Should you find yourself ever the target of a certain Mixed Martial Arts promotion’s president’s bad side, you may be told you gave a terrible performance in a fight. In fact, you could be what some consider the GOAT Anderson Silva, fight a fight where you were literally never even close to getting hurt and instead of being applauded, you might have to worry about your job... or, your standing as an independent contractor. This begs (or at least mildly asks) the question: What is considered a perfect fight in MMA? Over MMA’s storied history, there are enough types of fights that they might deserve categories instead of being measured individually. For example, the so-called (and hated by this writer) chess match like Thompson vs. Woodley 2. Or the Rock’em Sock’em Brawl where the audience has to watch through their fingers for fear of seeing someone lose an ear or something such as Gilbert Melendez vs. Diego Sanchez (literally a YouTube video titled Best Brawl in UFC History). Is a good fight one where two very evenly matched opponents tactically score against each other so that the fan would be satisfied with a tie? Or what about those flash one-in-a-million knockouts like the legendary vanquishing of Ben Askren by Jorge Masvidal, which no matter what fluke quotient was involved, Jorge insists he knew that coming? Part of the fun of being a fan of MMA is discussing things for which there are not absolutes. How do you determine a greatest knockout, or greatest submission, or greatest fighter of all time? Is it even fair to try and postulate on such things given the subjective nature of the discussion? It is near impossible in most areas to define good, better, or best. Now try and take that to the superlative degree and then define a perfect fight. It is always intriguing to hear a fighter be critical of their own performance, but even more so after a win. You will hear often “I am my own worst critic.” So, a fighter saying they themselves have never fought a perfect fight might mean they are not capable of objectivity. So, if fans opinions are... well... just that: opinions. And if fighters cannot find a target called perfect, how could it be expected there would ever be any sort of normative stand for a perfect fight. We have not even ventured into the Martial Arts philosophy. No doubt somewhere there is a master on a mountain that might posit that the prefect fight is the one that never happened. You know, because violence is bad and we learn to fight so we don’t have to and such. But who are we kidding. MMA fans are not paying to see non-fights. So the question remains: What are they paying for and when would they know if it was perfect? Did the fans that saw Conor McGregor’s thirteen second masterpiece flattening of legend Jose Aldo see a perfect fight? After her statement-making TKO victory over Joanna Jędrzejczyk, did we see a perfect fight in the much-anticipated rematch where Rose Namajunas looked as flawless and technical as any striker in combat sports – ever? Rose literally said in her post-fight interview, sitting next to the belt that said she was the best in the world, that she was not perfect. Which made her win seem even more perfect. This all seems odd considering how her fight against Carla Esparza would look later, but that is a digression for another time. What is the perfect MMA fight? It is probably one of those things no one really knows. And it might just be one of those things we will know when we see it. Here’s to keeping our eyes out for it.

BRAVE CF 80, held at the Khalifa Sports Stadium in Bahrain on December 15, 2024, marked the culmination of an exhilarating year for BRAVE CF and also set the stage for some of the most anticipated matchups in the federation's history. From the crowning of a new bantamweight champion to breathtaking battles across various weight classes, BRAVE CF 80 delivered a thrilling spectacle that captivated MMA enthusiasts worldwide. Here are the BRAVE CF 80 Results. Here is a complete breakdown of the Fight Card: Main Event: Bantamweight Championship In an electrifying main event at the Khalifa Sports Stadium, Nkosi Ndebele emerged as the new BRAVE Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion. He claimed victory over Jose Torres through a stunning TKO, marking Torres' retirement at 1:38 of Round 3. Ndebele's skillful performance set a high bar for the evening, showcasing a blend of agility and strategic prowess. Co-Main Event: Middleweight Clash The co-main event featured a gripping bout between Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi and Nenad Avramović in the middleweight division. Al Silawi's technique and endurance led him to triumph by unanimous decision, adding another impressive win to his record. Main Card Highlights Flyweight Bout:  The flyweight encounter was a quick yet intense affair, with Gerard Burns overpowering Hussain Ayad Abdulla. Burns secured a knockout just 1:01 into the first round, displaying explosive power. Welterweight Showdown:  In the welterweight category, Jack Grant and Ahmad Labban delivered an intense battle. Grant emerged victorious, executing a flawless armbar submission at 4:59 of Round 2. Bantamweight Contest:  The bantamweight fight between Izzeddine Al Derbani and Dean Garnett was a showcase of tactical fighting, with Garnett earning a win by unanimous decision after a disciplined and controlled performance. Lightweight Encounter:  The lightweight bout saw Chad Griffiths face off against Abbas Khan. Griffiths demonstrated superior grappling skills, securing a win via guillotine choke at 3:03 of the first round. Preliminary Card Fights Bantamweight Matchup:  In a rapid and decisive bantamweight clash, Sabrina Laurentina De Sousa triumphed over Monika Kiran Ghag, claiming victory via TKO at just 0.29 of Round 1. Flyweight Battle:  The flyweight bout between Mohamed Alsameea and Yahia Ashraf was a fierce contest. Alsameea secured a win through a TKO, utilizing a potent combination of elbows, at 1:51 of Round 1. Strawweight Encounter:  In the strawweight division, Fabiola Nascimento and Jleana Valentino engaged in a tightly contested match, with Nascimento emerging victorious by unanimous decision after demonstrating superior skill and strategy.

Who’s the Master? Or the better question is what’s a M.A.S.T.E.R.? Bruce Lee did not consider himself a martial arts master but a student constantly learning and improving. 50 years ago, Bruce Lee transcended however his spirit continues to cross multicultural eras. Passing on July 20, 1973 (Yes! 720 for all the Martial Arts Trickers who celebrate International Tricking Day), he provided the blueprint to encourage a practitioner to not only learn multiple disciplines but most importantly STUDY the essence of martial arts to apply one’s wisdom through philosophy, business, entertainment, sports, family, and community. We need to take a moment to reflect on the works that have inspired our modern day warriors. I would like to share a framework that may support our industry platforms where your contributions have been recognized. With HEAL and STEM based educational programs, martial arts activity activates the mind, body, and spirit. The acronym of M.A.S.T.E.R. is a strategic methodology encompassing these attributes however complex in tactical and technical application. Math | Olympics : As a Cha Cha champion, Bruce Lee had a rhythm of expression (charisma) and understood the 8-count. Was Bruce Lee a contributor of Hip Hop culture? Absolutely. As B-Boys prepare for Paris 2024 Olympics, the disciplines of Chinese animals styles combined with ground and air power moves holds true to his inspired philosophy. “ I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." The 10,000 kicks paradigm are the notable break beats that these modern day monks battle inside the cypher transforming themselves as visual instruments utilizing their flow state as a weapon. I believe he would have continued to promote the marriage of Eastern and Western cultures sanctioning the B-Boys on behalf of the International Olympic Committee. He would’ve loved Hip Hop and enjoyed learning the elements. Arts | Action Design : Bruce Lee’s action design and directing continues to be the source reference for video game, animation, live stage show, and film studio franchises throughout the world. From wide screen action sequence to close up emotional reactions, from story board sketches to directing scripts, from emojis to avatars, the camera was Bruce Lee’s tool to present culture his truest expression of a human being with impeccable gifts. “ To me, ultimately, martial arts means honestly expressing yourself. Now, it is very difficult to do. It has always been very easy for me to put on a show and be cocky, and be flooded with a cocky feeling and feel pretty cool and all that. I can make all kinds of phoney things. Blinded by it. Or I can show some really fancy movement. But to experience oneself honestly, not lying to oneself, and to express myself honestly, now that is very hard to do." He knew the structures of cinematography growing up as a child actor. The Bruce Lee style was to extract the motion from motion pictures. There are known department filters that have the ability to take away from the authenticity of developing a movie such as executing a script, developing a character, directing the film crew, shooting camera angles, and post-editing techniques. Being an organic filmmaker who studied each of these crafts, he was enthusiastic to collaborate with the production team to bring his innovative heroic action genre to the silver screen. I believe we would have gained further wisdom from him with a production company delivering martial arts content not only for Hollywood, but also for Bollywood and beyond. Science | Business : Bruce Lee was only able to share a short time with us, but he was able to demonstrate his calisthenics and Jeet Kune Do (JKD) practice. Once he passed, his brand was briefly fractured by production companies attempting to substitute his likeness due to FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). “ Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it." The presentation JKD as a new art form quickly regressed as traditional styles reclaimed market share. Martial art styles and publication dogmas emerged searching for their next martial arts superstar. Martial art schools began to integrate with corporate sales teams and a new media marketing engine was adopted as the Bruce Lee brand became the iconic representation catapulting martial arts as “big business”. Fortunately, his philosophical writings and memorabilia left to his family has been well preserved with the BruceLeeFoundation.org . His teachings are still widely accepted and acknowledged within the martial arts community and across a plethora of business industries. I believe he would have obtained his philosophy degree from the University of Washington and could have very well contributed into the PhD program as a professor while branching out to support Asian American studies and International Business programs. Technology | Competition : Known as the father of mixed martial arts (MMA), the recognition that Bruce Lee has received in competitive sports is inevitable. His philosophies of technical precision, patience for enduring repetition, and mindset of expressing oneself freely has been the deciding factor between winning a game versus being a champion of life. He concentrated on the latter experiencing the best versions of himself. He did support tournament promotors and utilized the competitive platform to expand the martial minds of his peers showcasing a way (Tao) for them to educate the ecosystem. “ The world is full of people who are determined to be somebody or to give trouble. They want to get ahead, to stand out. Such ambition has no use for a gung fu man, who rejects all forms of self-assertiveness and competition.” I believe he would have been inducting within numerous Hall of Fames as well as been one of the most decorated award winning actor/director/producer with many EGOTs (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) recognizing him for his lifelong ambitions and contributions. His award speeches and TV interviews would have been captivating. Engineer | Networking : From business to technology seminars, conventions have been events to share new products and services to educate the market on future innovations. Mixed martial arts and tricking have been that millennial innovation from applying Bruce Lee philosophy inside the cage to becoming part of an action stunt team. One region that takes much pride in the Bruce Lee phenomenon is the Bay Area of California. It’s not a coincidence the pioneers of martial arts sport performance (Bellator MMA & Loopkicks Tricking) have been greatly influenced by the San Francisco/Oakland native. “ Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.” The convention model has become a platform for mixed martial artists, martial athletes, dancers, and movement subject matter experts to network and express themselves. The cultures primary objective is to provide a venue where new legends are always being developed and created. Over the past decade, conventions have become the venue where talent is being discovered for upcoming entertainment projects and harnessing careers. I believe he would have sponsored and attended an array of conventions to recruit and develop emerging talent. He loved to teach and the lineage of JKD decedents would have been global influencers across all motivational and movement lifestyles. His M.A.S.T.E.R. class conventions would have included powerhouses such as Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Robert Kiyosaki, and Bob Proctor to name a few. Reading | Philosophy : Accumulating a personal library of over 2500 books centered around Eastern and Western philosophy, fighting methods, and self-help, Bruce Lee was an avid reader who composed over 800 aphorisms sharing his personal truths. He was known to journal his thoughts and ideas while using it as a reminder to maintain self-awareness. Within his writing were his 7 Affirmations of that being Memory, Subconscious Mind, Imagination, Reason, Emotion, Conscience and Will Power that he utilized as a harmonious system for well being and cultivation. “ One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.” Reading and writing is an ongoing journey one needs to develop to communicate and find total freedom within one’s self. Shannon Lee recently published “Be Water, My Friend” which presents how martial arts is a perfect metaphor for growth. Through her father’s writings she has been able to practice his teachings every day. I believe he would have continued to adapt and recreate himself through the times utilizing martial arts as the core principles to promote human behavior and the law of attraction. He would have been published in many research journals and authored many New York Times Best Sellers. Bruce Lee is within us all. His wisdom that we have embraced has developed us into generational healers striving for unity giving breathe to social consciousness. If he was President, a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and peacekeeper with the United Nations, martial arts would be the campaign to serve and save our future generations. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Shannon Lee and the Bruce Lee Foundation. “Be Water, My Friend” and Camp Bruce Lee have been the most valuable source of wisdom that presents the depth and breadth of self-actualization.

"La Loba" collides with Manuela Marconettoin - a featured Flyweight bout on Sunday, December 17, 2023 on the "Combate Global" Ireland vs Mexico Fight Card on Paramount + Four New Fights added to the "Ireland vs Mexico" portion of the show Previously announced "Ireland vs Mexico" Main Event: Patrick "The Leech" Lehane vs Roberto "El Charro Negro" Romero. COMBATE GLOBAL today announced the return of Mexican women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star and internet sensation   Lucero “La Loba” Acosta  (4-2) in a featured bout on the previously announced COMBATE GLOBAL: Ireland vs. Mexico show presented by Conor McGregor ’s Forged Irish Stout on Sunday, Dec. 17, streaming live on Paramount+.  The live Paramount+ stream of “Forged Irish Stout Presents: COMBATE GLOBAL: Ireland vs. Mexico”, the final COMBATE GLOBAL event of 2023, will begin with a 30-minute pre-show co-hosted by Jimmy Smith and Rodolfo Roman on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, and will continue with the first preliminary card bout at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. The 29-year-old Acosta of San Diego Calif. via Tijuana, B.C., Mexico will take on   Manuela “The Butcher’s Daughter” Marconetto  (4-4) in a flyweight (125 pounds) contest that will take place in addition to four matchups pitting a collection of fighters from Ireland against rivals from Mexico. Acosta, whose fight videos and highlights have garnered millions of views across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, is seeking her third consecutive win following two straight, dominant performances in which she earned a unanimous decision over Venezuelan Mariel Celimen and submitted Spain’s Silvia Juaneda with a standing guillotine choke in the first round (1:24) of action on September 24, 2022 and August 6, 2023, respectively. Acosta’s marked improvement has shown since partnering with San Diego-based trainer and boxing specialist, Nestor Flores, in 2022. Marconetto is a 33-year-old native of Torino, Italy and resident of London, England, where she  transitioned from being a K-1 style kickboxer to an MMA fighter and member of Great Britain Top Team, led by Brad Pickett. The ‘Ireland vs. Mexico’ portion of the card, an unprecedented occurrence for the sport of MMA features matchups between fighters from two of combat sports’ greatest fighting legacies, and will be headlined by the previously announced featherweight (145 pounds) affair between   Patrick “The Leech” Lehane  (5-2) of Cork, Ireland and  Roberto “El Charro Negro” Romero  (7-2-1) of Chihuahua, Chih., Mexico. In one of four new fights announced today for the Ireland vs. Mexico part of the show and a featured, main card bout, undefeated   Lee Hammond  (5-0) will square off with battle-tested  Ivan “Choko” Castillo  (23-17). The aggressive-minded, 27-year-old Hammond of Dublin, Ireland is a protégé of famed trainer John Kavanagh.  Hammond has earned all five of his professional wins to date inside of one round, via (T)KO or submission. Castillo of Ensenada, B.C., Mexico is a 33-year-old member of Team Blackxicans, the same camp responsible for producing lightweight star Cristian “Puas” Perez and undefeated Ramiro “El Cachanilla” Jimenez, and is coming off a unanimous decision win over Santiago Guzman on August 19. In preliminary card action, 24-year-old knockout artist   Ovidio Bojorquez  (5-2) of Hermosillo, Son., Mexico will take on  Stephen Costello  (3-2) of Dublin, while  Cian “The Warrior” Cowley  (5-5) of Dublin will face off with  Daniel Sanchez  (5-2) of Mexico City, Mexico. Get ready for this massive card where, Lucero "La Loba" Acosta presented by Mcgregor's Forged Irish Stout returns on on Paramount +. Additional information about COMBATE GLOBAL and its athletes can be found on   www.CombateGlobal.com  as well as on  Facebook ,   Instagram ,   Twitter  and  YouTube .

The gripping event emanated from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Friday, December 15, with 11 exciting martial arts contests. Here is a recap of ONE Friday Fights 45. The Bantamweight Muay Thai main event left a lasting impression as Sonor Sen took home a first-round KO victory over Otop Or Kwanmuang. Otop scored an early knockdown over his Turkish foe, and after Sen rose to meet the referee’s count the Thai star blitzed to try and earn the finish. However, Sen had regained his barrings and was looking for the right opportunity to counter. As Otop pressed, Sen found the mark with a right hand that sent the Thai athlete face down into the canvas. A highlight-reel knockout also happened in the co-main event. Chartpayak Saskatoon hurt Dabdam Por Tor Tor Thongtawee with a knee up the center within the first 30 seconds of action. Although Dabdam got back to his feet and attempted to get back in the match, Chartpayak scored with a sneaky left uppercut that put him away for good at the minute mark of the bout. The Muay Thai action remained hot and heavy throughout the card, but mixed martial arts also got in on the action. Two MMA contests got the evening started in Bangkok, Thailand. In the second bout, Suleyman Suleymanov secured a guillotine choke against Nursultan Toktorov to get a second-round victory. ONE Friday Fights 45 delivered another fun night in Bangkok and helped set the stage for next Friday’s epic triple main event at ONE Friday Fights 46 featuring ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai vs. Superbon Singha Mawynn. ONE Friday Fights 45 Full Results Soner Sen def. Otop Or Kwanmuang by KO at 1:47 of the first round Chartpayak Saskatoon def. Dabdam Por Tor Tor Thongtawee by KO at 1:00 of the first round Pettasuea Seeopal def. Singmanee Surasakmontri by KO at 1:14 of the first round Charlie Singha Mawynn def. Silapet Por Petkaikaew by KO at 2:28 of the second round Jaoinsee PK Saenchai def. Ratchamongkol Maethongbairecycle by unanimous decision Apisit Fairtex def. Patrik Szana by unanimous decision Omar El Halabi def. Yodthongthai Sor Sommai by majority decision Jaruadsuk Sor Jor Wichitpadriew def. Sherzod Kabutov by split decision Furkan Karabag def. Lorenzo Di Vara by TKO at 2:00 of the second round Suleyman Suleymanov def. Nursultan Toktorov via submission (guillotine choke) at 0:12 of the second round Ismail Khan def. Rabindra Ghant by unanimous decision

Christophe and I were the first two people to enter the movie theater. Before anyone else came into the large room I told my martial arts student and friend, who never served in the military or law enforcement, “I want to teach you something about self-defense. Sit right in the middle of the theater, the best spot in the house, and stay there until I come and get you. I’ll be next to the wall over there. Just act normal, and don’t look at me. I’m going to take some photos of you, and I don’t want anyone to know that we are together.” Christophe was a bit puzzled about my request, and he asked me, “Why?” I responded, “It’s an experiment. I’ll tell you after I’m done.” He knew that my style of teaching self-defense was using real world situations whenever the opportunity presented itself, and he went along with it and plopped himself down on a cushy seat right in the middle of the movie theater. It was the best seat in the house, because he was perfectly centered to the huge movie screen, and equally spaced from the surround-sound speakers along the four walls. Within minutes other movie goers started flooding into the theater and started sitting exactly where I knew they’d all place themselves – right in the center of the room near Christophe. These creatures of habit all wanted the same thing: their line of sight perfectly lined up with the movie screen with just the right amount of distance from each of the speakers. Each new wave of people coming in added another concentric circle that first began with Christophe. Yes, there was the odd ball guy who loved the very front row. Why, I don’t know, because that position always hurts my neck looking up, or the couple that placed themselves in the very back of the theater so they could make out with each other when the lights are turned off. However, the majority wanted to be in the center – center mass. When there were approximately fifty people in the movie theater, I had the evidence I needed, and I finally caught Christophe’s attention. I waved him over to me. When he came close, I got up and proceeded to the very back row, away from the lovers, and taking an aisle seat not far from the back exit door. I then showed Christophe the photos that I took of him in chronological order. As I slid the screen from one photo to another with my index finger, each photo clearly showed people sitting themselves all around him with the circle growing larger and larger. I told him, “In public places most people, when given the choice, place themselves in center mass. It doesn’t matter if it’s a restaurant, a sporting event, a church service, or this movie theater.” Christophe, who had taken my Terrorism Survival course before, “connected the dots” after my mini slide show, and it dawned on him why I had used him as my bait for the experiment. Although I too personally prefer the center of a movie theater for all the entertainment benefits that everyone else enjoys, it also happens to be center mass, which is the very first area that an active shooter is going to target to start his massacre nine times out of ten. Therefore, I sacrifice a few of my desires in public places and I think tactically, especially in this increasingly violent world. Don't be the center of attention. So, how did I know in that inside of this movie theater in the middle of Paris, France that everyone would start sitting around Christophe like a bunch of moths around a flame? After all, it wasn’t my country or my people. I just knew it was going to happen because of my extensive law enforcement, military, and counterterrorism background, which taught me human nature when it comes to security issues. Not to mention, I’ve simulated hundreds of terrorist attacks on my students in 20 countries using airsoft guns (training guns that fire a 6mm plastic projectile). I’ve seen the way trained and untrained people react, and all the patterns, and I’ve been sharing my discoveries for over two decades. If you go back into the Black Belt Magazine archives, I was the very first self-defense instructor in the world, at least the only one to be documented as such, to teach (through my articles, books, and videos) the civilian martial arts community how to survive drive-by shootings, gang crossfire shootings, active shooters, and terrorist attacks. It’s hard to believe now, but in those early days of my writing for the world’s oldest and most popular martial arts magazine, “early days” being mostly the years between 2000 and 2010, I received a lot of criticism from my peers for teaching such topics. Yet, history has vindicated me, and it’s more evident than ever that all martial artists (literally “war” artists) need to learn how to survive the attacks that I just mentioned. I’m not stating any of this to give myself a pat on the back, or to say, “See, I told you so,” to all those instructors who wrote scathing letters to the editor about me, but to prove to you that I write nothing but the truth, and the truth I’m writing now about center mass could possibly save your life or the life of someone you’ll pass the information onto. To help you understand the dynamics of center mass of a group, I’m going to start off with an example from the animal kingdom. If a lion out in the savanna is hungry, and it is stalking a herd of zebras, it does not target a zebra in the middle of the pack. Since a lion does not use tools to kill, it instinctively knows not to run or jump into the middle of a herd. It only kills a zebra running on the outer edge of the herd, the outer edge of “the mass” so to speak, to avoid being trampled to death. In fact, a lion is only interested in killing a single zebra, and even then it prefers a young zebra or one that is injured. A lion is only interested in killing a zebra for food, and once it has one in between its claws, then it is satisfied, and the hunt is over. People are not animals. Unlike the lion, there is absolutely no reason to kill. And, contrary to the opinion of many politicians and celebrities, it’s never the weapon’s fault. A firearm is just a tool. A human being intent on firing upon a group of innocent people, either out of personal frustrations, revenge, or sport, will deliberately target center mass to hit as many people as possible. Decades of active shooter incidents and terrorist attacks have proven this to be the general rule. Obviously, there are some factors that keeps the shooters from targeting center mass first, such as: A person in close proximity (being in the wrong place at the wrong time) to the shooter just before the attack, and that person is considered an immediate threat to the shooter, and is shot first. A soldier, law enforcement officer, security guard or bodyguard is shot first to eliminate any resistance to the attacker. Knowing statistically that center mass (the most concentration of people) is usually targeted first in a massacre, you should place yourself as far away as possible from a group of people in a public place. I stated “as possible” because it’s not always possible. If you’re in a long line to board your plane because your section was just called, you may find yourself in center mass if a surprise attack happens. So, in this case, what do you do? There’s only one thing you can do. If you are in center mass when a shooting takes place, the best tactic is to immediately drop down to the ground and “play dead.” Whether the bullets miss you, or you’re wounded, dropping to the ground, and playing dead does two things for you. One, it makes you a smaller target profile. Two, the gunman shooting into the group will assume you are one of the casualties; the very result he desires. The more “target rich” an environment, the less time the gunman will verify his kills. If you’re tactical (aware of the potential dangers and take the necessary precautions), and place yourself outside of center mass in a public setting, that does not mean you are automatically safe from being targeted by the gunman or terrorist cell. You’re still in the kill zone, and as such you must remember that running, sudden movements, or just standing tall may draw the shooter’s attention to you. Therefore, the rule is MOVE WHEN YOU CAN MOVE. HIDE WHEN YOU CAN HIDE. COUNTERATTACK WHEN YOU CAN COUNTERATTACK. But, whatever you do, don’t draw the attacker’s attention. Be the “gray man” or “gray woman” (bodyguard terms). This also includes wearing subdued clothes that don’t draw the shooter’s attention, like a bright red hat or shirt for example. After all, out of sight, out of mind. Obviously, there are many more techniques and tactics to be learned when it comes to a center mass attack, and that’s because what you do to defend yourself will always depend upon four factors: SITUATION, ENVIRONMENT, YOUR TRAINING, and YOUR EXPERIENCE. However, this article serves as a good starting point in preparing for the worst. BE A HARD TARGET.

Are fighting and martial arts-based games getting better? We’d say so. Graphics are enhanced, players are more robust, and events inside the games are becoming more intricate over the years. If you’re a fan of gaming and combat sports, this list is for you. If you’re new to gaming, these are also great entry points for any novice gamer.  Here’s out list of best fighting games of 2023: Streetfighter 6 Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Released: June 2, 2023 Developer: Capcom Leading the pack is Streetfighter 6. This year experienced several false starts in terms of game releases, but at least SF6 pulled through! While Streetfighter 5 left fans wanting, SF6 upped the ante and made it more user-friendly. The game introduced optional simplified controls and a Party Mode catering to casual fans, while still maintaining intricate traditional setups and online modes for long-time enthusiasts. This package was presented in a vibrant new art style and accompanied by an appealing soundtrack. The roster featured the return of classic characters like Chun Li and Guile, alongside new favorites such as the kung fu master Jamie and the Greco-Roman powerhouse Marisa. Despite the presence of newer games like MK1, Street Fighter 6 arguably stood out as the best fighter of 2023. Its beginner-friendly approach and the inclusion of the World Tour mode offered a more comprehensive experience compared to the older Netherrealm-style story modes. Players could delve into an open-world setting, customizing characters and move sets. The introduction of DLC characters like Rashid and A.K.I., Fang's poisonous protégé from SF5, added further excitement. With Ed expected in Jan/Feb 2024 and Akuma in Spring 2024, fans eagerly anticipate the next reveals. However, Capcom remains tight-lipped, likely keeping the suspense alive until the new year. Guilty Gear Strive Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming Released: August, 2023 Developer: Arc System Works With many delays in this year’s releases, we at least have Guilty Gear Strive. Guilty Gear Strive's second DLC has been successfully released, bringing back familiar faces like Guilty Gear XX’s Bridget and Xrd's Sin Kiske, alongside Bedman? and Asuka R#, also known as the elusive "That Man" or "Gearmaker" mentioned since Guilty Gear X. It's a narrative with its intricacies, to say the least. And 2024 promises two additional rounds for the season! UFC 5 Platforms:  PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Released: October 24, 2023 Developer: EA Vancouver Is this the closest you’re gonna get to real fighting in the gaming world? Black Belt  readers will most likely have the final say!  After a three-year gap since the release of UFC 4, EA Vancouver returns with UFC 5, designed exclusively for the current generation of gaming consoles. UFC 5 opts for a more conservative approach to improvement compared to its predecessor, presenting itself as a generational step rather than a significant leap forward. While this approach hasn't resonated well with certain parts of the community, UFC 5 still maintains a commendable 'Generally Favorable' score on Metacritic. However, critics have acknowledged that there was room for more substantial enhancements to truly bring the MMA experience into the current generation. The community has noted improvements from 4 to 5 including: Significantly improved damage system Introduction of health-based events (which amplify challenges for your fighter, requiring quick adjustments to your gameplan, especially if your fighter sustains significant injuries like broken ribs) And, perhaps most importantly, enhanced graphics! Mortal Kombat 1 (aka 12) Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Released: September 14, 2023 Developer: NetherRealm Studios Fans might have expected Netherrealm Studios' next project to be Injustice 3 or perhaps a departure from the fighting game genre altogether. However, plans for a new Mortal Kombat game were inadvertently revealed during a Warner Bros earnings call. Subsequently, Netherrealm released a teaser trailer featuring a ticking clock reaching 11, only to abruptly jump to 1, unveiling Mortal Kombat 12  as a reboot set in a new universe crafted by Liu Kang. In this narrative, the fire god enlists the support of familiar characters like Kung Lao, Raiden, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Sub-Zero, Smoke, and Scorpion to combat a hidden threat in Outworld. Since its September launch, Mortal Kombat 12 has encountered some challenges with a less-than-stellar Switch port and introduced its first DLC character, Invincible's Omni-Man, along with some inventive character and Kameo set-ups. While there's room for refinement, fans express greater satisfaction with Mortal Kombat 12's gameplay compared to its predecessor, MK11—a promising beginning for the reboot.

We live in a pretty dangerous world these days. Despite our best efforts, a physical confrontation can happen at any time during even the most innocent outing. Consider the numerous brawls that have occurred at Disney World Orlando in recent months. Today's society is filled with aggressive people, and knowing how to protect yourself is more important than ever. When it comes to street fighting and survival, there are two main areas of self-defense. These are striking on the feet and fighting on the ground. While knowing both aspects is most beneficial, being proficient in at least one can be the difference between surviving the attack and being at the mercy of your attacker. However, not all self-defense tactics are created equal. Some martial arts based on these two primary areas stand above the rest. In this article, we’ll examine the four self-defense martial arts most effective in a street fight. Having to defend yourself against an attacker when you don’t know how can be terrifying. Adrenaline rushes through your body as fear and panic set in. Your mind races and instantly goes into fight-or-flight mode. If fleeing is not an option, a decision must be made to stand and fight. When you have the skills to protect yourself in such a situation, the decision comes with a bit of comfort and confidence. Ground Fighting According to an article in Military.com , it’s estimated that 85% of street fights end up on the ground. So, it’s no surprise you should be getting some grappling skills. In terms of martial arts, grappling can be divided into three categories, namely Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling. Judo As one of the oldest martial arts in the world, judo is derived from the old Jujitsu schools of the Japanese samurai. This knowledge was collected by Kanō Jigorō and he then began to teach Judo at the Kōdōkan School of Judo in 1882. Originally designed for real-world combat, it's obvious why it's effective in street fights. In Judo, your opponent is thrown to the ground and controlled by applying pressure to their joints and neck. Judo involves using your opponent's force against them. Rather than opposing their momentum, you redirect it to your advantage. It’s impossible to control the decisions of an attacker, but it is possible to defend yourself from the attack. Using the attacker's momentum gives you the advantage if he or she is bigger and stronger. This is especially beneficial for women and children. As you can see from these real-life scenarios, judo should be high on the list if you are looking for real-world techniques to protect yourself. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Made famous by the Gracie family , Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is tried and tested on the streets. It was perfected by the legendary Brazilian sports hero and fighter Helio Gracie. In this style of fighting, the fight is taken to the ground intentionally to nullify size, reach, and strength advantages. BJJ enables a smaller person to use joint manipulation and body position to defeat a bigger opponent. Because of its proven techniques, a proficient practitioner can submit a much larger and stronger opponent. There are many videos on the internet showing its effectiveness. Police officers and military personnel receive training in BJJ for close-quarters combat. Combining this martial art with wrestling, our third most effective martial art, can make it 10 times more effective. Wrestling Wrestling is widely considered the oldest form of combat, dating back to the ancient Egyptians. Medieval Europe also practiced the art of wrestling. There are several types of wrestling, including Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Sambo, and Submission. Wrestling is a grappling art that involves: Fighting in the clinch Throwing your opponent Slam takedowns Joint locks Pinning your opponent Because of its effectiveness , it’s also taught to both military and police officers. As a mainstay in school sports and on the Olympic stage, wrestling has been a staple in sports for centuries. Striking on the Feet A person's ability to fight on his or her feet is just as essential as their ability to grapple. It’s vital to know what to do when fighting from a standing position so that you can stop the threat as quickly and effectively as possible. When the fight starts, striking martial arts such as boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing are most effective on the feet. You could end the fight early with these skills to avoid the hazards of rolling around on the ground. Boxing, Muay Thai, or Kickboxing When talking about effective striking arts on the feet, you can’t go wrong with any of these for self-defense. Because of this point, we’ll count them as one. All are equally effective in a street fight. Since each of them incorporates different techniques, understanding the differences is important. Afterward, you'll be able to decide which art is right for you. Boxing As with wrestling, boxing dates back centuries. The art of boxing teaches key techniques, such as footwork for body positioning, head movement to avoid punches, parrying incoming punches, and offensive punching combinations to neutralize an opponent. Being skilled in these techniques could effectively end a fight before it even starts with just one accurate, well-timed punch. There are many YouTube videos that show how effective boxing can be in a street fight. Muay Thai Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) originated in Thailand, the land of smiles. Despite its similarities to traditional western boxing, this form of boxing employs more techniques. Besides being one of Thailand's most popular forms of entertainment, Muay Thai is also an essential fighting technique taught to Thai soldiers. Often described as the "art of eight limbs," Muay Thai involves eight points of contact. Standard punching, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and high and low kicks are all used to take down an opponent. Other techniques include the Thai clinch and sweeps. As can be seen here , Muay Thai is an excellent martial art to learn both for self-defense and a combat sport. Due to its intensity, it's also beneficial for overall health. Kickboxing As the name implies, kickboxing incorporates boxing with kicks. This is another proven martial art that can be used to neutralize an opponent. Muay Thai and kickboxing are very similar, with the exception that elbows and knees are not used in kickboxing. Despite that, it’s a great and effective martial art that can be the difference between being the victim of an attack or the survivor of an attack. To sum things up, martial arts have been proven useful for self-defense. Choosing the right one is important, as many options are more geared toward sports than real life. Rather than relying on big flashy moves, an effective martial art uses techniques that are practical. They’re based on threat elimination versus scoring points. Being skilled in any of these arts will give you an advantage over most average attackers on the street. In a dangerous situation, knowing what to do will greatly increase your chances of successfully disabling a threat and getting home safe.

With just over 24 hours until bell-time, the 24 athletes on Friday night's CW 165 bill stepped onto the scales at San Diego's Sycuan Casino Resort on Thursday morning. Roberto Hernandez assuaged any fears about his ability to make the bantamweight limit, coming in half a pound under at 135.5lbs for his first foray into the division. His main event opponent Trevin Jones also hit his mark at 136 even. Co-headliner Wilson Reis was not so lucky, tipping the scales at an official weight of 137.9lbs for his bout against Ricky Bandejas (135.9lbs). As a result of his opponent not making weight, Bandejas has opted not to compete, and the bout has been cancelled.  Welterweight Anthony Zaragoza (173.9lbs) and Bantamweight Brandon Carrillo (137.8lbs) were similarly unable to make weight for their respective bouts against Bobby Winther (170.4lbs) and Corvan Allen (133.3lbs).Both bouts will proceed as planned, with Carrillo and Zaragoza being fined a percentage of their purse.  Elsewhere on the bill, DWSC veteran Ahmad Hassanzada was on point for a highly anticipated welterweight clash with Chasen Blair. Both men tipped the scales at 170.3lbs. Here are the Cage Warriors 165 Weigh-in results Main Card – 20:00 (PT) | 23:00 (ET) | 04:00 (GMT) | 05:00 (CET) Bantamweight : Trevin Jones (136lbs) vs Roberto Hernandez (135.5lbs) Welterweight: Ahmad Hassanzada (170.3lbs) vs Chasen Blair (170.3lbs) Welterweight: Anthony Zaragosa (173.9lbs*) vs Bobby Winther (170.4lbs) Welterweight: Benny Orozco (169.2lbs) vs Anthony Orozco (169.3lbs) Flyweight: Ronal Siahaan (124.2lbs) vs Andrew Johnson-Cabrera (125lbs) Prelims – 17:45 (PT) | 20:45 (ET) | 01:45 (GMT) | 02:45 (CET) Bantamweight: Corvan Allen (133.3lbs) vs Brandon Carrillo (137.8lbs*) Flyweight: Enrique Montalvo (125.9lbs) vs Manuel Madina (125.6lbs) Heavyweight: Diego Vazquez (243.6lbs) vs Sean Rose (262lbs) Bantamweight: Xavier Vines (135.7lbs) vs Miguel Peimbert (134.7lbs) Bantamweight: James Settle (135.7lbs) vs Johnny Gill (135.1lbs) Bantamweight: Eperaim Ginting (133.7lbs) vs Shawn Johnson (136lbs) Cage Warriors 165: San Diego airs live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners.

ONE 165 is already shaping up to be a massive card on Sunday, January 28, in Tokyo, Japan. ONE Championship is stacking the deck for their return to the country at the Ariake Arena with a featherweight MMA bout with huge implications on the line. #1-ranked featherweight contender Garry Tonon will meet #3-ranked Martin Nguyen, the promotion announced on Tuesday. Tonon has been calling for a match against Nguyen since he arrived in ONE. At that time, “The Situ-Asian” was the ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion. Since then, the division has shifted, but both men remain in the race for the gold. After losing his first shot at the gold, Tonon rebounded with two big wins over Johnny Nunez and Shamil Gasanov. Now, he believes he is just one more victory away from claiming another shot at the title. Nguyen plans to usurp his position and make that claim for himself. After dropping his title, the former divisional king struggled to piece together a winning streak but got back in the win column in his last performance. Both men are eyeing the winner of the ONE Featherweight MMA World Championship unification bout between Tang Kai and Thanh Le. As the calendar turns over, the featherweight division is setting up for a huge new year. The high-stakes featherweight battle joins Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Takeru Segawa and Shinya Aoki vs. Sage Northcutt on the card. ONE 165: Tonon vs. Nguyen will help kickstart 2024 in a major way as one of the year’s premier events ONE 165 will air live from Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, January 28.

by Billy L Greer Bruce Lee is known not just for his martial prowess but also for his ideas and philosophies. He’s credited with popularizing kung fu in the Western world and is often said to be the father of the mixed martial arts. It’s hard to find a martial artist today who isn’t familiar with at least a few quotes attributed to Lee. Perhaps the best-known quotes are “Be like water” and “Absorb what is useful.” Did these words of wisdom originate with Lee, or do they have a deeper history? Do they mean what most people take them to mean? Let’s explore. The Chinese martial arts recognize four primary elements that are essential to have a complete system. One of them is shuai, which refers to takedowns and throws. Be Like Water This quote comes from a longer one that says, in part, “Be like water making its way through cracks. Empty your mind. Be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. Be water, my friend.” Although these words come from Bruce Lee, the concept predates him. A translation of Chapter 78 of the classic text Tao Te Ching reads: Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice. This passage describes the Chinese concept of wu wei, which is often translated as “effortless action.” Professional athletes know this concept as “being in the zone” — or in a state of “flow‚” as Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls it in his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. In this state, work is expressed without conscious effort and just seems to flow out of the body with ease. Many people have taken Lee’s quote to mean that martial arts practice should be literally without forms, that practice should be free flowing, random and without any predetermined structure. But is this what it means to be water? Water has many unique qualities. Known as the universal solvent, it can dissolve more substances than powerful acids. Pressurized water jets can cut through steel. Gentle flows of water over time can wear away the hardest rock, creating spectacular places like the Grand Canyon. As a liquid, water will assume the shape of any container and automatically seek to be level. Like most liquids, it expands when heated, yet unlike most liquids, it also expands when frozen. This means that water can penetrate the smallest crack and then, when heated or frozen, expand to split the object apart. Water can crash down with force to destroy objects in its path or push them aside; if the object cannot be moved, water will find a path around it. It can support the heaviest ship or flow through the slightest crack in the hull to sink it. No matter how hard you strike it, you cannot damage it, and it will absorb your power or even reflect it back. Water clearly has many powerful attributes that are advantageous to martial artists, but what is the source of those attributes? Yin-yang theory influences the traditional Chinese martial arts and gives us the paradox that taking something to an extreme often results in its opposite. Could the free-flowing and formless nature of water be due to its rigid and specific structure? The attraction of the two hydrogen atoms to the single oxygen atom, balanced by the repulsion of the hydrogen atoms from each other, creates a specific 105-degree angle between the hydrogen atoms and gives the structure a strong polarity. It’s this polarity that allows the individual molecules to bond together in a manner that’s strong but not rigid. The structure of water is simple but precise. There are only two elements — hydrogen and oxygen — but they must be arranged in a specific proportion and order to create H2O, the stable arrangement we know as water. Not only does water have all the amazing qualities described, but it’s also essential to our health. If we add just one oxygen molecule, we get H2O2, a compound that’s unstable, reactive and toxic. This is hydrogen peroxide, and it has very different qualities than water does. By adding sulfur, we get sulfuric acid. By adding carbon, we get alcohol. Small changes can cause something beneficial to become harmful. If we want the beneficial qualities of water, we must duplicate the structure with precision and not add anything extra. Anyone who has trained with a traditional martial arts master is familiar with the demand for precision in movement. A deviation of a quarter of an inch is sure to be met with a rebuke and a demand to do it again, only correctly. The simplest skill will be repeated countless times until the body’s structure and movement are exactly right. Practicing forms allows for the repetition that shapes the body and creates the “molecular arrangement” with the correct angles and structure that later allow for freedom, adaptability and flexibility of movement. Even those martial artists who take Lee’s quote to mean that practicing forms is a waste of time routinely use this concept. When they practice a partner drill or a combination on the pads, they’re practicing a mini-form. They’re creating a consistency, a structure, that later enables them to move fluidly. Lee seems to acknowledge the importance of this in another of his quotes: “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” …. Part 2 of 2 coming next week Billy L. Greer and his wife Nancy own the Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi in Annapolis, Maryland. In 1973 he began studying folkstyle wrestling, and in 1987 he transitioned to traditional Chinese martial arts. A disciple of Willy Lin, Greer is a third-generation inheritor of tian shan pai kung fu. He’s also a disciple of Chen Zhenglei and a 12th-generation inheritor of Chen-family tai chi chuan.

Jim Kelly was featured on the October 2013 issue of Black Belt Magazine . The issue paid tribute to his legacy, showcasing his contributions to martial arts and the cinematic world. Best known for his role as Williams in Enter the Dragon , the cover story not only celebrated Jim Kelly's accomplishments but also shed light on the importance of diversity and representation in martial arts. Kelly's impact extended beyond the screen, inspiring countless individuals to pursue martial arts and break barriers in the process. You can get your own commemorative items featuring this legendary cover and other by heading to our shop : Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format. For access to all issues of Black Belt Magazine , go here!