Part 1 In 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship heralded the dominance of mixed martial arts (MMA) in combat sports. Seemingly, eclipsing all other martial arts competitions, MMA has appeared as the last station of competitive martial arts programming. Is it time for something else? Enter Karate Combat. With its inception in 2018, Karate Combat is still a relatively new contender in the combat sports arena. For viewers that are seeking a more traditional stand-up contest, Karate Combat may be just what some fans have been looking for. With the completion of their exciting third season, which contained plenty of incredible martial arts action, it seemed like a good time to speak with Adam Kovacs COO and League President, and find out what the organization has in store for their next season and beyond. How is Karate Combat different from other combat sport programs? Karate Combat has changed the game. We've created a completely new professional sports league and reinvented production and presentation at the same time. Before Karate Combat, if you were watching professional combat sports you were watching boxing, kickboxing, or MMA. You'd see fights that took place in a ring or cage under one of a few rulesets and every organization using basically the same production methods. The only major difference between them was the name and the logo on the canvas. We've changed all that - you don't even need to see our logo on the screen to know that you're watching Karate Combat. From the production to the aesthetic to the actual fighting surface, everything is brand new and completely ours. It's very rare you see something truly original in sports these days and I think that's a large part of why we've had such a positive reaction from fans and such rapid growth. How did Karate Combat come about? I've been in karate all my life and I was on the Hungarian national team for many years, until my retirement from competition. I reached the top level in karate, but I was always conscious of the fact that as a karateka, you had no way to compete professionally unless you went to fight in a different sport like kickboxing or MMA. It always seemed strange to me, because statistically, karate is the world's most widely-practiced martial art; there's such a deep talent pool. Another thing I was aware of was that most casual fight fans don't love the grappling and clinching aspects of MMA and Muay Thai; it's quite boring to watch unless you have a fairly large degree of technical knowledge to understand what you're watching. On the other hand, one of the things I love about karate is the emphasis on timing and precision, getting in to land that perfect strike, and then getting out intact. I always thought it had the potential to be a very fan-friendly professional sport, so long as the fights were full contact and the rules were well-designed. By chance, that had also been noticed by some Wall Street investors. They had started looking into the fight-sport industry after seeing how the UFC had grown into one of the world's most valuable sports franchises. They saw this enormous martial art which was a household name all over the world yet didn't have a professional league. It was sort of a perfect storm: our paths crossed, and we found we had both been thinking about the same thing but from opposite directions. So between us, we were on the same page. We felt the three 'classic' combat sports - boxing, kickboxing, and MMA - left a large audience unserved. We began designing a new league, which eventually took shape as Karate Combat. What we've done is add a fourth pillar to the combat sports pantheon. Now, if you're a karateka or a traditional martial artist who has the desire and ability to turn professional, you don't have to go into kickboxing or MMA. You have a home here. And if you're a sports fan, Karate Combat is where you can see a whole new world of martial artists in full-contact fights which showcase the best of the art and don't get bogged down in grappling or clinching.

It's been reported that Nikolai Baranov, one of the last great sambo champions of the old Soviet Union where the sport was founded, passed away last week. Baranov, a two-time world champion, had been variously reported as being 70 or 71-years-old. From Nizhny Novgorod in Western Russia, Baranov began training in sambo as a teenager. Known for his groundwork, particularly his leg locks which earned him the nickname "Mr. Painful," Baranov won the world championships at 74 kg in 1979 and 1983. He also won the World Cup in 1980, as well European and Soviet national championships. Baranov would go on to become a successful coach counting among his students three world champions along with UFC 6 tournament winner Oleg Taktarov.

History has a flow; some characters are caught in the currents and carried along, while others fall into an eddy and are soon forgotten. Most karateka will recognize names like Gichin Funakoshi and Choki Motobu. Far fewer know anything about Yasuhiro Konishi — even though he was a pivotal figure in the development of karate in Japan and its evolution as a budo. Konishi (1893-1983) began training in the Muso Ryu of jujitsu at age 6. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Takeuchi Ryu, another school of jujitsu. Seven years later, he began training in kendo. He attended Keio University and became the university club's kendo coach. Konishi was a person who was utterly occupied by budo. One of the kendoka attending Keio University at the same time was Tsuneshige Arakaki, an Okinawan. At a party, he demonstrated a karate kata. Konishi was instantly intrigued. He began learning the art from Arakaki. After graduating , Konishi worked for a company for a short time, but in 1923, he opened his own dojo, called the Ryobu-Kan. There, he taught kendo and judo — and continued to learn karate. This was a fertile period for karate in Japan. In 1922 Funakoshi demonstrated the art at judo's Kodokan, which attracted considerable attention. In 1924 Funakoshi approached Konishi and asked about renting space in the Ryobu-Kan for training. At the same time, two other Okinawan karate experts, Motobu and Kenwa Mabuni, also came to the Ryobu-Kan, using it for their own training. Meanwhile, Konishi pursued his kendo practice, learning under Nakayama Hakudo, one of the luminaries in the sword art. Simultaneously, he worked with aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, who encouraged him to create a karate kata that emphasized a formal system of footwork. Think about it: The most famous and accomplished martial artists in early 20th-century Japan were either training or teaching at Konishi's dojo — or they were tutoring him. It's fascinating to think about the energy and talent that existed in that small space. Additionally, in the early 1930s, boxer Tsuneo "Piston" Horiguchi came to Konishi to improve his skills. That same year, he won the featherweight boxing championship of Japan. One of Konishi's more interesting contributions to karate's early development had to do with the establishment of the art as a real form of combat. This was a period when karate schools were being encouraged by the Japanese government to formalize their organizations. Karate in Okinawa had always been taught in a very informal manner. The Japanese wanted names and specific curricula to keep things in order. Given the rising militarism and government control in Japan, the urge was to codify everything. In response, Konishi chose the name Shindo Jinen Ryu for his system. Characters for the second word are more commonly pronounced shizen, or "natural." Shindo refers to the "divine path" and was a clever choice by Konishi. Many schools of swordsmanship used this term in their names; it suggests a divine inspiration for the founding of the school and connects it with Shinto. By using it, Konishi implicitly linked his karate with ancient Japanese traditions, making it seem more familiar and worthy of respect. Konishi was also instrumental in gaining official recognition of karate within the influential Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. Using his position as a senior kendo instructor, he convinced the leaders of the Butoku Kai, who controlled all the modern budo in Japan, to include karate in their sponsorship. He was the first karateka to receive, in 1935, a title as a Butoku Kai ranked teacher. Despite the fact that Funakoshi, Mabuni and Motobu were his teachers, they would not receive this title until six years later. One of Konishi's more interesting contributions to karate's early development had to do with the establishment of the art as a real form of combat. Remember: There were hundreds of jujitsu schools all over Japan during the '20s and '30s. They fought among themselves, mostly to establish which school was the "best." Challenges were common and the competition fierce. So you can imagine how these schools reacted to a completely new fighting art coming onto the scene and trying to make a name for itself. When Funakoshi began publicly teaching karate, those challenges were numerous — and serious. Here's how it worked: You came to the dojo and requested a challenge. You would then face a senior student. Beat him and you had the right to face the teacher. Beat the teacher and you took the dojo sign as a trophy. Fortunately for Funakoshi, he had Yasuhiro Konishi and another senior student named Hidenori Otsuka, both of whom were eager to face these challengers. That they were successful did as much to solidify karate's reputation as its official recognition by the Butoku Kai. Finally , Konishi made a less dramatic but equally important contribution. He was an adherent of sekkotsu, a practice similar to chiropractic. He also had a thriving real-estate business. These afforded him the funding to keep up his dojo as a gathering spot for martial artists, and they allowed him to sponsor karate teachers. Motobu, for instance, had little money and did not speak Japanese well. It was Konishi who provided the funds for Motobu to stay in Japan and teach. After he died in 1983, Konishi's son took over the Ryobu-Kan. It remains a small but energetic karate system in Japan and has practitioners and teachers throughout the world. It's useful to look back at what Konishi did and how he did it. He was an accomplished fighter, a successful entrepreneur and a respected senior in the budo community. He's not as famous as other Japanese karateka, but he is a good model for those who want to pursue karate today. Dave Lowry has written Karate Way since 1986. For more information about his articles and books, visit blackbeltmag.com and type his name into the search box.

Every martial artist remembers a time when they witnessed a kick so masterful that it inspired them to train even more. Whether it was a famous martial artist, someone on TV, or at your local dojo, mastering difficult kicks that you saw someone else perform first have kept martial artists focused and goal-oriented for as long as martial arts have been around. We are listing the most difficult common kicks in martial arts, along with their challenges and techniques. How many have you mastered? Check out our list below. Start practicing your kicks now for free on Black Belt+. Spinning Hook Kick: The spinning hook kick requires excellent timing, balance, and coordination. It involves spinning 360 degrees while executing a hook kick with the rear leg. The challenge lies in maintaining control during the spin and accurately striking the target with the kicking leg. Proper hip rotation and precise timing are essential to generate power and accuracy. Flying Side Kick: The flying side kick is a spectacular and challenging technique that requires exceptional athleticism and coordination. It involves jumping into the air and extending the leg sideways to deliver a powerful kick. The difficulty lies in maintaining balance and control while airborne and accurately striking the target with speed and force. Axe Kick: The axe kick is a high-risk, high-reward technique commonly used in taekwondo. It involves raising the leg high in the air and driving the heel downward to strike the target vertically. This kick requires extreme flexibility, balance, and precise timing to generate maximum impact and avoid injury. Crescent Kick: The crescent kick is a versatile and difficult technique seen in various martial arts styles. It involves a sweeping motion of the leg in an arcing trajectory to strike the target with the blade of the foot. The challenge lies in maintaining balance and control while executing the circular motion and accurately hitting the desired target. 540 Kick: The 540 kick is an advanced spinning kick that requires exceptional athleticism, agility, and timing. It involves a 540-degree spin in the air while executing a mid-air kick with the kicking leg. This kick demands a combination of precise footwork, body control, and aerial awareness to execute effectively. Jumping Roundhouse Kick: The jumping roundhouse kick combines power, speed, and agility. It involves jumping off one leg and executing a roundhouse kick in mid-air with the other leg. The difficulty lies in coordinating the jumping motion, maintaining balance, and generating power while airborne. Switch Kick: The switch kick, also known as the switch roundhouse kick, is a deceptive technique used to surprise opponents. It involves quickly switching the stance and kicking with the rear leg. The challenge lies in seamlessly transitioning from one stance to another while maintaining balance and speed, making it difficult for the opponent to anticipate the kick. Flying Scissor Kick: The flying scissor kick is a dynamic and acrobatic technique commonly used in martial arts demonstrations. It involves leaping into the air, extending both legs in a scissor-like motion, and striking the target with one leg. This kick requires tremendous coordination, timing, and flexibility. Spinning Crescent Kick: The spinning crescent kick combines the spinning and crescent kick techniques. It involves rotating the body while executing a crescent kick with the rear leg. The difficulty lies in maintaining balance during the spin and precisely striking the target with the blade of the foot. Jumping Back Kick: The jumping back kick is a powerful technique that requires explosive force and accuracy. It involves jumping backwards and striking the target with the heel of the kicking leg. This kick demands excellent timing, coordination, and control to generate sufficient power and hit the target effectively. Did we miss any? Mastering these can take years of practice, flexibility training, and technique. Remember, it's important (and usually more efficient) to learn these kicks under the guidance of a qualified instructor to ensure proper form, prevent injuries, and progress safely. Black Belt+ is the biggest martial arts digital platform in history. From its rich history spanning over 60 years, the platform includes thousands of remastered instructional videos, martial arts movies, documentaries, and, of course, digital issues and articles from the iconic Black Belt Magazine .

Are you prepared to compete with the best of the best in Karate? Sport Karate competitions provide participants a chance to demonstrate their skills, push themselves, and become a champion. However, it's crucial to understand what it takes to win in these high-stakes contests before you go onto the mat. Priorities: Establish some goals Having a clear understanding of your goals is essential before you even begin practicing for a Sport Karate competition. Do you wish to return home with a bright medal? Break your own record? Or perhaps you just want to know how you compare to the opposition? One of the top competitors from Sport Karate history, Matt Emig, mentioned his unique perspective on competition in his interview on The Jackson Rudolph Podcast. For him, competition wasn’t always about targeting the approach which would be most impressive to the judges, it was sometimes more about seizing improvised opportunities on stage and obtaining new levels of overall performance. Whatever your objectives, be sure they are time-bound, relevant, quantifiable, and explicit (folks in the business world know this as “SMART”, for short). This will assist you in maintaining your training-related motivation and attention. Choose Your Battles and the Appropriate Rivalry It's time to pick a competition that supports your objectives once you've set them. Do your homework before selecting a Sport Karate competition since not all of them are made equal. Take into account the logistics, including the venue, transportation, and lodging, as well as the format, regulations, and degree of competition. And don't be scared to set your goals on a significant, prominent event because you never know what you could accomplish if you do. Train Like a Champion: Be Consistent You must train persistently and shrewdly if you want to win a Sport Karate tournament. This calls for a comprehensive training plan that incorporates technical instruction, overall strategy, sparring and/or forms drilling, and physical fitness. Address your flaws while concentrating on your strengths. To keep your body and mind on their toes, switch things up. Don't overlook the value of rest and recuperation though; if you want to perform at your peak, your muscles need time to repair and regenerate. Fuel Your Fire: Diet and Hydration Are Important Sport Karate competitions are about bringing your best performance, which depends on proper diet and hydration. To feed your body and aid in muscle regeneration, make sure you are consuming enough of the proper nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Don't forget to drink enough water, as this is essential for sustaining both physical and mental function and regulating body temperature. Don't undervalue the power of sleep while we're talking about recuperation. In the days before the competition, make sure you get plenty of sleep to make sure you are well-rested and prepared to rock. Mind Over Matter: Manage Your Stress and Emotions Sport Karate event competition may be stressful, especially if you are under pressure to do well. It's crucial to control your tension and emotions so they don't hinder you. Finding strategies to stay focused and optimistic, as well as using relaxation techniques like deep breathing, are some ways to handle stress. Understanding the competition's rules and structure will also enable you to prepare tactically and control your tension. Make sure you are prepared for the event day, and think about participating in a nearby competition or viewing internet recordings to acquire a sense of the competition setting and observe how other competitors do. The Early Bird Gets the Golden Worm: Arrive on Time and WarmUp. I’ll keep this tip short; enhance your mobility, loosen up your muscles, and psychologically prepare for the competition with the aid of a decent warm-up. Your body will thank you, and so will your competition score. Karate Karma: Focus and Be Upbeat It's critical to maintain positivity and focus during the tournament, no matter what transpires. You can maintain the present moment and provide your best effort if you do this. Never lose faith in your skills or training, and try not to allow failures or defeats get you down. Instead, consider them as chances for development and improvement. Loses provide lessons, so long as you are willing to capture them. Mind Over Matter: Management of Your Stress and Emotions Sport Karate competitions may be nerve-wracking, especially if you are under pressure to do well. To avoid being held back, it's critical to control your tension and emotions. Using relaxation methods, such deep breathing exercises or meditation, and finding strategies to maintain concentration and optimism are some approaches to handle stress. You can control tension and make a smart preparation plan by being familiar with the competition's rules and structure. A local competition or internet recordings can help you get a sense of the competition atmosphere and how other practitioners fare. Make sure you are aware of what to anticipate on the day of the event. Leading Sport Karate Leagues and Groups If you want to get involved in the world of Sport Karate competition, you need to learn about the best leagues and groups that put on competitions. Here are a few of the great ones to follow: WKF, or the World Karate Federation. The WKF, the biggest and most prominent worldwide Karate organization, organizes a number of competitions and events every year. The WKF offers events for Karate practitioners of various skill levels, including the World Karate Championships and the Karate 1 Premier League. USKA,or the United States Karate Alliance. The USKA, a prominent Karate association in the country, organizes a variety of competitions and events every year. The USKA offers several chances for Karate practitioners to compete and display their abilities, from the USKA National Championships to the USKA World Cup. ISKA, or the International Sport Karate Association. The ISKA is a worldwide organization that sponsors a variety of competitions and events for Karateka of all levels. The ISKA offers a range of competition possibilities for Karate practitioners, from the ISKA World Championships to the ISKA National Open. Practical Suggestions for Competitors Here are a few quick helpful suggestions for you in addition to the previous advice and tactics: ● Keep your training consistent. Keep to your training and have faith in your talents. ● Take losses or defeats gracefully - Try not to lose heart if things don't turn out the wayyou expected. Instead, concentrate on the lessons you can take away from yourmistakes and see failures as chances for development. ● Finding the right balance between fun and seriousness is important. Sport Karatetournaments might be tough, but that doesn't mean you can't have a good time. Strive to strike a balance between taking the event seriously and having fun.ConclusionSport Karate tournaments are a terrific chance to put your abilities to the test, push your limitations, and challenge yourself. You can position yourself for success and have a meaningful and joyful experience by creating SMART objectives, choosing the correct competition, training consistently and wisely, managing stress and emotions, and being focused and happy.Don't be hesitant to participate in Sport Karate events, regardless of your skill level. You never know what you could accomplish! Conclusion Sport Karate tournaments are a terrific chance to put your abilities to the test, push your limitations, and challenge yourself. You can position yourself for success and have a meaningful and joyful experience by creating SMART objectives, choosing the correct competition, training consistently and wisely, managing stress and emotions, and being focused and happy.Don't be hesitant to participate in Sport Karate events, regardless of your skill level. You never know what you could accomplish!

If your mind is the captain, your body is the airplane. Educating the pilot and training them to fly during emergencies and make the correct decisions under stress is the most important job that any airline or Air Force flight school can do. As with driving, most airplane crashes and accidents that occur are due to human (pilot) error rather than mechanical failure. It's easy to be happy when you are healthy and successful. But how do you respond in times of trouble? How do you deal with disappointment, failure and defeats? Though we (the writers) originally came from the world of martial arts, training of military units/special forces and dealing with violence and combat, we also have academic backgrounds and like you, we live in a world where not every confrontation is violent or physical. Every confrontation has mental components. Every day, throughout the day, we have lots of these small and stressful nonphysical conflicts, from those annoying ones with the mother in-low who invited the family to dinner on a busy night, to the neighbor who's blocking our car in for the third time this week, to the boss who is either openly hostile, or, on the other end of the spectrum, entirely too amorous. To withstand any kind of conflict, you need mental resources. We all know that to win a street fight, overcome a criminal has who invaded our home, be victorious in the battlefield, or just finish a strenuous training session or competition one must call upon mental capabilities like perseverance, controlled aggression, determination, courage and focus. Giving up is definitely not an option. Those capabilities are in addition, or even the base of, the physical and technical components that should be used to prevail those ordeals. So in the daily life of a modern human, it is important for you to train your mind so you'll be able to function at your peak during a meeting with your employees, a family gathering with people who may criticize your thoughts and way of life, or (if you are a student) during stressful exams. Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I controlling my mind or does it control me?" This is an excellent question to ask yourself when you find yourself with sweaty palms, a racing heard, and legs twitching nonstop. You've probably felt some of these side effects of nervous energy at one point in your life, whether it was before a big competition, during your presentation at an important company meeting, or when you stepped up to ask that special someone to prom. Trying to control your mind probably felt like trying to reign in the prize bull at a Texas rodeo. What can you do about this wild mind? There are three pillars of mental training that we teach special forces, LEOs, corporate managers, KMG trainees and warriors. These are the same as those we should teach also martial artists, and students of all ages. They are: Combat Mindset – Developing courage, determination, and controlled aggression and enthusiasm alike. Focus and Concertation – Recruiting and channeling all the mental (and physical) resources to do the mission. The mission can be staying still and paying attention to breathing, or dealing with multiple attackers while defending the self and others. Relaxation and Defusing of Destructive Emotions – Examples of destructive emotions are fear, frustration, anger, anxiety, and hate. Instead, focus on relaxing the muscles and mind. It's simple (analogical to training techniques in martial arts or realistic self-defense system like Krav Maga): You need to get the tools and knowledge for taming and harnessing the wild mind. Then, through a specific mental training regime, you'll be able to perform much better during all missions, jobs and duties. Eventually, after much training, you'll reach a point where these things will be done effortlessly, with the best possible self-control and maximum attention, while applying the needed mental resources with minimal stress and exertion. This blog and pictures are taken from the newly published book"Combat Mindset and Fighting Stress" About the authors: Master Eyal Yanilov Eyal Yanilov has been teaching and training Krav Maga for over 45 years. For 20 years he was the closest assistant and right hand of Imi Sde-Or (Lichtenfeld), the founder of Krav Maga. Since 1984, Eyal has developed and turned Krav Maga into an integrated technical and tactical system, and prepared its modern curriculum. Eyal educated the first generation of KM instructors throughout the world, including in the USA, and has been the driving force behind the dissemination of Krav Maga in the world. Master Yanilov is the Head Instructor and President of Krav Maga Global (KMG), active in over 60 countries. Eyal was educated as an Electrical Engineer. Ole Boe, Ph.D. Ole was responsible for developing the Norwegian Military Academy's concept of stress management, preparing officers both physically and mentally for combat. Ole holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology and serves as a University Professor in Oslo. Ole became a Krav Maga instructor under Eyal Yanilov in 1998. He is currently an Expert Level 3 and a member of KMG´s International Team. KMG, or Krav Maga Global, is the leading provider of training in Krav Maga, fighting skills and 3rd-party protection. KMG's way is an integrated system of mental, technical, tactical-strategical and physical preparation of avoiding, preventing, de-escalating and dealing with both violent and non-violent conflicts.

Martial arts may have roots in Asia, but that does not mean it has stagnated. In recent years, a revolution has been brewing across the continent with a new wave of exceptional talent thanks to the growth of mixed martial arts. And women have played an enormous role in that growth. With two global promotions dedicated to elevating the sport and its female athletes, fans have been treated to their inspiring performances. The impact of which has reverberated across borders. These are five incredible female martial artists who have helped the martial arts revolution grow across Asia. Angela Lee The ONE Atomweight World Champion has been a beacon for the next generation of women martial artists since arriving in ONE Championship. And she has exemplified her nickname, “Unstoppable,” in the atomweight division to spark excitement since her professional debut. Lee has repped her multicultural heritage since her debut in 2015 as a teen upstart. After a 5-0 start to her career, she defeated veteran Mei Yamaguchi to win the inaugural ONE Atomweight World Title, and she has never let it go since. But her story is an inspiration in and outside of ONE’s Circle. She has overcome pneumonia, a car crash, and most recently returned less than a year after giving birth to her daughter to successfully defend her title against Stamp Fairtex. Lee has been an example to follow for Asian mixed martial artists. She has dedicated herself to improving each day, overcoming the most difficult of obstacles, and continues to display the martial arts spirit that makes her the best atomweight on the planet. Zhang Weili 34-year-old Zhang Weili has been carrying the banner for China. She became the first-ever Chinese UFC World Champion in 2019 when she won the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. Her exciting style has endeared her to fans around the world, but the impact in China has been immeasurable. As the nation’s first UFC champion, her place in history is assured. She instantly became one of the poster women for the sport in her country. In the following years, more athletes from the country, both men and women, have ascended toward the top following her lead. Now that she has reclaimed the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship, Zhang continues to be an icon of MMA in China. Stamp Fairtex MMA luminary Rich Franklin discovered Stamp Fairtex while he was in Thailand, scouting other talents. The sound of her kicks crashing into bags captivated his attention, and ever since, she has captivated fans in much the same way. When Stamp first arrived, it was in the Muay Thai and kickboxing ranks. She quickly won titles in both sports. She could have remained there and been a long-standing fixture in the striking arena. However, she expressed interest in becoming a three-sport World Champion and conquering the MMA world. While many may have seen her signature “Stamp Dance” and claimed it was all a show, her progression and results soon silenced those doubters. Stamp has become a threat no matter where the action takes place and has shown it against the world’s most challenging opposition. Stamp is becoming one of the biggest stars in all of martial arts. Her captivating charisma and bubbly personality are fused with her mesmerizing brutality inside the Circle. Her impact is being felt in real-time, and she’ll try a second time to claim MMA gold on Friday, September 29, at ONE Fight Night 14 . Xiong Jing Nan Zhang is not the only Chinese athlete who has been elevating the sport in the country. The first-ever Chinese MMA World Champion, “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan, continues to shine on the global stage. The ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion has maintained her stranglehold over the division since assuming the post in 2018. She has taken on all challenges, including thwarting Angela Lee’s chances to become a two-division champion on two separate occasions. “The Panda” continues to accept challenges from all areas. At ONE Fight Night 14, Xiong will battle Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak in a special rules striking matchup in four-ounce gloves to showcase her powerful boxing skills. Xiong was the first to bring back gold to her country. She has been the standard and helped spark the sport’s tremendous growth in China. Her legacy is still being written but will show her incredible impact through future generations. Ham Seo Hee Ham Seo Hee has been an unsung hero in the sport, but her influence should not be forgotten. Ham made her professional debut in 2007 and competed in DEEP, Smackgirl, and Jewels. She even competed against Megumi Fujii, a pioneer of women’s MMA, early in her career. But her biggest influence did not begin until she returned to the Asian scene in 2017. After a few years of competing above her natural weight, Ham put together a six-bout winning streak at atomweight before joining ONE. That streak has not stopped since joining the world’s largest martial arts company, as she has picked up three wins and become a top contender in the division. The South Korean will meet Stamp for the ONE Interim Atomweight World Title at ONE Fight Night 14. A victory would be the culmination of her tireless work over the years and be the crowning achievement of a veteran who has helped grow the revolution in Asia.

Sandbagger. Every gym has at least one. I’m sure you think of a particular person in your gym when the word is mentioned. The term is used a lot in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, especially among competitors. It’s also not likely to be used as a compliment. It gets thrown around here and there, even when it doesn’t necessarily apply. What Does Sandbagging Mean? What exactly is a sandbagger? Why is it generally a bad thing to be one? How do people get labeled as a sandbagger? These are all questions that can arise from people who are new to the jiu-jitsu scene, and it’s time everyone got a solid definition of what the word really means. “Sandbagging” and “sandbagger” are terms used to describe someone who is sitting at the same belt level for a significant period of time. They also can refer to someone who is held back from a promotion despite winning tournaments that prove the person is ready for the next belt. How Does Sandbagging Happen? It can happen for several reasons. In fact, there are so many that no one could tell you all of them. It’s important to realize that a BJJ promotion occurs only when your professor or coach decides you’re ready for your next belt, and different coaches conduct their promotions in different ways. In BJJ, there is no worldwide standard for promotions. Your jiu-jitsu lineage makes a big difference, and often you get promoted differently if you’re a competitor or a recreational practitioner. Additionally, some gyms promote students based on attendance, some based on improvement and attitude, and others based on the amount of time students have had their belt. Sandbagging … The Coach’s Choice It’s necessary to keep in mind that teammates and competitors can’t just choose which belt to wear, so they should not be picked on or criticised if they’ve had their belt longer than what you think is appropriate. Ultimately, it’s the coach’s decision. Thirty or more years ago in some lineages, if a student asked for a belt, it was common for the teacher to hold back the student an additional two years just for asking. Today, it is still uncouth to ask to be promoted, and many coaches will hold you back longer for it. Sandbagging Is Not Always Bad That said, sometimes holding back a student from a promotion can be necessary. The student might have stopped training at some point due to injury, work or another life event. Or the person could be stuck at the same belt because of age. A good example of this is AOJ’s Cole Abate. There’s no doubt the 17-year-old prodigy has made quite a name for himself. Beating high-level black belts while still a blue belt can stir up a lot of drama in the jiu-jitsu world. Many call Cole Abate a sandbagger and unfairly judge the decision of Prof. Guilherme Mendes and Prof. Rafael Mendes — aka the Mendes brothers — to keep him at the same belt. These people fail to consider that if his teachers were to promote Cole Abate to purple belt, he would no longer be allowed to compete through the IBJJF because there is no juvenile purple-belt division. Is it fair for them to take away more opportunities for Cole Abate at such a young age strictly because he’s proved that he’s better than so many people? Not at all. As previously mentioned, this is a perfect example of how sandbagging can be appropriate. The Same Jiu-Jitsu Journey The beauty of BJJ is that everyone is on the same journey. However, we’re all taking different roads. Some people might take longer, while others might follow a shorter path. In the end, everyone deserves the privilege of enjoying their journey to wherever their path leads. Support one another, and don’t be quick to judge if someone is taking longer than you are. Your road may be shorter, but that doesn’t make you any better than anyone else.

Whether it was Marcia Brady on The Brady Bunch taking Karate or Laurie Partridge taking Judo on The Partridge Family you couldn't help but notice that martial arts were becoming more popular. Without mentioning the most often talked about film of the era…yes, that one, I was hoping to throw some light on movies that I have always found interesting and often overlooked. Here are some films that you may want to check out if you have an urge for bell-bottoms, silk shirts open to the waist, and some vintage action. Here are some great martial arts movies. The Killer Elite [1975] With secret agents, Ninjas, and plenty of gunplay, The Killer Elite is an action film that satisfies fans of the genre. Released in 1975, starring James Caan, Robert Duvall, and directed by a giant of action cinema and an artist of on-screen violence, Sam Peckinpah, The Killer Elite is a neglected action film classic. Caan and Duvall work as quasi-spies for a CIA-affiliated company. Caan is betrayed by Duvall who strategically injures Caan to force him to "retire." Caan embarks on the long road of recovery and ultimately seeks revenge. Shot in and around San Francisco there is some great cinematography plus it has both Mako and Tak Kubota in supporting roles. The climactic slow-motion Ninja battle aboard a mothballed warship is definitely worth seeing. It should be noted that James Caan is a legit Karate black belt and his work with the cane in the movie is an interesting twist. This is a great martial arts movie Great Martial Arts Movies: Billy Jack [1971] Tom Laughlin wrote, directed, and starred in this action-packed socially conscious martial arts film that is truly unique. Oh, and he did it on a shoe-string budget. While The Killer Elite featured Ninjas and Japanese martial arts, the hero Billy Jack doles out justice via Hapkido. The character Billy Jack first appeared in the film Born Losers (1967) and then subsequently in Billy Jack (1971). There are two other films in the series: The Trial of Billy Jack (1974), and Billy Jack Goes to Washington (1977). In the cannon of martial arts films, especially of the era, I believe Billy Jack deserves more recognition as does Tom Laughlin. Check out the fight scene in the park, a classic. Budo: The Art of Killing [1979] When I first heard about the documentary Budo, I was expecting to see secretly filmed deathmatches or something akin to a grainy Bloodsport Kumite. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was an entertaining presentation of many of the major Japanese martial arts: Judo, Karate, Sumo, Aikido, and more. The film spends a few minutes on each martial art providing some background and featuring footage of students training. I still find it fascinating to watch and I think you will too. Many of the mainstream action films of the decade had elements of Karate, Judo, and Kung Fu. The Mechanic (1972), for example, has a signature scene where star Charles Bronson takes his protégé, Jan-Michael Vincent, to his Karate class. They watch a duel as Bronson's teacher, the legendary Tak Kubota, dismantles a towering upstart. Although there is little empty hand combat in the film, the scene establishes the lethality of Bronson whether he's packing a piece or just staring menacingly while he smokes his pipe. He's calm and confident and why not? Like many 70s film icons, he knows martial arts.

Even as a child, before I studied martial arts, the subject of self-defense would often come up. Granted, it was the late 70s and early 80s, so things were a little different. (Heck, some of us were still eye-balling that book of secrets by Count Dante in the back of our comic books.) However, when people would talk about self-defense it inevitably boiled down to a litany of things in two categories: You should never do this, or you should always do that. The “this” or “that” could be some seemingly innocuous thing that had the potential to result in disastrous consequences. For example, I remember a friend of the family saying, “Never stand with your back knee locked out. Otherwise, if you are attacked and someone kicks your knee, it can bust out the back of your leg.” (gulp) Good to know, even if I was seven. I suspect the advice came from a relatively unique experience that they had or heard about, but it was just one of many “nuggets” of self-defense that was posited in my brain and has stayed there over the decades. After I was a victim of violent crime, I became quite a bit more interested in self-defense and wanted to learn how to protect myself with real knowledge beyond some anecdotal asides and odd advice. Interestingly, after I started studying, I learned rather quickly that every other style, except whatever I was studying at the moment, was “real self-defense,” at least that is what everyone said. For this reason, I would like to stay from which style is best and focus on some universal principles that apply to everyone. Self-Defense A self-defense encounter is different than a fight. I regard a self-defense situation as being a life-threatening experience that cannot be avoided. Whereas, a fight may sometimes be a preventable altercation, and as such, should be treated differently. In fact, self-defense confrontations can be very different. The experience that brought me into martial arts involved three attackers with a knife. A tough situation for anyone, regardless of what martial art they study. Add to that the nature of surprise, and speed, and you have a very arduous confrontation. I’ve heard people say that they will do this , because the attacker will do that , and I usually like to question them: how do you know that that’s what the attacker will do? While it may be tempting to teach and learn with such absolutes, they have no application in the real world. Ultimately, you don’t know what someone may do and I think it is dangerous to assume so. As a rule, I think it is important to keep self-defense training rooted in fundamentals with applications to a variety of circumstances. It is better to have one or two techniques that you can apply to hundreds of situations than a bunch of specific techniques. Keep your training real. Always Below, I’ve taken the always and never categories and included ideas that I believe are useful. (For one thing, you can stand any way you want.) Always accept the random nature of self-defense situations and don’t assume you know what will happen or when. Always train in a martial art that you are confident will supply the proper tools to survive a self-defense incident. (And what a resource you have here at Black Belt.) Always seek to have the proper mental attitude regarding self-defense. Seek a calm mind, and an even temper, and avoid situations that put you at risk. Always train with the assumption that life is not like a movie. While self-defense techniques may work great in the school, when applied in real life, they are messy, and some may not work. May not work? Yes, and so you have to train your mind to move on from plan A to plan B, C, D, etc. Never What are the don’ts? What should you never do? Here are some things that I think should be avoided. Never put faith in a weapon. Weapons can be taken from you, or for some reason be unavailable (can’t get to it) or even fail (doesn’t work on the attacker as intended). A weapon shouldn’t be the only tool you have. Train yourself. Depend on you. Never underestimate your opponent. This one is timeless and yet bears repeating. Never assume there is just one attacker. Never forget that survival means surviving. That could mean getting away as much as vanquishing your assailant. If you can get away, do that. Never stop training your mind and body. Learning a few techniques from a one-day or even a weekend course is no substitute for a deeper level of training over time. The acquired skills and intangible benefits gained from training for a long period exist beyond self-defense and are great for personal development and peace of mind. In the context of a physical attack, there are so many variables that it is impossible to list them all and prepare. That means that a much more concept-oriented approach will work best. Many martial arts are very good for self-defense, but like a gladiator in the arena, they are essentially just the weapon you choose, and ultimately you are the warrior.

Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris are the most renowned martial artists in history. Both Lee and Norris profoundly impacted the martial arts community and inspired many to pursue their passion for martial arts. The comparison between the two icons is perhaps inevitable as both have crossed paths training with each other and becoming friends. However, despite Lee’s and Norris's impressive martial arts portfolio, their mastery of various styles is what sets them apart. Because of this, it leaves people wondering who would win in a real live fight: Bruce Lee vs Chuck Norris? Bruce Lee Bruce Lee's legacy began with popularising action-packed martial arts. As an individual who dared to master multiple martial art styles, Lee inspired many to go beyond the confines of traditional martial arts styles and experiment with new methods. This led to the unique and powerful martial arts philosophy and technique, Jeet Kune Do. He trained his body with strength but, more importantly, his mind and reflexes. Lee learned Boxing Lee fought in a public boxing tournament for the first time when he was a teenager in high school in Hong Kong. He took many lessons to learn western style boxing to be a competitor. His school held tournaments every year. And in his first year, he beat the previous year’s champion, Gary Elms, in the finals and took the title. Before boxing lessons, Bruce knew Wing Chung kung fu. Wong Shun Leung, who taught Bruce kung fu along with IP Man, helped Bruce adapt his Wing Chun kung fu to Western boxing rules. But Lee’s punching speed and unique strikes were enough to throw Gary off his game. According to spectators, Elms took a beating like Rocky and refused to stay down, which kept the fight going for multiple rounds till the end. But since he was knocked down so many times, Lee had enough points to be declared the winner by decision. Bruce Lee's victory over Gary Elms was the first and last time he participated in a competitive event. And it's not clear why Bruce never competed again. Lee was a Street Fighter While growing up in Hong Kong, Lee had a lot of experience with real fights and often got into street fights. He started doing martial arts at 15 to better his skills on the streets. His Wing Chun masters were always trying to hone his skills for good. This made Bruce more comfortable fighting without rules and regulations. He was more comfortable with real-life fighting than the competition for wins and glory, which explains Jeet Kung Do. Chuck Norris After high school, Chuck joined the Air Force and was stationed in Korea. During his time in Korea, he began studying the Tang Soo Do. After returning to the States, he worked for Northrop Aviation and taught karate classes. Two years later, he taught karate full-time and ran several martial arts schools. Chuck Retired Undefeated Norris's fighting career lasted from 1964 to 1974. He lost his first three tournaments. But after that, he did not lose. He won the National Karate Championships and the All-Star Championship in 1966. He was the World Middleweight Karate Champion and All-American Karate Champion in 1967. And in 1968, he was the World Professional Middleweight Karate Champion. He retired as the undefeated Professional Full-Contact Middleweight Champion in 1974. Chuck Norris is a renowned black belt with years of martial arts titles. Norris pioneered the full-contact karate scene in the USA and numerous action-hero movies. In addition, he has acquired belts and skills in jiujitsu, judo, and karate. After producing a film with Bruce Lee, Chuck had the vision to develop action movies that started in the 1980s that were very popular. The Result Most people would say Bruce Lee can beat Chuck Norris in a fight because of his speed. But truthfully, speed only determines the fastest sprinter. In the PFL, UFC, and various MMA matches, we have seen that the fastest and strongest fighter does not always win. A great defense knows its opponent's strength and counteracts it with its greatest skill. Chuck fought Joe Lewis 4 times and only lost once. The fights were competition rules, not UFC. Movies have an impact on what we perceive. But we cannot let perception determine the outcome. And as Joe Lewis said, it depends on how you can take a hit that allows you to keep fighting, like Bruce and Gary Elms. Gary got knocked down and right back up. It might have been a closer fight if he had more skills like Bruce.

Chingiz Allazov set the world on fire with his run in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix. Then he shocked the universe with a first-round knockout over Superbon Singha Mawynn to claim the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship. For his first title defense, Allazov will have a chance to erase an earlier loss to Marat Grigorian. The two will meet again when ONE Championship returns to Prime Video on August 4 for ONEFight Night 13. “I’ve become one of the most popular fighters in the world. When I stay in Krabi, [Thailand],many Thai people came to pay respect to me. I have many followers. It’s good, but it hasn’t changed my mentality,” Allazov told ONE. “I knew in my mind I was number one before Superbon. But I was like, ‘Okay, we will do this in the real world and let people see that I am number one." “The next morning [after the win], we had training with my coach. In the first round, I made one mistake. But we saw it, and we went to train the next day. We train every day. I say, ‘Coach, please help me beat my next opponent.’" Their first meeting went to a no-contest due to a cut, but it was Grigorian who got the upper hand in the rematch with a unanimous decision victory. Over nine years later, Allazov gets the rematch he has wanted.“I like this fight. I’ve been waiting for this day. ONE offered me three opponents for my first defense, and I picked Grigorian. We fought 10 years ago. The first time was a no-contest. The second fight, I lost,” Allazov recalled.“After that, me and Marat moved up in the sport. We won tournaments. We won all the events.We won all the fights. I became number one in ONE Championship, the top fighter in my category, and my weight class is the best in the world.” When looking at the matchup with the Armenian, Allazov believes he will have the technical advantage. He views his first challenger as similar to the man he took the belt from and is looking for the same result to happen inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. “For me, Marat is not technical. He is the same as Superbon. He is a strong fighter. He likes togo forward. He’s an aggressive fighter. But he doesn’t have good technique. His real power is closing the distance,” Allazov said. “He likes to box, but I like to box more now. He likes kicks. I like kicking more now. He hasspeed and power. But I fight with my intelligence. I will get the victory.” Although he hopes for an empathic finish, the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion is planning to go five full rounds against Grigorian. If the opportunity presents itself, only then will he seek the knockout blow. “I have many plans – to work my speed, move, and go forward and backward. We have a game plan for this fight. You will see in the fight,” Allazov said. “In my fights, I never plan for a knockout. I fight, and if I see a mistake, I punch. I score a knockout. Maybe Marat will make a mistake, and I can knock him out. But my game plan is not the knockout. My game plan is to fight clever. My mind is ready, and my body is ready.” ONE Fight Night 13 on Prime Video airs live on Friday, August 4, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. U.S.and Canadian Amazon Prime subscribers can watch all of the exciting action for free.