Celebrating the Women Who Helped Shape Martial Arts Champions and Icons Martial arts history often celebrates the champions standing center stage—but many of those stories began long before the trophies, film sets, and world titles arrived. They began with parents who sacrificed, guided, encouraged, and believed. These women were not simply the mothers of martial arts icons. They were pioneers, protectors, educators, and role models whose own accomplishments helped shape the future of martial arts culture itself. Through their stories—both inside and beyond the pages of Black Belt Magazine—their influence remains impossible to ignore. Bow Sim Mark The Wushu Pioneer Who Helped Bring Chinese Martial Arts to the West Famous Child: Donnie Yen Long before Donnie Yen became one of the defining martial arts stars of modern cinema, his mother, Bow Sim Mark, had already earned international respect throughout the kung fu community. A highly accomplished practitioner and teacher of Chinese wushu, Bow Sim Mark became one of the most influential ambassadors of traditional Chinese martial arts in North America. Her demonstrations and instruction helped introduce countless students and audiences to authentic Chinese martial arts during a pivotal era for kung fu in the West. Her contributions were widely recognized throughout the martial arts world, including being named Black Belt’s 1995 Kung Fu Artist of the Year. The movements that would later define Donnie Yen’s on-screen performances were cultivated in an environment deeply rooted in martial arts excellence from childhood. Today, Yen’s legacy spans everything from the Ip Man franchise to Star Wars and John Wick—but behind the superstar stood a mother whose own influence helped pave the way for Chinese martial arts to flourish internationally. AnnMaria De Mars The Judo Champion Who Raised a History-Maker Famous Child: Ronda Rousey Before Ronda Rousey became one of the most influential figures in sport combat history, her mother had already broken barriers of her own. In 1984, AnnMaria De Mars became the first American to win a world championship in judo, cementing her place as one of the sport’s most important pioneers. Competing during an era when women’s martial arts received far less visibility and support, De Mars built a reputation for intelligence and elite competitive skill. Those same traits would later become synonymous with Rousey herself. From Olympic bronze medalist to UFC champion and Hollywood crossover star, Rousey helped transform the visibility of women’s combat sports on a global level. Yet much of the mentality that fueled that rise was cultivated by a mother who already understood what it meant to compete against the odds. AnnMaria De Mars would go on to be selected as Black Belt's 2015 Woman of the Year. Together, her and Ronda Rousey's story remains one of martial arts’ most remarkable examples of generational excellence. Malia Bernal Dacascos The Martial Arts Mother Behind a Cinematic Warrior Famous Child: Mark Dacascos Martial arts excellence runs deep within the Dacascos family, and Malia Bernal Dacascos played a major role in building that legacy. In fact, her September 1974 cover made history as the first time a female competitor appeared on the cover of Black Belt Magazine. A martial artist with strong roots in kung fu, Malia helped foster a household immersed in martial arts philosophy, discipline, and creativity. Alongside legendary martial artist Al Dacascos, she helped shape an environment where movement was not merely practiced—but lived. That upbringing would help mold Mark Dacascos into one of martial arts entertainment’s most recognizable talents. Whether audiences remember him from Only the Strong, Drive, Brotherhood of the Wolf, or John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Dacascos became known for blending athleticism with cinematic charisma in a way few performers could replicate. Behind that success was a family steeped in martial arts tradition—and a mother who helped cultivate both the warrior spirit and artistic expression that would define his career. Linda Lee Cadwell The Woman Who Helped Preserve a Martial Arts Legacy Famous Child: Brandon Lee Few figures in martial arts history have carried the responsibility of preserving a cultural legacy quite like Linda Lee Cadwell. Following the passing of Bruce Lee, Linda became one of the key individuals responsible for preserving and protecting the philosophy, writings, and influence of one of martial arts’ most revolutionary figures—all while raising their children, including Brandon Lee. Through books, interviews, and continued involvement within the martial arts community—including appearances in the pages of Black Belt Magazine—Linda helped ensure Bruce Lee’s teachings would endure far beyond his lifetime. Meanwhile, Brandon Lee emerged as a magnetic martial arts actor in his own right, carrying the Lee family legacy into a new generation through films such as Rapid Fire and The Crow before his tragic passing in 1993. Linda Lee Cadwell’s resilience and dedication helped preserve one of martial arts’ most important cultural legacies and ensured its impact would continue inspiring practitioners around the world today. Editor’s Note: You can explore past issues of Black Belt—including those featuring these iconic ladies—through Black Belt+. Click the subscribe button below to check 'em out!

When Mortal Kombat exploded onto movie screens in 1995, it became more than a successful video game adaptation — it marked a turning point for martial arts action in mainstream Hollywood. Long before the entertainment industry fully embraced martial arts-driven storytelling, Black Belt Magazine recognized the cultural impact the franchise would have on audiences worldwide. PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW LINE CINEMA In the pages of Black Belt in 1995, readers were introduced to the stars and martial artists behind the groundbreaking franchise, including Robin Shou, whose portrayal of Liu Kang helped define a generation of martial arts cinema. Shou brought more than screen presence to the role — he brought legitimacy. With his traditional martial arts background, athleticism, and disciplined approach to choreography, he embodied the spirit that made Mortal Kombat resonate far beyond the arcade. For martial arts enthusiasts, the film represented something bigger than Hollywood spectacle. It was proof that martial artists could carry major motion pictures while staying true to the discipline, philosophy, and intensity of the arts themselves. The fight scenes were fast, technical, and unforgettable, introducing mainstream audiences to forms, techniques, and performers rarely showcased on such a massive platform. Now, nearly three decades later, the Mortal Kombat legacy continues with a new world premiere that once again places martial arts at the center of global pop culture. As excitement builds for the latest chapter of the franchise, Black Belt proudly looks back at its long connection to the warriors who helped make it legendary. Among them is Chris Casamassa, the martial artist who brought Scorpion to life and became one of the franchise’s most iconic figures. Long before “Get over here!” became part of pop culture history, Casamassa was already making waves in the martial arts world as a nationally recognized forms champion. In July 1997, Black Belt magazine featured Casamassa on its cover alongside the late Cheryl Wheeler, celebrating the athleticism, creativity, and star power that martial artists were bringing to Hollywood. “My preparation [for the Scorpion role] was spending a lifetime in martial arts and almost a lifetime at the arcade mastering that character’s moves.” — Chris Casamassa That cover captured a defining era — a time when martial arts films, tournaments, and video games collided to create a new generation of action heroes. From Robin Shou’s breakout performance in 1995 to Chris Casamassa’s unforgettable portrayal of Scorpion, Mortal Kombat helped bridge the gap between traditional martial arts and modern entertainment. Today, as a new generation discovers the franchise through its latest premiere, the legacy remains intact. The kicks are still high, the rivalries still fierce, and the martial artists behind the action continue to inspire audiences worldwide. Mortal Kombat II brings together an impressive cast of returning stars and new additions as the legendary tournament finally takes center stage on the big screen. Directed by Simon McQuoid, the sequel reunites Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion. Joining the franchise is fan-favorite character Johnny Cage, portrayed by Karl Urban, bringing a new level of charisma and energy to the tournament saga as Earthrealm’s warriors prepare to face the dark power of Shao Kahn. Building upon the success of the original 1995 classic and the modern reboot, Mortal Kombat II promises larger battles, deeper mythology, and the explosive martial arts action that has defined the franchise for generations. Under McQuoid’s direction, the film blends authentic fight choreography with cinematic spectacle while honoring the legacy created by martial arts icons like Robin Shou and Chris Casamassa. For longtime fans of Black Belt magazine and martial arts cinema, the new premiere is more than a sequel — it is a celebration of the fighters, performers, and filmmakers who helped transform Mortal Kombat into one of the most enduring martial arts franchises in pop culture history. For Black Belt, this celebration is more than nostalgia it is a reminder that martial arts storytelling, when performed with authenticity and passion, never goes out of style. Editor’s Note: You can explore past issues of Black Belt—including those featuring iconic Mortal Kombat stars—through Black Belt+. Click the subscribe button below to check 'em out!

If you competed in sport karate in the late ’90s or early 2000s, there’s a very high chance you heard the Mortal Kombat techno theme at least 500 times. Actually...let's be honest, it was probably more. The second that “MORTAL KOMBAT!” yell hit the speakers, somebody was about to throw a 540 kick, attempt a combo they barely landed in practice, or sprint into a musical forms routine like their life depended on it. For a whole generation of martial artists, the music from Mortal Kombat basically became part of tournament culture itself. And honestly, it made sense. A lot of the people involved with Mortal Kombat over the years came directly out of that same world. Fighters like Chris Casamassa, Keith Cooke, and Robin Shou were already recognizable names within the martial arts community before stepping into the franchise. That’s part of why the excitement around Mortal Kombat II feels different in the martial arts community. Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures / New Line Cinema This new film fully opens up the world of Mortal Kombat in a way the previous movie only touched on. The scale is larger this time around, with the movie leaning far more heavily into the action, tournament mythology, Outworld politics, and rivalries that longtime fans associate with the franchise. The roster expansion is a major part of that different feel as well. Characters like Johnny Cage, Kitana, Shao Kahn, and Baraka finally enter the picture, helping the sequel feel much closer to the classic games in both tone and scope. Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage especially adds a very different energy to the cast, bringing more arrogance, humor, and Hollywood swagger into the middle of the chaos. At the same time, the returning core characters still remain central to the film. The history between Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) continues to carry weight, while Kung Lao (Max Huang) and Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) feel positioned much closer to the heart of the larger conflict this time around. The movie also leans more confidently into the franchise’s supernatural side, embracing the strange creatures, powers, realms, and larger-than-life spectacle that define Mortal Kombat at its most iconic. The action itself also feels more in line with what martial arts fans typically want from the series. The fights are staged on a larger scale (with shots that pay homage to the games visually), the choreography feels tremendously better, and there’s a stronger emphasis on letting exchanges play out visually rather than burying them under many cuts and close ups. The martial arts are part of the attraction. That connection to real martial arts culture is something Mortal Kombat has always carried. It’s also why the franchise continues to overlap naturally with publications like Black Belt Magazine and the larger tournament world that helped shape its identity in the first place. More than anything, Mortal Kombat II feels like the franchise finally embracing the full scale, personality, and martial arts spectacle fans have associated with these characters for decades. Cue the techno theme and the 540 kicks. After this movie, somewhere, a forms competitor just got inspired again. Round two officially begins now. Mortal Kombat II is playing in theaters everywhere.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced the addition of a marquee co-main event to PFL San Diego Presented by GOVX, set for Saturday, June 27 at Pechanga Arena San Diego. San Diego’s own No. 2-ranked Liz Carmouche (25-8) will face Brazil’s No. 9-ranked Viviane Araújo (13-7) in a pivotal women’s flyweight co-main event, building to a colossal headliner featuring No. 2-ranked AJ McKee (24-2) vs. undefeated No. 6-ranked Salamat Isbulaev (10-0). The PFL San Diego Presented by GOVX main card will air live on ESPN2 in the U.S. beginning at 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT. The preliminary portion of the event will begin at 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT and can be seen via the ESPN app. Tickets for the event are available now, for more information visit pfl.info/sandiego. Additional bouts will be announced shortly. In the co-main event, the women’s flyweight division takes center stage in a high-stakes race toward the top, where every result carries immediate consequences. San Diego fan favorite Liz Carmouche returns home as one of the most decorated athletes in the history of women’s MMA, entering as a former Bellator Champion, the 2025 PFL Women’s Flyweight Tournament Champion, and the current No. 2-ranked contender. Across from her, Brazil’s Viviane Araújo, a 13-fight UFC veteran with a well-rounded skillset and recent momentum following an impressive win in her PFL debut, will look to force her way into contention with a statement victory. In a division with undefeated Dakota Ditcheva looming, a win can elevate either fighter into the title conversation and bring them within reach of a championship opportunity. PFL San Diego Presented by GOVX will serve as a featured event within the league’s newly announced partnership with GOVX, the leading platform serving military members, first responders, and government personnel. Through the partnership, GOVX will offer exclusive discounted ticket access to its community of more than 12 million members, while also serving as the Presenting Partner of PFL San Diego and the presenting sponsor of “Military Row,” honoring the San Diego military community on fight night. Updated PFL San Diego Presented by GOVX Main Card: Pechanga Arena San Diego – San Diego, Calif. June 27 | 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT ESPN2 (U.S.) Featherweight Main Event: #2-AJ McKee (24-2) vs. #6-Salamat Isbulaev (10-0) Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: #2-Liz Carmouche (25-8) vs. #9- Viviane Araújo (13-7) UPCOMING PFL SCHEDULE: Saturday, May 2 - PFL Sioux Falls - Sanford Pentagon - Sioux Falls, South Dakota Saturday, May 23 - PFL Brussels - ING Arena - Brussels, Belgium Saturday, June 27 – PFL San Diego Presented by GOVX – Pechanga Arena San Diego – San Diego, California

BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (C) MIKEY MUSUMECI vs KEVIN DANTZLER WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (C) CASSIA MOURA vs BIANCA BASILIO PUBLIC TICKETS ON SALE NOW LIVE & FREE ON UFC BJJ YOUTUBE THURSDAY, MAY 21st AT 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT UFC BJJ® returns for its eighth event with a card stacked from top to bottom with exciting matchups and capped off by two championship matches. In the main event, reigning UFC BJJ bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci aims to remain undefeated in the Bowl as he faces Kevin Dantzler. In the co-main event, newly crowned women’s bantamweight champion Cassia Moura makes a quick return against Bianca Basilio. UFC BJJ 8: MUSUMECI vs DANTZLER takes place Thursday, May 21st and will stream live and free on UFC BJJ’s YouTube channel beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. UFC BJJ 8: MUSUMECI vs DANTZLER tickets are on-sale now and are available at AXS.com. Media members wishing to apply for credentials may sign up here. Musumeci (3-0, 3 submissions, competing out of Las Vegas, Nev.) intends to keep proving that he is the best submission grappler on the planet. Undefeated in almost five years, he has submitted all of his opponents in the UFC BJJ Bowl including Shay Montague, Keven Carrasco and Rerisson Gabriel. Musumeci now looks to further add to his legacy by securing another highlight-reel finish. Leglock expert Dantzler (0-0, competing out of Sicklerville, N.J.) plans to impress in his UFC BJJ debut. Known for his all-offense style, Dantzler owns notable grappling wins over former UFC champions Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling. He now aims to shock the world by upsetting Musumeci in dramatic fashion. Moura (3-0, competing out of Midland, Texas by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) returns to the Bowl after winning the UFC BJJ women’s bantamweight title just over a month ago. Known for rising through the colored belt ranks in record time, she has proven that she is more than just hype with wins over Ffion Davies, Alex Enriquez and Talita Alencar. Moura now has her sights set on defending his title for the first time with a dominant performance. Basilio (0-0, competing out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) seeks to claim the bantamweight title in her UFC BJJ debut. A multiple time world champion in colored belts, Brasilio further went on to prove herself as one of the best in the world by winning multiple IBJJF world championships at black belt, as well as an ADCC world championship in 2019. She now looks to hand Moura her first loss and add the UFC BJJ belt to her impressive resume. Additional matches on the card include: An exciting middleweight match pits William Tackett (1-1, 1 submission, competing out of Las Vegas, Nev.) against Enrico Said (0-0, competing out of Miami, Fla.) Ethan Crelinsten (0-0, competing out of Austin, Texas) makes his UFC BJJ debut in a lightweight match against Danilo Moreira (0-0, competing out of Dallas, Texas) Andy Varela (2-2, 2 submissions, competing out of Las Vegas, Nev.) welcomes Jett Thompson (0-0, competing out of Guthrie, Okla.) to UFC BJJ in a can’t-miss welterweight matchup All-action Landon Elmore (1-1, 1 submission, competing out of Austin, Texas) returns against Keith Krikorian (0-0, competing out of Costa Mesa, Calif.) at featherweight Middleweights Azamat Bakytov (0-0, competing out of Almaty, Kazakhstan) and Thomas David (0-0, competing out of Melbourne, Australia) look to impress in their UFC BJJ debuts Liam Crelinsten (0-0, competing out of Austin, Texas) competes against Max Livingston (0-0, competing out of Drexel Hill, Pa.) at welterweight For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returned to Sioux Falls, where those in attendance at the Sanford Pentagon were treated to an incredible night of action. In the main event, former interim Bellator Lightweight World Champion and No. 3-ranked Logan Storley faced 2024 PFL Europe Welterweight Champion and No. 6-ranked Florim Zendeli in an arena Storley had never lost in, and that didn’t change Saturday night. Storley set the tone early with a dominant first round, overwhelming Zendeli with his elite wrestling, forcing two cage grabs that resulted in a two-point deduction by referee Kevan MacDonald. That sequence proved decisive, as Storley went on to a commanding unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring it 30-25. In a welterweight division currently championed by Ramazan Kuramagomedov, the win firmly places Storley in the mix for a title opportunity. In the co-main event, Dagestan’s Gadzhi Rabadanov, the No. 2-ranked lightweight and 2024 PFL Lightweight World Champion, showcased his elite grappling in an impressive performance over Latvia’s Alex Chizov, the 2025 PFL Europe Lightweight Champion. Rabadanov controlled the pace of the fight from the outset, repeatedly taking Chizov to the mat and racking up seven takedowns, a decisive factor that dictated the outcome of the matchup. While Chizov had moments where he looked to establish his striking, Rabadanov’s relentless pressure and positional control neutralized the European champion’s offense and kept him on the defensive throughout. By the final bell, Rabadanov’s ability to impose his game had clearly separated the two, earning him a convincing victory and reinforcing his position as one of the top lightweights in the PFL. In a battle of top-ten ranked athletes, England’s No. 6-ranked Simeon Powell faced Argentina’s No. 8-ranked Emiliano Sordi. Unfazed by the experience gap against a former PFL Champion with more than 20 additional professional fights, Powell weathered multiple dangerous moments, stayed composed, and picked his openings carefully. He ultimately found his moment, dropping Sordi to the canvas to secure a statement victory. In a battle of PFL heavyweights, No. 2-ranked Renan Ferreira and No. 6-ranked Sergey Bilostenniy came out swinging, with Bilostenniy dropping his Brazilian opponent early in the first round. Ferreira recovered, but Bilostenniy imposed his will on the ground throughout the fight before sealing the victory late in the third round, landing a right hook flush on the chin to end Ferreira’s night. The main card opened with No. 4-ranked Magomed Magomedov facing longtime Bellator athlete, Leandro Higo. The first and second round of the fight were closely contested, with both men having their moments. Higo locked in a deep standing guillotine that threatened his opponent at one point, but it was the third round where Magomedov pulled away, earning a decision victory on two of the judges’ scorecards. PFL Sioux Falls Main Card Results:  #3-Logan Storley (19-4) defeated #6-Florim Zendeli (11-2-1) via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25) #2-Gadzhi Rabadanov (27-5-2) defeated Alex Chizov (13-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) #6-Simeon Powell (12-2) defeated #8-Emiliano Sordi (26-14-1) via TKO at 3:05 of round three #6-Sergei Bilosteeniy (15-4) defeated #2-Renan Ferreira (13-6) via TKO at 1:56 of round three #4-Magomed Magomedov (22-5) defeated Leandro Higo (23-8) via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27) Preliminary Card Results: Rasul Magomedov (9-0) defeated #10-Rafael Xavier (14-9) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) #10-Sabrinna de Sousa (6-0) defeated Cheyanne Bowers (7-3) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Sang Won Kim (15-6-1) defeated Humberto Bandenay (27-10) via TKO at 2:56 of round two #3-Taila Santos (23-4) defeated Qihui Yan (25-6) via TKO at 2:02 of round one Angel Alvarez (11-2) defeated Bryce Logan (13-10) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Brett Bye (1-0) defeated Taylor Michels (0-1) via TKO at 3:40 of round one Maxwell Djantou Nana (8-2) defeated #10-Karl Williams (10-6) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) UPCOMING PFL SCHEDULE: Saturday, May 23 - PFL Brussels - ING Arena - Brussels, Belgium Saturday, June 27 – PFL San Diego Presented by GOVX – Pechanga Arena San Diego – San Diego, California

For the life of me, I don’t know why so many people equate valuable fighting skill with complicated or unnecessarily complex moves. If the point is to avoid or minimize being hit or hurt and to hit and hurt more quickly and effectively, doesn’t it make sense to not practice anything that detracts from those goals? Years ago, while training in New York City with close-combat icon Charles Nelson, a World War II Marine who taught hand-to-hand combat to civilians after the war, a guy asked, “If you had to give me the simplest solution to a street fight, what would it be?” Nelson answered simply, “Left jab, right cross.” People who perceive simplicity to mean novice—and, therefore, ineffective—techniques are actually demonstrating their own entry-level understanding of fighting. Either that or they’re elitists, refuting effective minimalism in order to exclude people who haven’t the balance, speed or agility needed to master largely useless, more fancy techniques.

In technical terms, the most elite form of defense in striking is evasion. Think of slipping, bobbing, weaving, ducking, and using elusive footwork—anything and everything that causes your opponent to bite nothing but air when he thought he was going to get a big ol’ piece of you. Evasion is slick, beautiful stuff. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the hardest things to develop. Evasion skills come after years of hard-core, deliberate drilling. The stopgap, or steppingstone, between getting hit and avoiding a blow is “contact defense,” or the defensive phase in which minimal contact between you and your opponent takes place to ensure you don’t eat the full fury of the blow. Contact defense comes in two varieties: blocking and parrying. Blocking involves placing a portion of your anatomy—preferably a less vulnerable portion—between your opponent’s punch and the target. Blocking strikes to the head usually entails absorbing punches with the palms or arms. Strikes to the body are usually blocked with the arms. BLOCKING HAS A LOT to recommend it, the most important being that it’s the easiest defensive skill to learn. Blocking as a defense comes naturally to our species; just think of winging a punch at an untrained person and picture how his arms will fly up to protect his head. Bingo—he’s blocking and never even had a lesson.

Take away the lightsabers for a moment. No glow, no sound effects—just movement. What you’re left with in the best Star Wars fights is something every martial artist recognizes: timing, distance, rhythm. The fundamentals. That’s why certain characters hit differently. It’s not just choreography—it’s who’s behind it. Black Belt Magazine has long kept a pulse on the martial artists shaping the industry, so it’s no surprise some of the galaxy’s most compelling fighters have appeared in its pages. Donnie Yen — Chirrut Îmwe When Donnie Yen was announced for Star Wars, fans immediately started wondering what he’d bring to the iconic IP. The answer? Exactly what you’d hope. Yen’s portrayal of Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story stands out right away—and it’s no accident. With a background that spans wing chun, wushu, tai chi, boxing, kickboxing, and beyond, Yen brings a hybrid approach that blends structure with adaptability. You see it in how Chirrut moves: balanced, efficient, and always aware of range. Every motion has a purpose. That authenticity wasn’t just written in—Yen contributed input to how his character fought, helping ensure the action felt like a real martial artist at work. Fun fact: Bow Sim Mark, Donnie Yen's mother, was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as "Kung Fu Artist of the Year" in 1995. A page pulled from the February 2010 issue of Black Belt Magazine Ray Park — Darth Maul What happens when you take a British wushu champion and drop him into a sci-fi franchise? You get Darth Maul. Before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Ray Park had already built a strong foundation in wushu and northern shaolin–influenced training, along with kickboxing, gymnastics, and more. That background changed Star Wars combat. Up to that point, lightsaber fights leaned heavily on traditional stage combat and fencing. Park brought something faster, more explosive, and more fluid—closer to staff work and performance wushu. The result is a fight style that still feels modern decades later—and a character who built a lasting following. Fun fact: While Park defined Maul physically, the character’s voice in Episode I was provided by Peter Serafinowicz. Diana Lee Inosanto — Morgan Elsbeth When Diana Lee Inosanto shows up in The Mandalorian, it’s a different kind of energy. No flash. No over-the-top movement. Just control. While she’s connected to figures like Dan Inosanto and the lineage surrounding Bruce Lee, her work stands on its own. Years of training, teaching, and performing show up in how comfortable she looks on screen. Her base in filipino martial arts, along with jeet kune do concepts, comes through in a specific way. It’s in how she handles weapons, how she closes distance, and how she stays composed when things speed up. Watch her fight Ahsoka Tano and you’ll notice it pretty quickly. There’s no extra movement. No filler. Everything she does feels like it has a reason behind it. It’s not loud—but it’s real. In a franchise where fights can easily turn into spectacle, that kind of restraint ends up standing out the most. Fun fact: Bruce Lee, her godfather, was the inspiration for her middle name. Bottom Line Plenty of actors can learn choreography. But when someone with real training steps in, it changes everything. The timing sharpens. The reactions make sense. The movement feels connected instead of memorized. That’s what Donnie Yen, Ray Park, and Diana Lee Inosanto bring to Star Wars. And it’s why their connection to Black Belt Magazine matters. Because even in a galaxy built on fantasy, the best fight scenes still come from something real. Fun fact: You can read the issues that featured these Star Wars standouts—plus EVERY issue since 1961—with a Black Belt+ subscription (pssst… it’s 50% off right now!). Simply click the subscribe button below!

In a recent trip to my hometown, I noticed something was different: located within five miles of one another were three MMA schools. What I saw at each facility made me question the term “mixed martial arts.” The first school looked like an ordinary MMA center: mats on the floor, a cage in the corner, and practitioners wearing board shorts, rash guards, and MMA gloves. Half the students did ground work, and half did stand-up. The receptionist said they also offered classes in Muay Thai, boxing, and jiu-jitsu. The second school looked like a traditional facility: hardwood floors, folding mats, and targets and shields placed around the room. The practitioners wore sweatpants and logo T-shirts and practiced takedowns using joint locks and strikes. After class, they clapped and shook hands. The instructor said the style was a “mixed martial art of karate and jiu-jitsu.” The third school was the kind I grew up in: mats on the floor, mirrors on the walls, and training equipment on racks. The students wore uniforms and belts, and they snapped to attention as the instructor walked in. They worked on grappling techniques but also had classes for sparring, kata, self-defense, and weapons.

The 10-year-old black belt has become a cliché in the martial arts. An elementary school kid practices a lot, masters his forms, and wins kata and pointfighting tournaments. The local paper does a feel-good story on his accomplishments, portraying him as someone who can fight like a man. In the minds of many, such stories devalue black belts and give kids a dangerously false sense of ability. Likewise, guys in their 20s who bill themselves as grandmasters are derided in our community. Set aside for a moment how inflated a young man’s ego would have to be to refer to himself using that title; a young grandmaster is a contradiction. The title usually represents a lifetime of achievement. It’s something students voluntarily call a great master out of respect for all he’s done in his art. Of course, martial arts prodigies do exist. But they’re significantly different from the 10-year-old black belt and 20-year-old grandmaster. Taking a look at two rare-but-real prodigies can help us understand where martial arts excellence comes from.

For the young folks out there, the title of this column comes from the lyrics of a hit song from the 1970s. That was before the UFC, before even kickboxing was well known. Back then in New York, kung fu fighting meant either competing in underground full-contact matches in Chinatown or entering karate point tournaments. Both were a far cry from the glitz, money and professionalism of today’s fight sports. But there’s always someone who wants to go retro. It’s unseasonably warm outside on the hard streets of Jamaica, Queens, and it’s not much better inside, where several dozen people are crammed into a third-floor martial arts studio. They’re waiting for the latest version of Man Up Stand Up, an underground event geared toward traditional martial artists. MUSU allows full-contact striking but limits ground fighting to 10 seconds at a time.