On Friday, December 22, ONE Championship brings a stellar card for fans around the world to global pay-per-view with ONE Friday Fights 46: Tawanchai vs. Superbon. The main event for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship is worth the price of admission alone, but two more title tilts and the undercard will get Lumpinee Boxing Stadium rocking off its axis as well. ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai will put his gold on the line against Superbon Singha Mawynn in the highly anticipated main event clash. It is a meeting of two of the pound-for-pound best strikers in the world and should deliver nothing less than a masterclass in Muay Thai. In the co-main event, ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Joseph Lasiri collides with Prajanchai PK Saenchai for the second time. Prajanchai failed to answer off the stool in their first meeting, but he has been impeccable since with three straight wins, including taking home the interim title to set up this unification clash. Kickboxing will not be denied on the card as a battle for the ONE Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Title will bring together two of the most outstanding female strikers in the world. “The Queen” Phetjeeja will don the kickboxing gloves after her success in Muay Thai to challenge Anissa Meksen for the interim title. Meksen, considered by many to be the pound-for-pound best woman on the planet, finally gets her crack at ONE gold that she has coveted since arriving on the global stage. The firepower continues on the undercard with Nong-O Hama taking on Nico Carillo, Seksan Or Kwanmuang battling River Daz, and much more. ONE Friday Fights 46 airs live on global pay-per-view on watch.onefc.com on Friday, December 22. The action begins at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST. ONE Friday Fights 46 Full Card ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship Tawanchai PK Saenchai(c) vs. Superbon Singha Mawynn ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship Joseph Lasiri(c) vs. Prajanchai PK Saenchai(ic) ONE Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship Phetjeeja vs. Anissa Meksen Nong-O Hama vs. Nico Carillo Seksan Or Kwanmuang vs. River Daz Muangthai PK Saenchai vs. Nabil Anane Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai vs. Fariyar Aminipour Jaosuayai Sor Dechapan vs. Petsukumvit Boi Bagna Suablack Tor Pran49 vs. Craig Coakley Eisaku Ogasawara vs. Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi Suriyanlek Por Yenying vs. Yodkritsada Sor Sommai

Rotterdam is set to host an electrifying night of professional kickboxing as GLORY 90 lights up the RTM Stage on December 23, 2023. This event promises a showcase of sheer talent, skill, and sportsmanship, featuring some of the best fighters in the world. Fans can expect a series of intense and thrilling matches across various weight classes. Main Event: Welterweight Championship Showdown The highlight of the evening is the much-anticipated welterweight championship battle between Endy Semeleer and Anwar Ouled-Chaib. Semeleer, known for his dynamic fighting style and agility, will face Ouled-Chaib, a fighter celebrated for his powerful strikes and resilience. This clash of styles sets the stage for a memorable title fight. Co-Main Event: Heavyweight Powerhouses Collide In the co-main event, the heavyweight division sees a gripping match-up between Nabil Khachab and Nicola Filipovic. Both fighters are renowned for their strength and knockout power, promising a bout filled with explosive action. Main Card Highlights Welterweight Encounter The main card also features a welterweight clash with Murthel Groenhart facing Teodor Hristov. Groenhart's experience and striking prowess meet Hristov's speed and tactical acumen, making for a highly anticipated match. Middleweight Match-Up Middleweight action sees Ivan Galaz take on Iliass Hammouche. Both fighters bring a mix of technique and power to the ring, ensuring a bout full of strategic moves and intense exchanges. Lightweight Showdown In the lightweight category, Enriko Kehl squares off against Arman Hambaryan. Expect a fast-paced and skillful fight, as both competitors are known for their agility and technical finesse. Additional Main Card Bouts The main card also includes a 143 lbs matchup between Berjan Peposhi and Miguel Trindade, along with a 187 lbs fight featuring Brice Kombou against Mohamed Touchassie. These fights add to the depth of an already stacked card, showcasing the diverse talent within GLORY Kickboxing. Preliminary Card Not to be overlooked, the preliminary card features heavyweight action with Cihad Kepenek facing Michał Bławdziewicz, and a 121 lbs battle between Nina van Dalum and Débora Évora, promising to kick off the event with intensity and excitement. GLORY 90 in Rotterdam promises to be an unforgettable night of martial arts excellence. How to Watch GLORY 90? The GLORY 90 prelims will stream live on GLORY's YouTube and Facebook channels as well as GLORY's FAST channels at 19:00 CET / 1 PM ET. GLORY 90 streams live at 20:00 CET / 2 PM ET on Videoland in the Netherlands. Fans can find their local GLORY broadcast partner(s) here .

As a striking coach, I try to make sure my fighters have the best and most efficient training possible. As such, I’ve designed a martial arts training routine to emphasize skills that are immediately practical. If you have access to a training partner, you shouldn’t be taking turns holding pads for each other and power-kicking them. That should be saved for bag sessions, work with an experienced pad holder or a muay Thai class in which you are required to do so. Instead, you should focus on reliable partner drills with skills that translate practically to fighting. This partner-training routine is for anyone who practices a form of full-contact kick fighting, be it kickboxing, muay Thai, MMA, san da,sambo or any other style I might have missed. Here is the Ultimate Guide to Partner Training for Strikers in Martial Arts: Required Gear Each person will need training clothes, a jump rope, hand wraps, boxing gloves and shin guards. Aside from that, no special equipment is needed. The drills will reference a ring or cage, but it is not required. Warmup Skipping rope: 90 seconds on, 90 seconds off. Repeat three times. One partner skips while the other keeps time. Then immediately swap. Do not share the rope. Building Block Drills After the warm-up, it’s time to get familiar with your arsenal. These drills will see you throw a certain technique to your partner and the partner respond in kind. They are simple drills that should be done with medium contact. There should be impact but not enough to cause serious pain. For each technique, you will throw it and your partner will respond with an appropriate defense — it might be a block or head movement. Then the partner will throw the technique back at you, and you will have to defend. Perform each drill for one minute. You can throw the technique to the head, body or legs regardless if it’s a punch or kick; just discuss beforehand what techniques are appropriate. Not everyone wants to risk high kicks. Drill 1: Jab, straight Drill 2: Jab, straight, rear kick Drill 3: Jab followed by any kick Drill 4: Jab, straight, followed by any two kicks Drill 5: Jab, straight, any two kicks, lead hook, rear straight REST Drill 6: jab, straight, lead hook, any kick Drill 7: jab, straight, two lead hooks, any kick Drill 8: jab, lead hook, straight, rear kick Drill 9: jab, lead hook, straight, any two kicks Drill 10: jab, lead hook, straight, any two kicks, straight These drills will develop your coordination for boxing combinations and get you to make proper use of your lead hand while building your ability to throw hooks off the jab. They also will build your fluidity between kicks and punches. The drills in which you can perform any two kicks will build your confidence and help you find your favorite techniques. Creativity Drills The answer to the age-old question Can creativity be taught? is yes. This series of drills has a simple goal: to help you find your own style and your favored techniques and teach you how to pair them together. The series allows you to teach yourself something that no teacher can: the approach to martial arts that works for you. You and your partner will attack and defend using 50-percent power the same way you did in the previous series. Do each drill for one minute. Drill 1: any three punches Drill 2: any four punches Drill 3: any two kicks Drill 4: any three kicks Drill 5: any combination of punches and kicks Drilled Sparring Portion You and your partner will practice the basics together — from stance and footwork to striking and defending. This should be done over the course of five three-minute rounds. The point is to create an environment in which you are almost light-sparring but with a level of control and structure that might not be possible with true sparring. Round 1: Stance and Footwork You and your partner will face each other as though sparring. Your partner will start on the defensive movements. He is able to move back, left and right or pivot to escape you, but he cannot move forward. Your job is to attempt to trap him in the ring, cage or mat you’re training on. If your partner moves to his left, you must move to your right, cutting off the ring. If he moves to the right, you move to your left. If he moves backward, you should move forward to take his place, and after he takes his first step backward, he should pivot out to his left or right, which will leave you facing the empty space he just left. Then you turn to face him and continue. There is no order to which you have to do these movements, but you should do them for the first 90 seconds of the round, then swap. This simple drill will teach you good defensive footwork and good ring-cutting ability because you are allowed to use only footwork. You must rely on nothing but positioning to keep yourself safe and to keep your opponent where you want him to be. If you get your opponent to the ropes or cage, you should tie him up with a clinch, reset to the middle of the ring and start again. Round 2: Jabs and Front Kicks Regardless of whether you use front kicks or teeps, this round will focus on using all the techniques you used before while implementing linear strikes. You won’t throw rear straights in this drill because the goal is not to encourage combination striking before proper distance management has been found. You are allowed to do everything from the previous round. The only difference is you will now take turns throwing a jab, double jab, triple jab, or lead or rear front kick/teep. Your partner will have to defend against the techniques, but you should not tell him what you are going to do. You only use 50-percent power, enough where a failed block would have sufficient impact to teach your partner a lesson but not enough to give him a black eye or a bloody nose. Your partner’s responsibility is to defend against the technique and then respond with a technique of his own from the list laid out above. You will then have to defend against what your partner throws. Remember that as you do this, you should not fall into the habit of standing still and trading techniques. You need to be moving — exactly like you did during the footwork round. You can defend yourself by blocking, catching, using head movement or pivoting away but don’t step back to avoid the attack because this can become a crutch that will cause you trouble later down the line. Round 3: Boxing and Front Kicks This round is simple. You do exactly as you did before, but you are now able to throw any type of punch. Be sure to keep contact to the head light, but you can dig the body a little harder. You can throw any combination of up to four punches but no more than that because it is easy for a less-experienced partner to get overwhelmed if you have a never-ending string of punches that cannot all be blocked. Once your combination is done, your partner responds. Remember to maintain footwork and distance. Round 4: Kickboxing Now you can throw round kicks, side kicks or any other kick you know. The reason you have to wait until the fourth round is the first three rounds were all about finding your range. Now you’re free to experiment with all the kicks in your arsenal. Round 5: Free-Form Drilling You can start bringing in more specific techniques — for example, if you do muay Thai, this is when you can start throwing knee strikes and elbows (with safety precautions). If you do MMA or san da, you can start working in takedowns. Now that you have found your range and are learning to use all your strikes while controlling distance, you can use tricker, sport-specific techniques. Cool Down After your final round, it’s time to cool down. Use this time to improve your flexibility. Start in a sumo squat or horse stance, then do the Cossack squat on your way down into a low stretch for about 30 seconds. From there, you and your partner should face each other, link hands and slowly lower as far as you can safely go into the splits while using each other for support. If one of you is able to get farther down than the other, carefully let go. Hold your lowest safe stretch for 30 seconds. From there, one person should lie down and the other can assist with leg flexibility by pushing the partner’s straight leg up to his head. Be sure to communicate to make sure no injuries occur. This routine features a total 30 minutes of drilling and should take about 45 minutes to complete. Now it’s time to work on strength and conditioning — or anything else you might want to try.

When MMA was first getting popular, around about the time The Ultimate Fighter debuted on TV, there was a lot of talk about what the best ‘Base’ for MMA was. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s the idea that before taking up MMA it’s preferable to have a martial art already under your belt that serves as your home base. For example, if you used to box, you don’t have to worry too much about learning to strike as it’s already there, and you can focus on defending kicks and grappling in your training. As MMA has grown more and more into its own sport, rather than a novelty style vs style contest, we now know that you don’t really need a ‘base’ for MMA at all. Rory MacDonald was an early example of a fighter who just went to an MMA gym and started training striking and grappling together and developed into a fine fighter. That being said, there are plenty of fighters who got their start in a different martial art and then crossed over. When it comes to striking styles the most common style used in MMA is Muay Thai. Pretty much every MMA gym you will go to teaches at the very least a watered down version of Muay Thai and that will serve as your striking base. There is of course a world of difference between this and proper Muay Thai used for actual in-ring competition. Which raises the question, how good is Muay Thai as a base for MMA, and is it the best base? The Old Days In the Zuffa Era of the UFC, we used to say that the best combinations for MMA were either a combo of boxing and wrestling, or Muay Thai and BJJ. The reason being that wrestlers need to stay on their feet, so focusing on boxing and wrestling could turn you into a fine sprawl and brawler. Muay Thai and BJJ was favored in concept because BJJ’s use of the guard, which at the time was very common meant that you could kick without much fear of being taken down, as if you were good off your back, you weren’t necessarily in more danger. Amusingly enough, this era of MMA had very little traditional Muay Thai to speak of. We were a long way from the Khalil Rountree’s and Matt Brown’s using the art of eight limbs fluidly in the cage. Which meant ‘Muay Thai’ essentially meant ‘you know how to kick’. This is quite frustrating for Thai purists like myself, as the main benefit of Muay Thai is not the kicks at all but the clinch. The Clinch in MMA I’ve talked at length about how Matt Brown uses the clinch to maul opponents, and it bares repeating. When you’re doing Muay Thai right, you’re making use of the clinch, if you don’t have a good clinch game you can’t succeed in Muay Thai. The art’s pummelling style of clinching, build around posture control, and off balancing the opponent to land elbows and knees fits a sport with literal cage walls you can push people against like a glove. Training in Muay Thai makes you more sensitive and observant to holes in your opponents clinch, and makes it much easier for you to find an opening for an elbow or a knee, or detect if your opponent is off balance. Fighting against the cage is probably the most important skill to have in MMA outside of ground game. More and more the cage has been used to pressure opponents or take opponents down, as fighters have become better and better at stuffing takedowns out in the open. So having a background in Muay Thai gives you more options in the most important area of MMA. So what are the downsides? Muay Thai vs Sanda The other striking art, which everyone universally agrees is great for MMA, yet no one really trains, is Sanda. The Chinese kickboxing style most notably employed by Muslim Salikhov in the UFC. Sanda is a powerful, kick heavy style that focuses extensively on wrestling. Fighters from Sanda are always very confident kickers, as they have been kicking within a wrestling context for years. If they’re caught on one leg, they’re able to keep themselves from falling, and if they are having trouble with a tricky striker, they’re able to shoot in and slam opponents to the mat. In this regard, Sanda is superior to Muay Thai for MMA, because all Sanda fighters need to learn to adjust to MMA is ground game, and fighting against the cage. As opposed to Muay Thai fighters who need to learn how to defend basic takedowns as well as ground game A Muay Thai fighter might be perfectly decent on the ground, but they’ll ideally be winning the fight if they’re standing, and even if they’re competent fighting off their back it’s still not where they want to be. Sanda fighters don’t have this issue as much because even if they’re not as strong on the ground, it’s much harder to get them there. The real question would be, does Sanda’s lack of clinch work put them as a disadvantage vs Muay Thai, when they’re not really going to be looking to use it anyway? Combat Sambo The Russian art of Sambo, which is itself derived from Judo is probably the best martial art for most purposes. It teaches you how to strike, how to wrestle and how to fight on the ground. I’d argue that this is actually the best art to translate to MMA, purely on the basis that when you get into the cage all you need to do is adjust to fighting in a cage as opposed to an open mat, and gain experience against the more varied array of fighters you’ll be against in the cage. Sambists are usually not elegant kickers, nor are they technical boxers, but they’re a strong jack of all trades that train in a setting that breeds toughness. They’re always going to be at least ready to fight wherever it takes place. So is Muay Thai the best base for MMA? Probably not. Is it the best striking base for MMA? I’d argue yes. While Sanda offers clear advantages over Muay Thai, the reality is that Sanda is so hard to find training for outside of China, whereas Muay Thai has spread across the globe and is readily available in the majority of MMA gyms. There’s no clear cut answer – but you’re better off training Muay Thai than not.

by Terry L. Wilson  Old-School Martial Artists Offer Advice for All Who Plan to Train for Life! Part 3: Kathy Long In the United States alone, millions of people practice the martial arts. Each discipline — there are several hundred around the world — comes with a specific skill set that requires regular reinforcement. Unfortunately, life can get in the way and prevent us from training as often as we want in pursuit of that reinforcement. One of the most common reasons we miss workouts is an injury incurred during training. This is readily apparent to anyone older than 40. Eventually, the human body pays a price for the concussions, tweaked joints and broken bones that often accumulate over time. Black Belt wanted to know how veteran martial artists deal with careers filled with such damage. More importantly, we wanted to know how they have adjusted their training and teaching to account for those impediments. To that end, we spoke with four respected masters. To assist you in staying in fighting shape decades into your career, Black Belt Wellness & Performance Store has been intentionally curated by top experts in the field of medicine, health, and fitness along with key insights from former professional athletes and martial arts champions. Check it out here! https://www.iherb.com/me/blackbeltmag Fortunately, at 57, I seem to be doing pretty good.” All told, Long had more than 40 pro bouts in a variety of fight sports, including muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing and MMA. Each one required her to dig into her bag of tricks, which she collected from training in different disciplines, and her time in each of those disciplines exacted a slightly different toll on her body. “Several styles I’ve studied emphasize ‘go hard or go home,’ she said. “In kajukenbo, kenpo and shorin-ryu, it was just ‘hit hard, kick hard and keep going no matter what.’ If you break your hand in the ring, go to the hospital, get a cast, come back the next day and beat people with the cast! “Kung fu san soo was very much like that, too. When we were on the ground, we weren’t trying to manipulate the person’s joints. It was gouge their eyes and then get out of the situation.” Of all the styles she studied, the most injurious were kickboxing and MMA, she said. “For me, the most damaging sport was kickboxing because that was the sport I participated in the longest.” To this day, Kathy Long cultivates a positive mindset that enables her to will away pain from injuries that occurred during her years of kicking and punching — and getting hit with kicks and punches. That mindset also helps her make sure those injuries never hold her back in her overall pursuit of happiness. “I decided that I didn’t need to have arthritis, colds or flus, or nagging damage from my days in the ring, and my body is responding to that [decision],” Long explained. “Your mind is the queen bee, and your body says, ‘OK, whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do.’ Once you understand that, you can ask your body to do whatever you need. “I also tell my fighters, ‘For every hour of training, you must have at least one hour of maintenance.’ That requires stretching, taking hot baths and ice baths, getting massages or sitting in the steam room. Add proper food and sleep to that list.”  This holistic message is one she’s stressed for years to everyone she coaches, as well as one she follows herself. “If you don’t do this, at some point your body is going to say, ‘I can’t take it anymore!’” said Long, who was Black Belt’s 1991 Woman of the Year and 1992 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year.  “Something will break, snap or tear. When that happens, you won’t be able to compete anymore, and the injury could haunt you for the rest of your life.” This focus on the long term is one of the reasons Long was able to retire from what could have been a brutal career and remain unhampered by serious injuries. “I think I was very smart,” she said. “Between contact sports, I would take several years off and occasionally train very lightly, not like I would if I was competing. It’s important to listen to your body. It will tell you how to respond to the constant punishment you take as a competitor.” Her final bit of advice pertains to stretching. “Outside the dojo, it is vital for everyone, not just martial artists, to maintain flexibility,” Long said. “And it’s important to warm up before stretching. Never stretch when your body is cold.”

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has officially unveiled a thrilling fight card for UFC 299, scheduled for March 9, 2024, in Miami. UFC 299 marks a significant milestone as MVP Debuts Against Holland. MVP's UFC Debut: A New Chapter Michael 'Venom' Page, a striking specialist known for his dynamic and entertaining fighting style, has finally been signed by the UFC. His debut is highly anticipated by fans and analysts who have followed his career outside the UFC. MVP will be tested against Kevin Holland, a well-rounded and experienced fighter in the UFC's middleweight division. This matchup promises to be an electrifying stand-up battle, with both fighters known for their striking prowess. Song Yadong vs. Petr Yan: A High-Stakes Bantamweight Clash The bantamweight division will witness a crucial fight between Song Yadong and former champion Petr Yan. Song Yadong, a rising star in the division, will face his toughest challenge yet against Yan, known for his technical striking and resilience. This fight has significant implications for the bantamweight title picture, as both fighters aim to climb the ranks and earn a shot at the championship. Gilbert Burns vs. Jack Della Maddalena: Welterweight Showdown In the welterweight division, Gilbert Burns, a former title challenger, will take on the surging Jack Della Maddalena. Burns, known for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expertise and striking ability, faces a younger and hungry opponent in Della Maddalena, who has impressed with his striking skills and finishing ability. This bout is expected to be a classic striker versus grappler matchup, with both fighters having the potential to end the fight at any moment. Ian Gary vs. Geoff Neal: Rising Stars Collide The card also features an intriguing welterweight bout between Ian Gary and Geoff Neal. Both fighters are known for their striking skills and have shown tremendous potential in their UFC careers. This fight could be a stepping stone for either fighter to break into the upper echelon of the welterweight division. UFC 299 is shaping up to be an unmissable event for MMA fans. With a mix of established stars and rising talents, the card promises a night of high-octane fights and potential career-defining moments. The UFC's return to Miami could not be more spectacular, setting the stage for one of the most exciting events of the year.

We're used to hearing about how Bruce Lee has influenced the world and martial arts but not how other martial artists like Chuck Norris influenced Bruce Lee. Chuck Norris’s Advice for Bruce Lee So, what advice did Chuck Norris give to Bruce Lee? Well, sometimes, your strengths and ego blind you from reality. It doesn't necessarily have to be in a bad way. But sometimes, it blocks you from seeing the other side of the fence. Chuck trained routinely with Bruce Lee for years in his backyard. In one sparring session, Chuck noticed that Bruce never kicks high, and Chuck asked Bruce why. Lee responded by saying a martial artist should not kick above the waist. Chuck Norris retorted with the response that you should be prepared to strike anyone anywhere on the body at any time. He added that if an opponent leaves his head exposed, you must take advantage of that. Lee realized Norris was right and began working on his high kicks with Chuck. Lee was able to perfect the high kick within six months. Bruce's Philosophy Bruce referred to himself as a master-student. He was a student of learning and adapting and said being called a master was for when the casket was closed. "I'm not a master. I'm a student-master, meaning I have the knowledge of a master and the expertise of a master, but I'm still learning. So, I'm a student-master. I don't believe in the word 'master.' I consider the master as such when they close the casket." It is not that Bruce was opposed and against learning high kicks. Instead, his philosophy was about using what works and discarding what does not. He believed in more of developing a flow without pattern that was not restricted to becoming a kung fu imitation machine. “The other weakness is, when clans are formed, the people of a clan will hold their kind of martial art as the only truth and do not dare to reform or improve it. Thus, they are confined in their own tiny little world. Their students become machines which imitate martial art forms." Who knows what Bruce thought? Maybe Bruce thought high kicks were too deadly to strike the head? Perhaps they make you too vulnerable defensively away from your center of gravity and base. Nevertheless, Bruce was about efficiency and speed with striking. The high kick probably did not fit into his fighting style or repertoire. But it was advantageous in the movies for him. Bruce always searched for how to make movies more exciting by showing extravagant fancy techniques and saw the high kick as valuable in films. However, it was not so beneficial in his fight strategy. Chuck helped him see the importance of the high kick- he did not have to use it but could do it if needed. "True observation begins when one is devoid of set patterns." Bruce never restricted whom or what he could learn from, regardless of how different it was. Anything and everything can inspire your thoughts that lead to evolution and action. You may learn or be inspired by someone's techniques or philosophy. And even if you disagree with it, it can inspire you to be better in your way. Or you can pick up that little idea that develops something big, like a spark that starts a fire. In any event, that is why Bruce Lee created Jeet Kune Do. The book was written to initiate ideas and techniques that would encourage and inspire you to build your own. Let yourself be inspired by everyone and everything. Don’t just watch what is successful. Observe what is not too. When your mind is open, you don’t see success or failure. You just see what is interesting that helps you develop your flow. When you can see purpose in everything, you understand how to extract what you need. But your mind must be open to doing it and not be shifted by your ego. "Be formless… shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, and it can crash. Be water, my friend.” This classic article has been republished to delight our readers once again.

UFC 296 will be remembered as a night of intense competition and remarkable performances. The event was packed with exciting matchups across various weight classes, delivering a spectacle that MMA fans won't soon forget. Let's dive into the results and break down each bout. Here are the UFC 296 Results: Main Event: Welterweight Championship Showdown Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington In a highly anticipated welterweight championship bout, Leon Edwards triumphed over Colby Covington with a 5 Round Decision. The match showcased Edwards' strategic prowess and endurance, outmaneuvering Covington in a tactical and compelling fight. Co-Main Event: Flyweight Championship Clash Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval II The co-main event saw Alexandre Pantoja secure a victory against Brandon Royval via a 5 Round Decision. Pantoja's technical skills and agility were on full display, marking a significant win in his career. Main Card Highlights Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson Shavkat Rakhmonov emerged victorious against Stephen Thompson with a stunning submission at 4:56 of Round 2. Rakhmonov's grappling skills were the highlight, showcasing his dominance in the welterweight division. Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett In a lightweight battle, Paddy Pimblett defeated Tony Ferguson via a 3 Round Decision. Pimblett's performance was notable for his striking accuracy and control throughout the match. Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell Josh Emmett delivered a swift victory over Bryce Mitchell with a KO/TKO at 1:57 of Round 1. Emmett's power and precision were evident, ending the match in a spectacular fashion. Preliminary Card Standouts Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby Alonzo Menifield won against Dustin Jacoby through a 3 Round Decision. His strategic approach and resilience were key factors in his victory in the light heavyweight category. Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa In the bantamweight division, Irene Aldana defeated Karol Rosa with a 3 Round Decision. Aldana's tactical fighting style was impressive, controlling the pace of the fight. Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher Cody Garbrandt made a statement by defeating Brian Kelleher via KO/TKO at 3:42 of Round 1. Garbrandt's striking power was on full display, earning a quick and decisive win. Casey O'Neill vs. Ariane Lipski Ariane Lipski secured a win against Casey O'Neill through a submission at 1:18 of Round 2. Lipski's ground game proved too much for O'Neill in this flyweight contest. Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Cody Durden Tagir Ulanbekov triumphed over Cody Durden via Submission at 4:25 of Round 2. Ulanbekov's grappling skills were the highlight, showcasing his dominance in the flyweight division. Andre Fili vs. Lucas Almeida Andre Fili earned a victory against Lucas Almeida with a KO/TKO at 3:32 of Round 1. Fili's striking power and agility were key to his success in this featherweight bout. Shamil Gaziev vs. Martin Buday In the heavyweight division, Shamil Gaziev defeated Martin Buday via KO/TKO at 0:56 of Round 2. Gaziev's power and precision were on full display, securing a fast and emphatic win. UFC 296 was a night filled with gripping matches and memorable victories. From Edwards' tactical mastery in the main event to the explosive knockouts in the preliminaries, each fighter showcased their skill and determination.

I recently finished writing The Ultimate Guide to Martial Arts Movies of the 1970s. In one section, I list my 20 favorite films of the '70s before and after I wrote the book. Why? Because after watching 600-plus movies during an eight-month stretch, my list had 14 changes. That got me thinking about what would constitute the 10 movies every martial artist must see and why—hence, this article. The 11 titles listed here—I couldn't narrow it down to 10—aren't the best martial arts films ever made or even my favorites. Rather, they were chosen for the impact they had on the genre, either by presenting new directions in fight choreography or by bolstering international appeal. Therefore, they're listed in order of release date, not in order of preference. Martial Arts Movie #1: Fist of Fury (1972) After the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), China was a fractured country, its pieces handed out to Japan and various European powers. Japan played a villainous role in Chinese history from that point on. Even after the nation's defeat during World War II, the fear of economic backlash against the Chinese kept Hong Kong and the Republic of China mum about Japanese atrocities committed against the Chinese. Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury changed all that. His character defiantly defeated Japanese martial artists in 1909 Shanghai, when the city was under strict Japanese rule. Lee single-handedly crashed through that barrier of silence, giving the Chinese a sense of identity and pride. Although Story of Huang Feihong, Part 1 (1949) ushered in the second genre of Chinese movies known as gong fu pian ("kung fu film," in which heroes fought with realistic skills), Fist legitimized it and brought international prominence to Hong Kong's waning film industry. Trivia: The scene in which Lee kicks eight attackers in the Japanese dojo is one unedited, wide-angle shot. It forever changed fight choreography. Martial Arts Movie #2: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) In response to the popularity of the kung fu movies Jackie Chan made at Golden Harvest, rival studio Shaw Brothers countered by having filmmakers Chang Cheh and Liu Chia-liang create a new genre called guo shu pian. Although translated as "national art film," which implies that the national art is martial arts, guo shu films were designated as neo-hero movies because they focused on a new style of protagonist. Directed by Liu and starring his adopted brother Gordon Liu Chia-hui as real-life hero Monk San De (one of the legendary "10 Tigers of Shaolin"), The 36th Chamber of Shaolin signaled the start of the guo shu film. It's also important because it was the first movie to unveil the secret training methods of the ancient Buddhist monastery. Martial Arts Movie #3: The Shaolin Temple (1982) The importance of this movie parallels the importance of its star. Jet Li was born during a time when intellectuals and philosophers were persecuted, when the government outlawed martial arts and even destroyed temples and executed monks who refused to enter re-education camps. Li broke down those walls and became Communist China's first actor to conquer Hollywood. He accomplished that feat by excelling in the cultural contraband of martial arts, philosophy and cinema. The Shaolin Temple was China's first live-action kung fu movie since the 1949 Communist takeover. It inspired the masses to visit the real temple's remains and forced the paranoid government to warn the public that it was unnecessary to learn self-defense. It was also instrumental in introducing wushu to film fans worldwide. Martial Arts Movie #4: Zu: Warriors From the Magic Mountain (1983) With Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain, Western-trained, new-wave filmmaker Tsui Hark ushered in a fifth martial arts film genre that wasn't officially named until it had run its course. Coined by yours truly, the Fant-Asia genre combined elements of sex, fantasy, sci-fi and horror with high-flying, gravity-defying wire work, far-out sight gags and over-the-top martial arts choreography. The film's action director, Ching Siu-tung (the father of "wire fu"), dared to shoot the fight scenes at 18 frames per second as heroes zipped, flipped and flew at the speed of light amid explosions and magic weapons. Martial Arts Movie #5: Duel to the Death (1983) After the success of Zu, Ching Siu-tung directed Duel to the Death and proved that shooting old-fashioned sword fights at 18 frames per second didn't make the action look hokey; it made it sing with gleeful, steel-slashing bewitchment. The movie intelligently weaves in the traditions of the classic chivalrous swordsman traveling down his path of martyrdom with a quasi-modern, German expressionistic visual approach that combines the elemental filmmaking sensitivities of Tsui Hark with Michael Curtiz's swashbuckling style. What does all that mean? It's a helluva fun film to watch! Martial Arts Movie #6: Police Story (1985) As the kung fu and guo shu films started to lose their luster—due in part to Hong Kong's copycat mentality, in which the fights were becoming too repetitive—the 1980s witnessed the birth of the final two genres: Fant-Asia and the one defined by this movie. At the turn of the decade, Jackie Chan wanted to do something different, so he started to avoid period-piece films. His characters moved away from being practitioners of traditional kung fu and became more like extreme athletes, as seen in Dragon Lord (1982). With his next film, Project A (1983), and more officially with Police Story, he created the wu da pian ("fight films using martial arts") genre. It combined athleticism, martial-arts-influenced battles and outrageous stunts wrapped in modern themes and settings. Furthermore, instead of using traditional kung fu movements, the battles incorporated more Western-style boxing with karate-like kicks. Just about every contemporary-themed martial arts movie shot since is a result of Chan's wu da style. Martial Arts Movie #7: Drunken Master II (1994) Based on fight choreography, Drunken Master 2 is arguably the best martial arts movie ever made. At the time of its release, Fant-Asia films were at their peak, and other directors were switching to Jackie Chan's wu da style. Yet Chan returned to his kung fu roots to make a superior sequel. Filled with phenomenally fresh fights, it avoided the popular bobbing style of choreography used during Chan's kung fu film heyday. His martial skills flowed like a waterfall over smooth rocks. The final 16 minutes are as mesmerizing and creative as they are relentless and exhausting. Chan showed Hollywood, which had claimed any fight that lasted more than two or three minutes was boring, that a long battle could be exciting without having to repeat the same movements over and over. Martial Arts Movie #8: The Matrix (1999) Although not a martial arts film, The Matrix was the first mainstream Western movie to successfully blend Hollywood's panache for visual effects with Hong Kong's stylized fight choreography to create what's still considered a phenomenon. Matrix is a visual spectacle. Its martial arts gags and imagery have been parodied ad infinitum, and the movie has become an integral part of 20th-century pop culture. Trivia: Matrix inadvertently launched a ridiculous Hollywood trend. When the directors (the Wachowski brothers) approached Yuen Woo-ping to do the fights, he didn't want to. He hoped that by asking for an exorbitant fee, he would turn them away. It didn't work, however. Yuen then figured that by demanding that the main actors practice martial arts with him for four months, he'd be off the hook. Wrong again. Hollywood assumed that training actors for fighting roles was the standard. Martial Arts Movie #9: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) To die-hard martial arts film fans, this movie was nothing new, but to the average American, Crouching Tiger was something never before encountered. Its twang of novelty resonated around the world as it became the first Chinese-language wu xia film to be widely accepted by Western audiences. Wu xia was the first genre of Chinese martial arts movie; its name translates as "martial chivalrous-hero film." Originating in Shanghai in the 1920s, such movies were saturated with classical tales, heroic stories and legends of superhuman swordsmen and magical feats. Directed by Ang Lee and fight-directed by Yuen Woo-ping, Crouching Tiger blended Eastern physical grace and action with American elements of performance intensity and the subtleties and nuances of European cinema. The movie was Lee's homage to wu xia films, and it started a trend that brought international attention to similar motion pictures by other Chinese directors. Martial Arts Movie #10: Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003) Just when you thought good martial arts movies were the sole domain of China and the United States, the film industry of Thailand received worldwide acclaim. Tony Jaa's Ong-Bak introduced a new and dangerous kind of fight choreography that combined wu da action with a stylized version of muay boran (the progenitor of muay Thai). The highlights of the movie are not only Jaa's bouts with his meth-crazed adversary but also Jaa's outrageous stunts: deadly knee-drop strikes, elbows of fury, far-out fire kicks and so on. Jaa reminded us why we liked Jackie Chan's movies from the mid-1980s. More important, Jaa's efforts to showcase his nation's fighting arts inspired other countries—including Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia—to follow suit. Martial Arts Movie #11: Ip Man (2008) Not since Drunken Master 2 has there been such a rip-roaring, old-school, kung fu movie. Ip Man arrived on the heels of those high-budget, high-production-value Chinese/American wu xia films shot in China using fancy wire work. It proved that traditional kung fu fight choreography reminiscent of the 1970s never goes out of vogue. The kung fu is as real as the legitimate martial arts stars that perform the fights, which is no longer the case in most movies that feature actors who don't practice or practitioners who are more into gymnastics than traditional kung fu. Not once does Donnie Yen, who plays Bruce Lee's teacher Ip Man (also spelled Yip Man), break wing chun form to execute unnecessarily flashy movements to appease viewers who regard wushu-style fights as the real thing. (For the past 18 years, Dr. Craig D. Reid has worked as a writer and martial arts film critic. He estimates that he's watched more than 5,000 martial arts movies. He's practiced martial arts for 38 years, and since 1979, he's worked off and on as a fight choreographer in Hollywood and Asia.

In celebration of the growing popularity of martial arts cinema, Black Belt asked me to devise a list of the top 20 martial arts film stars. In reality, this list could have been different for each decade since the 1970s because in years past, one could reflect only on names with which the audience might be familiar. But today's kung fu film fans are more sophisticated and aware of not only who the biggest martial arts stars of today are but also who the legends of yesteryear were. So this ranking promises to stand the test of time. The actors were chosen based not on their martial arts abilities but on their impact on the history and development of the genre. Martial Arts Film Star #20: David Carradine Only two Americans have influenced the essence of the martial arts in the West. Bruce Lee is one—we'll deal with him later—and David Carradine is the other. Carradine's original Kung Fu TV pilot and series, which ran on ABC from 1972 to 1975, is the only show that truly tried to reflect the soul and spirit of Shaolin Temple. It focused on living in peace, healing and learning the martial arts so one doesn't have to fight—all of which are lessons modern students would do well to concentrate on. Martial Arts Film Star #19: Lo Lieh Born as Wang Li-da in Indonesia, Lo Lieh moved to Hong Kong at age 10. After he signed with Shaw Brothers Studios, his rugged looks made him one of kung fu film's earliest perennial villains. Ironically, the movie that brought him fame was King Boxer (1972), the first Chinese kung fu film released in America (as Five Fingers of Death). Starring in more than 180 movies—sometimes shooting 10 at the same time—Lo was originally targeted to play monk Bai Mei in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, but he passed away before it began. Martial Arts Film Star #18: Alexander Fu Sheng Born in 1954 as Zhang Fu-Sheng, Alexander Fu Sheng owed his start to director Chang Cheh when he was cast in Police Force (1973). Starring in 39 kung fu films, he later took on roles with more comic appeal and was supposed to be Shaw Brothers' answer to Golden Harvest's Jackie Chan. But on July 7, 1983, while shooting 8-Diagram Pole Fighter, Fu Sheng died in a car crash. In an ironic twist, he lived in Bruce Lee's house in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and died almost 10 years after Lee did. Martial Arts Film Star #17: Ti Lung Born as Tan Fu-rong and trained in wing chun, Ti Lung was a competent tailor before being cast with longtime cohort David Chiang in Dead End (1969). He attained superstar status with Blood Brothers (1972), which was co-directed by John Woo. After the trio broke up, Ti's status was cemented with The Sentimental Swordsman (1977) and The Deadly Breaking Sword (1979), making him one of Shaw Brothers' perennial heroes. Although replaced by Jet Li for Once Upon a Time in China (1991), Ti co-starred in Jackie Chan's Drunken Master II. Martial Arts Film Star #16: Wang Lung-Wei A veteran of more than 85 films, Wang Lung-Wei is one of the few actors who have no martial arts background but can look like a real master. His history in boxing helped him quickly pick up martial arts movements while rehearsing. A master of portraying cold-faced, ruthless characters, Wang exhibited superb screen-fighting abilities that made him a powerhouse villain and a favorite heavy. Three Evil Masters (1980), My Young Auntie (1981) and Martial Club (1981) are his must-see films. Martial Arts Film Star #15: David Chiang David Chiang (born as Jiang Wei-nian) was a child actor before hooking up with Shaw Brothers in 1966. After he appeared in Dead End and The Wandering Swordsman (1969), director Chang Cheh introduced him to his friend Ti Lung, and they made a string of blockbusters that included Vengeance (1970), Duel of Fists (1971) and The Water Margin (1974). The three became known as the Iron Triangle. Although Chiang starred in more than 80 kung fu films, fans of the genre recognize him best as the Chinese hero who appeared alongside Peter Cushing in the Hammer/Shaw Brothers co-production of Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974). Martial Arts Film Star #14: Shintaro Katsu Born as Toshio Okamura, Shintaro Katsu is best-known for playing a blind nomadic gambler and masseur named Zatoichi, whose humble facade hid a swordsman with a breathtaking quick-draw. From 1962 to 1989, Katsu made 26 Zatoichi feature films, with new installments coming out bimonthly in 1964. Katsu also produced the manga -based Lone Wolf and Cub film series (aka Shogun Assassin), which starred his brother, Tomisaburo Wakayama. A remake of Zatoichi starring Takeshi Katano was made in 2003. Martial Arts Film Star #13: Chen Kuan-Tai Prior to pursuing a career in film, Chen Kuan-Tai was a Hong Kong fireman and the 1969 light-heavyweight champion of the Southeast Asian Chinese Martial Arts Tournament. A kung fu practitioner since the age of 8, he was the first martial arts champ to enter moviemaking. He began as a stuntman in Kuan Tak-hing's Huang Fei-hung movies, then made his mark in Boxer From Shantung (1972), which was co-directed by John Woo. Chen starred in more than 80 films, struck gold directing Iron Monkey (1977) and won critical acclaim for his role in Killer Constable (1980). Martial Arts Film Star #12: The “Five Venoms" Although based on five actors (really six) from the Shaw Brothers classic The Five Venoms (1978), the “Five Venoms" is a group of actors who worked together to make 20 of the most intricately choreographed weapons films ever. The actors were Philip Kwok, the leader, usually playing a good guy; Chiang Sheng, noted for humor and using double weapons; Lo Meng, the muscle-and-fists fighter; Sun Chien, the kicker; Lu Feng, usually a villain; and Wei Bai, who worked mostly behind the camera because of Tourette's syndrome. Martial Arts Film Star #11: Michelle Yeoh Born in Malaysia with the name Yang Zi-chong, Michelle Yeoh trained in ballet at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her physical prowess brought her opportunities to star in The Heroic Trio (1992), Wing Chun (1994) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). The Hong Kong stunt biz is a male-dominated industry, so when action-directors Ching Siu Tung, Stanley Tong, Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo-ping and Jackie Chan say Yeoh is the best stuntwoman-fighter in the film industry, that about says it all. Ironically, she doesn't practice the martial arts. Martial Arts Film Star #10: Sonny Chiba Born in 1939 as Sadao Maeda, Sonny Chiba studied Noh (classical Japanese drama) and was a contender for Japan's Olympic gymnastics team until he injured his back and began practicing karate under Mas Oyama. Joining Toei Studios in 1961, he used his muscle-bound body to become its answer to Bruce Lee. Chiba's ultrabrutal The Streetfighter (1974) was the first movie released in America with an X-rating for violence. Its success spawned three sequels. Capping a career that spans 40 years and 140 films, Chiba co-starred in Kill Bill as Hattori Hanzo, a character he once played on Japanese television. Martial Arts Film Star #9: Jimmy Wong Yu Born in 1942, Jimmy Wong Yu was originally named Wong Zheng-quan. After making plans to further his civil-engineering and business background while studying abroad, on a lark he auditioned at Shaw Brothers Studios. Out of 5,000 hopefuls, he was one of three who made the grade. At a time when romances and musicals overshadowed action films, director Chang Cheh cast Wong Yu in a macho, heroic bloodshed film titled One-Armed Swordsman (1967), and it shot him to stardom. In The Chinese Boxer (1969), he launched a new type of movie that blended the “rival school" and “crippled hero" motifs. He's renowned as the first star to do all his own fights and stunts. Martial Arts Film Star #8: Cheng Pei Pei Born in Shanghai, Cheng Pei Pei trained as a ballet dancer. She was abandoned at age 15 and forced to fend for herself and her younger sister. Shaw Brothers discovered her in 1963. Cheng was groomed to play male characters in opera films until a young director named King Hu chose her to star in a new-wave swordswoman film titled Come Drink With Me (1965). It set new standards for all wu xia movies to come. (Director Ang Lee admitted that it was the inspiration behind Crouching Tiger and the reason he cast Cheng in it.) With Cheng's subsequent success, she was dubbed the first “Queen of Kung Fu Films." Martial Arts Film Star #7: Gordon Liu Chia-Hui Born with the Chinese name of Xian Qi-xi and the English name of Louis Sin, Gordon Liu Chia-Hui skipped school to practice the martial arts under the renowned Liu Zhan. Later, in honor of Liu Zhan's skills, Gordon changed his name to Liu and was adopted into the family. He initially planned to become a policeman, but at the bequest of his kung fu brother, noted director Liu Chia-liang, Gordon Liu became an actor for Shaw Brothers in 1974. With his landmark role in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) playing real-life monk San Te, he quickly built a name that symbolized the Shaolin priesthood. The West knows him best for his roles as head of the Crazy 88s in Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Bai Mei in Kill Bill Vol. 2. Martial Arts Film Star #6: Toshiro Mifune Born and raised in China, Toshiro Mifune was a Japanese recon pilot during World War II. Then in 1946 he applied for the job of camera assistant at Toho Studios. During the interview, he was asked to laugh and act drunk. One of the interviewers was Akira Kurosawa, who upon witnessing the performance, hired Mifune. He ended up using him in 16 samurai masterpieces, including Seven Samurai (1954), Yojimbo (1961) and Sanjuro (1962). His poker-faced stare, which gave audiences the impression that he was constantly on the brink of rage, made him the most recognized face in samurai filmdom. That reputation was cemented early on with his portrayal of Miyamoto Musashi in Samurai (1954). Martial Arts Film Star #5: Kwan Tak-Hing In 1949 filmmaker Wu Peng revived the dying Cantonese cinema of Hong Kong by casting Cantonese opera star Kwan Tak-Hing to play legendary folk hero Huang Fei-hung. Born in 1906, Kwan was dubbed the “Patriotic Entertainer" for raising funds in the United States for the Chinese war effort against Japan. A master of the white crane and hong styles of kung fu, he was also an expert lion dancer and calligrapher. Over the course of 85 films, his name became synonymous with Huang Fei-hung, and his movies were seen as the official start of the gung fu pian (kung fu film genre). Martial Arts Film Star #4: Sammo Hung At age 10, Sammo Hung enrolled in a Beijing opera school, where he learned the skills that would eventually see him through more than 140 movies. He's the man Jackie Chan calls “big brother" and regularly seeks council from. Many believe Hung's films (Magnificent Butcher in 1980, Prodigal Son in 1981) feature better choreography than Chan's. Hung later branched into muo shan shu (Chinese voodoo) moviemaking, where productions such as Close Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1981) and Dead and the Deadly (1982) mixed slapstick comedy with startling brutality. Although many Western fans know Hung as the portly monk who battled Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon, his CBS series Martial Law was rated No. 1 in its time slot for two seasons. Martial Arts Film Star #3: Jet Li Born in 1963 and raised during the Cultural Revolution, Jet Li is the first Communist Chinese film star to make it in Hollywood. His first effort, The Shaolin Temple (1979), was the first kung fu movie made in China since Mao Zedong outlawed the traditional martial arts in 1949 and ordered the destruction of the real Shaolin Temple. Although Li's a public figure in China, his belief in Tibetan Buddhism and a way of life frowned upon by his government has led him beyond the political quagmire and put him on a more philosophical path. Martial Arts Film Star #2: Jackie Chan With his mind-numbing stunts performed with little regard for personal safety, Jackie Chan is one of the few martial arts actors who have literally sacrificed their bodies for film—all in the name of creating martial arts set pieces that no one else dared attempt. Others now emulate Chan, but he did it without the forethought of consequence, and he wasn't copying anyone. Twice when the Hong Kong film industry was dying from its own copycat mentality, Chan rose above the standard fare and created new directions in choreography. He wound up establishing a new genre: wu da pian, or movies that combine gymnastics, martial arts and death-defying stunts. Martial Arts Film Star #1: Bruce Lee The No. 1 spot on this top 20 list is occupied by Bruce Lee because he accomplished the impossible: He not only gave the Chinese people and nation an identity, but he also made Asian-American kids proud to be Asian. In the end, he inspired more people to practice the martial arts than anyone else in history. He also broke down racial barriers under the banner of using the martial arts as a path to brotherhood and self-expression. If it wasn't for Lee giving Hong Kong movies and martial arts cinema legitimacy around the world, the martial arts film industry would not have the impact—or the box-office dollars—it has today. (Dr. Craig D. Reid is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and fight choreographer with more than 20 years in the business. For more martial arts movie wisdom, check out his book, The Ultimate Guide to Martial Arts Movies of the 1970s: 500+ Films Loaded With Action, Weapons and Warriors).

The Orlando boxing arena was set ablaze on December 15, with a night filled with stunning knockouts and tactical masterclasses. Headlined by the much-hyped match between Jake Paul vs Andre August, the event also showcased the talents of Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Shadasia Green, Yoenis Tellez, Livan Navarro, Lorenzo Medina, and Joshua Temple. Each fight brought its own flavor of excitement, culminating in a memorable night for boxing enthusiasts. Jake Paul vs. Andre August: A Swift Conclusion In a fight that was over almost as soon as it began, Jake Paul delivered a stunning first-round knockout against Andre August. Paul, continuing his surprising ascent in the world of professional boxing, showcased his power and precision in the ring. The knockout was a clear statement from the YouTube-star-turned-boxer, proving his critics wrong and demonstrating his serious commitment to the sport. Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Shadasia Green: A Unanimous Decision The match between Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Shadasia Green was a display of technical skill and endurance. Crews-Dezurn, known for her sharp boxing intellect, outmaneuvered Green to secure a unanimous decision victory. The scores (98-92, 97-93, 97-93) reflected Crews-Dezurn's dominance in the ring, as she tactically dismantled Green's defenses throughout the bout. Yoenis Tellez vs. Livan Navarro: Late-Round Drama The bout between Yoenis Tellez and Livan Navarro was a gripping affair that kept fans on the edge of their seats. It was a well-matched contest, with both fighters exchanging heavy blows. However, it was Tellez who emerged victorious with a dramatic 10th-round knockout, highlighting his resilience and power in the later stages of the fight. Lorenzo Medina vs. Joshua Temple: Tactical TKO Lorenzo Medina's clash with Joshua Temple was a display of strategic boxing. Medina, showcasing a combination of speed and technique, overwhelmed Temple and secured a sixth-round technical knockout. His victory was a testament to his skill in adapting his strategy mid-fight and capitalizing on his opponent's weaknesses. The event in Orlando was a night of contrasts - from the swift brutality of Jake Paul's knockout to the tactical prowess of Franchon Crews-Dezurn. It highlighted the varied skills and strategies that make boxing a captivating sport. Each fighter, whether through a quick finish or a prolonged tactical battle, demonstrated the heart and spirit of boxing.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has once again upped the ante with its latest 2024 fight schedule, announced at the UFC Seasonal Press Conference. Fans are in for a treat as the lineup includes a mix of high-stakes rematches and title bouts, set to unfold in iconic locations worldwide. Here’s a breakdown of the major events leading up to the highly anticipated UFC 299 - THE UFC 2024 Lineup UFC Fight Night: Magomedov Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker 2 Date : January 13, 2024 Location : UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Main Event : Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker II (Light Heavyweight) Co-Main Event : Matheus Nicolau vs. Manel Kape II (Flyweight) A rematch that promises intense action, Ankalaev and Walker will face off in a much-awaited sequel to their previous bout. View Fight Card UFC 297 Date : January 20, 2024 Location : Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Main Event : Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis Co-Main Event : Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva UFC 297 brings together a blend of technical mastery and raw power, with Strickland and du Plessis headlining in Toronto. View Fight Card UFC Fight Night: Roman Dolidze vs Nassourdine Imavov Date : February 3, 2024 Location : UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Main Event : Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov (Middleweight) This middleweight clash is expected to be a strategic and intense fight. View Fight Card UFC Fight Night: Jack Hermansson vs Joe Pyfer Date : February 10, 2024 Location : UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada An intriguing matchup, showcasing Hermansson's experience against Pyfer's rising talent. View Fight Card UFC 298 Date : February 17, 2024 Location : Honda Center, Anaheim, California Main Event : Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria (UFC Featherweight Championship) A featherweight championship bout that's expected to be a tactical and high-energy fight View Fight Card UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs Amir Albazi Date : February 24, 2024 Location : Arena CDMX, Ciudad de México, Mexico Moreno and Albazi promise to deliver a fast-paced and skillful battle in Mexico City. UFC Fight Night: Main Event TBD Date: March 2, 2024 Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia With the main event still under wraps, fans are eager to see who will headline in Saudi Arabia. UFC 299 Date : March 9, 2024 Location : Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida Main Event : Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera 2 A much-anticipated rematch, O'Malley and Vera are set to reignite their rivalry in Miami View Fight Card UFC Fight Night: Main Event TBD Date : March 30, 2024 Location : Boardwalk Hall, New Jersey, USA The anticipation is high for the announcement of the main event in the iconic Boardwalk Hall. UFC 300 Date : April 13, 2024 Location : T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada Main Event : TBD UFC 300 is shaping up to be a landmark event with details still to be revealed. Stay tuned to Black Belt Magazine  for the latest and most updated UFC news.