Michelle Yeoh in 'The Brothers Sun'.  Via Michael Desmond/NETFLIX "Blood runs in the family" Which is a perfect slogan for the fact that Michelle Yeoh's character leads a family of gangsters. After the assassination of a formidable Taiwanese triad leader, the leader's oldest son Charles (played by Justin Chien), travels to Los Angeles to protect his mother, Eileen (Michelle Yeoh), and his innocent younger brother, Bruce (Sam Song Li). As Taipei's deadliest societies engage in a power struggle with a rising faction, Charles and Bruce find themselves at the center of a conflict for dominance. In the midst of these challenges, they must unravel the true essence of brotherhood and family before someone threatens their existence. Brad Falchuk, co-creator of the eight-episode series, recently said that the show examines “what it means to be a son, what it means to be a brother, and also what it means to try and keep a family together. We do an extreme version of it because they’re a crime family and there are people shooting at them and trying to kill them, but the problems they’re having internally, the emotional problems are very, very universal.”   Streaming only on Netflix January 4th, 2024

Sage Northcutt is ready to break into lightweight contendership when ONE Championship returns to Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, January 28, for ONE 165 .   After a triumphant return last May, Northcutt has eyes to make his way toward the top of the division. Having always wanted to compete in Japan, Northcutt is excited to put on a show inside Ariake Arena.   “I’ve always dreamed of fighting in Japan, so getting to fight on ONE 165 on January 28 is going to be very exciting,” Northcutt told ONE.   “I’m looking forward to starting off the year with a great performance. I like to finish my fights if I’m able to, to make it as exciting for all the fans as possible. The fans are definitely going to be in for a treat, that’s for sure. This is huge.”   To do so, he’ll have to topple the former king — Shinya Aoki.   It is a perfect opponent for the Team Alpha Male representative. The Sacramento resident sees tremendous upside if he can take down one of the iconic figures of Japanese MMA.   “For me, it’s going to be great because he’s the former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion. A lot of people know him as a legend in the sport. He’s had almost 60 pro [MMA] fights, he’s one of the longest-reigning champions in ONE Championship. This is definitely the biggest fight of my career,” the Sacramento resident stated.   “Look at his record, what he’s accomplished. He’s had an amazing career and I don’t think he has anything else to prove. It’s an honor to get to fight him.”   The battle between Aoki and Northcutt has been in the works for some time but has failed to come to fruition in the past. Their clash of personalities makes the matchup all the more exciting.   Fans witnessed that first-hand at the ONE 165 press conference, and Aoki’s snub only served as extra motivation for the American.   “We did have the fight scheduled before, and a couple of weeks before flying out, I got sick with COVID, and that was unfortunate. Getting to have this fight is a big opportunity,” Northcutt recalled.   “I went to shake his hand during the press conference, and he was pretty stone-cold serious, but it seems like that’s just his personality from his previous fights and stuff.”   “Man, it just pumps me up more to where I want to go train even harder. I’m going to try to hit him super hard out there. It doesn’t frustrate me at all. It was just interesting.”   Spurred by Aoki’s gruff personality and desire to chase the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship, Northcutt is coming into ONE 165 to find a highlight-reel finish.   Although he knows his greatest opportunity will come on the feet, he is not opposed to trying to submit the grappling ace if the chance arrives.   “Every fight starts standing up, so he’s gotta be able to get me on the ground if he wants to go on the ground. And if we decide to go on the ground, I’ve definitely been training for it, and I believe in my jiu-jitsu and my grappling. I’m ready for wherever the fight gets taken,” Northcutt said.   “I don’t want to give away what my strategy is, but I’m planning on going out there to try to hit Shinya harder than he’s ever been hit in his life. If it gets into a grappling situation, or maybe he gets dropped and I’m on top of him, he’s also got to watch out for submissions too and be aware of those.”   “He’s never been submitted in mixed martial arts, ever. So that’d be pretty insane if I was able to submit Shinya out there in MMA. That’d be something.”   ONE 165 airs live from Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, January 28. The event is available via global pay-per-view on watch.onefc.com  for $39.99.

Black Belt Hall of Famer, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez has been an icon and a role model for decades. He continues to educate and inspire future generations of martial artists and fighters. Benny shares with us the best and worst advice he's received. Best Advice: Keep her. Urquidez said his best tip came from Ed Parker at the 1967 Long Beach International Karate Championships after Urquidez introduced his girlfriend Sara to the American-kenpo founder. “Mr. Parker looked at me and said, ‘She’s a keeper.’ I had no idea what that meant — maybe it was a secret code or something. I went home and thought about that for a long time, trying to figure out what a keeper was. Several months passed before I saw Mr. Parker again, and I asked him, ‘You said my girlfriend was a keeper. Exactly what does that mean?’ Mr. Parker looked me in the eyes and said very slowly, ‘Keep her.’ Then it sunk in it was two separate words. He was telling me that Sara and I were a perfect match and that I should keep her. Sara and I just celebrated our 47th anniversary.” Worst Advice: Make people fear you. “The worst advice I ever got was from my father,” Urquidez said. “He told me, ‘If you want respect, you must put fear in everybody.’ So I did just that. I didn’t care who it was or where we were — I put fear into anyone and everyone. I was a tough kid looking for trouble back then. “But my mom saw what I was doing and said, ‘That’s not respect. That’s fear. People are afraid of you. Is that who you want to be?’ Mom made me realize that respect must be earned. Thanks to her, I changed.”

Po Eun 포은 Hyung 형 by Eric San Jose Black Belt form Po Eun 포은 Hyung 형 is done as if the practitioner had their back to a wall.   The fast hand combinations simulated blocking, striking, trapping, and locking . Simple moves but must be done with precision is what makes it a favorite of mine.  The form is named after patriot & authority on Neo Confucianism Jeong Mong Ju of the Goryeo Dynasty.  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 Sane José visit: https://www.ericsanjosemartialarts.com/

Counting down the World's Greatest Martial Arts Training Inventions from ancient times to modern day, these innovative ideas took shape and form and changed the way that we practiced and mastered martial arts.  Regardless of whether our training space is a garage or a dojo, the necessity for training equipment remains universal in maximizing our learning and performance in martial arts. Let's raise a toast to both the inventions themselves and the imaginative minds that brought them to life. Cheers to the tools that enhance our martial arts journey! Safety Equipment  There was a time not so long ago when martial artists-in-training simply wrapped elastic bandages around their hands, feet and shin and placed dense foam rubber underneath it as a training aid in lieu of boxing gloves or other protective equipment. Enter Jhoon Rhee, the Father of American Taekwondo . Rhee’s concerns about violence in Taekwondo  led him to invent safety equipment specifically designed for martial arts. One incident in particular motivated Rhee; at a 1969 championship tournament, he saw one of his students take a hard kick in the face, breaking his cheekbone. Rhee became determined to do something to reduce the frequency and severity of martial-arts-related injuries. The result was Jhoon Rhee Safe-T equipment: protective gear that covers the “weapons”—the hands and feet—and the head, allowing full-contact training and competition without the risk of serious injury.  No one in martial arts had worn safety gear before Rhee invented it; he believes its presence has changed the nature of martial arts for the better, removing the stigma of brutality and attracting more women and children as students. The headgear invented by Jhoon Rhee, is now used for multiple applications in various sports and even for medical rehabilitative protection. BOB BOB stands for Body Opponent Bag. Created by Century Martial Arts. The invention is quite simple: take a man's torso at the proper scale and size constructed out of a seemingly indestructible, high-density urethane foam, use a water base for stability and you have the perfect training partner that never hits back. Kubotan Grandmaster Takayuki Kubota, also known as Tak Kubota, is the founder of the Gosoku-Ryu style of karate. He is also the inventor and holder of the trademark of the Kubotan self-defense keychain. The five and a half inch plastic Kubutan keychain is Kubota's most important invention. It was designed as a tool for female Los Angeles Police Department officers, and registered as a trademark in 1978.   Kubota was a self-defense instructor for the Tokyo Police Department in the 1950s, where he was noted for his expertise in practical karate. He has devoted his life to learning, creating, and teaching the application of self-defense techniques to military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel. Wooden Dummy A Wing Chun dummy actually isn’t the name used for this training dummy. Its real name is Mu ren Zhuang, which translates to “wooden man post.” The legend behind how the idea for the dummy dates back centuries. One of the five elder Shaolin monks, Ng Mui was said to have created the original Mu ren Zhuang. Mui allegedly made it from 108 different other training dummies to make the Mu ren Zhuang. There’s no proof to back this up, but it’s a nice legend to tell. Before Wing Chun, various forms of Kung Fu used some version of a wooden Mu ren Zhuang. The modern Wing Chun design as we know it today was created by Wing Chun founder Ip Man.  The “Hogu” Chest Protector Hogu is the body armor protector worn by practitioners of Taekwondo during sparring competitions. Translated into English, hogu  means chest or chest protector. The hogu  has been used in sparring since the 1950s and is considered the most important piece of sparring equipment in the Taekwondo practitioner's arsenal. The hogu  is the most common scoring area in Taekwondo sparring.  Modern Kendo Equipment Imagine yourself a samurai in ancient times with the desire to train but everything was “Real Steel,” live blades with no room for error or you die. The need for practice equipment was required in order to develop skills without hurting yourself at each practice. Nearly 400 years ago that solution was addressed. Yamada Heizaemon Mitsunori 1638–1718), third son of Naganuma and the 8th headmaster of the Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-Ryu Kenjutsu, is credited with improving the art of Kenjustu with Japanese wooden and bamboo swords, according to his gravestone's inscription. He is also credited with refining the armor by adding a metal grille to the headpiece and thick cotton protective coverings to the gauntlets aka kote ). Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato 1688-1767) inherited the tradition from his father Heizaemon in 1708, and the two of them collaborated to improve what would become modern kendo training armor. MMA Glove, Open Finger Glove Initially required in Japan's Shooto promotion, small open-fingered gloves became a standard in most MMA promotions as the sport evolved and gained regulation. The primary purpose of introducing gloves was to safeguard fighters' fists, minimizing injuries, and reducing facial lacerations that often led to stoppages due to cuts when fighters went bare-fisted. Additionally, the adoption of gloves aimed to promote striking with hands, enhancing the appeal of matches for fans. Notably, there are parallels with the wrist-supporting, closed-thumb, broken-knuckle kempo gloves featured in Bruce Lee's iconic 1973 film, Enter the Dragon . Wavemaster  The Wavemaster is the original freestanding heavy bag. Prior to the wavemaster boxing gyms and martial arts schools were always challenged in the instability of a hanging bag enter the wavemaster with an ingenious Hollow base that could be filled with either sand or water creating up to 200 lb of stability with an anchor-like effect that allows students or practitioners to punch or kick the bag without the bag falling down.  Century martial arts patented the design and today it is one of the most popular martial arts training equipment inventions in the world. Swain Hybrid Mat Mike Swain (World Judo Champion, 4x Olympian) transitioned from sensei to creating a mat company. But he found that a majority of his customers had mixed feelings about the “Tatami Texture” vinyl on his mats. The “Tatami Texture” was perfect for the traditional martial arts practitioners, providing a non-slip surface that was the safest mat for pivoting without “sticking.” It was also a mat with some of the best impact absorption rates for big Judo throws. With that being said, many people in the grappling/martial arts community were not happy with the surface due to mat burns and increased workload trying to keep the mats clean. Mike Swain and his team of engineers had to come up with a solution to meet the needs of all martial arts practitioners. The product was the Swain Hybrid Mat. All of the same quality workmanship and material that went into his mat for the last 25 years with a specially designed low-profile tatami vinyl. This low-profile tatami provides the ultimate flooring surface. Think 50% smooth 50% tatami. Foam Rubber Nunchuck Nunchakus experienced a surge in popularity outside of the martial arts community in the early ‘70s when Bruce Lee’s iconic battle with the weapon in Enter The Dragon  exposed the nunchaku to a whole new audience. Since then, many a wanna be Bruce Lee poser has knocked themselves silly with a knock on the head. Until the good folks at Asian World introduced us to the Black Practice Foam Nunchakus.  The Gi  The term "gi" is derived from the Japanese word "Keikogi," and is commonly used in various martial arts, known as the karate-gi, judo-gi, or jiu-jitsu-gi depending on the specific discipline. Some scholars propose that the martial arts gi has its roots in Okinawa, Japan, with similarities to the sturdy, unbleached white cotton clothing worn by fishermen and farmers during that period. This attire typically included a robust jacket, pants, and a belt, emphasizing functionality and ease of movement. Different martial arts styles, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, and Kenpo, may have variations in gi colors or color piping, reflecting unique traditions. However, the traditional gi in Japanese arts predominantly remains white. Grappling Dummy Imagine transforming a simple punch bag into a dynamic training partner by adding arms, legs, and a head – voila, you've crafted a grappling dummy. Originally designed for MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), this innovative training tool serves as a versatile partner for honing various combat skills. Its purpose extends beyond mere striking practice; the grappling dummy is a dedicated apparatus for refining throws, takedowns, submissions, and intricate grappling techniques. Some models even boast moveable arms, elevating training sessions to include self-defense drills and simulated submission maneuvers. Kicking Shield  Bruce Lee frequently employed a kick shield in his training regimen, and the genesis of this iconic equipment traces back to the Rawlings Saf-T-Air kick shield originally designed for football practice. Introduced to Lee by his friend Dan Inosanto during personal training sessions, this kick shield gained widespread recognition through its prominent appearances on the television series Longstreet (CBS, 1971-1972) and in Lee's film, The Way of the Dragon (Golden Harvest, 1972). What began as a tool for gridiron athletes has evolved significantly over time. Today, the kick shield is available in various sizes, specifically tailored for martial arts training. It has transcended its initial purpose on the football field, becoming a staple in martial arts studios worldwide. The kick shield, once associated with Lee's dynamic training, has now become an integral part of modern martial arts training, embodying a legacy that extends far beyond its athletic origins.

At Black Belt, we love ninjutsu, which is why we are excited for this newest edition to ninja canon coming straight to streaming next month. Let’s get into the details! 1. When and where to watch: House of Ninjas is a Japanese TV thriller that airs on Netflix February 15th.  2. Synopsis: “Years after retiring from their formidable ninja lives, a dysfunctional family must return to shadowy missions to counteract a string of looming threats.” The series stars Kento Kaku, Yosuke Eguchi, Tae Kimura 3. The Star: Kento Kaku doesn’t just star in this series, he  also serves as co-writer and co-executive producer.  While a well-known actor in Japan, his most notable international credits come from Disney+’s “The Family, “Tokyo MER.” 4. What it’s really about: Ninjas, the famed heroes of Japanese lore, are renowned for their stealthy tactics and fierce combat techniques. However, they are often viewed as mythical or belonging to a bygone era. In the contemporary setting of "House of Ninjas," the narrative unfolds around the Tawara family, the final surviving ninja clan. Despite distancing themselves from their traditional origins due to a past event, the family is compelled to confront a significant crisis in modern Japanese history—one that poses a profound threat to the nation. Find out more about House of Ninjas here!

The GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix has a new entrant as  Nordine Mahieddine (25-18, 13 KO) is confirmed to replace the injured Antonio Plazibat for the March 9 event at the GelreDome in Arnhem, the Netherlands.  Plazibat re-injured the arm he broke last summer at COLLISION 5 and now the Croatian requires extra time to recover before returning to the ring. As a result, the number four ranked heavyweight Nordine Mahieddine will step up and take his place in the $500,000 eight-man one-night tournament.   The French Algerian was already confirmed to compete in a reserve bout at the Grand Prix following his incredible highlight reel head kick knockout victory in Paris last September.   Mahieddine joins the ‘King of Kickboxing’ Rico Verhoeven (60-10, 20 KO), Tariq ‘Cookie’ Osaro (25-3-1, 13 KO), Levi Rigters (15-1, 7 KO), Uku Jürjendal (20-8, 16 KO), Bahram Rajabzadeh (65-1, 58 KO), Nabil Khachab (26-4-1, 4 KO), and Sofian Laïdouni (35-2-1, 17 KO) in the eight-man Grand Prix.  As a result, Romania’s Benjamin Adegbuyi (35-7, 20 KO) will now face Turkey’s Cihad Kepenek (21-6, 15 KO) in the reserve bout. The winner of which could potentially enter the Grand Prix should there be a dropout or injury on the night.  In addition, there is an update regarding popular heavyweight Jamal Ben Saddik. After careful consideration, GLORY have decided that a return in March would come too early. As a result, Jamal will not participate in the upcoming GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix. There are current ongoing discussions regarding his comeback and an announcement will be made soon so please stay tuned.  The GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix will take place March 9 live from the GelreDome in Arnhem, the Netherlands. Tickets are on sale right now and available from   GLORYKickboxing.com .   The event will be shown live exclusively on Videoland in the Netherlands and worldwide via various global partners. Please check   GLORYKickboxing.com  for full viewing information .

ONE Championship has landed in Tokyo, Japan, for ONE 165  fight week. While the athletes prepare for battle, the festivities got underway on Thursday, January 25, with a press conference.x   ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong was ecstatic about the event and made it known that ONE coming back to Japan is more than a one-off event. It has a deeper meaning to elevate Japanese talent and highlight Bushido culture.   “I have a lot of respect for obviously Rizin, K-1, and Rise, but that’s the best in Japan. In ONE Championship, we represent the very best of the best in the world across every single discipline. So that’s number one,” Sityodtong said.   “Number two, I think it’s a very, very powerful storyline, especially for Japanese fans, you know, when you have Takeru, who’s vying to go from Japan’s best to becoming the world’s best.”   “I believe ONE Championship is the right organization, in partnership with Rakuten and all of our partners, to really make a big, big push into Japan using these Japanese superstars and working together with the Japanese superstars in rallying Japanese honor and glory for martial arts.”   When it came to the action, the stars of ONE 165 offered up their thoughts on their upcoming matches. Sityodtong also delivered his thoughts on the marquee bouts. And none was more highlighted than the main event title tilt between ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Takeru Segawa.   But Sityodtong did not just hype up the title match. He also laid out what 2024 could hold with the return of Rodtang Jitmuangnon. “Rodtang wants to fight Takeru. And a rematch between Superlek and Rodtang in Muay Thai is definitely happening as well. So, no matter the result, I think there’s a really interesting potential trilogy for Takeru and Superlek, Takeru and Rodtang, but also Rodtang and Superlek,” Sityodtong stated.   ONE 165 is a major event that could be one of the best of the year. Sityodtong was clear that the event marks the beginning of what comes next and a dedication to elevating martial arts on a global scale.   “And just to wrap up 2024 will be the biggest year in the history of ONE Championship, with a minimum of 61 events, potentially 70 events, live every week to 190 countries around the world with the biggest media broadcast partners in every region of the world,” Sityodtong said.   “We’re truly blessed, and this is going to be an incredible year. And I tell you something, this is the very beginning of the ONE Championship story still. Even though we’re throwing 70 events, 61 to 70 events, this year, you watch what’s going to happen next year and the following year because my team and I are committed to creating the greatest martial arts organization in the history of the world. Thank you.”   ONE 165 airs live from Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, January 28. The event is available via global pay-per-view on watch.onefc.com  for $39.99.

In the world of mixed martial arts, few stories resonate with as much power and inspiration as that of Tatiana Suarez . HBO's latest documentary, "Tatiana Suarez: The Unbreakable," is set to captivate audiences with a deep dive into her life, from her challenging early years to her remarkable success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The documentary, scheduled to premiere on Jan 31, 2024 at 9 PM on HBO Max, promises to be a stirring narrative of resilience, determination, and triumph against all odds. From a young age, Suarez displayed an extraordinary passion and talent for wrestling, which quickly became more than just a hobby. Her early life was marked by rigorous training and an unwavering commitment to excel in her chosen sport. However, her path to glory was not without its hurdles. The documentary delves into the most challenging phase of Suarez's life, when she faced a life-threatening diagnosis of thyroid cancer. This section of the film is particularly poignant, showcasing her unyielding spirit and determination to not only fight the disease but also to return to her beloved sport. "Unbreakable" then transitions into the heart of Tatiana Suarez's career - her foray into mixed martial arts. The film traces her journey from her early days in MMA, highlighting her natural transition from wrestling to the UFC. With her exceptional grappling skills and relentless work ethic, Suarez quickly made a name for herself in the UFC's strawweight division. Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Suarez's story, and a key focus of the documentary, is her ability to overcome adversity. Whether it was battling cancer or facing formidable opponents in the octagon, her resilience and unbreakable spirit have made her a role model for athletes and non-athletes alike.

Luis Palomino vs. Austin Trout Welterweight Clash Headlines Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), is set to make its return to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL on Friday, February 2, 2024 with BKFC-57.   The headline event features a welterweight clash between BKFC #1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter Luis 'Baboon' Palomino and former boxing World Champion Austin 'No Doubt' Trout.   Tickets for the event are now available on BKFC.com , and the President and Founder of BKFC, David Feldman, encourages fans to secure their tickets early for what promises to be another packed house at the Hard Rock venue.   Palomino, undefeated and celebrating his four-year anniversary with BKFC 57, faces the tough challenge inTrout, who expressed excitement about competing at the highest level of BKFC. In addition to the thrilling live matchups, BKFC announced a strategic investment from Fubo TV, a premier sports and streaming platform. The collaboration between Fubo and BKFC includes the broadcast of live events, the "BKFC Prospect Series”, and the development of a reality series named "BKFC: What's your Why?" aimed at creating an emotional connection between fighters and fans.   David Gandler, Founder & CEO of Fubo, has joined the BKFC Board of Directors. Feldman sees the Fubo investment as a significant milestone, validating BKFC's growth and evolution. The partnership is expected to boost viewership and distribution through Fubo’s extensive reach.   Feldman said “The investment by Fubo is not only a milestone for BKFC because it signifies and validates our continuing growth and evolution, but also will increase viewership and distribution exponentially through Fubo’s extended reach on the Fubo Sports platforms.   Bobby Sarnevesht, CEO of Triller, BKFC’s majority owner said “I am very proud of this new partnership, as BKFC is the fastest growing combat sport in the world, we are very excited to bring it to the new audience.  We have massive announcements coming up.”

In a thrilling blend of action and intrigue, the highly anticipated film 'Roadhouse' is set to make its debut on Amazon Prime Video on March 21, 2024. The official trailer has just been released. The movie stars the formidable Jake Gyllenhaal, alongside the talented Billy Magnussen and Lukas Gage, in a narrative that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. 'Roadhouse' revolves around the life of a former UFC middleweight fighter, Elwood Dalton, portrayed by Gyllenhaal, whose journey leads him to a rowdy bar in the Florida Keys. The plot thickens as he uncovers that the bar, and its surroundings, harbor secrets far beyond its boisterous façade. Adding to the star power, Conor McGregor, makes a notable appearance in the film, marking a significant crossover from the octagon to the big screen. His involvement is expected to add an authentic touch to the movie's depiction of combat sports. Director, Doug Liman's latest flick is all set to deliver some seriously cool action with epic fight scenes, awesome explosions, and wild boat chases. Oh, and expect a few fun surprises to pop up when you least expect them!

Cage Warriors has today confirmed a second title bout for its return to Manchester on Saturday, March 16th for Cage Warriors 168. Light heavyweights Andrew ‘The Vice’ Clamp and Matty Byfield will face off in a rearranged clash for the vacant belt, previously held by current UFC star Modestas Bukauskas. The bout – originally pencilled-in for late 2023 – will now take place on the main card of a stacked CW 168 bill at the BEC Arena, and air live on  UFC Fight Pass  and international broadcast partners.  Blackledge MMA’s Clamp (12-2) picked up a huge win in his last CW appearance, submitting previously unbeaten Dutch striking specialist Ghassan Abdenabi in the first round of their contest at CW 156 in Wales. The victory marked his eleventh inside the distance as a professional.  Birmingham’s Byfield (6-1) is unbeaten in Cage Warriors competition, with stoppage victories in his last three contests. Training out of Team Renegade, he counts the likes of CW title challenger Omiel Brown, former CW lightweight champion and current UFC star Jai Herbert and UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards among his training partners.  Also added to the card today, Manchester’s Aaron Johnson returns in search of his first CW victory when he takes on Ermil Xhaferi, while in flyweight action newcomers Christian Tebbett and Andy Yates face off. The bouts joins a previously announced bantamweight title fight between champion Liam Gittins and challenger Roberto Hernandez on the card. The fight card for CW 168 (bout order not final, more TBA) is currently as follows... Vacant Light Heavyweight Title: Andy Clamp vs Matty Byfield Bantamweight Title: Liam Gittins (c) vs Roberto Hernandez James Power vs Gianluca Rocca Sam Kelly vs Alessandro Giordano Tom Nichols-Burton vs Craig Rawlins Sheldon Ryan vs Michelangelo Lupoli Aaron Johnson vs Ermil Xhaferi Christian Tebbett vs Andy Yates  Further additions to the card will be revealed in the coming weeks. Tickets are available via  CageWarriors.com