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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is the second of two articles about kickboxing and Muay Thai, and why kickboxers don’t succeed in Muay Thai the same way Thai Boxers succeed in kickboxing. Last time we looked at kickboxers and their lack of success in Muay Thai, in this article we’ll look at why it’s not a two way street. We looked last time at kickboxing, and how the tools and pace of kickboxing doesn’t adequately prepare you for Muay Thai competition. So, what about the Thai boxer, who chooses to swap to kickboxing? Why do they fare so much better, today we have Petpanomrung, Sittichai and Superbon who all left professional Muay Thai to pursue lucrative careers in kickboxing. Being the top fighters in their division with wins over all the best names. Not to mention the great Buakaw, one of the top 5 greatest kickboxers of all time, who did the same thing in the 2000’s. What obstacles to Thai Boxers Face in Kickboxing? Thai Boxers have to adjust to having fewer weapons. While legal in Muay Thai, kickboxing prohibits unlimited clinching and elbows, and the fights are contested in a short span of time. Meaning that fighters such as Muangthai, who rely on clinch and elbow work, are ill fit for kickboxing, which focuses on the striking aspects of Muay Thai those fighters don’t excel at. However, in practise, those clinch and elbow based fighters rarely enter kickboxing competition to begin with. Instead, we get the fighters who excel at kicks, punches and knees entering the sport instead, and they comparatively have to adapt very little in order to succeed in the sport. The main obstacle they have to overcome is adapting to the faster pace of the sport. This doesn’t mean that they have to fight at that quicker pace, but they do need to be aware of it in order to adequately shut down faster fighters. Muay Thai famously starts slow, as gambling was until very recently a very big part of the sports culture. The first two rounds would be contested slowly to allow for gamblers to continue to place their bets. The third and fourth rounds would be where the real fight would start, before the fifth round typically would see the pace slowed. Kickboxing is all action for three short rounds, and Thai Boxers have to be ready to control their opponent for that span of time. Last time we spoke about how kickboxers were ill prepared for longer fighters in Muay Thai, Thai Boxers on the other hand can benefit from the shorter rounds; they already have the cardio for it and are typically technical enough that they do not need to fight at a fast pace in order to win, they can simply shut down their opponent’s quicker work rate. This means Thai boxers are normally quite good at outlasting their opponents and picking up the win later in the fight. While clinching is not strictly speaking legal in kickboxing, all Thai boxers have enough familiarity with the clinch that they are able to tie up their opponents, and land a few legal knees in the time allowed. This has proved controversial in the past, when Petchmorrakot’s win vs. Giorgio Petrosyan was over turned for excessive clinching. Excessive clinching that, while he should have certainly been warned about, and should have seen Petrosyan awarded the decision, still did not warrant a post change in decision. Clinching and kickboxing have long been the source of controversy mind you, with Buakaw able to dominate all his opponents in the clinch, which lead to the clinch being limited to only a few seconds in K-1 (which was carried over by Glory and ONE Championship). The Difference in Opposition Last time we detailed how Thai Boxers train for twelve sessions a week, not including personal training for their entire lives and how this results in far better trained, more experienced opponents than what you find in kickboxing. This also means that they are far better equipped to enter kickboxing, than kickboxers are to enter Muay Thai – as they will have more experience kicking and punching than the majority of their opponents, with far more ring time under their belts. As their skill set is so easily transferable to the new sport you will usually see the Thai boxer referred to as the more experienced fighter. Cross Over Into Boxing It’s not just kickboxing, Thai boxers also have a lot of success in Western boxing too. Although they typically fight farworse opposition. We see quite a few prominent Muay Thai boxers competing in professional boxing and actually winning titles, the most famous is of course Samart Payakaroon, but there’s also the brutal Yodsanan Sityodtong, known as the Thai Tyson, who’s fearsome knock out power in Muay Thai, spurred an early career shift to professional boxing where he saw a lot of success. He would make infrequent returns to Muay Thai, where he amusingly enough made more use of his teep than he did his terrifying punching power – showing how smart he really was when it came to Muay Thai. It's easy to read these articles as being particularly negative towards kickboxing, but I don’t’ feel that way. Kickboxing is a brutal sport that needs to be respected – for its athletes are bold, and skilled fighters. There is just an X-Factor to Thailand, however. There are many martial arts that claim to be the ‘best’ or ‘most effective’. Muay Thai never claims it. In truth it doesn’t need to as when it comes to cross style competition, from kickboxing to MMA, it has been consistently proven to be the best. This classic article has been republished to delight our readers once again.

When Bruce Lee died back in 1973 he was just 32-years-old. Martial arts fans have often wondered just what he'd have been like if he'd lived into his later years. How would his martial arts have developed? What kind of movies would he have done? What would he have thought of the UFC? While we'll never know the answer to most of those questions, now we may at least know what Lee would have looked like if he'd lived into his later years. Turkish photographer Alper Yesiltas has made use of AI technology in his project "As If Nothing Happened" to provide renditions of what famous icons who died young might look like in the present day if they had lived. Along with musical figures like Jimi Hendrix and Tupac Shakur, actor Heath Ledger and Britain's Princess Diana, Yesiltas provides a fascinating glimpse of how a now 81-year-old Lee might appear. This classic article has been republished to delight our readers once again.

Maritza Sanchez began her professional career with Combate Global dating back to December 2019 when she suffered a defeat against Kristina Pettigrew by rear naked choke in the first round at 4:01. She went undefeated in 2021 and plans to continue to pick up more wins in 2022. Combate Global History: (11-18-22) Sanchez defeated Dee Begley by techincal knockout in the first round at 2:45. (4-15-22) Sanchez defeated Aitana Alvarez by unanimous decision. (9-17-2021) Sanchez defeated Elizabeth Schroder by split decision. (2-28-2020) Sanchez defeated Lucero Acosta by rear naked choke submission at 2:35 in the first round. (12-13-2019) Sanchez lost to Kristina Pettigrew by way of rear naked choke in the first round at 4:01 Most recently: Maritza won a unanimous decision (29-28 on all scorecards) over Elina Kallionidou from Greece on Saturday, December 9. We talked with the rising star about her fight prep and rituals: What is your approach to food after the weigh in? My approach to food after weigh-ins is getting some natural fruits after liquids and then going in for some greens and pasta (gotta have carbs), then I'll treat myself with a cookie or something. And repeat. Describe your pre-fight playlist? My pre-fight playlist is all over the place. I'll listen to reggae normally to start. Then it can change to Spanish corridos, cumbias. Once I'm in the zone I start listening to rap music, but it generally is a mix of everything. Do you have any fight day superstitions? No, I don't think I do. I just feed off energy. Good energy. Is there a specific person that always helps you warm up? Yes, my head coach always helps me to warm up. Who is the last person you call pre-fight?  The last person I call right before and right after my fight is my mom. What’s going through your mind as you make the ring-walk? I try to enjoy the moment and notice everything around me, but a lot of things can run through my head as I'm walking out. I could be saying positive affirmations to myself, I could be thinking of family, I could be talking to God, I could be thinking of all the hard work and sacrifices I went through to get to that moment. Once you see your opponent in the ring for the first time, is there anything that you're looking for? I notice their facial expressions, I can usually tell how nervous they are. What goes through your mind the first time you get hit? The first thing that goes through my mind as soon as I get hit is, "attack." How difficult is it to control your anger during a fight? I don't find anger to be an issue during a fight. I always try to maintain calm. How often do you hear the crowd? I'm really in tune with my corner and try to flare everything else out. Unless it's someone I know that's in the crowd, I can hear their voice stand out. Who is the first person you call post-fight? The first person I always call post-fight is my mom. Is your post-fight routine different after a win vs. after a loss? Not necessarily, I tend to go grab some food after each fight and just relax.

Cage Warriors 165, held on December 15th at the Sycuan Casino Resort in San Diego, showcased a series of electrifying MMA bouts. The event was marked by a blend of tactical prowess and raw power, with fighters from various backgrounds clashing in the octagon. Let's delve into each fight on the card, highlighting the skill and determination displayed by these athletes. Main Card Highlights Roberto Hernandez vs. Trevin Jones In a compelling match, Roberto Hernandez emerged victorious over Trevin Jones by unanimous decision. The scores (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) reflected Hernandez's superior control and technique throughout the fight. Ahmad Hassanzada vs. Chasen Blair Ahmad Hassanzada showcased his grappling skills by defeating Chasen Blair with a kneebar in the first round. The submission came at 4:24, marking a swift end to an intense matchup. Bobby Winther vs. Anthony Zaragosa Bobby Winther demonstrated his submission prowess by overpowering Anthony Zaragosa with an arm-bar in the first round. The fight concluded at 1:24, highlighting Winther's efficiency and skill. Anthony Orozco vs. Benny Orozco In a thrilling Orozco vs. Orozco bout, Anthony triumphed over Benny via TKO in the third round. The stoppage came at 4:23, concluding a battle that was as much a test of will as it was of fighting skill. Ronal Siahaan vs. Andrew Johnson-Cabrera Ronal Siahaan earned a unanimous decision victory over Andrew Johnson-Cabrera. With scores of 30-27 across the board, Siahaan's dominance was clear throughout the match. Preliminary Card Standouts Corvan Allen vs. Brandon Carrillo Corvan Allen secured a win against Brandon Carrillo through a TKO in the second round. The fight ended at 4:47, showcasing Allen's striking capabilities. Manuel Madina vs. Enrique Montalvo Manuel Madina achieved a technical submission victory over Enrique Montalvo with a rear-naked choke. This rapid finish, occurring just 33 seconds into the first round, was a testament to Madina's lethal submission technique. Xavier Vines vs. Miguel Peimbert Xavier Vines won against Miguel Peimbert by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 30-26, 29-28, 29-28, indicating Vines's control and tactical superiority. James Settle vs. Johnny Gill James Settle emerged victorious over Johnny Gill through a TKO in the first round. The fight concluded at 3:23, displaying Settle's striking power and precision. Eperaim Ginting vs. Shawn Johnson Eperaim Ginting defeated Shawn Johnson by TKO in the second round. The bout ended at 2:46, with Ginting showcasing his striking prowess and stamina. Cage Warriors 165 was a spectacle of martial arts skill and athleticism. From swift submissions to grueling decisions, each fighter displayed remarkable dedication and prowess. The event not only highlighted the growing talent pool in Cage Warriors but also set the stage for future matchups that MMA fans eagerly anticipate.