FEATURED ON:  The Master’s Way BACKGROUND:  Black Belt Hall of Fame, former point-karate champion, founder of the West Coast Demonstration Team MARTIAL ARTS:  taekwondo, tang soo do, escrima, boxing, kickboxing SEE HIM IN:  Surf Ninjas, which stars his son Ernie Reyes Jr. Four of the most prolific martial artists in the world came from your school: your son, the first martial arts-action child star; Scott Coker, who created Strikeforce and now runs Bellator; Cynthia Rothrock, the most dominant female martial artist in history; and George Chung, who changed the way formswere done globally. Did you ever see this coming? Ernie Reyes Sr.:  No, sir. My main thing was just to be the greatest martial arts teacher that I could possibly be. It was a time when I was trying to be a champion myself, and I fought in the third World Taekwondo Championship and won the bronze medal. So I was training — and they happened to be my students. My main thing with my first couple of instructors, great grandmaster Moises Arizmendi and great master Dan Choi, was their basic, really precise and very masterful [ways]. So I took it upon myself to make sure I got that and every one of [my students] had it. But really I never thought that would end up where [they were] impacting and empowering the world. You went from a champion yourself to grooming the next generation of champions. You wanted to teach precise movements, but was there anything else that you wanted to instill in that generation? Reyes:  The most important thing that was instilled in me by my martial arts teachers was the highest values of martial arts: honor loyalty, family and bravery. The traditional martial arts [are] based on honor and respect. I’m 74 and a half years old, and when I see them, they’re getting close to their 60s themselves, and I can still see in their eyes and I can still see in their hearts that they never lost those traditional values. Now that you’ve put together this great history with well-known students, there’s a legacy. If you could tell a younger version of yourself a couple of tips to accelerate the journey, what would you tell a young master? Reyes:  I was very external. I had a lot of heart but not the heart that I have now. I accelerated a lot of the training. I made them become faster and better. Rather than it taking four years for people, I was doing it in one year. But you have to work internally, too. It takes age and time to get that experience to work internally, which means spiritually. To take more quiet moments with yourself to contemplate and to do what Olympic champions are doing really — it’s all about visualization and mental focus. So how do you do that? You have to take quiet moments and you have to breathe and you have to meditate. That meditation part of it, which I’m heavily into now — I’m still a ways from it, but at least I know I’m practicing and training and hopefully I’ll get to master it before my time’s over. But I would just say bring more of the balance of the mental. The spirit [of my students] was awesome because they all had that indomitable spirit to never quit or give up, but it’s a different spirituality. I think it’s connecting with the divine spirit as you get older. I think that’s exactly what it is. It’s one of those things where the young bull doesn’t have time to be mindful. And now with experience, you realize the importance of it. Reyes:  Yeah. It’s not easy. You once said that first and foremost, you’re a martial artist striving to reach the highest level through the martial arts process, the way, the do.  What does the highest level of living look like to you? Reyes: The highest level is [composed of] three things. Number one, develop the master’s mindset to do the extraordinary and to go above and beyond what you think is possible. You think you’re defeated, but you’ve got much more.  The next thing is [to develop] your indomitable spirit to never give up in any crisis. That’s gonna be the true test, right? We could say, “Yeah, I’m not gonna quit.” Well, get hit with a crisis in your life and see if you can still have that warrior indomitable spirit. The last thing is for my students — and for myself — to develop the power of love. I think love is one of the most powerful forces in the universe to create positive change in people’s lives and to give unconditional love to people in dire need without being told and without expecting something in return. Those are the three primary things that I try to teach my students and live by.  Martial arts is one of the greatest gifts to transform people’s lives if they develop themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. And it’s an ongoing process. Reyes:  Constant and never ending!

UFC 297, an electrifying mixed martial arts event, recently concluded in Canada, marking another milestone in the Ultimate Fighting Championship history. The event was headlined by the much-anticipated middleweight championship bout between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, with Du Plessis emerging victorious after a grueling five-round battle. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the main and preliminary fights, showcasing the prowess and resilience of the fighters. Here are the UFC 297 Results and breakdown. Main Event: UFC Middleweight Championship The main event was a showcase of strategic prowess and endurance. Dricus Du Plessis secured a decisive victory over Sean Strickland in a 5-round decision, displaying superior technique and strategy. This victory marks a significant milestone in Du Plessis' career and reshapes the middleweight division landscape. Co-Main Event: UFC Vacant Bantamweight Championship In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington faced Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant bantamweight championship. It was a closely contested bout, with Pennington eventually outmaneuvering Silva to claim victory via a 5-round decision. Pennington's win adds an impressive chapter to her fighting career. Main Card Breakdown Welterweight Bout: Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott Neil Magny delivered a stunning KO/TKO victory over Mike Malott at 4:45 of Round 3. Magny's knockout showcased his power and precision, solidifying his status in the welterweight division. Middleweight Bout: Chris Curtis vs. Marc-André Barriault Chris Curtis emerged victorious against Marc-André Barriault by a 3-round decision. The fight was a tactical display from both fighters, with Curtis gaining the upper hand with his consistent performance. Featherweight Bout: Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev Movsar Evloev defeated Arnold Allen in a tactical battle that went to a 3-round decision. Evloev's victory was a testament to his strategic fighting style and endurance. Preliminary Card Highlights Bantamweight: Garrett Armfield won against Brad Katona via a 3-round decision. Featherweight: Sean Woodson outperformed Charles Jourdain, securing a 3-round decision win. Bantamweight: Ramon Taveras triumphed over Serhiy Sidey in a 3-round decision. Strawweight: Gillian Robertson defeated Polyana Viana with a KO/TKO at 3:12 of Round 2. Welterweight: Sam Patterson showcased his grappling skills, submitting Yohan Lainesse at 2:03 of Round 1. Bantamweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius won against Priscila Cachoeira via submission at 4:21 of Round 3. Flyweight: Jimmy Flick submitted Malcolm Gordon at 1:17 of Round 2. UFC 297 in Canada was a thrilling event that showcased the skill and tenacity of some of the best fighters in the UFC. From Du Plessis' championship win to the exciting undercard battles, the event was a testament to the high level of competition and entertainment that the UFC continues to offer to its fans worldwide.

ONE Friday Fights 48  was cracking on Friday, January 19. The 11-bout card was exciting from start to finish, with some incredible matchups that displayed what makes four-ounce Muay Thai the most exciting and striking sport in the world. Kongthoranee Sor Sommari looked incredible during his main event match against Russia’s Sharif Mazoriev. The Thai star notched his six-straight win with a complete performance and only narrowly missed picking up a knockout victory in the closing seconds of the match. Mazoriev showed his toughness. However, he was exhausted in the final round and merely survived the onslaught. In the co-main event, Aekkalak Sor Samarngarment edged out Petsansab Sor Jaruwan after nine hard minutes of action. The two Thai warriors bit down on their mouthpieces and slung leather the entire way. Aekkalak did just enough to earn the victory and scored his first win on the global stage. Sornsueknoi FA Group shut down Ngaopayak Adsanpatong inside the first frame. The two were aggressive from the opening bell, but a well-placed body kick landed to the liver. Unable to recover, Ngaopayak could not answer the count. Sornsueknoi had an easy night at the office. Kwanjai KwanjaiMuaythaigym put forth an excellent showing in her 120-pound catchweight affair with Petganya Sor Puangthong. After the first knockdown, she was relentless until she scored a knee that put Petganya away for good. Joachim Ouraghi looked spectacular in his second-round TKO win over Gingsanglek Tor Laksong. The talented French-Algerian worked over his opponent’s body and earned the finish that electrified the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium crowd. All that and more went down in Bangkok. ONE Friday Fights 48 delivered a great start to the weekend. Here are the full results of ONE Friday Fights 48. ONE Friday Fights 48 Full Results Kongthoranee Sor Sommai def. Sharif Mazoriev by unanimous decision Aekkalak Sor Samarngarment def. Petsansab Sor Jaruwan by unanimous decision Mardsing Khaolakmuaythai def. Sibsan Nokkhao KorMor11 by unanimous decision Sornsueknoi FA Group def. Ngaopayak Adsanpatong by KO at 2:32 of the first round Songpandin Chor Kaewwiset def. Yodsingdam Ketkhamtorn by unanimous decision Kwanjai KwanjaiMuaythaigym def. Petganya Sor Puangthong by KO at 1:40 of the second round Joachim Ouraghi def. Gingsanglek Tor Laksong by KO at 1:49 of the second round Pichitchai PK Saenchai def. Mehrdad Khanzadeh by unanimous decision Majid Karimi def. Teeyai PK Saenchai by KO at 1:47 of the second round Kabilan Jelevan def. Sulaiman Looksuanmuaythai by majority decision Changy Kara-Ool def. Arsenio Balisacan by TKO at 5:00 of the second round

We have high hopes for the new  FX Shōgun  series . Set in a time when guns weren’t widespread (firearms didn’t make their way to Japan until 1543), we expect plenty of swordplay and unique weapon selection like the Japanese longbow. With that, we have great expectations for the fight scenes and choreography that would accompany a story about samurais. Ahead of its   February 27, 2024 premiere , we are giving you 5 things you need to know before watching the series.  1. Fans may already know that Shōgun  is an upcoming historical drama series based on the 1975 novel  Shōgun by James Clavell.  Some diehards may ever remember that the novel was previously adapted into a 1980 television miniseries  starring Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune. We’ll see how it compares! 2. Shōgun  follows "the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious female samurai; John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance.”  3. Clavell's Shōgun  is a fictionalized version of real events and history. The character of John Blackthorne is loosely based on the historical English navigator William Adam who, while in Japan, rose through the ranks to become a samurai under Tokugawa Ieyasu (whom the character Yoshii Toranaga is based on). Ieyasu was the founder and first shōgun   of the Tokugawa Sho gunate  of Japan, which ruled from 1603 until 1868. He was known as  one of the three "Great Unifiers" of Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu via Wikipedia Commons 4. Shōgun (or simply “shogun”) was the commander-in-chief title for military dictators in Japan between 1185 and 1868. These were often leaders appointed by the Emperor, but in some cases, they were the de facto rulers and figureheads of the country. The series takes place in the year 1600.  5. Initial production of the remake was halted for more than a year as they scrapped the original premise to make way for a better story and team. From the trailer, it looks like they might have made the right call! For more, visit: https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/shogun

Cage Warriors - Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation - has today confirmed details of the first title bout of its 2024 World Tour.  Newly minted bantamweight champion Liam 'Nightmare’ Gittins will make the first defense of his 135lb crown against America’s surging contender Roberto ‘Green Light’ Hernandez at Cage Warriors 168 The five-round bout will feature on the main card of CW 168 on Saturday, March 16th, at Manchester’s BEC Arena.  Southport, UK’s Gittins is currently riding a five fight winning streak in the famous yellow gloves, with three of those coming by way of a finish.  He most recently saw action in November, outpointing rising star Reece McEwan 49-46 on all three judges’ scorecards in a nail-biting affair to capture the big gold belt.  The Next Generation athlete has notched up an impressive fourteen professional bouts under the CW banner, including victories over the likes of Josh Reed, Adam Amarasinghe and Emrah Sonmez. Challenger Hernandez also makes a quick turn around, having competed on Cage Warriors’ last card of 2023, earning a unanimous decision victory over UFC veteran Trevin ‘5 Star’ Jones at CW 165.  The career-best scalp netted the California man his ninth consecutive win, his seventh in Cage Warriors.  A student of UFC legend Joe ‘Daddy’ Stevenson, Hernandez has racked up other notable victories over John De Jesus, Moses Diaz and Toby Misech.  “2024 is set to be another huge year for Cage Warriors…”  said CW Matchmaker Ian Dean,  “...so we’re going to hit the ground running with a huge title fight in the bantamweight division.Liam Gittins showed the world his potential last November, putting on the most composed performance of his career to capture the title. He’s got a huge challenge ahead of him for his first title defence in Roberto Hernandez, who’ll be looking to take the title back to the United States.” I’m expecting five rounds of fireworks when they lock horns on March 16th!” Further bouts for CW 168 - which airs live on  UFC Fight Pass  and international broadcast partners - will be announced in due course. Tickets are available from  CageWarriors.com .

UAE Warriors returns with another exciting double header of events to start the New Year with a bang with UAE Warriors 46 and UAE Warriors 47: Arabia taking place this Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, respectively. Both events will take place from the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and will be available to watch live around the world on UFC FIGHT PASS and on Abu Dhabi Fights in the UAE. Russia’s Dinislam Kamavov (13-2-2) comes in to make his UAE Warriors debut against Brazilian UFC veteran Alex da Silva (23-5) in what promises to be an exciting lightweight main event of UAE Warriors 46 this Saturday, January 20. Kamavov has an incredible 100% finishing ratio, ten of which coming in the first round, while da Silva is currently in form following back-to-back stoppage victories to finish out 2023 in UAE Warriors. South Korea’s Tae Kyun Kim (9-1) will meet Azerbaijan’s Amin Gasimov (9-1) in a high-quality featherweight clash in the co-main event. Also on the card, Australia’s Trent Girdham (13-5) of faces top Georgian Dimitri Bolkvadze (7-1) in a bantamweight battle, former GLORY fight & DWCS veteran Dylan Salvador (5-2) clashes with two-time UFC fighter CJ de Tomas (10-3), and undefeated South African Tumelo Manyamala (5-0) takes on AKA’s Mark Climaco (9-2) in an unmissable flyweight showdown. UAE Warriors 46 Fight Card -January 20th, Abu Dhabi, UAE Main Event - Lightweight Dinislam Kamavov (13-2) vs. Alex da Silva (23-5) Co-Main Event - Featherweight Tae Kyun Kim (9-1) vs. Amin Gasimov (9-1) Bantamweight Trent Girdham (13-5) vs. Dimitri Bolkvadze (7-1) Welterweight Samandar Murodov (9-0) vs. Bobur Kurbonov (13-5) Featherweight Jaures Dea (10-6) vs. Mark Gregory Valerio (8-8) Flyweight Rashid Vagabov (10-2) vs. Jakshylyk Konurbaev (6-3) Featherweight Maraoune Bellagouit (3-0) vs. Vince Bembe (6-2) Lightweight Dylan Salvador (5-2) vs. CJ de Tomas (10-3) Flyweight Mark Climaco (9-2) vs. Tumelo Manyamala (5-0) Catchweight 53 kg Valentina Escobar (5-0) vs. Viktoriia Tskhovrebova (6-1) Bantamweight Ullubiy Amirzhanov (2-0) vs. Thiraphong Chaikaew (5-0) On Sunday night, UAE Warriors 47: Arabia brings you a star-studded event featuring the best talent & fan favourites from the region. Headlining the card will be a thrilling welterweight title fight between champion Wisem Hammami (8-1) and unpredictable challenger Omran Chaaban (5-1). Hammami is a double UAE Warriors champion having captured the Arabian and African titles in his recent bouts in the promotion. The Tunisian now puts his UAE Warriors Arabia welterweight title on the line against Omran Chaaban, who has four stoppages victories in a row, including three straight in Cage Warriors. Kuwaiti UAE Warriors veteran Abdullah Boushehri (10-4) faces Egypt’s Omar El Dafrawy (7-5) in the co-main event and other notable fights include Lebanon’s Mahamad Osseili (5-2) taking on Egypt’s Abdul Elwahab Saeed (9-5), Jordan’s Jalal Al Daaja (11-6) versus Mehdi Saadi (5-2) of Tunisia, and top undefeated Lebanese prospect Ali Yazbek (4-0) goes against Mohammed Mamdooh (5-3) of Egypt. UAE Warriors 47: Arabia Fight Card - January 21st, Abu Dhabi, UAE Main Event - Welterweight Title Champion Wisem Hammami (8-1) vs. Omran Chaaban (5-1) Co-Main Event - Welterweight Abdullah Boushehri (10-4) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (7-5) Catchweight 63.5 kg Jalal Al Daaja (11-6) vs. Mehdi Saadi (5-2) Catchweight 88 kg Mohamad Osseili (5-2) vs. Abdul Elwahab Saeed (9-5) Flyweight Alfredo Muaiad (8-5) vs. Maysara Mohamed (7-1) Lightweight Yazan Jaber (0-0) vs. Ali Abbas (1-0) Catchweight 72.5 kg Souhil Tairi (5-4) vs. Mohammed Elawil (5-1) Featherweight Eman Elmudhaf (3-0) vs. Hager Rajab Hammad (1-2) Lightweight Ahmad Shishani (0-0) vs. Abderrahman Errachidy (2-1) Welterweight Idriss M’roivili (2-2) vs. Ayman Galal (2-1) Bantamweight Mohammed Mamdooh (5-3) vs. Ali Yazbek (4-0)

2024 PFL Europe Season will begin with the return of undefeated Cedric ‘The Best’ Doumbe, who will face Baissangour "Baki" Chamsoudinov on March 7 at the Accor Arena in Paris The 2024 ‘Path to Greatness’ will also get underway in Paris, as 32 fighters from across the continent start their journey to being crowned PFL Europe Champion PFL Europe will also be heading to Newcastle and Glasgow in 2024 All PFL Europe events will now be streamed live in France on DAZN Tickets on-sale from 11am CET Jan 18 from  AccorArena.com The Professional Fighters League (PFL), today announced that the 2024 Season of PFL Europe will be kicked off by unbeaten global superstar   Cedric ‘The Best’ Doumbe  (5-0) headlining against the undefeated  Baissangour "Baki" Chamsoudinov  (8-0) at the Accor Arena in Paris on Thursday March 7 live on DAZN.  Fresh off the PFL’s first-ever event in Paris last year that was voted the No.1 MMA crowd of 2023 and saw Doumbe achieve a viral nine-second knockout, the challenge of the undefeated hugely rated prospect Baki represents without question the toughest opponent of “The Best’s” career to-date with the two Paris natives set to leave it all in the SmartCage on March 7. In addition to the return of Doumbe, the Accor Arena on March 7 will also witness the start of the PFL Europe Season, which will see a host of new elite talent from across Europe make their PFL debuts, along with some returning faces, all looking to begin their ‘Path to Greatness’ for the coveted PFL Europe Championship belt and $100,000 in prize money.Set to be packed with storylines and drama, the stakes are even higher in 2024 as 32 athletes compete across four weight categories - including a new European Men’s Welterweight category, 2023 Champion  Jakub Kaszuba  and other returning faces from the 2023 Season. Starting in Paris on March 7, PFL Europe will also be returning to where it all started in Newcastle, England on June 8 at Utilita Arena before moving on to new territory in Glasgow, Scotland at OVO Hydro for a huge night of Playoff action on September 28. As per 2023 the season will conclude with an epic Championship event at a venue to be revealed later this year.  Dan Hardy, Head of Fighter Operations for PFL Europe: “We’re incredibly excited to bring the biggest French MMA Superstar, to the biggest Arena in Paris, in front of the crowd that was voted the best MMA crowd in the world in 2023. Cedric Doumbe’s presence at the top of the card will cap off what is set to be a huge night of showcase fights featuring local French and European talent, as well as the kick off of another exciting season of the PFL Europe League format”. The events will be broadcast live on DAZN, the global sports streaming platform and new Home of PFL in France. DAZN launched a dedicated product in France in the summer of 2023 and has since been building a catalog of premium sports content for the market. As PFL’s broadcast partner in France, DAZN will broadcast all four PFL Europe events scheduled for 2024. Pete Oliver, CEO DAZN Growth Markets: “Since DAZN secured the top two Ligue 1 Uber Eats weekly picks through our partnership with Canal+ in August 2023, we have been looking at opportunities to build a strong portfolio of live sports for the French market. MMA is hugely popular in France, and the upcoming PFL schedule of events is unparalleled. And so, we are delighted to extend our relationship with PFL and deliver an action-packed program for French fans, and those around the world.” PFL Europe is the PFL’s first international league and showcases the very best MMA athletes across Europe, which began in Newcastle on March 2023, before moving on to Berlin, Paris and finally landing in Dublin for the end-of-season Championship event. The ground-breaking league features 32 of Europe’s top fighters competing across four weight divisions. After four events, Dakota Ditcheva of England, Jakub Kaszuba of Poland, Jakob Nedoh of Slovenia and Khurshed Khakorov of Germany were crowned the first PFL Europe Champions in Dublin, with each Champion taking home $100,000. PFL Europe Paris - March 7 at Accor Arena - Live on DAZN Welterweight Main Event:   Cedric Doumbe  (5-0) vs.  Baissangour "Baki" Chamsoudinov  (8-0)

By Lito Angeles As I noted in my previous column, when you can’t avoid or escape a volatile situation through threat recognition via situational awareness, the fence is the basis from which to proactively control, de-escalate and, if that fails, physically respond. So what is the fence? The term was coined by renowned British self-defense instructor Geoff Thompson in the 1990s to denote an innocuous protective posture that serves as the tactical platform from which to proactively defend yourself. It’s essentially a disguised fighting stance in which you stand with your feet slightly staggered and shoulder-width apart and your rear foot angled slightly out with its big toe aligned with the arch of your lead foot. Your hands are also staggered, with your lead hand (usually your nondominant one) in front, fingers naturally splayed and occupying your centerline around your chest or neck. Your rear hand is open and behind your lead hand, generally hovering slightly below it. The position also entails keeping your chin slightly down and your elbows naturally down and in. If you’re confronted by a stranger, however innocuous or aggressive he may be, immediately adopt a fence stance. If he has criminal intentions, he’ll endeavor to encroach on your personal space. Try to prevent him from getting within 3 or 4 feet. At that point, the fence will serve as a protective barrier. It also will serve three other useful functions: as a tactile sensor, a range gauger and an action trigger. Before I put these into context with a physical response, I need to address the essential skill of verbal de-escalation off the fence. While many people are primarily enamored with the physical aspects of self-defense, it’s crucial to hone your awareness, assessment, avoidance and control/de-escalation skills, even more so than the associated combat tactics. Mastery of those skills can keep a volatile situation from developing in the first place or prevent one from turning violent. A physical response should be the last resort. Many elements and variables are involved in de-escalation, which is why several books have been written on the topic. I, however, will keep things as succinct as possible so they’re as accessible as possible. De-escalation boils down to this acronymic sentence: Don’t AACT to de-escalate. Translation: Don’t antagonize, don’t argue, don’t challenge and don’t threaten. Instead, do the opposite. When contextually applicable, cooperate, apologize and/ or deflect the focus of your adversary’s ire through body language and speech. I’ll illustrate what I mean through some scenario-based examples. Scenario No. 1 : You’re at a restaurant when a guy catches you looking at him the wrong way. He confronts you and says, “Whatcha looking at? You gotta problem?” A bad comeback would be, “Yeah, I’m looking at you. What about it?” Another iffy reply would be “Nothing” because he might escalate with, “You saying I’m nothing!” A more tactful reply would be, “Sorry, man, you look like a friend of mine from college. I meant no offense.” You’re apologizing and deflecting with a reasonable excuse. Scenario No. 2 : You’re at a nightclub, and a guy perceives that you’re looking at his girlfriend. “Hey, man,” he says. “Were you checking out my girl?” Now, you could retort with, “As a matter of fact, I was. Whatcha gonna do about it, slick?” This, however, would be antagonistic. A better statement would be, “Hey, I’m sorry about that. Your friend looks like someone I knew back in high school. I didn’t mean to offend you or her.” Again, it’s an apology coupled with a deflection. Scenario No. 3 : You inadvertently take someone’s parking spot and make the other driver mad. He yells, “Hey, you took my space!” A not-so-good reply would be, “Too bad, I got it first,” because it’s dismissive and antagonizing. More tactful would be to say, “Sorry, man. I didn’t know you wanted this spot. You can take it, and I’ll find another one.” Scenario No. 4 : You’re in a supermarket parking lot, and a guy approaches to ask for money. A bad reply would be, “Get out of here!” It can lead to escalation. Instead, you could say, “No, sorry,” and keep walking. Including the word “sorry” is almost always a good thing. Scenario No. 5 : You’re at a gas station, and a guy asks to borrow your cellphone. A poor reply would be, “ No, get out of here!” A more palatable answer would be, “Sorry, man. I don’t have my phone with me, but the gas-station attendant might be able to call for you.” In all these scenarios, a balanced fence stance should be employed because you’re in a situation you can’t just walk away from. You’re stuck face to face. By immediately adopting the fence, you establish a barrier and personal boundaries to control the distance. As well, it provides a platform for proactive or reactive physical engagement, if necessary. To disguise these elements so you retain your tactical advantage, you should “talk with your hands” while using the appropriate body language and vocal inflections. When talking with your hands, don’t purposely touch the other person at any time. Touching an adversary can be construed as battery (which is legally defined as any unwanted touching) by the other person, and that can escalate matters. Moreover, it’s technically a crime, and that could be used against you in court. A possibility when attempting to de-escalate a situation courteously is it doesn’t work and the antagonist continues to persist with his request or issue. When this happens, you might want to consider using “command presence.” It’s a good option to try, if circumstances permit — before you resort to physical action. Command presence is manifested by adopting an assertive, sometimes aggressive, demeanor in which you firmly order your adversary to cease and desist with his aggressive actions. (For example, say, “No!” “Stop!” or “Back off!”) As you do this, create more distance and, if applicable, use predatory pacing to add conviction to your commands. Most volatile street situations are resolved with either a courteous de-escalation attempt or an assertive one, so it behooves you to practice these skills as much as, if not more than, the physical skills of self-defense. When you avoid or de-escalate a volatile situation without resorting to violence, you save yourself loads of trouble and heartache. Using physical force to settle matters that can be resolved through nonviolent means is a big mistake. So keep your life’s purpose and priorities in mind and your ego in check. Get physical only when absolutely necessary. In closing, I will say that this strategy is not only morally and ethically the right thing to do but also the option that will yield key tactical advantages and legal benefits if you must resort to a physical response. This article originally appeared in a 2022 edition of Black Belt Magazine. To order Lito Angeles’ best-selling book FightNight! The Thinking Fan’s Guide to Mixed Martial Arts, visit shop.blackbeltmag.com .

Ron Marchini, karate champion of the blood and guts era in the 1960s, graced the cover with a signature front kick! The article featured his tournament fighting skills and how he successfully fought against regional fighting styles in the United States. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format. https://www.blackbeltmag.com

On Saturday, January 20, 2024, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will bring an electrifying middleweight title fight to Toronto, Canada, as part of UFC 297. This event features a highly anticipated matchup between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, two of the most formidable fighters in the middleweight division. Sean Strickland, known for his striking precision and resilience, has been a prominent figure in the UFC middleweight division. With a string of impressive victories, Strickland has demonstrated his ability to dominate opponents with his striking skills and tactical acumen. His journey to this title fight has been marked by determination and an unwavering focus on becoming the middleweight champion. On the other side of the Octagon, Dricus Du Plessis, a fighter hailing from South Africa, brings a unique style and ferocity to the fight. Du Plessis, acclaimed for his dynamic fighting style and powerful finishes, has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the top contenders in the division. His well-rounded skill set, which includes potent striking and a solid ground game, makes him a formidable opponent for anyone in the middleweight class. The matchup between Strickland vs Du Plessis at UFC 297 is expected to be a tactical and intense battle. Both fighters possess the skills and determination to claim the middleweight title, making this one of the most anticipated fights of UFC 297. Fans can expect a clash of styles, with Strickland's precision striking up against Du Plessis's aggressive and versatile approach. The event, set in Toronto, adds to the excitement, as Canadian UFC fans are known for their passionate support and enthusiasm for the sport. The atmosphere in the arena is expected to be electric, with fans eagerly anticipating this epic showdown. In conclusion, UFC 297 in Toronto is set to be a memorable event, headlined by the middleweight title fight between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. This fight not only represents a pivotal moment in the careers of both fighters but also a significant event for UFC fans worldwide. As the countdown to January 20, 2024, continues, the anticipation and excitement only grow stronger.

The editors of Black Belt called Dennis Brown one of the "25 Most Influential Martial Artists of the 20th Century!" The road to that rank began when he started learning wushu and tai chi from Chinese instructors and continued when he traveled to China in 1982 to train at Shaolin Temple, becoming the first African-American to do so. In 1998 he was the magazine’s "Kung Fu Artist of the Year." Dennis Brown shares his words of wisdom with the best advice he's had and worst advice he's been given. Best Advice: When God sends you a message, listen. “I was scheduled to be on American Airlines flight 77 on 9/11,” Brown said. “I was taking 11 of my students to China for training. I woke up in the middle of the night because something told me to reschedule the flight to accommodate a weekend training session. So I took that advice and unknowingly put my fate in my own hands.“ On Friday, the airline called and said, ‘We have an earlier flight. Can you make it?’ I hustled everyone together and made the flight, not knowing that our original flight in a few hours would be hijacked and crash into the Pentagon, killing everyone on board. “The plane was full except for 12 empty seats. Those would have been our seats. About that day, I told people, ‘I was scheduled to be on that plane. I was supposed to be in China. God doesn’t make mistakes.’” The best tip Brown has received in the earthly realm came from his grandmother, he recalled. “She said, ‘Find something that you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ I’ve been teaching kung fu since 1971, and I still love it.” Worst Advice: Get a real job. “One of my relatives tried very hard to convince me that I could never make enough money to support myself or a family by smacking my friends in the park with swords,” Brown said. “He told me I had to find a job that I could make money at, so I tried that for years.“ I didn’t enjoy going to work — nothing was fun. Then one day, I got up and decided to put my life in reverse and focus on the one thing that made me happy: martial arts. My journey in the martial arts has been very successful for me on many levels. I have three successful Shaolin Wu-Shu Training Centers and am proud to have risen from family poverty by teaching old-school traditional kung fu.”

ONE Friday Fights 48  will have 12 bouts to excite the crowd inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Friday, January 19. The action begins with two MMA contests before four-ounce Muay Thai takes over in the iconic venue in Bangkok, Thailand. The evening will be headlined by a flyweight contest featuring Kongthoranee Sor Sommai and Sharif Mazoriev. Kongthoranee has been a staple on the weekly event series with seven bouts, and he is currently enjoying a five-bout winning streak. After wins over Taiki Naito, Parsa Aminpour, and more, the Thai star feels he is near the coveted six-figure contract with ONE Championship. But the debuting Russian hopes to steal his thunder and usurp his position right out of the gate. Petsansab Sor Jaruwan will make his organizational debut in the co-main event of the evening. The former Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion will take on Aekkalak Sor Samarngarment. The match will actually be a trilogy between the two warriors. Aekkaklak will try to get a win back, as Petsansab has taken the victory in each of the prior two outings.  That is just a taste of what ONE Friday Fights 48 has to offer. The fast-paced and exhilarating action will get your weekend started with a bang. ONE Friday Fights 48 airs live and free on ONE’s YouTube channel  at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST. ONE Friday Fights 48 Full Card Kongthoranee Sor Sommai vs. Sharif Mazoriev Petsansab Sor Jaruwan vs. Aekkalak Sor Samarngarment Sibsan Nokkhao KorMor11 vs. Mardsing Khaolakmuaythai Sornsueknoi FA Group vs. Ngaopayak Adsanpatong Yodsingdam Keatkhamtorn vs. Songpandin Chor Kaewwiset Petganya Sor Puangthong vs. Kwanjai KwanjaiMuaythaigym Gingsanglek Tor Laksong vs. Joachim Ouraghi Mehrdad Khanzadeh vs. Pitchitchai PK Saenchai Teeyai PK Saenchai vs. Majid Karimi Sulaiman Looksuanmuaythai vs. Kabilan Jelevan Matheus Pereira vs. Khasan Khaliev Kara-Ool Changy vs. Arsenio Balisacan