The December 2000 issue of Black Belt Magazine featured legendary tae kwon do Grandmaster Hee Il Cho , founder of the Action International Martial Arts Association (AIMAA), alongside his lifelong student and 9th-degree Grandmaster, Phillip Ameris . Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

The January 1974 cover of Karate Illustrated featured “Super Dan” Anderson , founder of American Freestyle Karate. A four-time national karate champion and world champion, Anderson became a defining figure in the evolution of competitive martial arts. He is also the author of the best-selling American Freestyle Karate: A Guide to Sparring , which has remained in print for over 40 years. Now a 10th Degree Black Belt in karate and a Senior Master in Filipino modern arnis, Anderson was best known for his cool, laid-back approach to point fighting—a style that brought refreshing energy to the national circuit during a time of transition. His influence helped shape a new era of martial arts, blending technical excellence with creative expression. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

The September 1969 issue of Karate Illustrated featured a young Pat Burleson alongside an even younger Pat Johnson—two trailblazers whose influence helped define American martial arts. Burleson opened one of the first karate schools in the United States in 1959, located in Fort Worth, Texas. He later made history by winning the first U.S. Karate Championships in 1964 and held the highest American Taekwondo rank under the legendary Jhoon Rhee, often called the “Father of American Taekwondo.” Standing beside him was Pat Johnson, who would go on to become one of Hollywood’s most respected martial arts stunt coordinators, with iconic credits including Enter the Dragon  and The Karate Kid . Both men remained lifelong martial artists—always training, always teaching, and forever inspiring the generations that followed. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

Tickets for PFL Africa 1 In Cape Town, Now Rescheduled for July 19, Go On Sale at 10:00 AM SAST On Thursday, May 22, as the Continent Prepares to Make MMA History GrandWest Arena Will Make History As The First Venue To Host A Major MMA Event In Africa, As PFL Africa Debuts With 18 Top African Athletes Set To Enter The SmartCage In Addition, 32 Athletes Across Four Divisions Have Been Announced As The Full PFL Africa Roster Has Been Unveiled, Representing 15 Different African Countries MMA Fans Can Purchase Tickets This Thursday From Ticketpro here The Professional Fighters League has announced tickets for its inaugural PFL Africa event in Cape Town go on sale at 10:00am SAST on Thursday, May 22 . Fans can be a part of the historic PFL Africa launch by purchasing their tickets here .Marking a major milestone for the sport, PFL Africa 1 will take place one week earlier than originally announced, on Saturday, July 19 at GrandWest Arena, showcasing Africa’s top fighting talent across Bantamweight and Heavyweight divisions. This landmark event will be the first in the continent hosted by a global MMA organization, with 18 elite African athletes set to compete in high-stakes bouts inside the PFL SmartCage.Headlining the night, South Africa’s own Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) will face Egypt’s rising contender Mahmoud Atef (5-2) in a thrilling Bantamweight Semifinal. In the co-main event, Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1) takes on Ivory Coast’s Mikael Groguhe (6-2) in a battle of heavy-handed finishers.The card will also feature a special Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout with undefeated Nigerian prospect Juliet Ukah (6-0). Her opponent will be announced shortly.The inaugural PFL Africa Tournament will feature eight-man brackets in each weight class, starting with the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. The full tournament schedule and host cities for the semifinals and finals will be announced shortly. In total, 32 fighters representing 15 African nations will compete across the four PFL Africa divisions in 2025, as the league embarks on a continent wide journey to crown the first-ever PFL Africa Champions. The inaugural PFL Africa will also set the scene and precede a PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai card, bringing the world’s best MMA talent to Africa. At the top of the bill will be Johnny "Pressure" Eblen (16-0) who will look to keep his undefeated record intact and his World Championship by his side as he faces Spain's surging Costello "The Spaniard" van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event will be Dakota "Dangerous" Ditcheva (14-0), widely regarded as the best women's pound-for-pound MMA fighter, as she faces off against the elite Hawaiian, Sumiko "Lady Samurai" Inaba (8-1) in the penultimate bout of the evening. Additional Champions Series bouts will be announced shortly. The full fight card for the inaugural PFL Africa 1 event on July 19 is as follows: Updated PFL Africa 1 Card: SuperSport (Africa - English) | Canal+ (Africa - French) DAZN (France, UK & Ireland) Saturday, July 19 Bantamweight First Round Main Event: Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) vs. Mahmoud Atef (5-2) Heavyweight First Round Co-Main Event: Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1) vs. Mikael Groguhe (6-2) Bantamweight First Round Bout : Shannon Van Tonder (7-2) vs. Boule Godogo (3-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout : Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) vs. Justin Clarke (2-0) Bantamweight First Round Bout: Antero Dos Santos (5-0) vs. Karim Henniene (4-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout: Abdoullah Kane (3-0) vs. Mohammed Ben Yahia (9-4) Bantamweight First Round Bout: Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) vs. Alain Majorique (5-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout: Badredinne Medkouri (7-2) vs. TBD Showcase Women’s Strawweight Bout: Juliet Ukah (6-0) vs. TBD Updated PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai Card: Middleweight World Championship Main Event: Johnny Eblen (16-0) vs. Costello Van Steenis (16-3) Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) vs. Sumiko Inaba (8-1)

Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight & Middleweight World Tournament Semifinals Set  Undefeated Biaggio Ali Walsh Returns to Action The Professional Fighters League today announced a stacked fight card set for Wintrust Arena in Chicago on June 27, headlined by the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight and Middleweight 2025 PFL World Tournament Semifinals and a high-stakes Bantamweight showdown between former teammates and Bellator Champions Sergio Pettis (23-7) and Raufeon Stots (21-2). A Middleweight Semifinal between Fabian Edwards (14-4) and Josh Silveira (14-4) will headline the event, with Light Heavyweights Phil Davis (25-7) and Sullivan Cauley (7-1) clashing in the co-main. The first Middleweight Semifinal features a rematch between Aaron Jeffery (16-5) and Dalton Rosta (10-1), while Antonio Carlos Jr. (17-6) faces England’s Simeon Powell (11-1) in the second 205-pound Semifinal. Rounding out the 2025 PFL World Tournament Semifinal action on June 27 are the Heavyweights, as Valentin Moldavsky (14-4) meets Alexander Romanov (19-3), and Oleg Popov (20-2) squares off against Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3). In addition to all of these must-see, high-stakes bouts, the event will also feature the return of Chicago-born Biaggio Ali Walsh (2-0), who returns to face fellow hometown prospect Ronnie Gibbs (1-0) in a battle of undefeated Lightweights, with local pride and perfect records at stake. Alongside the Semifinals and showcase bouts, three alternate bouts will kick off the card on ESPN+,  beginning with the Middleweights, as the undefeated Jordan Newman (7-0) puts his skills to the test against Moscow's Khalid Murtazaliev (17-3). Lightweights clash as Rafael Xavier (13-8) looks across the SmartCage at Karl Albrektsson (14-7) and Heavyweights collide as Sergei Bilostenniy (13-4) faces Karl Williams (10-3).  Tickets for PFL’s return to America’s “Second City” can be purchased through Ticketmaster, with prices ranging from $50 to $350. The 2025 PFL World Tournament airs live on ESPN platforms in the U.S., Canada and across Europe, fans can catch the action live on DAZN, while globally, the tournament will be streamed in 190 countries through 20 premium media partners.One Shot. The annual single-elimination tournament features brackets at Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight, and Women’s Flyweight. The PFL World Tournament spans an action packed five months. 64 of the best fighters from around the world will compete to win MMA’s toughest test - win three straight times in five months to become PFL Tournament Champion.  The Semifinal fights will be three, five-minute rounds while the Finals are five, five-minute rounds. All events and all fights now allow the use of elbows. The PFL World Tournament will payout over $20 million in total prize money, including a $500,000 bonus for every winner.   Updated 2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals Main Card: ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (U.S.) | DAZN (Europe & Canada)  Friday, June 27 - 10:30 pm ET  Middleweight Semifinal Main Event: Fabian Edwards (14-4) vs. Josh Silveira (14-4) Light Heavyweight Semifinal Co-Main Event: Phil Davis (25-7) vs. Sullivan Cauley (7-1) Middleweight Semifinal Bout: Dalton Rosta (10-1) vs. Aaron Jeffery (16-5)  Light Heavyweight Semifinal Bout: Antonio Carlos Jr. (17-6) vs. Simeon Powell (11-1) Bantamweight Showcase Bout: Sergio Pettis (23-7) vs. Raufeon Stots (21-2)   2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals Early Card: ESPN+ (U.S.) | DAZN (Europe & Canada) Friday, June 27 - 7:30 pm ET Heavyweight Semifinal Bout: Valentin Moldavsky (14-4) vs. Alexander Romanov (19-3) Lightweight Showcase Bout: Biaggio Ali Walsh (2-0) vs. Ronnie Gibbs (1-0)  Heavyweight Semifinal Bout: Oleg Popov (20-2) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3) Heavyweight Alternate Bout: Sergei Bilostenniy (13-4) vs. Karl Williams (10-3) Light Heavyweight Alternate Bout: Rafael Xavier (13-8) vs . Karl Albrektsson (14-7) Middleweight Alternate Bout: Jordan Newman (7-0) vs . Khalid Murtazaliev (17-3)   Upcoming 2025 PFL World Tournament Schedule: 2025 PFL World Tournament 5: Semifinals - June 12 - Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville 2025 PFL World Tournament 6: Semifinals - June 20 - INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita 2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals - June 27 - Wintrust Arena, Chicago 2025 PFL World Tournament 8: Finals - August 1 - Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ 2025 PFL World Tournament 9: Finals - August 15 - Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC 2025 PFL World Tournament 10: Finals - August 21 - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida

From L-R: PFL Fighter Raihere Dudes; James Frewin, PFL Managing Director, International; Pete Murray, PFL CEO; Dan Taylor, Acting Managing Director, Stan; Ben Kimber, Director of Sports, Stan; PFL Fighters Joseph Luciano, Sara Collins and Sean Gauci Fourth PFL International League Covering Australia and New Zealand Partnership with Stan, the 9Network and 9Now to Provide PFL Pacific Broad Premium Distribution in Australia PFL Pacific Features Best Regional Fighters and Top Prize Money Competing in PFL Signature “Win and Advance” Tournament Format The Professional Fighters League continues its global expansion with the launch of PFL Pacific, the league’s fourth international division, spanning Australia and New Zealand. Powered by a premium media partnership with Nine in Australia, featuring coverage across Stan Sport, 9Now and the 9Network, PFL Pacific will deliver elite regional fighters competing for top prize money in the league’s signature “win and advance” tournament format. This strategic launch underscores the PFL’s commitment to growing the sport across Oceania and providing fans with year-round access to world-class MMA action. Under this landmark partnership, Stan will become the exclusive home for the entire PFL portfolio in Australia, with all the action streaming live and on-demand on Stan Sport, with select premium events available on Stan Pay-Per-View. Additionally, key PFL events will be available to stream free on 9Now and broadcast free-to-air on the 9Network including live fights, archived events, highlights, and exclusive content. This expansive multi-platform distribution ensures PFL’s world-class MMA is more accessible to Australian fans than ever before. The inaugural PFL Pacific Tournament will take place across four live events in 2026, featuring top regional fighters in single-elimination brackets. With PFL’s signature “Win and Advance” format and significant prize money on the line, the tournament offers a historic platform for Australian athletes to rise to global prominence. In just three years, PFL aims to crown more Australian MMA champions than any other organization. In addition to PFL Pacific, the league will debut its global PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai in the region, showcasing some of MMA’s biggest stars in premium live events. Together, PFL Pacific and the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai will ensure both rising local athletes and elite international talent compete on the Oceania stage. “It has been a priority of ours to bring the Professional Fighters League to Australia and the Pacific region, delivering our world-class brand of MMA and the sport’s biggest stars to local fans,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray . “Through our landmark partnership with Stan, and extended reach with action streaming on 9Now and broadcast free-to-air on the 9Network, we’re creating the most accessible MMA experience Australia has ever seen. With the launch of PFL Pacific, we’re also building a foundation for long-term growth and aiming to crown more Aussie champions than any other league over the next three years.” “Stan has enjoyed a fantastic partnership with the PFL since 2022, and we’re excited to take it to new heights with the launch of PFL Pacific,” said Stan Acting Managing Director Dan Taylor . “This new initiative highlights the PFL’s bold ambition and commitment to growing MMA in our region. And, as Australia’s only locally owned streamer, we’re proud to help power that growth from the ground up. With PFL Pacific, the next generation of elite Aussie fighters now have a clear pathway and platform to showcase their talent to the world - to follow in the footsteps of Rob Wilkinson or Chelsea Hackett - and that’s the journey we want to support. With extensive coverage and reach across Stan Sport, 9Now and the 9Network, we’re making world-class MMA more accessible to Australian fans than ever before.” Further details, including event dates and athlete announcements, will be shared soon via PFL platforms and social media.

The December 1982 cover of Karate Illustrated featured Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, alongside his wife, Lisa. Sliwa initially launched a civilian safety patrol known as the “Magnificent 13” to combat violence and crime on the New York City subway system during a period of escalating urban crime. In 1979, the group was renamed the Guardian Angels and rapidly expanded. Although unarmed, members underwent training in karate and were taught the legal protocols for performing citizen’s arrests before being allowed to patrol. The group became instantly recognizable by their distinctive uniforms—especially Sliwa’s iconic red beret, which continues to symbolize the Guardian Angels’ mission and presence. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

Even though most martial artists dedicate themselves to learning practical responses to modern threats, violence can take unexpected turns that shock even the best technician. To develop the kind of mental and physical resolve necessary to prevail in such encounters, you must create a variety of worst-case scenarios so you can build relevant skill sets that can be put into action quickly. If you already engage in scenario training, you should take a hard look at the ones you currently use and examine—without style prejudice—which moves will work when there’s hard contact and full resistance. You may find that some “proven techniques” are fatally flawed when your opponent is fighting back. Obviously, you can’t go ballistic with your training partner, but you can take into account the natural reactions that would be associated with real violence. Presented here are eight threat categories that all serious students of self-defense should prepare for. 1) Fist Attacks In a street fight, the hand techniques most frequently seen are primary strikes delivered in basic combinations. Straight punches are the staples, and they're often backed up by a cross or hook. Punches tend to be pumped out in a piston-like fashion using the same hand or alternating hands. The danger has more to do with timing, distance, and force than it does with technique. Obviously, there are attacks that involve uppercuts, spinning backfists, and so on, but in general, the most common fist strikes are the jab, cross, and haymaker. They may be thrown individually or in combinations, but the limb never remains extended or static. In other words, you'll need to practice against punches that are thrown and then quickly retracted. Defending against them is not as difficult as you might think because of all the choices you have, which include altering range, evading, blocking, deflecting, and covering up. No matter which you choose, follow up with a strike or takedown to interrupt your opponent's momentum and rhythm. A single blow can be stopped by an average martial artist, but things are more difficult when punches are thrown in combination. I call this the “flurry factor.” When defending against such a barrage, blocking each punch becomes nearly impossible. What is possible is to deflect the first, the second, and possibly the third punch and then alter the range. If you haven't committed to an effective countermeasure by that point, your foe likely will penetrate your defenses. Always remember that discomfort can change the direction of any fight. The sudden jolt of an impact and the resulting pain can shift things — in your favor or in your attacker's. 2) Takedowns We all know how quickly one person can take another person down. This is why so many martial artists are adding MMA ground techniques to their arsenal. We also know how dangerous a ground fight can be, especially when multiple opponents or weapons are involved. A recent national news story drove home this point when it showed video footage of a fight between two young men that ended on the ground. As onlookers cheered, a gang member emerged from the crowd and stabbed one of the men, killing him on the spot. This serves as a valuable reminder that no matter how proficient you are on the ground, you must remain alert. You also must understand which positions offer advantages to you and which do that for your opponent. If you're smart, you'll learn a few tricks that can give you the edge on the ground. If you've studied grappling, you know the nuances of ground fighting. They include how to prevent the mount, how to execute a takedown, how to apply a submission, and how to finish with a choke. Consider bolstering that toolbox with biting, hair pulling, eye gouging, and the use of makeshift weapons such as car keys and found weapons such as rocks. Don't neglect throwing a second attacker into the training mix to see how the dynamics change. 3) Hands-on Assaults Anytime an opponent grabs you, it's considered a “hands-on assault.” Examples include a head lock, front choke, bear hug, lapel grab, and shove. Your response to any of these should be fast, direct, and uncomplicated. A counterstrike is usually in order, and that can set up a sweep or takedown. Your adversary must not be given a chance to recover, so either inflict a shocking blow or effect a grappling technique that renders him unable to continue. Of course, these options should be used only when there's no chance of defusing the aggression. Sometimes you can prevent a hands-on assault simply by deflecting or resisting in a natural way. It’s for situations in which that’s not possible that you’ll need to train. First, learn the most common assaults and practice proven methods for dealing with them. Next, get comfortable with two or three defensive options that work effectively against each threat. Make sure your chosen countermeasures work on people who are noncompliant. 4) Multiple Opponents Many street encounters involve multiple attackers. Because the average martial artist isn't used to fighting more than one person at a time, the martial artist can be easily overpowered. It might be because the defender turns his back on his enemies. It might be because he goes to the ground. The lesson to be learned is that you need to stay on your feet and not turn your back on any opponent. As soon as possible, use the element of surprise to take out the person who stands between you and your best exit. One method I teach for battling multiple opponents is “aligning.” It involves continually positioning yourself so your attackers are in a line. That way, you don't have to face them all at once. For example, if you can maneuver so enemy B is behind enemy A, it forces B to come around his own man to get to you. With practice, this tactic can work against three or more people. It's best achieved by first executing a surprise attack against one adversary and using his body as a temporary barrier between yourself and the others. As they begin to flank you, the man who’s now the nearest is struck hard and used as a shield. For whatever reason, a mass attack usually de-escalates after the first two or three opponents are defeated. In other words, if you're facing six people, you may end up fighting only two of the boldest. Of course, when facing multiple attackers, you should always try using verbal techniques to keep the situation from spiraling out of control in the first place, but that doesn't always work. 5) Third Party in Danger At one time or another, you may need to come to the aid of someone who's in danger. Numerous situations might warrant such an intervention — it could be an ordinary mugging on the street or a terrorism-related crime. In most cases, you'll approach from the assailant's blind side and use the element of surprise. That could entail taking him down by pulling his hair or jacket while kicking or kneeing the back of his knee, executing a “septum takedown” in which you apply pressure under his nose with your hand, or seizing control of the weapon while he’s focused on his hostage. People will often refrain from intervening in a violent incident involving others because they fear being hurt or killed. And that's fine because, as they say, the better part of valor is discretion. However, knowing what action to take is crucial for those situations when restraint isn’t an option. 6) Bludgeons From a defensive perspective, you need to know how to stop a stick attack and, when possible, disarm the attacker. From an offensive perspective, you also should know how to use a stick — it can be a great equalizer. That means learning how to strike vital areas and learning how to use one to apply pressure to a body part or amplify leverage. To accomplish the former, it's best if you know how to position yourself to deflect the danger. Of course, you also need to know how to enter, control the weapon and effect a disarm. To accomplish the latter, you'll need to polish your ability to maneuver into or out of several stances that have you holding the stick in a manner that doesn’t allow your enemy to snatch it out of your hand. Next, you'll need to work on striking the knees, collarbone and other prime targets that happen to be available. Example: Your opponent is holding a knife, and you have a stick. You’ll want to target his weapon hand. Higher-level stick fighting revolves around manipulating your opponent’s body using pressure and leverage. By sandwiching body parts between the stick and your own body, you can inflict substantial pain, perhaps enough to momentarily debilitate him. Such “wedge locks” can target bones, joints and nerves. 7) Edged Weapons Blades are dangerous because even an untrained person can cut you to the bone with a single slash. Likewise, a person can inflict a deep stab wound with very little power and no real technique. No matter how big or strong you are, a minimally trained person with a blade can bring you down with a single movement of his arm. Unfortunately, defensive techniques that work in theory don’t always work in reality when resistance and bad intent are part of the equation. This is why range is crucial in knife defense. Stay out of range whenever possible. When you need to get close enough to control the weapon and disarm the person, maintain awareness of the blade at all times. Evasive maneuvers such as leaning away and hollowing out can thwart blade-to-body contact but only momentarily. When the assailant is savvy enough to use stabs and slashes in quick combinations, he can defeat even someone who’s skilled at self-defense. One key to stopping this kind of attack is countering with one or two quick strikes and then altering the range by moving outside or inside his attack. Moving outside is easier. Moving inside requires courage and the ability to smother his attempts to counter your entry. From there, a takedown or disarm must be done quickly and followed by a submission or a knockout. 8) Firearms Disarming a gunman is a risky proposition, one that should be attempted only if a life is on the line. It is possible, however, to take a gun away from an assailant when conditions are favorable and your technique and timing are spot on. Distance is paramount in gun defense. Simply put, you must be close enough to get your hands on the enemy before he can shoot. He won’t let you take his weapon, so it’s essential that you’re prepared to deal with the inevitable retraction of the weapon arm. That means practicing gun disarms while working against resistance. The best moves are those that follow the retracting limb of the assailant and seek to “consume” him before stripping the weapon from his grasp. Technically, it’s preferable to work against the thumb of the hand that’s gripping the firearm. If you need proof of concept, try to hold something securely without using your thumb. You'll find out just how weak the human hand can be. Preparing for what typically occurs in self-defense situations such as the ones described above will make you better-equipped to deal with any threat you face. It will minimize your response time. It will teach you to stay true to the code of readiness, which ultimately brings you closer to taking action. This reduces the chance that you’ll panic because you’ll be operating under circumstances similar to the scenarios that you’ve prepared for.

The August 2002 cover featured martial arts stuntman extraordinaire Larry Lam and the late Richard Brandon—two influential figures who left a lasting legacy in the martial arts world. Larry Lam, a champion in both Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu, successfully transitioned from the tournament circuit to become one of Hollywood’s most respected stunt performers and coordinators. Renowned for his precision, creativity, and leadership, Lam played a key role in shaping the action of countless films and television shows, bringing martial arts to life for audiences worldwide. Richard Brandon, a rising wushu star, was widely recognized as one of the most outstanding forms competitors on the North American open circuit. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

2024 PFL MENA Lightweight Champion Mohsen Mohammadseifi begins his title-defense campaign against Ahmed El Sisy in the Main Event Izzedine Al Derbani takes on Yanis Ghemmouri in a Featherweight Tournament bout in the Co-Main Event All PFL MENA events will air on STARZPLAY at 7PM AST / 12PM ET The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most innovative sports league in the world, kicks off the second season of PFL MENA at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The best Featherweight and Lightweight fighters from all over the Middle East look to take the first step towards becoming PFL MENA Champion. In the headlining bout of the night, 2024 PFL MENA Lightweight Champion Mohsen Mohammadseifi  (7-2) of Iran begins his campaign for back-to-back championships when he faces PFL newcomer Ahmed El Sisy  (6-1) of Egypt. Mohammadseifi  weighed in at 156-pounds, while El Sisy  weighed in at 154.8-pounds for their main event clash. In the co-main event, new faces in the Featherweight division face off, as Jordan’s Izzeddine Al Derbani  (15-5) takes on Algeria’s Yanis Ghemmouri  (12-3). Al Derbani weighed in at 145.7-pounds, while Ghemmouri weighed in at 145.6-pounds. Also on the card, Saudi Arabia’s own Malik Basahel  (0-0) makes his highly-anticipated professional MMA debut against Algeria’s Mountasser Boutouta  (1-0) in a featured Showcase Flyweight bout. Basahel weighed in at 125.5-pounds, while Boutouta weighed in at 125.4-pounds. A pioneer in Middle Eastern MMA makes the walk one last time, as Ahmed Makki  (1-3-1) of Saudi Arabia meets Hasham Elnamer (3-0) of Egypt in a Showcase Lightweight bout. Makki weighed in at 154.3-pounds, while Elnamer weighed in at 153.6-pounds. Plus, history will be made, as  Eman Almudhaf  (4-0) becomes the first female fighter from Kuwait to compete inside the PFL SmartCage when she faces Brazil’s Shamara Braga  (5-3) in a Showcase Women’s Featherweight bout. Almudhaf weighed in at 146-pounds, while Braga  weighed in at 145.6-pounds.   OFFICIAL PFL MENA 1: JEDDAH WEIGH-IN RESULTS Lightweight Tournament Bout Mohsen Mohammadseifi  (156 lbs.) vs. Ahmed El Sisy  (154.8 lbs.) Featherweight Tournament Bout Izzeddine Al Derbani  (145.7 lbs.) vs.  Yanis Ghemmouri  (145.6 lbs.) Lightweight Tournament Bout Salah Eddine Hamli (155.2 lbs) vs. Abbas Khan  (155.3 lbs.) Featherweight Tournament Bout Taha Bendaoud  (145 lbs.) vs. Boualem Drissi (145.6 lbs) Showcase Flyweight Bout Malik Basahel (125.5 lbs) vs. Mountasser Boutouta  (125.4 lbs) Featherweight Tournament Bout Hussein Salem (145.7 lbs.) vs.  Assem Ghanem  (145.7 lbs.) Featherweight Tournament Bout Islam Reda  (145.8 lbs.) vs. Akram Nasri  (145.5 lbs.) Lightweight Tournament Bout Georges Eid (155.5 lbs.) vs. Mohammad Fahmi  (155.1 lbs) Showcase Lightweight Bout Ahmed Makki (154.3 lbs.) vs. Hasham Elnamer  (153.6 lbs) Lightweight Tournament Bout Abdullah Saleem (155.4 lbs.) vs. Souhil Tairi (155.8 lbs.) Showcase Women's Featherweight Bout Eman Almudhaf (146 lbs.) vs. Shamara Braga  (145.6 lbs) Showcase Catchweight Bout – 166 lbs (Amateur) Abdulaziz Al Moammar (164.8 lbs.) vs. Fares Hamdani  (163.6 lbs.)

There was a time when Saturday afternoons meant grainy VHS tapes, dubbed dialogue, and the unmistakable rhythm of kung fu battles on screen. We all knew the names—Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li—icons who kicked and punched their way into film history.  But if you looked beyond the spotlight, there was another set of heroes blazing their own path.  The women of martial arts cinema weren’t just holding their own—they were redefining what strength looked like. Whether slicing through enemies in Shaw Brothers epics or going toe-to-toe with villains in ’90s action hits, these women brought elegance, fury, and unforgettable power to the screen.  This is a look back at the fierce trailblazers who have helped shape a genre—and left a legacy still felt today. Cheng Pei-pei: The Original Queen of Swordplay Often hailed as the "Queen of Swords" , Cheng Pei-pei was one of the first female stars to dominate martial arts cinema. Rising to fame in the 1960s with Shaw Brothers Studio, her breakout role came in Come Drink With Me  (1966), where she played Golden Swallow—a fierce, poised warrior who combined grace with lethal skill. What set Cheng apart was her balletic background, which translated seamlessly into the stylized fight choreography of wuxia films. Long before the era of digital effects, Cheng made it clear that a woman could command the screen with elegance, strength, and undeniable charisma.  Decades later, she would return to international acclaim as Jade Fox in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon  (2000), bringing her legacy full circle. Michelle Yeoh: The Global Action Icon Michelle Yeoh’s journey from ballet dancer to action superstar is the stuff of cinematic legend. Making her mark in the 1980s and 1990s Hong Kong action scene, she starred in classics like Yes, Madam  (1985), which helped pioneer the "girls with guns" subgenre. Her on-screen presence was electric—graceful, intelligent, and capable of going toe-to-toe with any opponent. She performed her own stunts, often at great personal risk, and brought emotional depth to her roles. Yeoh's Hollywood crossover came with roles in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon .  In 2023, she became the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for Everything Everywhere All At Once , proving that her martial arts roots were just one facet of a multifaceted career. Cynthia Rothrock: The Queen of American Martial Arts Films While kung fu cinema had strong roots in Hong Kong, Cynthia Rothrock  brought the genre to Western audiences with unmatched intensity. A real-life martial arts champion with black belts in multiple disciplines, Rothrock exploded onto the Hong Kong scene in the 1980s, where she often starred opposite male action stars—and stole the show. Her roles in Yes, Madam , China O'Brien , and countless action films of the '80s and '90s earned her a cult following. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Rothrock wasn’t a dancer turned actress—she was a fighter, first and foremost. She kicked, flipped, and punched her way through gender barriers in a male-dominated industry, and became an icon for women in martial arts worldwide. That’s why she continues to be celebrated by the industry and beloved by fans. Most recently, she even graced the cover of Black Belt Magazine for the Spring 2025 issue. Angela Mao: The Female Bruce Lee Known for her fierce screen presence and rapid-fire kicks, Angela Mao  earned the nickname "Lady Kung Fu" . She rose to fame in the 1970s during the golden age of kung fu cinema, starring in films like  Hapkido  (1972) and Lady Whirlwind (1972). Most notably, she played Bruce Lee’s sister in Enter the Dragon  (1973), a brief but unforgettable role. Mao brought a raw, powerful energy to her fight scenes, often outshining her male co-stars. She was a martial artist who trained in real techniques, and her impact is still felt among fans of classic kung fu.  Though she retired from acting in the 1980s, she remains one of the fiercest women ever to grace the genre. Zhang Ziyi: The Elegant Warrior Though she came to prominence slightly later, Zhang Ziyi  brought a new level of refinement to the genre with her performances in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , Hero  (2002), and House of Flying Daggers  (2004). A dancer by training, Zhang’s fight scenes were mesmerizing ballets of motion, combining emotional storytelling with breathtaking action. She became a global face of Chinese cinema, bridging East and West with her elegance and emotional depth. Her roles elevated the perception of martial arts films as high art rather than mere spectacle. The queens of kung fu cinema didn’t just fight villains—they fought expectations. They paved the way for future generations of female action stars, from Charlize Theron in Atomic Blonde  to Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman , to the ensemble cast of Everything Everywhere All At Once . Their stories, both on-screen and off, show that martial arts is not defined by gender, but by spirit, discipline, and presence.

Here’s one for you to kick around with your dojo mates the next time you’re relaxing after training. It was back in the 1960s, a time when the Japanese dominated – almost laughably so – the international karate competition scene. For years, they had toyed with Western competitors, scoring on them almost at will. Much of their dominance was of a psychological nature. Karate was, after all, "Japanese." To face a Japanese opponent was intimidating for many karateka simply because of the other person's nationality. That dominance was not compromised in any dramatic, single moment, but as the decade progressed, a handful of Americans worked their way up on the circuit. It started in 1967, when a team of American karateka defeated a Japanese team in an international goodwill tournament. The event had enormous repercussions in Japanese karate circles. Americans began to develop more technical skills. They began to defeat Japanese competitors, and the whole mystique of the karate expert who is invincible merely because of his race started to erode fast. At this time, one of the most talented and formidable American karateka was making a name for himself. The name I'll use for him is Bob. (He's still alive, and I don't wish him any attention he may not desire.) He trained under a Japanese sensei, and he trained hard. He was physically large and imposing and terrifically strong. Still, it was Bob's remarkable use of technique, applied with an amazing precision, that elevated him in karate circles. He once scored using a knee strike. Think about how difficult that point must have been. Bob trained with near-obsessive intensity. Always first in the dojo, he often stayed long after others had left to engage in hours of free sparring with visiting Japanese practitioners. He devoted his life to karate. Bob won national championships year after year. Further, in matches against Japanese karateka, he was winning, as well – not all the time, but more and more. And some of his wins were being scored against senior-level Japanese karateka. He was defeating men who were, in fact, professional karate teachers, who had been sent by their organizations to countries around the world to instruct. Bob was winning often enough in national and international events that it looked as if he might be one of those karateka who would write a new chapter in the history of the art. A particular international championship was months away. Bob had trained steadily and was in peak condition. He would travel to Japan to compete against some of the most senior karateka in the world. He was anticipating the event; it would offer a chance for him to prove himself and prove his art and his teacher in a dramatic, very public fashion. Bob appeared at the dojo one evening for class and was summoned into the office of his teacher. His teacher, not incidentally, was among the most respected and senior karate sensei in the world. The teacher was, even though only in his early 40s, already a legend. He was Japanese. He was known for pushing his students to the point of exhaustion and beyond, refining their technique, honing their spirit. For his students – including Bob – he was less a teacher and more a reincarnation of a samurai, respected, even adored as a stern but caring father figure. For most of his students, he embodied the karate spirit. "You are not going to participate in the international competition in Japan," Bob's teacher told him. "It is not good for your development in the art to put so much emphasis on tournaments. You need now to focus on karate as an art, not as a sport." And that was it. After years of sweat and sacrifice, Bob's tournament career was over. I don't know Bob. I do suspect there must have been a lot of conflicting thoughts for him at that moment. Most crucially, I bet he was considering two perspectives. He was beginning to threaten the Japanese domination of international karate competition. He had to wonder if this was really a matter of his sensei forbidding him to compete because the sensei wanted him to focus on facets of karate other than tournaments. Or was the sensei bowing to pressure from his Japanese counterparts to take Bob out because his appearance at the competition might threaten their dominance? Was Bob's sensei testing him? Did he want to see if Bob would trust him completely by accepting his order to stop doing what was so important to him? Was his sensei trying to teach him a lesson, to show him that he was too focused on competition? Was his sensei trying to actually acknowledge Bob's maturation, telling him, in effect, "You're good enough that you no longer have anything to prove in competition"? Or, after all those years of submitting to his sensei and trusting him, was Bob finally having his eyes opened to the real character of a man he'd respected and who did not deserve that respect? Was Bob being told that, for all his teacher's accomplishments, that teacher was in reality a petty little man whose warped and racist views outweighed his sense of obligation to his own student? I don't know. I don't know how Bob weighed all those questions – or if he entertained them at all. Maybe he just blindly trusted his teacher and gave it no more thought. I do believe, though, that this is something every karateka should consider, particularly those who have a long and close relationship with their teacher. How much do you trust him? Enough to follow his dictates without hesitation? Maybe the real question is not how much you trust him but rather how much you should  trust him.