Kayla Hracho is in a groove of late.  After delivering mixed results over the course of her first three years as a professional fighter, the 32-year-old resident of Deerfield Beach, Florida has been on fire, winning her last three bouts in Combate Global’s cage, “La Jaula”, in decisive fashion, thanks in large part to her phenomenal punching skills. With her latest conquest – a unanimous decision over Spain’s Andrea Meneses on December 2 -  “Kayrock” ranks as high as #32 in the world in the women’s atomweight (105 pounds) division and finds herself at the front of the line for a Combate Global title shot in 2024. We talked with Kayla about her fight prep and post-fight rituals: What is your approach to food after the weigh in? I work closely with a professional nutritionist and weight-cut specialist named Eric Peña. After focusing on hydration, we aim to eat easily-digestible carbs and lean protein, and we limit fat and fiber. I try to eat small meal every few hours until I go to sleep. I shoot for foods that I ate during camp. In my opinion, if you fuel your body for 8 weeks with a certain type of gas, why would you completely switch up the gas type before the big race? My go-tos are salmon, chicken, rice and potatoes, greek yogurt, and fruits.  Describe your pre-fight playlist? I go through different waves of emotions pre-fight, and I listen to certain music based on how I’m feeling in the moment. During fight day, leading up to the event, I mostly listen to worship music. It keeps me calm and centered. When I arrive at the venue, that’s when I turn it up. I listen to a lot of Mobb Deep, Meek Mill, and even some reggaeton.  Do you have any fight day superstitions? I don’t have any superstitions, but I am somewhat regimented on fight day. I drink coffee and eat breakfast. I do a light workout. Then I spend the most of the day praying, meditating/visualizing, sleeping, stretching, eating, and relaxing. I may watch a movie, go for a walk, or relax in the sun. Before this previous fight, I spent some time watching old Ilia Topuria + Alexa Grasso fights.  Is there a specific person that always helps you warm up? My cornermen for my last 2 fights (and victories) have been the legends Thiago Alves and Johnny Eblen. Thiago is a UFC legend — a former title challenger and BKFC world champion.  Johnny Eblen is the current Bellator Middleweight World Champion. He’s a good friend and mentor of mine, and a damn good fighter. Thiago warms me up on the pads before the fight. These two guys get me in the perfect flow before stepping into battle.  Who is the last person you call pre-fight? On fight day, I’m typically alone the entire day until I meet my coaches at the venue. If I speak to anyone on the phone leading up to the fight, it would be my family.  What’s going through your mind as you make the ring-walk? The 20-second ring walk feels like a lifetime. At the same time, I’m thinking about everything and nothing. I am focused. Alert. Wide awake. I quickly run through my fundamentals and game-plan… “Knees bent. Hands up. Fast jab.” I utilize positive self-talk… “You’re the best. You’re prepared. You’re slick. You’ve worked so hard for this. Leave everything you have in there.” I think about specific combinations that I practiced all camp. And lastly, I breathe. I like to use the box breathing relaxation technique. You breathe in through your nose as you slowly count to 4 in your head, being conscious of how the air fills your lungs and stomach. Then hold your breathe for a count of 4, and exhale for a count of 4, releasing all tension in the body.  Once you see your opponent in the ring for the first time, is there anything that you're looking for? When I see my opponent standing across the cage, I don’t take my eyes off her. I’m scanning her eyes, her body and her chin, looking at the targets I’m going to hit. In my mind, I’m trying to instill fear, and letting her know by the look in my eyes that this is going to be her toughest fight yet.  What goes through your mind the first time you get hit? I’m going to hit her harder.  How difficult is it to control your anger during a fight? I’ve never been angry in a fight.  How often do you hear the crowd? I hear the crowd immediately before and after the fight, but not during.  Who is the first person you call post-fight? My mom. Does your post-fight routine change after a loss vs after a win? No, it doesn’t change. I typically take one week off training to recover and heal. If I’m able, I travel and spend time with my family. Whether I win or lose, I use this time to pause, reflect, and process the camp/fight. I study the fight (probably a few too many times) and list things that I want to focus on improving when I’m back on the mats.  What’s your favorite post-fight meal?  (or What’s the first thing you think about eating after a fight?) PIZZA AND PASTA WITH VODKA SAUCE!

We know that the benefits of martial arts training can be powerful and lifelong. After all, there’s got to be a reason we constantly leave the house, dress in what probably looks like pajamas with an oversized belt or sash around our waist, and proceed to punch and kick the air. Thing is, not everybody milling about outside the dojo can understand that motivation. Whether you are somebody who is trying to explain the reasons you’re doing what you’re doing or you are considering stepping into this weird-yet-worth-it world, this post is for you. Listed here are five ways — plus a bonus! — the martial arts can make you a better, well, you! Confidence Whether you walk into the martial arts studio a meek person too shy to make friends or you feel like an anxious performer too afraid to reveal your amazing personality on the stage of life, the confidence gain that comes with training may be a medicine you need. Just wrap your brain around the process you will go through. The martial arts studio is one of the few places where you can do uncomfortable things in a comfortable environment. You get to pressure-test your spirit and see yourself become a stronger person — physically and mentally. Like a sculptor uncovering the hidden beauty lying underneath unmolded clay, martial arts training chips away the negative thoughts that are holding you back and keeping you from unleashing your personality. Athletic Improvement While martial arts practice is not about gaining a heartthrob-level physique, there are many physical improvements that come in varying levels according to the style in which you train. Improved coordination, increased explosive power, better flexibility and enhanced mobility — the list could go on. The best part is, the athletic improvements don’t stop at the physical. Just like a basketball player before a big game, you learn to concentrate and block out all distractions in your head and in your environment. After all, as you perform a kata or work with a partner, you’ve got to keep your head in the game. Community & Legacy Something not often discussed as a desired result of martial arts training is the human connection. You don’t purchase a workout buddy when you sign up for a gym membership. However, learning martial arts means you are immediately surrounded by people, all of whom want to see you succeed in life. Not least in this positive stream is your sensei. Success without a successor is a failure. Just as your teacher pours his or her knowledge and devotion into you, one day you’ll get the chance to help another person on this journey. Beyond the success, this is an opportunity to be more significant in the world. Awareness of Self & Others Life’s like a ... Did you finish that line with “a box of chocolates”? I wouldn’t fault you if you did. The way I often finish is with “a snow globe.” Sometimes, we need to be shaken up a bit to see what remains settled at the bottom of our heart. In training, you get to see what habits are ingrained in your daily life and your attitude toward the world. When faced with aggression, do you posture toward it with ego and consume the threat; do you remain steadfast and unfazed, striving to analyze every aspect of the encounter; or do you give space and deftly avoid the problem? When you struggle to master a movement, do you give up, watch how another person does it or continue to work on it by yourself? You’ll find out soon enough. Healthier Habits It’s easy to quit a responsibility; it’s harder to quit a relationship. Though you may be able to stop going to the gym when it gets tough, it is motivating to have a sensei who’s dedicated to your personal accomplishments and healthier lifestyle. Like I touched on earlier, you are now a part of a community that wants to see you succeed in every aspect of life. Just as important as the decision to work toward a better you is the relationship you have with yourself, regardless of the phase of life you’re in. Through training, you start to work toward a better you because of the parts of yourself that you appreciate and desire to maintain or refine. In many ways, this is better than drawing that motivation from a place of self-loathing or a perceived lack that’s easy to succumb to. At the end of the day, it’s not just what you do. Why you do it also matters. BONUS! Work Ethic and Career Options I’ve met general managers who think highly of hiring martial artists because they know they’re willing to put in the work needed to achieve a goal. Aside from that, there are other opportunities that open up with formal training under your belt. Working security, becoming a stunt performer or action-movie star, opening a martial arts studio or offering private lessons (digital or in-person), stepping into the combat-sports world, writing for martial arts publications — all these are paths a martial artist can walk. Keep an open mind, and something amazing will pour in as an opportunity!

Like most netizens, we love Chuck Norris jokes. But Chuck Norris is more than just an action hero. As this classic interview with Sara Fogan shows, the former karate champion is also a deeply spiritual man who has devoted his life to helping children. Here are the real Chuck Norris facts. Missing in Action “In Missing in Action 3, the kids we worked with were all Amerasian,” Chuck Norris said while discussing his most memorable movie and TV roles. “It was in the Philippines, so they were half-Filipino, half-American. "We tried to help a lot of them financially. We were on the set one day, and this kid came in. He had a big growth on his cheek. When he walked around, he’d keep his hand over it. One day we took him to a surgeon, and he removed the growth. The change in him [was incredible].” Several days later, three more children with deformities found their way onto the set. “We had them taken care of, as well,” Chuck Norris said. “And the next day, we had a line of 100 or so kids. "And we were saying, ‘Oh, my, what can we do?’ We helped as many of them as we could because surgery over there was not that expensive. But it was sad to see so many of those kids with deformities.” Walker, Texas Ranger Chuck Norris added that his favorite episode of Walker, Texas Ranger was also about a sick child. The two-hour episode, titled “Lucas,” tells the tale of a boy, played by Haley Joel Osment, who was born with AIDS. “It was the most emotional script,” Chuck Norris said. “Of all my films and TV shows, that one affected me more than any other. When we sat down and read the script—I read every script with my writers to get a feel for it—after a while I had to stop because I was crying. The tears started coming down my face, and I looked at my writers, who were all crying, too. And I said, ‘I’ve got to rest; I’ve got to walk around for a while and recompose myself.’ That one was one of the most incredible scripts we ever had.” At the end of the episode, Chuck Norris ’ character had to perform the eulogy. “I said to myself, ‘Look, you’ll get one shot at this. You’d better be ready with the camera because this is too hard.’ And it was a very difficult scene to do. That was a special two hours for me.” The Black Belt Hall of Fame member and karate champion said the spiritual episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger were every bit as moving. “Especially the one about the gang leader who becomes a born-again Christian,” he said. “He finally finds his faith and breaks his gang ties, and now he’s an associate pastor. And the gang he used to run around with robs the church and injures the pastor, who goes into a coma. Now this boy’s at a crossroads. He has to decide, Does he resort to his gang ways, or does he try to forgive?” The plot unfolds as Chuck Norris’ character counters the violence of the gang members and talks to the youth about his faith. “I won the Epiphany Award for the best Christian show of the year for that episode,” he said. “In the last scene — you know, you can say ‘God’ on TV but you just don’t say ‘Jesus’ — the network didn’t want me to use Jesus’ name. But I thought, I have to. My character was talking about Jesus dying on the cross, not God. "So I wound up doing it anyway. The show did so well that they forgave me for doing it against their wishes.”

In a recent letter, someone mentioned his interest in taking karate lessons. He wanted to know what questions he should ask a prospective instructor to find out how well that instructor could train him. How to Choose A Martial Arts School - I'm sure there are many more people who are in a quandary about this, too. Each instructor is naturally biased toward his own style. Each will naturally say his style is superior. As has been said so many times before, however, an instructor is only as good as the students he turns out. He need not be the greatest karateka (karate practitioner) in the world. He need only be a good, patient and sincere teacher. To the prospective student interested in finding the best school and style suitable to him, I would recommend that you first contact the various karate schools in your area to find out when they hold promotional testing and whether spectators are allowed during the test. Most schools will allow people to view the testing, and I would be rather skeptical of schools that don't allow spectators or those which give out belts without a test. Once the test begins, observe not only the person testing but also those who are awaiting their turn to test. See if they are disciplined enough to sit patiently and quietly while their fellow students are being tested. Next, see if the candidate shows proper respect to the person or persons testing him. Respect and discipline are the foundations for any good school. Throughout the test, observe the physical conditioning of those being tested. The test should be hard enough to make them exert themselves, and their condition should be such that they can take it. During the test, you can also see what that particular school stresses most. Do they perform many forms (also called hyung or kata)? If so, are they hard forms or soft? Do they concentrate on the use of the hands or the feet, or do they use them equally? These points should all be considered in your selection of a school. The prospective student should also have a chance to see if the use of weapons is required or if there is an emphasis on board breaking. Also, find out also how much importance is placed on free-sparring. During the sparring, see how much control is used by the participants. This is a very important point. While at the studio, you will have a chance to observe the facilities it provides. See if these are up to the standards you have in mind. You might also check the following, if they are important to you: the appearance of the students (their uniforms should at least be clean and ironed) and the average age of the people testing. Compare the amount of time required by each school between each testing cycle and between each grade. If one school requires a minimum of one year before the green-belt test and another requires only six months, I would say the first school's green belts, on average, would be superior. Last but not least, check the instructor. How does he handle himself? Is it in a mature way? What is his appearance like? Is he setting an example of neatness? Does he appear to be in good physical condition? Would you be proud to point to him and say, “That's my instructor"? These are some of the things you should check when trying to find a new school for yourself.

In the 35 years he's been in show business, Chuck Norris has built a name for himself that's instantly recognized around the world. As the title of his newest book, Against All Odds, says, he's had to claw his way up from having a four-word bit part in his first film to being deemed worthy of starring roles in big-budget productions—all despite the naysayers who insisted that a mild-mannered karate champ could never make it big in Hollywood. Despite his success, he never forgets to give credit to those who helped him navigate his circuitous path to the top and always manages to find time to spread the magic of the martial arts to those who need it most. Keep reading for the full interview! BONUS CONTENT: New Name, Same Aim Former karate champion Chuck Norris says his mother often told him, "God has plans for you." He believes part of the plan is to help at-risk kids lead productive lives and fulfill their goals. His nonprofit organization, KICKSTART, is enabling him to do just that for thousands of children. Originally called Kick Drugs Out of America, it was founded in 1990. It was developed through private donations, he says, but people's misconception that it was primarily an anti-drug program often made it difficult to secure contributions. Consequently, his recent decision to change the name was a practical one. "Why have a name that you're having to spend a lot of time trying to explain?" he asks. "We changed it to KICKSTART: Building Strong Moral Character in Our Youth Through Martial Arts." The martial arts are an essential component of the program, he says, but the purpose of the training is not to teach kids how to fight. Rather, it's to raise their self-esteem so they don't feel they have to fight. "Think of the martial arts as help to raise your self-esteem in a positive way—it's been proved with my foundation over the years." There are currently 5,200 children in KICKSTART, which is in 37 schools. More than 30,000 people have already graduated and headed for college. "One of our boys is going up to MIT on a scholarship; that's very gratifying," Norris says. "Many of our kids are valedictorians, graduating and getting scholarships to universities. If you talk to them, they'll say, 'The program helped give me the self-esteem, the inner strength to pursue my goals in life.' " For more information, visit http://www.kick-start.org . —Sara Fogan Chuck Norris Exclusive Interview : Black Belt: Your movie career began in 1969 with an appearance in The Wrecking Crew. What do you remember about that role? Chuck Norris: (laughs) That's going a long way back. Bruce Lee was the stunt coordinator on that film, and he asked me if I wanted to play this part. And I said, "Oh yeah, it sounds exciting." So they gave me the script, and I had one line in it. I studied it for two weeks, trying to figure out how to say it. On the day of shooting, Bruce wasn't even there. Before he went off to do something else, he said: "Oh, you know how to do the fight scenes. You don't need me here." But I was nervous as can be. My one line was, "May I, Mr. Helm?" which I had to say when Dean Martin walked into the club to see Elke Sommer and Nigel Green. As he walked in and I was sitting in this booth, I could feel my throat tightening up. I jumped up and tried to say, "May I, Mr. Helm?" My throat froze up, and I couldn't even say it. Of course, they didn't care. Then I did the fight with Dean Martin, and it was fine. BB: Next was Return of the Dragon in 1973, a movie that included a monumental battle between you and Bruce Lee that people are still talking about. Norris: Yeah, that was amazing. Bruce had left for Hong Kong to pursue his movie career, and I didn't hear from him for a couple of years. Then he called me out of the blue and asked if I would be his opponent in this new movie, which he was directing as well. He said, "I'm going to do this big fight scene in the coliseum in Rome—a fight to the death, like two gladiators." And kiddingly I went, "Well, who wins, Bruce?" And he said, "I win; I'm the star of this movie." I said, "Oh, I see." Because I held the world title then, I said, "So you want to beat the world champion?" And he said, "No, I want to kill the world champion." I said, "Oh ... OK." BB: Were you happy with the way the fight came out? Norris: Oh yeah. It became a classic. Even to this day it's still … we just went to a Target [store], and in the DVD section there was only one copy of Return of the Dragon left on the rack. It's amazing. BB: Next came Breaker! Breaker! I remember that one—where you played a trucker—because I saw it at a drive-in theater in 1976. Norris: Breaker! Breaker! was a real low-budget film. We actually had to shoot a promo to get the investors to put up $240,000. It was my first strong acting role. Eighty percent of the people in it were my black belts—my students. It was fun to do, but it didn't do much for my reputation because it was a trucking film. It wasn't a "Chuck Norris movie" per se. BB: Next came Good Guys Wear Black in 1977. Norris: That was my first real film, and it was tough because there was a lot of dialogue. But luckily it had a lot of good actors—James Franciscus, Anne Archer, Lloyd Hanes—and they helped me a lot. We actually had to "four-wall" Good Guys Wear Black . No movie studio wanted the film, so we went out and four-walled it, which means we rented the theaters and whatever money came in, we could keep. I went around from market to market promoting the movie, and it did really well. BB: What do you remember about the pivotal scene in which you execute a flying side kick through the windshield of the moving car? Norris: That's really what sold the movie; it was the promo that brought a lot of people into the theater. Producers didn't think martial arts films had any life after Bruce Lee, but Good Guys Wear Black proved martial arts films still did have life. Now, that movie played in a lot of drive-ins. I went to one in Chicago, and cars were lined up for blocks to get in. I walked into the snack bar, and people started asking me to sign autographs. There was a line of women—because all the guys were watching the movie—and one of them was pregnant. Then her water broke, and she went into labor right there in the snack bar. I ran over, picked her up and put her on the table. Then we tried to get ahold of the husband, but he was watching the movie in one of the 2,000 cars in the drive-in. So they got on the speaker, and he finally came in. The ambulance arrived, and we helped her into it. She said, "If it's a boy, I'll name him after you." (laughs) Of course, I never knew … BB: After that was 1978's A Force of One, in which Bill Wallace played the principle bad guy. Norris: That was a film Pat Johnson wrote when I was on tour with Good Guys Wear Black. It was doing very well, and the producers said, "Let's do another film." So I called Pat and said, "What do you think about writing a script?" And he said, "How about one with you as a professional fighter?" I said, "OK." So he wrote A Force of One. No studio wanted this one, either. So I started the whole gambit again, following the same route I did on Good Guys Wear Black . And then A Force of One wound up out-grossing Good Guys Wear Black. BB: Then you began shooting The Octagon, which came out in 1979. Norris: By that time, Good Guys Wear Black and A Force of One had grossed a lot of money, so the studios wanted The Octagon. American Cinema is the group that four-walled us; they became a public company, and they distributed The Octagon as well. BB: Who were your co-stars? Norris: Tadashi Yamashita was my adversary. Richard Norton was in it, as was Aaron, my brother. All the guys I fought were my black belts. They were all wearing masks, and it was funny because I was fighting them, and after I'd knock them out, they'd run around and get back in [the scene] for a second time. I was knocking them out over and over again. BB: Your next movie was An Eye for an Eye in 1980. Norris: I played a cop in San Francisco. It was an OK film. The villain was Toru Tanaka, a big Japanese wrestler. He was a great guy. And Mako co-starred in it. It was fun to do. BB: Then in 1981 came Silent Rage, where the villain is injected with a chemical that makes him invincible. It was about a psycho who couldn't die. It's amazing that out of all my films, it's the one that makes the most people come up to me and say, "Are you going to do a sequel?" I say: "What would I do? I tried every way in the world to kill that guy. Finally I had to dump him down a well. There's nothing else I could do to him." BB: Also in 1981 was Forced Vengeance. Norris: I played kind of a cowboy who was in a casino in Hong Kong, where he worked as a bouncer/bodyguard for the owner. It was OK, but it wasn't something I was really excited about. I had a three-movie deal with MGM, and after doing Forced Vengeance, I could see the direction they wanted to go with me. So I talked my way out of the contract because that wasn't the direction I wanted to go. BB: Next up was another fan favorite, Lone Wolf McQuade, which was released in 1982. That's one of my favorites, too. It was great working with David Carradine and Barbara Carrera. I thought it was a good fight scene with David. Gil Reyes, the big muscle-bound guy I kept knocking out, ended up becoming Andre Agassi's personal trainer right after the film came out—and he still is. BB: Because your character in the movie always drank Pearl beer, I actually went out and bought some. It wasn't that great. Norris: That reminds me … in the movie when I was in my truck, which had just been buried in the dirt, I took out a Pearl beer and poured it on my head [to revive myself]. Well, you forget that's alcohol. I went, "Oh, man!" My eyes start burning, and I said, "What a stupid thing to do!" BB: Your next job was headlining Missing in Action in 1984. Norris: That film—all three of the Missing in Action films, actually—was very special to me. The first one, of course, dealt with the MIAs and my mission to rescue them. We shot it in the Philippines. In the second one, Missing in Action II: The Beginning, I was a prisoner of war who was trying to escape and all that stuff. It was a prequel. BB: After the second Missing in Action, you did Code of Silence in 1985. Norris: That was my biggest critical success. I played a cop in Chicago, and Dennis Farina was one of my co-stars. It was probably the first movie where the critics really praised me. They called me the next John Wayne. BB: Was that gratifying after having taken so much of the abuse that action stars always seem to take? Norris: It was nice to get good reviews, which I'd never gotten before. I always felt I was a people's actor, not a critic's actor. Steve McQueen once said: "Look, the critics can praise you to the end of the world, but if your movie makes $2, you're not going to work. So the thing is, as long as people come and see your movies, you're going to keep working, no matter what the critics say." So when I got crucified by the critics, I'd try to keep that in mind. BB: Invasion USA came along later in 1985. Any special memories? Norris: That's the one I shot in Atlanta and Miami. I wrote that screenplay [after] I got the story out of a Reader's Digest, which talked about what would happen if terrorists came into our country and started blowing up schools and buses and airplanes—things that would isolate our transportation system. [It was like] 9-11. Of course, in the film it was the Russians who were trying to scare us into not leaving our homes. And I saved the day. (laughs) BB: Your next effort, in 1986, was another military movie titled Delta Force. Norris: That was a good one, too, because it was a privilege to work with Lee Marvin. He was an incredible guy, a real macho guy. He was known for criticizing everybody—all his co-stars—and he never said nice things. Then they interviewed him right after we did Delta Force and asked him about me. He said: "I liked him. He was a cool guy." So I thought, "Thank goodness." BB: Around that time, some of your martial arts fans started complaining that you were getting away from fighting with your hands and feet and getting into fighting with machine guns … Norris: In that particular movie, it was appropriate because I was fighting terrorists [who had taken over] a plane. But we had a good fight scene at the end. Most of it, however, was motorcycle riding and stuff like that. It was more of a stunt movie than a fighting movie. BB: Next up in 1986 was one of my favorites, Firewalker. Norris: That was a script I loved. It showed a lighter side of my character, and I thought it would be fun not to have to be so serious, to just be a happy-go-lucky guy. It didn't do the gross that the other films did, though. BB: Had you always wanted to do a comedy? Norris: Not a comedy—I didn't want to be comedic. I just wanted a lighter role, and that's what I liked about Firewalker. It was great to work with Louis Gosset Jr. BB: In 1987 you returned to a serious role in Braddock: Missing in Action. Norris: The third Missing in Action film was about the Amerasian children in Vietnam. The story was, I was married to a Vietnamese woman. I thought she was killed but she wasn't. She was actually expecting a baby. Years later, I found out about it and went back to rescue them. BB: After that was Hero and the Terror in 1988. Norris: That was shot here in Los Angeles. It was a scary movie. The bad guy was a monster, a huge guy. It was OK, but it wasn't one of my favorites. BB: Your next role was in Delta Force 2: Operation Stranglehold, a 1990 sequel to your earlier success. Norris: That was a film we shot in the Philippines, too. It was just an action film. I had a lot of fun doing it. BB: In 1991 you made The Hitman. Norris: That was shot in Vancouver, Canada. It showed the darker side of my character—the opposite of Firewalker. I played a cop who was double-crossed by his partner and left for dead. Then he went undercover to crack this Mafia. And you really saw the dark side because he was a cold-blooded killer. He started questioning his loyalties, and being undercover for so long, he began to wonder who his true friends were: the FBI or the Mafia. That can actually happen to law-enforcement officers who go under deep cover. Sometimes their mind starts playing tricks on them. That's what The Hitman was all about. BB: Your next movie was a bit lighter: Sidekicks, released in 1993. Norris: Sidekicks was very successful. A friend of mine put up the money for it—a guy named "Mattress Mac." Mattress Mac owned—and he still does—one of the most successful furniture companies in Texas. He was actually the first man to put up money for KICKSTART, then known as Kick Drugs Out of America. I met him and his wife, Linda, at a charity function and started telling them about what I wanted to do with at-risk kids and all that. The next day, I went to their office and told them more about the program. Linda pulled out her checkbook and started writing. I was wondering how much they would give me—$5,000 maybe? I would have been excited about that, but she handed me a check for $50,000! Then Mac started promoting the program on his radio spots. All of a sudden, we had people coming in. I don't know if I would have gotten it started without their help. BB: After Sidekicks came Hellbound in 1994. Norris: It was an interesting movie, a little on the lighter side. [My adversary] was the devil—or his helper or whatever, a guy who had lived thousands of years. King Richard actually entombed him, then hundreds of years later some guys opened the tomb and let him run rampant. It was half humor and half sci-fi. I enjoyed the trip to Israel, where it was filmed. BB: In 1995 you made Top Dog. Norris: It was interesting working with a dog—even though they always say, "Never work with dogs or children." This dog was incredibly smart. I was doing a scene where the dog and I were running, and we both had our marks to land on. I ran up and looked—and missed my mark by two or three feet—but the dog landed right on his. And they said, "Chuck, if a dog can land on his, you can sure as heck land on yours!" BB: The last film on the list is Forest Warrior, which was released on video in 1995. Norris: Yeah, that was a cute movie we shot in Oregon. I played a man who gets killed and becomes a spirit in the mountains. Then I help these kids. It's a nice family film. BB: Last question: Which is your favorite, and which are you most proud of? Norris: I have to say I'm proud of them all. My favorite? That's a tough one because each has a special [meaning] to me. The Missing in Action films were very special because they were really the ones that [took] me to a higher level [where I was] more in demand. They helped spearhead my career. Of course, Code of Silence is special because it was a critical success. And Lone Wolf McQuade was a fun film. We're delighted to republish this timeless article for our readers' enjoyment.

When it comes to martial arts and strategy, only a few books are considered must-reads. One of them is The Book of Five Rings(Gorin-no-sho) by Samurai Swordsman Miyamoto Musashi . Written between 1643 and 1645, it remains a source of ageless wisdom. The recent publication of The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works, translated by Alexander Bennett, includes the well-known text along with other important writings by the famed samurai. The book’s release seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out why, after hundreds of years, the philosophy of the master swordsman is still studied and why it still rings true. Luckily, Alexander Bennett was able to speak with me about his martial arts career, the legend of Miyamoto Musashi and why Musashi is still relevant today. Way of the Sword In addition to being a gifted writer and translator, Bennett has extensive martial arts credentials: kendo (7th-degree black belt), iaido (5th degree), naginata (5th degree), jukendo (6th degree) and tankendo (6th degree), as well as ongoing training in three kobudo arts. As such, he is perhaps the most appropriate person to bring the legendary samurai’s wisdom to the world. Bennett’s personal story has the makings of a great warrior’s legend. Traveling to Japan from his native New Zealand as an exchange student, he was in the perfect place to study the way of the sword in the land of Musashi. After his host mother suggested doing something Japanese as an activity, he found kendo. Bennett described his first impression of the art: “That just blew me away. It was just crazy stuff going on in there. I’d never seen kendo before, but as you can imagine, a young, impressionable 17-year-old seeing people pretending to be samurai was pretty cool, so I thought I may as well give that a go. “And that was where it all started, with not much intent at all other than just to go in there and have a bit of a laugh, really. As I got into it, it was a bit like the Hotel California: I sort of checked in and didn’t check out again, and here I am, still here.” The demanding, and sometimes brutal training, which took place seven days a week, was physically and emotionally taxing, but it led Bennett to great personal growth. “You start to realize after a while it’s all a matter of your frame of mind,” he said. “If you put your mind to something, it doesn’t matter what the hell it is — you’ll get through it.” After decades of studying kendo, it almost seems fated that he would tackle the daunting task of sorting fact from fiction in the legend of Musashi. Legend of Musashi Although The Book of Five Rings is a revered text, Bennett pointed out that the original manuscript no longer exists. Subsequently, a plethora of versions, hand-copied through the ages and likely containing errors, made it difficult to find the most authentic one. “Trying to sort of identify which one is the closest to what Musashi wrote originally — that was the work of Professor Uozumi, whom I’ve known for many, many years. So I was able to reference his work to get to the closest version of Musashi’s original.” Though the errors of transcribers can be corrected, the myths surrounding Musashi are harder to correct, Bennett said. “Part of the reason for writing this book is to dispel a lot of the myths surrounding Musashi because the truth of the matter is, without the myths, Musashi’s life and his career and Musashi as a person are absolutely fascinating. “What he’s created, his career, is just phenomenal in its own right.” Ageless Wisdom Some may wonder about the value of reading Musashi in the modern era. As delineated in the book, the samurai was not talking about just swordsmanship. “Musashi goes to great pains to point out that it doesn’t bloody matter if you’ve got a sword or not,” Bennett said. “And if you’ve got a sword, it doesn’t matter how big it is; it’s how you use it. That’s the point. So he’s very clear about saying, ‘This is not just about one-size-fits-all kenjutsu. This is applicable to everything.’” This quote from Bennett’s translation of The Book of Five Rings may be recognized by some readers, and it’s quite possibly the best template for mastering skill: “One thousand days of training to forge, 10,000 days of training to refine. Be mindful of this.” (Musashi, 104) Whether you’re a swordsman, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, an IT specialist or anything else that requires skill, you will find value in the message of Musashi: You have to work in your field for a long time to develop skill. Bennett explained the famous quote further: “You can learn the basic movements in three years — 1,000 days is give or take three years. But to truly master them and refine them properly so that they become a part of you takes 10,000 days of training — 30 years. That’s figurative, of course, but that’s something that in my own experience as a martial artist I find to be very true.” The road to a high level of skill and understanding is long, and Bennett crystalized the essence of Musashi’s message perfectly: “Anybody that wants a quick fix and wants to go and buy their McDojo black belt down the road — well, they’re just fooling themselves. If you really want to understand this world of the martial arts, then this is something that you have to prepare to spend a life doing.” Musashi, M., 2020. The Complete Musashi, The Book of Five Rings and Other Works. Translated by A. Bennett. Tokyo: Tuttle.

GLORY can officially announce that the ‘King of Kickboxing’  Rico Verhoeven (60-10, 20 KO) has signed a brand-new three-year contract that will not only see him compete in the ring for multiple more fights but also be more involved with the brand outside of the ring. In addition, Rico Verhoeven confirms that he will also enter the eight-man one-night GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix which will take place Saturday, March 9, at the GelreDome in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The heavyweight champion joins a field which includes the previously qualified Tariq Osaro (25-3-1, 13 KO), Levi Rigters (15-1, 7 KO), Uku Jürjendal (20-8, 16 KO), Bahram Rajabzadeh (65-1, 58 KO), and Sofian Laïdouni (35-2-1, 17 KO), and Antonio Plazibat (22-6, 16 KO), who yesterday was confirmed as a wildcard entrant. "As someone who's been part of the GLORY family since 2012, I can honestly say that I've never felt more motivated and excited," Rico Verhoeven stated. "What truly inspires and drives me is the combination of facing challenges in the ring and my role in growing the brand and combat sports in general outside of it. GLORY's new direction for 2024 is a real game-changer. If you're a fan of combat sports, GLORY is the place to be for non-stop action and entertainment. I put my money where my mouth is by going up against seven other top heavyweights to claim victory in the Heavyweight Grand Prix on March 9!” “Rico has dominated the heavyweight division in kickboxing for the last 10 years, a feat that no other fighter managed to achieve in other combat sports,” said Pierre Andurand, GLORY co-founder and Chairman. “He is a great champion inside and outside the ring, and I am glad that he decided to fight in GLORY for at least the next three years. Going back to the eight-man tournament format and having Rico competing in the Grand Prix on March 8 is very exciting. Tournaments are more unpredictable and are a test of the fighting spirit. They guarantee more action, more emotions, and more drama. New stars will arise. I hope the fans are as excited as me about what is to come in 2024 and beyond in the sport of kickboxing.” “Next year will be an historic year for GLORY and with our new strategy in place, Rico will be an important driver for our future success,” said Maurice Hols, GLORY Executive Director. “I am thrilled to see him enter the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix and extend his contract for multiple more years. Having his involvement with the GLORY brand outside of the ring will also play an important role in what will be a massive period of growth & evolution of the GLORY product for fans.” This news follows the massive structure change to the GLORY 2024 calendar which will see thrilling Grand Prix events across the heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, and lightweight divisions, superfights, bigger & more international events, and an elevated fan & viewer experience. The GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix will take place March 9 live from the GelreDome in Arnhem, the Netherlands. For tickets, fans can join the   presale registration here . Stay tuned to  GLORYKickboxing.com  for more information on upcoming GLORY events.

GLORY 90 took place Saturday, December 23, live from the RTM Stage in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It was the final event of a truly groundbreaking year for GLORY and it ended in style.   In the main event, welterweight champion  Endy Semeleer (36-1, 18 KO) retained his crown with first round stoppage victory over ‘House of GLORY’ winner Anwar Ouled-Chaib (3-1). The 28-year-old showed his class as he pressured & blitzed Ouled-Chaib to knock the young Moroccan down to the canvas three times in quick succession, forcing the referee to step in and call an end to the action.  It was his fifth straight victory and third title defense for Semeleer who is one of the P4P best kickboxers on the planet today.   Morocco’s  Nabil Khachab (27-4-1, 4 KO) booked his spot in the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix. The fan favourite pushed the action and looked a level above Serbia’s Nikola Filipovic (11-3, 6 KO) en route to unanimous decision victory.   Khachab now joins Rico Verhoeven (60-10, 20 KO), Tariq ‘Cookie’ Osaro (25-3-1, 13 KO), Levi Rigters (15-1, 7 KO), Uku Jürjendal (20-8, 16 KO), Bahram Rajabzadeh (65-1, 58 KO), Sofian Laïdouni (35-2-1, 17 KO), and Antonio Plazibat (22-6, 16 KO) in the eight-man one-night tournament set for March 9 at the GelreDome in Arnhem, the Netherlands.  Elsewhere on the main card,  Teodor Hristov (16-3, 7 KO) caused the upset of the night. The Bulgarian youngster scored the biggest win of his budding career with a decision victory over former champ Murthel Groenhart (70-27-3, 40 KO).  Enriko Kehl (53-15-2, 31 KO) potentially booked himself as the next contender for the lightweight title. The German stopped Arman Hambaryan (58-9-2, 27 KO) of Armenia in the third round. After the fight, champion Tyjani Beztati stormed the ring to go face to face with Kehl and the two exchanged words.  Albania’s  Berjan Peposhi (29-4, 16 KO) ended 2023 on a high. Having lost his first three fights in the GLORY ring, he stepped in on late notice to defeat Portugal’s Miguel Trindade (57-7, 24 KO) via split decision in what was an action-packed fight from start to finish.  Rising Moroccan star  Mohamed Touchassie (16-1, 13 KO) registered another electric performance knocking Cameroon’s Brice Kombou (18-4, 3 KO) down three times in the first round to get the TKO victory.  In the prelims, Turkey’s  Cihad Kepenek (22-6, 15 KO) made a successful return with a split decision victory over Poland’s Michał Blawdziewicz (11-7-1, 5 KO) and Dutch prospect Nina van Dalum (14-6, 1 KO) got her hand raised in her promotional debut against Portugal’s Debora Evora (27-10-1, 2 KO).  Here are the complete results breakdown for GLORY 90: Main Event - GLORYWelterweight Title Endy Semeleer (36-1, 18 KO) def. Anwar Ouled-Chaib (3-1) via TKO (three knockdown rule), round 1, 1:42.  Co-Main Event - Heavyweight Grand Prix Qualifier Nabil Khachab (27-4-1, 4 KO) def. Nikola Filipovic (11-3, 6 KO) via unanimous decision (30-27 x 5).  Welterweight Teodor Hristov (16-3, 7 KO) def. Murthel Groenhart (70-27-3, 40 KO) via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3, 29-28 x 2).  Lightweight Enriko Kehl (53-15-2, 31 KO) def. Arman Hambaryan (58-9-2, 27 KO) via TKO, round 3, round 3, 0:31.  Catchweight 67 kg Berjan Peposhi (29-4, 16 KO) def. Miguel Trindade (57-7, 24 KO) via split decision (28-27 x 4, 27-28).  Middleweight Mohamed Touchassie (16-1, 13 KO) def. Brice Kombou (18-4, 3 KO) via TKO (three knockdowns), round 1, 1:52.   Heavyweight Cihad Kepenek (22-6, 15 KO) def. Michał Blawdziewicz (11-7-1, 5 KO) via split decision (30-27 x 4, 28-29).  Super Bantamweight Nina van Dalum (14-6, 1 KO) def. Debora Evora (27-10-1, 2 KO) via unanimous decision (30-27 x 5)

ONE Friday Fights 46 was delivered as one of the year’s most exciting martial arts events from start to finish. The Lumpinee Boxing Stadium crowd in Bangkok, Thailand, was loud and into every single bout on the card. A triple-header of title tilts headlined the card, and each bout was better than the last. In the first title match, Phetjeeja bested Anissa Meksen in a five-round battle. Meksen found success throughout, but the Thai’s power shots visibly rocked the head of the French-Algerian on multiple occasions. “The Queen” got her first crown as the ONE Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion and set up a unification bout with Janet Todd for 2024. In the following contest, Prajanchai PK Saenchai got his revenge on Joseph Lasiri to unify the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title. Lasiri was dancing and smiling but quickly found himself face down on the canvas in under 90 seconds after a crushing elbow collided with his face. Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Superbon Singha Mawynn put on a striking masterclass for five rounds in the main event. The bout could have gone either way when it reached the end of the fifth round, but Tawanchai got the nod in the eyes of the judges. But there was so much more on the card. Just before the three title matches, Nico Carrillo overcame early adversity with a battered leg to knockout Nong-O Hama. He positioned himself as one of the top contenders for Jonathan Haggerty’s bantamweight gold. The night began with three consecutive knockout performances to get the evening rolling on the right note. Suablack Tor Pran49, Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi, and Suriyanlek Por Yenying grabbed wins and performance bonuses for their work. Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai also picked up a huge knockout win with a first-round finish over Fariyar Aminipour. In the following bout, Nabil Anane used his length to stifle Muangthai PK Saenchai for the biggest win of his career. When the main card got underway, Seksan Or Kwanmuang found himself in a firefight with River Daz. Although the Aussie performed well, “The Man Who Yields To No One” edged past him by a split decision. ONE Friday Fights 46 was pure adrenaline every step of the way. The event can be relived on-demand at watch.onefc.com for $39.99. ONE Friday Fights 46 Full Results Tawanchai PK Saenchai def. Superbon Singha Mawynn by majority decision Prajanchai PK Saenchai def. Joseph Lasiri by KO at 1:28 of the first round Phetjeeja def Anissa Meksen by unanimous decision Nico Carrillo def. Nong-O Hama by KO at 1:28 of the second round Seksan Or Kwanmuang def. River Daz by split decision Nabil Anane def. Muangthai PK Saenchai by unanimous decision Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai def. Fariyar Aminipour by KO at 2:51 of the first round Jaosuayai Sor Dechapan def. Petsukumvit Boi Bangna by majority decision Suablack Tor Pran49 def. Craig Coakley by KO at 2:15 of the first round Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi def. Eisaku Ogasawara by KO at 0:57 of the second round Suriyanlek Por Yenying def. Yodkritsada Sor Sommai by KO at 0:15 of the second round

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion , partnering with Teresa Tapia’s LIGA MVL, presents the BKFC Prospect Series on Friday, January 27, 2024  at The Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tickets for the BKFC Prospect Series are Now On-Sale  at BKFC.com . The Revel is located at 4720 Alexander Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107. The BKFC Prospect Series will also be broadcast internationally as part of the BKFC+ Subscription for $7.99 per month on the BKFC App – The Best Value in Combat Sports  and is sponsored by Bucked Up, Grunt Style, Fubo Sports, MIT 45, Only Fans and Crescent Tools. Additionally, the event will be broadcast on Fubo Sports free of charge.   “We’re always excited to return to Albuquerque, New Mexico, home to some of the toughest and most talented bare-knuckle fighters in the world along with the amazing fans who have been so incredibly supportive of our three past local events,” said David Feldman, President and Founder of BKFC. “The BKFC Prospect Series is a special, unique event showcasing some of the best young talent in Albuquerque which promises fireworks throughout the evening.”   In the main event on January 27, popular local favorite Donald Sanchez, (1-1), clashes with battle tested veteran Noah Cutter, (3-6) of Defuniak Springs, FL in a middleweight bout. Sanchez impressed in his last fight in the squared circle, a dominant unanimous decision over Blake LaCaze at BKFC-48 on August 11, 2023 at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cutter looks to bounce back into the win column after his matchup with Dakota Cochrane at BKFC-43 on May 19, 2023.   Co-featured at the BKFC Prospect Series event, Albuquerque native Eric ‘Thuggy Bear’ Dodson, (2-1), brother of BKFC Flyweight World Champion John Dodson, knuckles up against Dakota Highpine, (1-2), of Great Falls, Montana. Dodson seeks a return to the winner’s circle following a hotly contested fight with Roberto Armas at BKFC-48. Highpine also looks towards victory following a loss to Bryan Duran at BKFC-49 on August 25, 2023.   Additional fights for the BKFC Prospect Series will be announced shortly.

As the year 2023 comes to a close, it's time to take a look at the warriors who have claimed the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) titles across various weight classes. These fighters have shown exceptional skill, determination, and resilience in the octagon, earning them the prestigious status of UFC champions. Here are the 2023 UFC Title Holders: Flyweight 125 Lbs - Male Alexandre Pantoja Record:  27-5-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval Notable Achievement:  Pantoja has demonstrated remarkable agility and precision in the Flyweight division, establishing himself as a formidable champion with his technical prowess and strategic fighting style. Bantamweight 135 Lbs - Male Sean O'Malley Record:  17-1-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Aljamain Sterling vs Sean O'Malley Notable Achievement:  Known for his charismatic presence and dynamic fighting technique, O'Malley has captivated fans and secured his place at the top with his impressive win-loss record. Featherweight 174 Lbs - Male Alexander Volkanovski Record:  26-3-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski Notable Achievement:  Volkanovski's dominance in the Featherweight division is marked by his exceptional strength and tactical intelligence, making him one of the most respected fighters in the UFC. Lightweight 171 Lbs - Male Islam Makhachev Record:  25-1-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski Notable Achievement:  Makhachev has risen through the ranks with his grappling skills and endurance, proving to be a relentless force in the Lightweight category. Welterweight 170 Lbs - Male Leon Edwards Record:  22-3-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington Notable Achievement:  Edwards' journey to the top is a testament to his hard work and versatility in the octagon, making him a standout champion in the Welterweight division. Middleweight 185 Lbs Sean Strickland Record:  28-5-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland Notable Achievement:  Strickland's robust fighting style and resilience have earned him the Middleweight title, showcasing his ability to outperform some of the toughest competitors. Light Heavyweight 204 Lbs Alex Pereira Record:  9-2-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Jiří Procházka vs Alex Pereira Notable Achievement:  Despite a relatively shorter record, Pereira's explosive power and knockout ability have quickly propelled him to the forefront of the Light Heavyweight division. Heavyweight 248 Lbs Jon Jones Record:  27-1-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane Notable Achievement:  Jones, a legend in the UFC, continues to assert his dominance in the Heavyweight class with his unparalleled skill set and strategic mastery inside the octagon. Women's Straw Weight 115 Lbs Zhang Weili Record:  24-3-0 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Zhang Weili vs Amanda Lemos Notable Achievement:  Weili's tenacity and striking ability have kept her at the pinnacle of the Women's Strawweight division, making her a fearsome and respected champion. Women's Flyweight 134 Lbs Alexa Grasso Record:  16-3-1 (W-L-D) Last Fight:  Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko Notable Achievement:  Grasso has risen to prominence with her quick movement and striking accuracy, marking her as a formidable titleholder in the Women's Flyweight category. These champions represent the pinnacle of mixed martial arts in their respective divisions. Their journey to the top of UFC in 2023 has been a testament to their skill, hard work, and dedication to the sport. As we look forward to another exciting year in UFC, these fighters will undoubtedly continue to inspire and amaze fans around the world.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has unveiled an exciting slate of bouts for its landmark UFC 300 event, alongside several other high-profile fight cards. These announcements from UFC President Dana White have generated considerable buzz in the MMA community. Here's a breakdown of the key matchups across these events: UFC 300 – April 13, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Light Heavyweight Bout: Jiří Procházka vs. Aleksandar Rakić. Procházka, known for his dynamic striking and knockout power, faces Rakić, a well-rounded fighter with a solid ground game. This clash promises a high-octane battle between two top contenders in the light heavyweight division. Featherweight Bout: Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar . Sterling, a master of grappling and submissions, meets Kattar, a striker with excellent boxing skills. This fight offers a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, showcasing diverse fighting styles. Middleweight Bout: Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage . Rising stars Nickal and Brundage will face off in a contest that could propel the winner to new heights in the middleweight ranks. Both fighters bring a mix of wrestling and striking, promising a well-rounded and competitive match. UFC 298 – February 17, Anaheim, California Middleweight Bout: Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa Former champion Whittaker takes on powerhouse Costa in a highly anticipated middleweight showdown. This bout pits Whittaker's technical striking and agility against Costa's brute strength and aggression. Welterweight Bout: Ian Machado Garry vs. Geoff Neal Originally slated for another event, this welterweight clash features the up-and-coming Garry against the experienced striker Neal. It's a pivotal fight for both athletes' career trajectories. UFC Fight Night – February 24, Mexico City Featherweight Co-Main Event: Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega This five-round bout showcases Rodriguez's dynamic striking against Ortega's renowned grappling and submission skills. It's a fight that could determine the next title challenger in the featherweight division. Flyweight Main Event: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi Moreno, a former champion with an all-around skill set, faces Albazi, a rising star with a strong grappling background. This fight is critical for the flyweight division's landscape. UFC Fight Night – March 30, Atlantic City, New Jersey Women's Flyweight Main Event: Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot . Blanchfield, a New Jersey native, takes on France's Fiorot in what is likely a title eliminator bout. Both fighters have shown impressive skills in their recent outings, making this matchup a potential fight-of-the-night contender. These upcoming UFC events are set to deliver thrilling action and potential career-defining moments for the fighters involved. Fans worldwide eagerly await these matchups as the UFC continues to showcase the best in mixed martial arts.