contender) vs. Aaron Pico (Bellator title contender) Lightweight Showcase Bout: Biaggio Ali Walsh (Pro Debut) vs. Chris Morris (Pro Debut) Lightweight Showcase Bout: Claressa Shields vs. Kelsey DeSantis  Featherweight Showcase Bout: Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs. Edukondal Rao  Amateur Flyweight Bout: Malik Basahel vs. Vinicius Pereira Definitely stacked card from top to bottom, the PFL did a solid job putting together a fight card that befits it’s billing in an emerging fight global fight capital like Saudi Arabia.  PFL versus Bellator will be broadcast on ESPNews, ESPN+, ESPN+ PPV, and DAZN on Saturday, February 24th, 2024.

A catchweight boxing matchup will join the lineup as part of ONE Championship’s upcoming March 1 event, ONE 166: Qatar . Mehdi “Diamond Heart” Zatout returns to action to take on Zuhayr “The Arabian Warrior” Al-Qahtani in four-ounce gloves, with the bout being contested at 147 pounds. Zatout will come out of retirement for the matchup and try to take down one of Saudi Arabia’s stars in the process. In October 2022, Zatout defeated Asa Ten Pow at ONE Fight Night 3. After the battle, the victor left his gloves in the ring. The 40-year-old will pick the leather up once again and don the gloves for this unique challenge. And a challenge it will be. Al-Qahtani brandishes a perfect 9-0 professional boxing record and holds the WBC Middle Eastern Championship. As one of the region’s best talents in the sport, “The Arabian Warrior” should enjoy a home-field advantage from the crowd. However, this will mark the first time the 34-year-old will box in four-ounce gloves, giving an edge in experience to the Algerian. The new wrinkle adds more intrigue to the contest, where either man could be a clean shot away from a knockout. The exciting boxing bout will join a lineup that embraces the diversity of martial arts with a major main event between ONE Middleweight World Champion Reinier De Ridder and ONE Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly Malykhin. ONE 166 airs live on Friday, March 1, from Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST.

Shadows. Revenge. Honor. Stealth.  Ninja movies are characterized by their intense and skillfully choreographed portrayals of ninja warriors. These films often revolve around the mystique of ninjutsu, showcasing the legendary and stealthy Japanese warriors who excel in espionage, sabotage, and deadly combat. Ninja movies combine elements of traditional martial arts with thrilling acrobatics, shuriken throwing, and swordplay, creating a captivating blend of physical prowess and strategic warfare. Here are some of our top ninja movies that you can stream today. Enter the Ninja Starring: Sho Kosugi Streaming: Prime Video Of course we will start with this film! "Enter the Ninja" is a classic martial arts film that unfolds an electrifying story of honor, betrayal, and martial prowess. The plot revolves around an American martial artist named Cole, who travels to the Philippines to visit an old war buddy. However, upon his arrival, he discovers a local estate under threat from a ruthless businessman and his deadly ninja henchman. To protect the innocent, Cole immerses himself in the ancient art of Ninjutsu under the guidance of a wise mentor. As tensions escalate, Cole becomes a formidable force against the oppressive villainy, engaging in intense martial arts battles and showcasing his mastery of ninja techniques. Packed with thrilling fight sequences, a riveting narrative, and a clash of cultures, "Enter the Ninja" stands as a quintessential entry in the martial arts genre, capturing the essence of honor and skill in a high-stakes showdown. Revenge of the Ninja Starring: Sho Kosugi Streaming:   Prime Video  And, of course, we’d follow up with this one. "Revenge of the Ninja" is a gripping martial arts film that thrusts viewers into a world of intense action and vengeance. The story centers around Cho Osaki, a Japanese ninja who, after witnessing the brutal murder of his family by a group of criminals, seeks refuge in the United States. Attempting to leave his violent past behind, Cho establishes a new life as an art dealer. However, when his peaceful existence is shattered by a nefarious drug cartel operating under the guise of a legitimate business, Cho is forced to unleash his deadly ninja skills to avenge his loved ones and protect his new family. Packed with adrenaline-pumping fight sequences, ninja mystique, and a riveting narrative of justice, "Revenge of the Ninja" delivers a thrilling cinematic experience that explores the enduring themes of honor and retribution in the face of overwhelming adversity. New York Ninja  Starring: Jon Liu Streaming: Hulu  "New York Ninja" is an action-packed film that follows the gripping tale of a mysterious vigilante in the heart of New York City. When a wave of crime and corruption threatens the city's safety, the titular hero emerges from the shadows to restore justice. Armed with martial arts prowess and a commitment to protecting the innocent, the New York Ninja takes on a criminal underworld that has plunged the city into chaos. As the masked avenger navigates through the gritty urban landscape, uncovering dark secrets and facing formidable adversaries, the film weaves a compelling narrative of vengeance, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of justice. With dynamic fight sequences, suspenseful storytelling, and an iconic protagonist, "New York Ninja" delivers an exhilarating cinematic experience. Ninja in the Dragon’s Den Starring: Corey Yuen Streaming: Prime Video  "Ninja in the Dragon's Den" is an exhilarating martial arts film that seamlessly blends action, humor, and riveting choreography. The story revolves around a skilled ninja named Goro, who finds himself in a precarious situation when he is challenged by a powerful Chinese kung fu master named Chen. Goro, armed with his ninja techniques, enters Chen's domain, the Dragon's Den, for a face-off that transcends martial arts styles and cultural boundaries. The film showcases a unique fusion of Japanese and Chinese martial arts traditions as Goro navigates through a series of intense and visually stunning combat sequences. With a mix of thrilling fight scenes, cultural clashes, and a touch of humor, "Ninja in the Dragon's Den" stands as a dynamic and entertaining entry in the martial arts genre, appealing to fans of both ninja and kung fu cinema. Ninja ( 2009) Starring: Scott Adkins Streaming: Prime Video  The 2009 film "Ninja" follows the story of Casey Bowman, played by Scott Adkins, an American martial artist who trains in the ancient art of Ninjutsu in Japan. After his sensei and wife are brutally murdered by a ruthless and powerful criminal syndicate, Casey embarks on a quest for revenge. Armed with his ninja skills, Casey infiltrates the criminal underworld, facing a series of deadly adversaries and navigating a web of intrigue. As he seeks justice for the heinous acts committed against his loved ones, Casey discovers the true extent of the criminal empire's reach. "Ninja" delivers intense and well-choreographed martial arts sequences, blending traditional ninja techniques with modern action elements, creating a captivating narrative of vengeance and skillful combat. Shogun Assassin Starring: Tomisaburō Wakayama, Streaming: Roku  and Prime Video "Shogun Assassin" is a cult classic martial arts film that follows the journey of an exceptional samurai warrior, portrayed by Tomisaburō Wakayama, who becomes an assassin for the Shogun. Betrayed by his own Shogun and left for dead, he embarks on a vengeful quest with his young son, Daigoro, by his side. The duo, now master and child, navigate a perilous path filled with relentless adversaries and confrontations. Armed with a lethal sword and accompanied by his son's baby cart rigged with concealed weapons, the lone wolf assassin, known as Lone Wolf, leaves a trail of epic battles and vengeance. "Shogun Assassin" is renowned for its stylized violence, atmospheric cinematography, and a compelling narrative that combines elements of samurai folklore with a father-son tale of survival and retribution. Five Elements Ninjas Starring: Tien-Chi Cheng Streaming: Roku  and Prime Video "Five Elements Ninjas," directed by Chang Cheh, is a martial arts masterpiece that unfolds against the backdrop of ancient China. The film revolves around a martial arts school that faces annihilation at the hands of a rival Japanese ninja clan. After suffering a devastating defeat, the surviving Chinese students seek refuge with a wise and skilled martial arts master. In a quest for revenge and redemption, the master trains his disciples in the mystical arts of the five elements—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. Armed with their newfound skills, the Chinese warriors engage in a series of intense battles against the formidable Japanese ninjas, each representing one of the elements. "Five Elements Ninjas" stands out for its mesmerizing choreography, innovative use of elemental themes, and a riveting tale of honor and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

Chung Gun Hyung by Eric San José Chung Gun Hyung for intermediate level. Introduces the cat stance for an easy transition to kicking.  I personally enjoy the stance shifting for sweeping maneuvers. Also the double palm heal pressing blocks which could be locking techniques. The fast into slow transition also helps with breathing. The form is named after Korean Patriot Ahn Chung Gun.  The 32 movements represent the age Mr Ahn was martyred in prison.  Eric San José is an 8th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Tae Sun Kang of Brooklyn, NY.  Specializing in the Chung Do Kwan/Oh Do Kwan Style more commonly known as the Int'l Tae Kwon Do Federation  (ITF) style of Tae  Kwon Do   2nd Degree Black Belt in Shoto Kan Karate Do. Trained in the traditional Japan Karate Association (JKA) version, Muay Thai Kick Boxing, Western Kick Boxing and USA Boxing Kali, Escrima, and Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do (JKD) Concepts under Tom Barrell. To connect with Eric San José visit: https://www.ericsanjosemartialarts.com/

Best known to MMA fans as the “Warmaster,” Josh Barnett is the youngest UFC heavyweight champion in the history of the league.  He is a celebrated veteran of mixed martial arts and has fought in such leagues as Pride Dream, Strike Force and Bellator and has had a successful pro wrestling career in the New Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA Wrestling. Today he continues to challenge himself with his Bloodsport promotion as well as competing in submission grappling and BJJ. Once dubbed the “baby faced assassin” he continues to thrill audiences both in and outside of the ring. Black Belt’s Tony Parrish talks with Josh about the future of professional wrestling. Watch the full interview HERE!

The UFC just dropped some news about this weekend's Vegas 86 card, and we've got a couple of switcheroos happening. First off, Melsik Baghdasaryan can't make his featherweight fight against Hyder Amil because of an injury. And guess what? Albert Duraev won't be throwing down in his middleweight bout against Robert Bryczek either, thanks to some pesky visa issues. But don't worry, the UFC's got it covered! Fernie Garcia is jumping in to replace Baghdasaryan, and Ihor Potieria is stepping up for Duraev. It's like musical chairs, UFC style! Fernie Garcia, who's had a bit of a rough ride in the UFC since joining in 2022 from the Contender Series (with a record of 10-4, but on a three-fight skid in the octagon), is getting another shot. On the flip side, Hyder Amil is all set to make his UFC debut with some solid Contender Series cred of his own. And then there's Ihor Potieria, who, like Garcia, came into the UFC with high hopes from the Contender Series in 2022. He's sitting at 19-5 but has found the going tough in the big league, sporting a 1-3 record with all three losses by knockout. Robert Bryczek is stepping into the octagon for the first time, so let's see what he brings.

When ONE Championship debuts in Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena on Friday, March 1, Reinier De Ridder will be seeking redemption. In the main event of ONE 166: Qatar , “The Dutch Knight” will defend the ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship against ONE Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin. In their first meeting, the Russian battered the Dutchman, but De Ridder wants to put that behind him at ONE 166. “I made a mistake. I wasn’t myself. I dropped the ball, and I’m looking to make good on this one,” De Ridder told ONE . “The Dutch Knight” attributes some of the loss to complacency. Before the devastating loss, he was an unbeaten terror moving through the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. De Ridder says that he is now back to focusing on what has made him great. “In the preparation for the fight and maybe even the fights before, I kind of lost track of what makes me great. I got away from putting in the time as much, developing every little small area of my game,” De Ridder admitted. “You win 16 in a row, and to be honest, not to sound arrogant because I’m not trying to be arrogant, it always went pretty easily in the fights.” “It was always like that. There’s a guy in front of me, I walk towards him, I take him down, I choke him out, basically. In my head, it kind of got stuck that this is how fights go, and I could do this to anybody in the world – until I couldn’t.” The middleweight king admitted that he took Malykhin’s power for granted. He believed he could walk him down and implement his game. With the rematch set, De Ridder is ready to show what he can really do against the beastly Russian who is seeking to make history on March 1. “I’m very happy that it’s Malykhin again. Very happy that it’s a chance to redeem myself, which is the most important thing. It’s about me getting back on this last fight. It’s about me redeeming myself. It’s about redemption,” the ONE Middleweight MMA World Champion confessed. The 33-year-old wants to be the more technical athlete inside the Circle in preparation for the title tilt. To combat Malykhin’s power, he has been doubling down on his striking training so that he can withstand the pressure at ONE 166. “The thing that’s most important to me, what’s really close to my heart, is the technical aspect, which I’ve been working on very hard,” De Ridder stated. “I’ve been doing a lot of my striking work at Hemmers. I’ve done this in the past, but not as consistently and not as much focused on it as I have right now. It’s always very tough to go there.” Outside of the preparation in the gym, De Ridder is getting his mind right. Ahead of his next title defense, “The Dutch Knight” admits he must also be on point mentally. When he enters the Lusail Sports Arena, De Ridder has all of the self-belief that he will find his next submission and complete his redemption arc. “I know where my strengths lie in this one. I know where I can do what I do best. It’s just a matter of time before I get those openings. As long as I stay safe, I’m going to find his neck eventually,” De Ridder said. ONE 166: Qatar airs live at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST on Friday, March 1

Photo by Cory Sorensen Few martial artists have not heard of Wally Jay and small-circle jujitsu. A member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame, Jay wrote much about the art he founded, as have numerous others. What many people aren’t aware of is the development of the system that’s taking place under Leon Jay.    by John Mellon   As you may have guessed, Leon is Wally Jay’s son and successor. He maintains the superior mechanics for which his father was famed while continuing to refine the art in a way his dad would have approved of.   I first got to know Wally in the mid-1980s and Leon a few years later, and over the years, our conversations often centered on the futility of change for change’s sake. Each martial artist made it clear that developing technique is a process of evolution. If there’s no functional gain associated with an alteration, it doesn’t count as real development. The difficulty for many students in the 21st century involves reconciling the classical martial arts with the practicalities of modern life, including changes in lifestyle, urban population density, and differences in the types of weapons and attacks one might face. Few instructors are able to teach us to walk that tightrope between tradition and innovation. Leon Jay, however, is doing just that. Even better, he’s honest enough to acknowledge that he’s on a long learning curve. To assess his qualifications, you have to know his background. Leon was born in Alameda, California, in 1955. His father was Chinese-Hawaiian, as is his mother Bernice, who also has English ancestry. Despite his famous father, it was never a foregone conclusion that Leon would inherit small-circle jujitsu. The son had to earn his rank and his inheritance the hard way. In addition to his education in small-circle judo and jujitsu, which started at age 2 courtesy of his father, Leon pursued other arts. He earned a first-degree black belt in Kodokan judo and taekwondo, as well as a third degree in kodenkan jujitsu, the system of Henry Okazaki, his father’s original sensei.   Leon was appointed headmaster of small-circle jujitsu a few years before his father passed away in 2011, with a mandate to continue evolving the system. As a teacher, he’s more explicit regarding the strategy and tactics of the system and how they have continued to develop. “People make a lot of assumptions about small-circle jujitsu — they think it’s all finger locking and palming and little else,” Leon says. “The truth is that it’s a complete jujitsu system with all that entails, but like any other style, we have our own characteristic fighting style and approach to combat. “My dad would just pluck a punch or kick out of the air, but that was because he could, and he could because he had trained in boxing and other arts prior to and alongside his jujitsu and judo. The average person will struggle to do that without that same breadth of training, so we make sure that is present for the student. “If there is such a thing as a typical small-circle stylist, I would say we would prefer to operate as a counter-fighter, allowing our opponent to commit and then punishing them for it. We train for that by teaching the students a referencing system that gives them multiple ways to punish and then capture a limb. More importantly, it allows them to intelligently select the most likely technique to fit the situation.   2 “Once we have contact, we concentrate on not only being efficient in our mechanics but [also on] being able to adapt to resistance. No matter how tight or how painful a locking technique is, the opponent will habituate to the discomfort, and then the resistance is coming. We circumvent this by maintaining each lock for only a few seconds before moving to another, which is why transitional flow was such an important concept to my father. Taking an opponent through several locks in sequence — with no opportunities to escape — is psychologically demoralizing. “We usually finish with a throw — the ground is another weapon, after all — then we either walk away or pin. Throwing also allows us to use the opponent as a weapon when more than one attacker is involved.” Leon had already begun to investigate Okinawan karate’s pressure-point fighting and Filipino arnis through his exposure to his father’s friends George Dillman and Remy Presas, who as a group regularly gave seminars as “The Big Three.” Presas was a particular favorite of Leon’s, and he became a significant mentor to him. Wally already used a number of pressure points, found by trial and error, to enhance the mechanics of the small-circle system, and Dillman was able to name and explain the theory behind the refinements Wally had discovered. Presas loved to mix the small circle into his superlative stick work, and he and Wally shared an obsession with the flow of technique. As Leon traveled with his father on his seminar circuit, he befriended many other teachers associated with Wally’s partners. When he wasn’t on the mat assisting his father, Leon would be behind the scenes experimenting with those martial artists. Many of them became future collaborators, and just like his dad, Leon is quick to give credit where it’s due. “I take the same view as my father: I wouldn’t be where I am now in my journey if it hadn’t been for the quality of many of my teachers, mentors, training partners and students,” Leon says. “Back in 1990, Ed Lake, who I met on The Big Three seminar circuit, invited me to teach seminars with him independently of my dad,” he continues. “That was a turning point for me as a teacher. We spent a month touring the U.S. in Ed’s car, teaching every couple of days. In between, we talked endlessly of how to combine what we were learning about pressure points with the already refined mechanics we had in small circle. Ed passed away, and I still feel his loss today. He was a great friend, an inspiration and a collaborator.” “Small circle has always been a small art in terms of number of practitioners, but that’s because our technical standards are high, and we like to have a great deal of input to the development of a teacher,” Leon says. “And that’s not going to change anytime soon. We’re about to relaunch small-circle concepts, which is a program to allow other stylists to acquire some of the core mechanics and skills of the art without having to convert to studying the whole system. “In the meantime, we are expanding cautiously in the U.S. We have some wonderful teachers associated with the system who are taking an active role in promoting small circle.” Leon says he’s also trying to return small-circle judo back to the prominence it once had. “Personally, due to old injuries from an automobile accident, I can’t really perform the art to showcase it adequately, but two of the really great judoka my father trained, David Quinonez and Brad Burgo, are still doing it and refining it continually. They’ve started to teach at all our camps, which is wonderful because small-circle jujitsu wouldn’t exist without small-circle judo. It was my father’s proving ground for the art; it’s where he developed and pressure- tested many of his principles and his technical developments. “I don’t think we can go forward without bringing that part of the art back into its rightful place at the core of the system alongside finger locks and the like. It’s our roots, and you should always appreciate where you come from.”   John Mellon is the co-founder and joint headmaster of Small Circle Concepts. He also holds teaching ranks in many martial arts and is the founder of the Munen Muso Ryu and Pindochin systems.

By Terry L. Wilson More than four decades ago, Linda Denley made history when she became the first black woman inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame. It was 1980, and she was named Competitor of the Year because she ruled the point karate world. The fighting philosophy that carried her there was straightforward. “I just want to win all the time,” she said about her attitude then and now. “Losing is embarrassing to me.” That mindset drove her to keep on winning, and her record earned her a place in numerous martial arts and sports-related halls of fame. Over the ensuing years, Denley morphed into a skilled instructor, and she’s still going strong. This is her origin story. GIRLS AREN’T SUPPOSED TO HIT BOYS In 1972 Denley walked into a karate studio simply to “check it out.” She had no idea at the time, but she was about to embark on a path that would see her become a living legend in the sport. “I didn’t get into karate to become a world champion,” Denley said. “In fact, I took karate simply because I had an extra hour in my schedule that day. “I’m an Olympic-qualified track-and-field runner (1976). I was asked to play semipro basketball for the Houston Angels and was an MVP on my college volleyball team and my neighborhood softball team. Some have considered me a natural-born athlete, so when I walked into that karate school, it was to do nothing more than add something new to my résumé. That’s all. I had zero intentions of fighting.” A mere three weeks after she wrapped a white belt around her waist, an unexpected challenge cropped up. Until that point, the novice karateka had never thrown a punch at another human being. “There were about 30 more people in the classroom than normal,” Denley recalled. “I came to find out that these were individuals from my instructor’s neighborhood. Unknown to me, Alfredo Torres, my instructor, had seen something in me and invited all his neighbors to watch me perform. “I had never sparred before in my life. Mr. Torres called me out on the floor to fight. I stood there and broke into tears for a good halfhour because I didn’t want to fight. I was not there to spar — period. I was taught that girls are not supposed to be hitting boys and vice versa. “So I stood there in front of everybody, crying like a baby. I thought, after a minute or two, that Mr. Torres would come over and tell me to sit down, but he didn’t.” It was because of what her instructor did next that Denley was able to live up to her athletic potential. “Mr. Torres stood there and said to me, ‘When you get through crying, do what I asked you to do, which is to spar,’” Denley recalled. “I was shy, and with all those strangers watching me, I was very embarrassed because they were waiting for me to fight. But when I realized that Mr. Torres wasn’t going to let me sit down, I stopped crying and commenced sparring.” UNLEASH THE KRAKEN And commence sparring she did. In the blink of an eye, the tears disappeared. They were replaced by the focused glare of a hunter advancing on her prey. At that moment, Denley took her first steps toward becoming the world-class fighter that history has recorded, unleashing a whirlwind of punches and kicks against that opponent and those who followed until there was no one left to fight in her dojo. The visitors — and Torres — were stunned at what they had just witnessed. It was like a switch had been flipped, turning loose a hidden warrior who was residing within the mild-mannered martial artist. Denley was perhaps the most surprised person in the room. She half-whispered, “I only did what Mr. Torres told me to do,” as if to justify her actions to herself. “I did so well that the very next week, we were at the Mardi Gras Nationals tournament in New Orleans,” Denley said, “and I went through everyone like I’d been sparring for years, winning each match until the only ones left to fight were the black and brown belts. “Now, the [promoters] weren’t going to let a white-belt girl beat up all their black belts — so I got disqualified for punching a brown belt in the stomach too hard. Go figure!” ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING Among the spectators that day in New Orleans was a future Black Belt Hall of Famer named Karen Sheperd. “I was glued to my seat,” Sheperd recalled. “Linda was like a tornado ripping through everyone she faced. “What I noticed the most was the look of victory on her face as she entered the ring. I’d never seen anyone that focused before. You could tell that in her mind, she had already won that fight.”  Denley elaborated on the observation: “It’s hard for a competitor to win without having a winner’s attitude. You have to believe in yourself, and the only way you can do that is if you’ve done your homework, and the homework is the training. “I preach this all the time: If you walk into that ring with 40-percent ability and 60-percent confidence, you are more likely to be victorious over a person who comes to a competition with 40-percent confidence and 60-percent ability. “If you have given your training 110 percent, that alone will build your confidence in competition. Sparring is easy; the hard work is the training you do before getting into the ring.” After Denley proved herself at the Mardi Gras Nationals, she fought her way from coast to coast and then country to country, creating a legacy with each victory. Her success elevated the Texan to the status of martial arts superstar and eventually earned her that spot in the Black Belt Hall of Fame. “For the next nine years, I never lost a match,” she said. “And for seven of those nine years, I was never even scored upon. During my career, I won 17 world championships.” NICKNAMES R US In American sports and even in the martial arts, most athletes acquire catchy nicknames, which are then used as branding tools for marketing everything from apparel to video games. Linda Denley, however, was never big on nicknames — but that didn’t stop her fans from coming up with some good ones. “My instructor Mr. Robert Torres called me ‘Lady Bird’ for the first three years I competed,” she said. “Then for some reason, he started calling me ‘Lady Truck.’ “At some time, a writer dubbed me the ‘Texas Terror,’ but that’s not my nickname.” She noted that it’s not just nicknames that are created; it also can be quotations. “Sometimes quotes are made about things that aren’t true,” she said. “I once read an article about how I knocked out 10 guys in a full-contact match, but of course that’s not true at all. I never fought in a full-contact match.” JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO A martial artist to her core, Denley is quick to credit Robert and Alfredo Torres for putting her on the path to victory. “Had it not been for my instructors, who saw that I had the ability to be a world champion, I probably would never have thrown that first punch,” she said. The hard hitter from Houston said she never had a favorite technique or a favorite fighter to study, but when she saw someone using a move that resonated with her, she would practice it, perfect it and then make it her own. “When I saw a technique that I liked, I would ask my instructors to show me the mechanics of that technique,” Denley said. “I would practice it until I could execute it with precision. I was always trying to find a way to get better and to add to my arsenal.” She may have been unstoppable in the ring, but the motivation behind her victories surprised her fans and trainers whenever she would reveal her inner self. Turns out she wasn’t fighting for fame or even riches. With each punch she threw, Denley was testing her own ability. She was fighting against herself. “I wasn’t trying to prove anything to anybody but me,” she said. “After the third world championship, I wanted to test myself.” “My instructors kept telling me how good I was, so I began traveling internationally. I went everywhere there was a fight to be fought. That included the Internationals in Los Angeles, and I won that. After that, I went to Mexico, Puerto Rico, London, Germany, Italy and Canada looking for any fighter who could beat me. “Then I realized that as hard as I train, there shouldn’t be anyone who could beat me — unless they’re training as hard as I train. My training [at the time] consisted of running 3 or 4 miles before class, then two to three hours of martial arts training, then running another 2 or 3 miles after training.” Part 1 of 2. Check out Part 2 coming this month. Terry L. Wilson is a freelance writer and jujitsu practitioner based in San Diego.

Get ready because the UFC is hitting California for the first time since August 2022 with UFC 298: Volkanovski vs Topuria, and it's going to be epic from start to finish! Everyone's buzzing about Alexander Volkanovski defending his featherweight title against the undefeated Ilia Topuria, not to mention the showdown between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for the UFC's second PPV bash of 2024 – they've just added four more killer bouts to the lineup. Let's talk about Rinya Nakamura, the "Road to UFC" champ, who's stepping back into the Octagon for his second official UFC fight against Carlos Vera. This Japanese bantamweight powerhouse has finished six of his eight wins and is hungry for his first UFC knockout after outmaneuvering Fernie Garcia in Singapore. Carlos Vera's no slouch either, fresh off "The Ultimate Fighter" where he fought hard but fell short against the tournament champ Brad Katona. He's pumped for a smashing UFC debut. The welterweight division is also bringing the heat with Josh Quinlan and Danny Barlow. Quinlan, a product of Dana White’s Contender Series, split his first two UFC matches and is itching for a comebacack win against Barlow after some time out due to injuries and a cancelled fight. Barlow, another DWCS standout, scored his contract with a jaw-dropping first-round KO of Raheam Forest last September. Undefeated with a string of knockouts and a submission, he's aiming to keep his perfect record rolling on February 17. Don't miss the welterweight clash between Oban Elliott and Val Woodburn, either. Woodburn's looking to redeem himself after a knockout loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 290, his first pro MMA defeat. Elliott, the "Welsh Gangster" and a veteran of Cage Warriors and Dana White’s Contender Series, is all set to prove he's one of the best fighters Wales has ever produced. Both guys are desperate to come out on top in Anaheim. Last but not least, middleweights AJ Dobson and Tresean Gore are squaring off, each hoping to make a splash. Dobson, another DWCS alum, is coming off his first UFC win and is ready to start climbing the ranks. But Gore, a standout from The Ultimate Fighter, is a tough opponent. Despite a rocky start in the Octagon, he turned heads with a spectacular submission win over Josh Fremd. Initially set to face Bo Nickal at UFC 290, Gore is now fired up to get back on the championship track. So, mark your calendars and get ready for a night of non-stop action at UFC 298 – this is one you won't want to miss!

ONE 166: Qatar  has added a legend to the lineup. At ONE Friday Fights 50, Nong O Hama stepped inside the ring to announce his upcoming bantamweight Muay Thai matchup against Vladimir Kuzmin for Friday, March 1. The Thai icon will seek to get back in the win column after his most recent two outings did not go his way. Nong-O ruled over the bantamweight division with impressive technique and blistering knockouts. However, Jonathan Haggerty spoiled his reign with a massive knockout to shift the division into a new era. Nico Carrillo followed up with a big win over the former champion, putting Nong-O’s back against the wall. Even with the recent string of bad luck, Nong-O still sits as the #2-ranked bantamweight contender. As such, Kuzmin will enjoy a chance to get the biggest win of his career in Qatar at the star-studded event. The Russian pushed Haggerty to his limit in their November 2022 meeting, and rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Fabio Reis. If he can defeat the #2-ranked contender at ONE 166, he will push his way into title contention. With Haggerty defending the gold at ONE Fight Night 19 on Friday, February 26, this bantamweight clash will significantly influence who gets the next shot at the gold. The next month will be massive for the bantamweight Muay Thai division. ONE 166: Qatar airs live on Friday, March 1, from the Lusail Sports Arena. The action begins at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST.

Black Belt Magazine Cover, May 2000 Black Belt’s 1997 Judo Instructor of the Year, Gokor Chivichyan is also an expert in no-holds-barred fighting, and sambo. While competing, he built a record of 400 wins and no losses as a professional, he said. After moving to America, Chivichyan teamed up with “Judo” Gene LeBell to create an MMA system that’s now taught in several countries. Best Advice: Accept the Challenge “In 1997 I was challenged to come out of retirement to fight one last no-holds-barred world-championship fight against Mr. Maeda, a world champion from Japan. My friend Gene LeBell advised me to accept the challenge, so I did.” It wound up being the right course of action, he added. “It gave me an opportunity to prove on a live pay-pay-view event the effectiveness of the style of fighting Gene and I created. I beat Mr. Maeda in 51 seconds. It was the only defeat of his career.” His message for the public: Take risks even when a positive outcome isn’t guaranteed. It’s the best way to move forward. Worst Advice: Train Harder Before the Fight “The worst advice happened when I was a kid training for an event [that was scheduled for] the next day,” Chivichyan said. “I was advised to work harder and add more weight to my workout.“ The day of the event, my muscles were sore and I got tired easily because I put all my energy into training the day before. I lost the match because of that bad advice.” Later, he would discover this is why athletes taper before competition.