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 Barnett who breaks down his coaching and teaching styles and philosophies of how he approaches martial arts training. Watch the full interview HERE!

In a thrilling announcement for UFC enthusiasts, UFC President Dana White has confirmed two highly anticipated bouts for the landmark UFC 300 event. The octagon will witness the veteran Jim Miller, fresh off a successful win, taking on Bobby Green in what promises to be a gripping encounter. Adding to the excitement, Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway are set to battle it out for the prestigious Lightweight BMF Title, a matchup that has fans eagerly anticipating a classic showdown. Jim Miller, a seasoned fighter known for his resilience and skill inside the cage, has consistently proven his worth in the lightweight division. His recent victory has only solidified his reputation as a formidable opponent. Bobby Green, on the other hand, is known for his dynamic fighting style and has been a fan favorite for his entertaining performances. Their fight is expected to be a strategic and technical bout, showcasing the depth of experience both fighters bring to the table. The highlight of the evening, however, is undoubtedly the clash between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway for the Lightweight BMF Title. This title, representing the "Baddest Motherf*****" in the lightweight division, is a testament to the grit and prowess of the fighters vying for it. Gaethje, with his knockout power and relentless aggression, has been a dominant force in the division. Max Holloway, renowned for his exceptional striking and durability, presents a fascinating contrast in styles. This fight is not just about the title; it's a battle for supremacy, a test of wills that promises to captivate the MMA world. UFC 300 is shaping up to be an event that cannot be missed. With a card featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and top-tier talent, it's a celebration of the sport's evolution and its brightest stars. As Dana White puts it, "These fights embody what UFC 300 stands for – skill, determination, and the relentless pursuit of greatness."

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), make their triumphant return to Sofia, Bulgaria with BKFC 58 on Friday, March 22  at the Arena Sofia headlined by a light heavyweight clash between Bulgarian rivals Toni Markulev and Kaloyan Kolev.    “Our first event in Bulgaria this past November was a massive success with over 8,000 fans in attendance and we’re very excited to return to the Arena Sofia on Friday, March 22 with another outstanding bare-knuckle event,” said David Feldman, President and Founder of BKFC. “Toni Markulev vs. Kolayan Kolev is a can’t miss  main event which promises fireworks from the first scratch. We’ll have more great bare-knuckle fights to announce for BKFC’s return to Bulgaria in the coming weeks.”   Making his bare-knuckle debut at BKFC-58, Toni Markulev holds a professional MMA record of 11-2. His first-round stoppage victory over Andy Cona on May 12, 2019 earned him the Spartacus Fighting Championship 8 Title.   Kolayan Kolev, (1-0), made his successful debut with a first-round stoppage of Amer Abdulnabi at the debut event of BKFC in Bulgaria on November 17, 2023. He also holds a professional MMA record of 12-1.     Tickets for the BKFC-58 are Now On-Sale  at BKFC.com . The Arena Sofia is located at Blvd "Asen Yordanov" 1, 1113 БАН IV KM., Sofia, Bulgaria.   BKFC-58 will also be broadcast internationally as part of the BKFC+ Subscription for $7.99 per month on the BKFC App – The Best Value in Combat Sports  and i s sponsored by Bucked Up, Grunt Style, Fubo Sports, MIT 45, Only Fans and Crescent Tools. Additional sponsors include BoneX, Vostok Europe, Fight Scout and Born Winner.

First PFL Pay-per-View Super Fight to feature PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Unprecedented Mega Event on February 24, Live on ESPN+ PPV and Dazn Riyadh Season has revealed that the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) will host an unprecedented pay- per-view mega event – PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions – from the state-of the-art Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 24. This unprecedented Champions vs Champions fight card features four co-main fights of current PFL Champions vs current Bellator Champions. In addition, the card features two compelling match-ups of previous PFL title challenges vs previous Bellator title challengers.The first-ever PFL PPV Super Fight event will feature seven matchups between current and former champions, as well as title challengers from PFL and Bellator, and will be available on ESPN+ PPV and DAZN beginning at 3 pm ET. In addition, three major showcase bouts will take place during the preliminary card airing in the U.S. on ESPNEWS and ESPN+ in the U.S. beginning at 12 pm ET.In today’s landscape of fight games, fans want to see the best fights potted against the best. With PFL’s acquisition of Bellator, fight fans are going to receive that on February 24 when two MMA giants descend on Saudi Arabia to see who comes out on top. Newly designed Super Fight Championship belts and the future of PFL and Bellator highlight this spectacle of three-round super fights where elbows are legal and the winner-takes-all. In the main event, heavyweights collide when PFL’s Renan Ferreira (12-3), fresh off his emphatic second round TKO victory during the 2023 PFL Championship meets the first athlete in Bellator history to become champion in two weight divisions simultaneously, Ryan Bader (31-7). Newly crowned PFL Light Heavyweight kingpin Impa Kasanganay (15-3) returns to 185- pounds for the first time since joining PFL when he challenges the man many fans consider to be the best middleweight on the planet, undefeated Johnny Eblen (14-0). Two-time PFL champion Magomed Magomedkerimov (34-6), who is currently in the midst of a six-fight unbeaten streak puts his current run of success on the line against Bellator welterweight titlist Jason Jackson (17-4), the proud Jamaican recently put an end to the longest winning streak in MMA (27) when he won the title from Yaroslav Amosov. At featherweight, the pride of Peru, Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) returns to action fresh off his 2023 PFL Championship victory to take on one of Bellator’s most successful fighter of all- time, Brazil’s Patricio Pitbull (35-7), the current Bellator Featherweight Champion and former Lightweight Champion. In addition to the four bouts featuring current PFL and Bellator champions, former heavyweight champ Bruno Cappelozza (15-6) welcomes former Bellator Light Heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov (17-2) to the 265-pound limit when they clash on February 24. A pair of heavy-handed former No. 1 contenders are also set to square off at 205-pounds when Brazil’s Thiago Santos (22-11) goes up against former Olympian Yoel Romero (15-7). Rounding out the PPV portion of the spectacle will see the always exciting Clay Collard (24- 11) challenge former Bellator Featherweight Champion AJ McKee (21-1) in a special lightweight showdown of striking specialists. During the Champions vs. Champions preliminary card, top featherweight contender from PFL Gabriel Braga (12-1) and top featherweight contender from Bellator Aaron Pico (12-4) will square off, while Biaggio Ali Walsh , grandson of the iconic boxer Muhammad Ali, makes his pro debut at 155-pounds. Champions vs. Champions also will mark the return to the PFL SmartCage for Claressa Shields , the world’s greatest women’s boxer, rounding out a great collection of talent in MMA and combat sports. HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), said: “Riyadh Season is putting on some of the biggest fight events around and the PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions certainly belongs in that category. We are delighted to be the host for this first of its kind event, which will see some of the most exciting matchups and break new ground in the world of combat sports.” PFL CEO Peter Murray said: “The Middle East is the fight capital of the world, and the Professional Fighters League is proud to bring the world’s best combat sports stars to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Riyadh Season to host the first-ever PFL PPV Super Fight mega-global event. PFL Champions versus Bellator Champions is game changing for fighters and fans. I would like to thank HE Turki Alalshikh, the GEA and SRJ for this incredible opportunity to grow the sport of MMA in the The Kingdom and around the world. Danny Townsend, CEO at SRJ Sports Investments, said: “Knowing that the passion for combat sports runs deep across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region, we’re thrilled to bring Champions vs Champions to Riyadh next month, for what promises to be an unforgettable night of fight action. Champions vs Champions will be a truly global sporting spectacle, watched by millions of fans around the world, and played out in front of one of combat sports’ biggest yet still fastest growing international audiences. For us as SRJ Sports Investments, backing the growth of game-changing brands like PFL is center to our ambitions of unlocking global opportunities through sports that have strong regional relevance here in the MENA-region, contributing to the wider sports economy and inspiring the next generation of Saudis.” Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to once again partner with The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season for the PFL Champions vs Champions event. The PFL is one of the most exciting and innovative sports brands around. This, coupled with HE Turki Alalshikh’s vision, will make 24 February a night to remember. Fight sports fans across the world will soon be able to tune in for a truly exceptional run of shows live from Riyadh on DAZN, including this PFL Mega event”.     PPV Card - ESPN+ PPV and DAZN - 3 pm ET 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 - ESPNEWS and ESPN+ (US) - 12 pm ET 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 As part of the historic investment agreement announced last year, Professional Fighters League and SRJ Sports Investments (“SRJ”) will host multiple PFL PPV Super Fight Division mega-global events in Saudi Arabia each year.Riyadh Season attracts people from all over the world to experience a wide range of international martial arts and boxing events. It also offers various entertainment options and international experiences. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy thousands of concerts, exhibitions, and other events in Riyadh. This unique entertainment includes participation from celebrities and well-known brands. To book tickets for events and experiences in the region, you can use the WeBook application through this link: http:// onelink.to/wbkapp . PFL is the only organization in MMA with a sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.

ONE 166: Qatar  has gotten two more World Championship additions. The star-studded event will now have five titles on the line for the March 1 event, the promotion revealed on Tuesday. ONE Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex will defend her gold for the first time at ONE 166. Standing across from the global sensation will be Denice Zamboanga. Stamp completed her journey to three-sport gold last September. The Thai star became the undisputed atomweight queen with a memorable third-round TKO against Ham Seo Hee at ONE Fight Night 14. “The Menace” will try to bring the belt back to the Philippines with her third straight victory. The 27-year-old has shown outstanding growth as a mixed martial artist with wins over Julie Mezabarba and Lin Heqin to secure her shot at Stamp. Submission grappling gold was also added to the bill. ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo will also defend his title for the first time. Attempting to dethrone the American will be Izaak Michell. The 25-year-old Aussie is no stranger to success. As one of the world’s top no-gi grapplers, Michell hopes to show the world his skills against the prodigy and complete his rise to the top of the sport. But defeating Ruotolo will take something special. He has been untouchable on the global stage, and the youngest IBJJF World Champion in history is still intent on leaving an indelible legacy as the best submission ace in history. ONE 166: Qatar airs live on Friday, March 1, from the Lusail Sports Arena. Stay tuned for global broadcast details.

In the 1970’s, the beautifully violent Bruce Lee films began the revolution and evolution of American martial arts cinema. Yet the 1980s was a bi-pronged, surprising combination of devolution and aberration that no one saw coming: the wacky infusion of English-dubbed kung-fu movies seen on late night TV and their bootlegged, pan-and-scan tapes lining independent video store shelves reaching American pop culture status; and the schlock and role, illogically ridiculous and ridiculously coherent Americanized ninja films. I first saw a ninja in a movie in England during the James Bond film You Only Live Twice (1967) and was intrigued. The hook sank deeper six years later in America after Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine) fought one ninja in The Assassin episode of Kung Fu (1973) followed by the appearance of a handful of ninjas in The Killer Elite (1975). Yet at a screening of Japan’s Sword of Doom (1966) at Cornell in 1977, where my Japanese roommate pointed out what real ninjas were supposed to be like, that made me study kendo and research ninjitsu. Then after studying the fights of ninja-like characters in Chinese kung fu films in Taiwan (1979-1981), I understood the weaponry and how to use them in fight choreography. Note: The Ninja-like characters dressed in black in Chinese wuxia films were Forest Devils, martial arts assassins of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) that spread into Korea and became known as Sulsa. They’re the probable progenitors of the Japanese ninja that appeared in feudal Japan during the 1400s. When I returned stateside, Chuck Norris was fighting ninja in The Octagon (1980) while holding and swinging a katana like a baseball bat…and baseball is as American as apple pie. Yet when I first saw Revenge of the Ninja (1983; RON ), I was dumbstruck. How and why? RON made me giggle, cackle, and guffaw because it reminded of my teen obsession of watching low budget schlocky horror flicks of yesteryear that featured iffy acting, overly sensational plots, simpleton audacious monster makeup and awkward costumes, low-tech special effects (imagine flying saucers attached to strings that you can see) and lots of screaming. Yet at the end of the day, it didn’t matter. The films didn’t hide it and they were taking themselves as seriously as the seriousness of the film allowed it; and I loved them. As ninja family man Cho Osaki (Sho Kosugi) sails in turbulent waters to protect his son Kane (Kane Kosugi), he wants to ensure that the tide doesn’t turn against them due to one adverse performance of resisting a ninja attack in Japan led by a mysterious villain. After their maiden voyage escape from Japan to LA, what tsunami dangers await them as Cho opens an art gallery funded by the Will Ferrell lookalike Braden? What makes RON a schlocky martial arts rollicking movie to watch? The opening fight at an extravagant Japanese-gardened home in Japan shows you everything you to need to know. In broad daylight, ninjas (some are non-Asian stuntmen) dressed in stereotypic black ninja-garb donned with bright red head and waist bands as camouflage , which should make it tough for the family they’re about to slaughter, not see them…not! Swish, swash, swoosh, their mission is interrupted… Enter the family’s head ninja warrior Cho with his trusty art-dealer Caucasian friend Braden but they’re too late. Hiding in plain sight and amidst arm gestures, the ninjas hide, run off, then attack the samurai sword wielding Cho. Braden has a handgun, and he shoots ninjas that rather than remaining hidden, they slowly stand up and reveal their whereabouts as he picks them off like targets at a shooting gallery. Groups of ninjas non-sneakily besiege Cho in a bamboo forest one at a time then with an organized robotic attack formation, like fairy gazelles leaping over invisible 9-inch-high fences, Cho swats them out of the air with heavy-handed grunting sword choreography that looks akin to pre-arranged sequences practiced at a dojo before a weekend demonstration. It’s hokey, contrived and the actors looked like they’re focusing on being careful not to hurt each other. Yet it works. It was like watching Rocky and Bullwinkle battling Boris Badanov; bumbling and nimble with a hoot and hiccup flow. It’s a grand coincidence that the first American martial arts movie to feature a kid character fighting in a ninja film was also named Kane (compared to Caine in the Kung Fu TV series), who happened to be Kosugi’s 9-year-old son Kane Kosugi. Kane made a real nuisance of himself with his child mischievousness keeping the evil doers at bay and using a nunchaku to rescue a buxom damsel in distress being tortured by a smarmy freak, which BTW, schlock horror films commonly featured this sort of bawdiness. RON was made at time period when American martial are films featured the complimentary dojo fight scene born out of Yakusoku kumite-like drills and bred to use rudimentary gymnastic moves where after a flip, one might expect a score of 10 from the judges for their efforts. Though on paper, RON had 10 fights, there were only three main bouts of any consequence: the opening fight; a mid-movie melee; and the consummate finale. What’s noteworthy with RON is itscast diversity, it was way ahead of its time, as it featured fighters who were Asian, Asian American, African American, Native American (Dan Shanks: Cherokee/Illinwek) and other bi-cultural stuntmen. The Liberty Park brawl is the film’s best choreographed fight that pits Cho and his policeman pal (Keith Vitali) vs. a makeshift gang of four that looked like remnants of the Village People disco group lead by a Teddy Boy cowboy. As the stunt folks and martial actors get used to each other’s timing and fight rhythm, there’s a noticeable improvement in fight smoothness, speed, the use of space and camera work. The finale between the vengeful minded Cho and the acrimonious disrespect of the evil, silver-masked villain toward Cho takes more of a measured, off balanced approach to the action rather than making it a virtuoso of finely tuned creative choreography and the expected uber skill weaponry abilities. The real star was the high rooftop volleyball court set, a grandiose wide-open expanse that quickly breaks down into a handful of areas as claustrophobic as a greyhound bus toilet, doing 80 mph down a rocky mountain. There’s a lot of exaggerated jumping, flippy follies and other obvious surprises. Rather than keeping the identity of the masked marauder a secret, the cat was out of the bag early on because everybody and their pet cat could probably have figured it out who it was during the film’s opening five minutes. This and many other events within the film makes RON a cryptic bauble amid a veiled trip to Enigma.

“Shou Bo is like Shuai Chiao, but you’re allowed to hit people,” explained Dai Guobing, Dean of the Wushu Institute at Shanghai University of Sport. He said a Shou Bo Master named Yuan Zumou would give a special seminar that weekend and, because I was a wrestling major, he wanted me to attend. by Antonio Graceffo, PhD Photos Courtesy of Antonio Graceffo Later, I asked a professor about shou bo, and he said, “It’s like san da, but you’re wearing a jacket.” Shou bo literally means “hand fight.” The definition, combined with the two descriptions, evoked images of the hockey brawls I knew so well. Further investigation revealed that in shou bo, you’re not allowed to pull the jacket over the guy’s head and hit him with your knee, but it still sounded like a great martial art. I found out that Yuan graduated from the Wushu Institute in 1963. For the past few years, he’s lived in France, where he founded the French Shou Bo Association as a way to popularize shuai chiao abroad. In shuai chiao, wrestlers wear a heavy jacket with a belt. Practitioners can hold the jacket or the belt to throw the opponent. But because shuai chiao is wrestling, they’re also permitted to grip the body and arms, as well as attack the legs. One thing that makes shuai chiao different from judo and wrestling is the lack of ground fighting, which means no submissions or pins. Shuai chiao is having trouble finding an audience in the West because many people find it too limiting in comparison to wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, in which matches continue on the ground. Even among Chinese martial artists, shuai chiao is fading in popularity. Zhengtong, my wrestling teammate at SUS, summed up the prevailing sentiment when he told me, “I hate shuai chiao. Greco-Roman is so much more complete, dynamic and exciting.” Chinese officials hope that by modifying the rules, calling it shou bo and allowing kicks and punches, shuai chiao will become more popular. If it does, it will provide an alternative for people who want to do more than throw but who don’t necessarily want to fight on the ground. ​​Critics claim that shou bo is not a traditional martial art because the rules and syllabus are recent, having been devised by Yuan. My counterargument: We know that in ancient times, Chinese wrestlers could kick and punch — and possibly ground-fight. We don’t know, however, the details of what they did or the rules under which they fought. Chinese wrestling went through numerous permutations and was known by many names over the centuries, including jiao di, jiao li, shan pu and kuai jiao. There are records dating back to the Han dynasty of a style of unarmed, no-holds barred fighting called shou bo, which was similar to modern shou bo. While modern shou bo might not be identical to that art from the third century, some system that was composed of kicking, punching and throwing did exist. Critics also posit that shou bo, along with san da, are synthetic arts whose existence in ancient times cannot be verified. Meanwhile, proponents counter that although the rules are new, the techniques are traditional. I tend to stand with the proponents. The throwing techniques of san da are largely derived from shuai chiao. And the throwing techniques in shou bo can be traced to both san da and shuai chiao. Many of them also can be seen in traditional kung fu forms. In fact, one of the more respected organizations in Beijing is the Kung Fu Shuai Chiao Club, so called because its members recognize the connection between old kung fu forms and shuai chiao throws. Yuan remained at SUS for three days. The first day, he gave a lecture for wushu majors and wrestlers. In shou bo, he explained, the goal is nonviolence and non-force. “Look for the elegance,” he said. That pretty much left me out. The second day, I attended the workshop he gave for wushu, taolu and tai chi majors. The san da majors should have been there, but the ones I spoke with said they didn’t like shou bo because of the jacket — wearing it restricted their movement. They also said they disliked having people grab their jacket and take them down. One more gripe they had with shou bo was that while it allows kicks and punches, it isn’t really full contact. After Yuan went over the rules, shou bo sounded more like a Chinese version of savate that focuses on technical, well-placed kicks rather than a system for hammerin your opponent’s legs until he collapses. The rules prohibit shin kicks, knee strikes and punches to the face, he explained. The rule that completely shut me out was no hitting while holding. When I first heard that there’s a Chinese art called shou bo in which people wear wrestling jackets, I kept thinking, When the bell rings, I’m going to grab the jacket, wrap it around my opponent’s head and punch him in the face until the round ends. Sadly, Yuan’s statement took away what I regarded as my best weapon. Watching the wushu, taolu and tai chi students practice shou bo, it was apparent that they knew how to kick well, so that aspect of the sport worked for them. But they had no concept of wrestling or throwing. And of course, they had never been punched. The addition of those skills gave them something new to learn and helped make shou bo what it claims to be: a more exciting version of shuai chiao that can be practiced by all sorts of people, even non-fighters. From that perspective, it’s a success. The next day, Yuan taught shou bo to the wrestling team. The throws were easy for everyone because they had grown up grappling. Shou bo, like shuai chiao, prizes finesse-based wrestling techniques in which a clever grab on the jacket might result in a throw. Yuan demonstrated how we could grab the jacket, set up the opponent, unbalance him and then throw. “They have to wait for an opportunity to do a setup,” the skeptical Zhengtong said to me. “But in Greco, we create an opportunity, drive in and take the opponent down.” He unknowingly described the primary difference I’ve noticed between the wrestling mentality and the mentality one encounters in judo, shuai chiao and other arts. Because Greco-Roman wrestlers are so strong, they can force an opening or create an opportunity. That, coupled with the culture of wrestling, makes them more aggressive. Judo is often called the “gentle way.” Western wrestling is more like the “aggressive, powerful way.” My teammates at the seminar were the epitome of that mentality. Some said they liked shou bo for cultural reasons and because they normally didn’t get to do any martial arts apart from wrestling, but they weren’t prepared to adopt the jacket-dependent or finesse-based methods. Instead, time and again during training, they went for an upper-body lock and a throw, just like they would in Greco-Roman wrestling. The striking portion of the clinic was new for most of the wrestlers — but not Zhengtong, who has a long history of street fighting. However, he lost interest in shou bo when he was told that he couldn’t punch his opponents in the face. Yuan proceeded to show some of the chin-na locks that are in shou bo. At that point, Zhengtong whispered, “That doesn’t work. Chinese martial arts don’t work at all except san da and shuai chiao.” I tried to be more open-minded than my friend. Although in the end, I determined that shou bo wasn’t for me, I still regard it as an excellent art, one that I hope becomes popular around the world. This article originally appeared in a 2022 edition of Black Belt Magazine

Chuck has been out of the movie scene for many years. He has been away for so long that rumors of his death have circulated. But reassured Chuck Norris is still alive and in good health. He turned 83 years old on March 10th. There are many reasons why chuck stepped away from Hollywood . The primary reason was to care for his wife, who became sick. Unfortunately, she developed gadolinium deposition disease from a contrast injection they gave before an MRI. The contrast is said to help doctors see small veins and arteries that are difficult to view on an MRI without it. She is doing better but not back to 100%. However,Chuck Norris's popularity remains steadfast. Fans who miss him at the movies often look for him online, where they hope to find memes, jokes, his net worth, his age, etc. Jokes Chuck Norris jokes began in the early-to-mid 2000s and are still popular today. It is impressive how Chuck Norris’s TV and movie personality spilled over to generate such jokes and humor. Chuck Norris's iconic portrayal of tough and indestructible characters on screen fueled their creation. The core concept behind the jokes is that Chuck Norris is a man who embodies masculinity and is capable and unbeatable in any situation, like what Bruce Lee did in his movies. However, some of the most popular jokes focus on Chuck Norris being able to do things no mortal can do or defy the laws of physics. These jokes often exaggerate his abilities creating a humorous effect. Chuck Norris can stop time by looking at the clock. Chuck does not need a stove to cook; he snaps his fingers so hard it produces fire. Every time Chuck knocks on a door, he breaks it. When Chuck Norris touches high voltage, the electricity shocks itself. When Chuck enters the gym, the weights try to hide. Chuck does not need a shield; he just holds out his fist. Chuck Norris himself has embraced his jokes as a part of pop culture and appeared in some commercials based on these jokes. Chuck Norris- Integrity First Joining the Air Force in 1958, he was stationed in South Korea, where he discovered a newfound interest in martial arts. After being released from military service with honors in 1962, he immediately began competing in tournaments. He went on to become a two-time S. Henry Cho All-American Champion. In addition, he held the Professional Middleweight Karate Champion title for a total of six years. And in 1969, he won the karate triple crown and the "fighter of the year" award from Black Belt magazine. After becoming a karate champion and winning significant titles and awards, he used his success to open a chain of karate schools. His fame and status attracted many celebrity clients. Integrity Led to Financial Success In 1969, Chuck Norris made his film debut in the Dean Martin movie, “The Wrecking Crew.” Three years later, in 1972 in Hong Kong, Norris starred in “Way of the Dragon ” with Bruce Lee. The movie was a huge success and one of the highest-grossing films in Hong Kong. This success propelled Norris to stardom, and Steve McQueen became one of Norris' students. In 1974, Chuck retired from competition, and Steve encouraged him to take acting lessons to become an actor. The advice from McQueen was gold, and Chuck got a part in the 1974 film Yellow Faced Tiger. Midas Touch Chuck was offered numerous roles in karate films but turned them down. He wanted acting parts to be more substantial and have storylines with karate scenes. He felt Bruce Lee's movies were just about action with very little storyline. However, working with Bruce and Steve spread the Midas Touch to Chuck. His first starring role was in an action film called “Breaker! Breaker!” in 1977. The budget was $250,000, and it made 12 million at the box office. The following year, he starred in the movie “Good Guys Wear Black.” The film budget was only $1 million, and it grossed over $18 million. Throughout the late 70s and early 80s, Norris became well-established as an action movie star. Some more films in which Chuck Norris starred were, “An Eye for an Eye, Silent Rage, Forced Vengeance, Lone Wolf McQuade, Missing in Action, Code of Silence, Delta Force, Firewalker, and Braddock. In addition, his on-screen personality conjured up the idea and inspired the TV show, “Walker, Texas Ranger.” In the “Walker, Texas Ranger” series, Chuck made about $30 million for its entire programming. Chuck Today Chuck Norris's net worth is no laughing matter. He is a well-known actor, martial artist, screenwriter, and film producer for his roles in action films. Chuck Norris has also built his net worth through endorsements and business ventures. He has lent his name to products ranging from fitness equipment to personal care items. Because of his success in the film industry, Norris has amassed a substantial fortune. Norris' estimated net worth as of today is $70 million. Chuck Norris lives on his Lone Wolf Ranch in Navasota, Texas. Although you don’t see Chuck on the screen, he is still active with his business, investments, endorsements, books, gym equipment, etc. For example, he has a water bottling plant on his ranch called CForce Bottling Co. Heart of Gold Aside from his success in the movie industry and all his business, Chuck Norris has also been actively involved in philanthropy, supporting several charitable organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His net worth has enabled him to significantly impact causes close to his heart and help children. In addition, Chuck has developed a program called Kickstart Kids. It is a program that teaches character, discipline, respect, honesty, and responsibility through karate for adolescents in high school. The program was created to help build a sense of self-worth. Chuck is not just an actor driven by business and money and has a heart of gold. He deserves enormous respect for his dedication to his wife and his sincerity and commitment to helping children find their way through karate. He understands the tremendous impact that martial arts can have on improving lives. You can see he truly and sincerely cares about people from his actions. Chuck Norris is so powerful his soul cannot be corrupted by Hollywood.

Dr. Leonard C. Holifield is the president and founder of the International Academy of Executive Protection Agents, the Phalanx Training Academy and the Sikaron Karate Federation. In his 50-plus years of training, he's earned a 10th-degree black belt in karate, a sixth degree in hapkido and a third degree in judo. From 1987 to 1997, he served as the chief combatives instructor for the U.S. Army. For more information, visit phalanxta.com . What would you do if someone suddenly threw a venomous snake at you — or any snake, for that matter? Instinctively, you'd jump back, right? This happens because most human beings have a deep-seated fear of being bitten and killed by snakes. Now, take that same serpent and remove its fangs. If someone threw a fangless snake at you, would you jump? Maybe you would because of the fear of snakes we all share, but your fear of being bitten and envenomated would be greatly reduced. This is so because the snake is now essentially harmless. We know that a snakebite can be lethal — or, at the very least, painful — and that the fear of dying from a bite automatically puts us in a state of fear, forces us to go on the defensive, and raises our blood pressure and adrenaline levels. However, a snake that cannot inject its venom is no longer a threat because its primary weapons are its fangs. As I always tell my clients, you must train to fight and fight to win. Defanging The Snake: Parallels In some ways, humans in combat are snakelike. Whereas the snake has two fangs, we have five: two arms, two legs and a head. Our arms are capable of landing strikes, effecting grabs, delivering elbow smashes and sinking in chokes. Our legs can deliver kicks, knee strikes, stomps and sweeps. The head, of course, can incapacitate via a head butt, and the teeth can inflict pain via bites. Also like the snake, humans can be defanged. This is accomplished through the use of "limb destructions," techniques that break a wrist, snap a finger, damage an elbow or dislocate a shoulder. If your opponent sustains a broken wrist in battle, he won't be able to strike you. The pain would be too great, and fear of further damage likely would cause him to avoid using the limb at all. Similarly, a leg can be taken out of commission by dislocating the patella (kneecap), breaking the limb or hyperextending the knee to cause ligament and tendon damage. Other methods include damaging the ankle, fracturing the small bones of the instep, and cutting the tendons behind the knee or at the heel — all of which would make a leg attack virtually impossible. Neutralising the attack potential of the head is complicated by the fact that it's encased by the cranium, and striking that bone can cause injury to you. It's more efficient to target the side of the head or the temples, which are its weakest points. There are other options. You can direct your defanging strike between the attacker's eyes. Or you can break the jaw, which incorporates a hinge joint that, once damaged, makes biting impossible and often causes a knockout at the same time. Each weapon — or fang — that you take away from your opponent decreases his ability to fight effectively, thus increasing your chance of survival. That's why the practice of defanging is an art in and of itself. It's quick and effective no matter the size or skill level of the adversary. We see the inadvertent effects of limb destructions in sports all the time. Witness the number of pro football players who have fallen on the field after a knee injury. Think of the pro boxers who have gotten knocked out from a well-placed strike to the jaw or side of the head. Although they're used to this type of punishment, they still go down. The effect a limb destruction will have on an untrained person will be even more severe. Targets As noted, the goal of attacking the limbs or other vital points on an assailant's body is to render his striking tools useless. When he attacks, trap his "fang" and disable it by breaking the elbow, snapping the finger, dislocating the shoulder, etc. Your aim is to methodically break him down to incapacitate, to immobilize or, if the situation warrants, to kill. There are three ways to accomplish this:• Make your attacker lose his concentration. If he stops thinking about striking you, he'll stop trying to strike you. Interfere with his neuromuscular control of his body. If he has a bruised nerve or muscle in his forearm, he cannot effectively make a fist. That means he cannot strike you.• Destroy the integrity of his body. If his arm is broken, the extreme pain that accompanies the injury will prevent him from trying to hit you — whether he can form a fist or not. Although it's not normally thought of when limb destruction is discussed, the clavicle, or collarbone, makes a very effective target. If one clavicle is broken, it will prevent both arms from functioning properly. That's because the pain that results from a fracture is so intense that trying to use even the opposite arm is excruciating. I know this from personal experience: In high school, I broke my right clavicle while playing football. I immediately discovered that both arms had become essentially useless. That's when I concluded that a well-placed hammerfist to an attacker's clavicle can destroy the integrity of his upper body. Remember that the body is only as strong as its weakest link. In general, joints are weak because of the muscles, tendons and ligaments that are exposed. The knee, for example, is considered one of the strongest joints in the body, but it's known also to be one of the most vulnerable. Because it easily can be broken or dislocated by a strike from the inside, outside or front, it can be prevented from doing its job, which is to support the body's weight. That eliminates the person's mobility and may cause immediate incapacitation. Mindset To be an effective destroyer of limbs, you must possess a mindset that allows you to break through intimidation and overcome the fear of injury, the fear of being defeated and the psychological effects that accompany breaking an attacker's arm, crushing an attacker's trachea or putting your finger into an attacker's eye. Before you can do that, you must rid yourself of any sympathy or pity you may have for your opponent. Don't look at him as a human being; instead, see him as a target that must be destroyed. Mike Tyson displayed this exact mindset in his career. At first, when he would approach the ring, fear flooded his mind — fear of his opponent, fear of losing, fear of disappointing his friends and fans. He said later that this was his way of giving respect to his opponent. Then he started seeing his adversary as a target invading his space, his ring, his world. After that, Tyson would never lose eye contact with his opponent. His confidence was superior to his opponent's, and the result was knockout after knockout. Most of his bouts were won before he ever set foot in the ring. His opponents were scared to death by his reputation, fight record, power and demeanor. The lesson for martial artists is that in a real fight, you can't stop to think about techniques. When you need to defang the snake, you must have an instant response that you can unleash even though you've turned off your conscious mind and switched on your animal instincts, which are part of what's often called the "reptilian brain." When animals fight, they fight! They continue until one combatant is killed or backs off. There are no preplanned techniques or attacks. From their example, you learn the necessity of ridding yourself of fear, hesitation and the perceived need to choose a technique. No matter what type of opponent you face, you must avoid playing that person's game. For example, if your foe is a grappler, don't go to the ground — unless, of course, you are also a grappler and know that your skills are superior to his. Always fight on your own terms using your own techniques. If he does take you to the ground, you have several options for defanging, including gouging his eyes and biting his neck. Even breaking his fingers is good because a grappler with broken digits is severely limited when it comes to effectiveness. Tactics Before the fight begins, your mind should function like a computer, quickly assessing vital targets, weak points and possible exit routes. If you find yourself facing a large, muscular opponent, think about which soft targets are available: eyes, throat, ears and so on. While not technically soft, the shins and knees are almost always unprotected and can result in an immediate defanging — as opposed to having your strikes be absorbed by muscle tissue and body mass. While you're facing your opponent, never focus all your attention on a specific part of his body, even his eyes. The key is to look at him and see everything. You must see the whole forest and not just the trees. When you focus on a single point, you miss all the others. For example, while you fixate on his eyes, he might kick you in the shin. You must see all his weapons from head to toe and be ready to answer any weapon that's thrown at you — preferably with a defanging technique. Once the attack begins, you should be two steps ahead of him — like you're playing chess rather than checkers. If you have to launch a pre-emptive strike, plan to follow up with more strikes to ensure a limb destruction or incapacitation, and until that happens, keep him off-balance (mentally and physically) and on the defensive. Each strike — whether you happen to be defanging the snake or not at the time — should yield a high return. By this, I mean that each technique should do maximum damage. Recall the sage advice to punch "through" the target and not merely "to" it. Consider the following: In the dojo, martial artists often practice one-step self-defense techniques while controlling their strikes and kicks so they don't hurt their partners. The problem with this type of training is that in a real fight, you'll tend to apply the amount of force that you've trained yourself to apply. In a real street fight, this can result in you executing a technique that could have defanged the snake but that doesn't because it lacked the requisite power. Full-contact fighters, MMA competitors and pro boxers tend to fare better in street fights because they don't fall victim to this training method. The solution is to train as you will fight. If you want to be ready for a street fight, train for a street fight. Include full-force strikes and kicks — how to throw them and how to receive them. Note that many traditional martial artists may be skilled technicians, but when it comes to taking a punch, they're quick to get knocked out. You must develop your ability to take a punch, kick, elbow strike, knee and so on. A person doesn't jump into a pool and expect not to get wet. Likewise, a boxer doesn't step into the ring and expect not to get hit. If, by chance, he doesn't get hit — maybe it's a good day — fine. But nine times out of 10, he will get hit, and he knows it. His key to being able to continue is being able to take a punch. Your key to being able to continue long enough to defang the snake lies in being able to take that punch, kick, elbow or knee that momentarily stands in your way.

Kwon Won Il made his presence known at ONE Fight Night 18 . Not only because he picked up a pivotal win over Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg, but because he took advantage on the microphone. After his TKO victory, "Pretty Boy" called out ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio Andrade. And that rematch is what is at the forefront of his mind in the wake of his win in Bangkok. "My next plan is on only one thing. Give me the title shot. I want Fabricio. I'm going to kill him, that's my plan," Kwon told ONE Championship after the event. The performance showed Kwon's well-rounded abilities inside the ring, which was important to him after online criticism. Being able to flash some of his grappling was a bonus for the talented South Korean athlete. "No, I just wanted to talk. Well, to be honest, yes. And a lot of people online have been commenting that my grappling skill is not as as advanced so I tried to show them at least once that I do have this skill," Kwon stated. He will need that well-rounded arsenal to get the gold over his shoulder. Kwon is driven by his loss to Andrade and is determined to even the score. As one of the most entertaining athletes regardless of division, Kwon believes the rematch will draw interest no matter where it takes place. "So the fight that I [might] have with Andrade, it will be much more entertaining and I highly believe that the ticket sales will be higher. And it will even be able to be sold in Korea as well," the 28-year-old claimed. But Andrade was not the only man whom Kwon mentioned. The South Korean, who picked up his third straight win at the event, called his shot for a man who once shared the same nickname as him — Floyd Mayweather. But it was not a serious call out. Kwon was being facetious with many other super fights happening around the industry. Still, if the opportunity ever presented itself, he would welcome competing against the legendary boxer. "That was also just part of my joke, but obviously, if I get the chance, it would be my honor to fight him," Kwon remarked. Whether it is Andrade, Mayweather, or anybody else, it is clear that "Pretty Boy" is ready to make 2024 his year. He kicked it off with a star-making showing and hopes a golden opportunity is his reward.

In an inspiring display of athleticism and determination, 40-year-old Jim Miller sets a new UFC Record and etched his name into the annals of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history on January 13th. At UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2, Miller achieved a monumental milestone by securing his 26th win in the UFC, the most by any fighter in the organization's storied history. Miller's historic victory came against Gabriel Benítez in a match that showcased his experience and grit. The fight, a gripping affair from the start, culminated in a thrilling submission by Miller at 3:25 of the third round. This win not only set a new record in the UFC but also marked Miller's remarkable journey in the sport, highlighting his longevity and consistency at the highest level of mixed martial arts Jim Miller, hailing from Sparta, New Jersey, has been a staple in the UFC lightweight division for over a decade. Known for his well-rounded skills and never-say-die attitude, Miller has faced a who's who of the lightweight division. His career is a testament to his resilience, having battled through a series of challenges both inside and outside the Octagon, including a well-documented fight with Lyme disease. This latest achievement places Miller in a league of his own, surpassing the records held by other UFC legends. It's a testament to his ability to stay competitive at an age where many fighters would be considering retirement. Miller's record is not just about the number of wins but also about the quality of his performances and the caliber of his opponents. The UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 was already a much-anticipated event, and Miller's record-setting performance added an extra layer of excitement to the night. Fans and fellow fighters alike have expressed their admiration and respect for Miller's accomplishment, recognising it as a significant moment in UFC history.

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. In this clip, Josh talks about the difference between catch wrestling and jiu-jitsu and why catch wrestling is the "violent art."