Rizal Zulmi knocks out Weerasak Phromsakha in 15 Seconds, Nearly Breaking BRAVE CF's Fastest KO Record In a stunning display of striking prowess, Indonesian standout Rizal Zulmi defeated Thai veteran Weerasak Phromsakha in a mere 15 seconds at BRAVE CF 76, held in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 25th, 2023. The victory not only marked Zulmi's impressive dominance but also brought him tantalizingly close to breaking the fastest knockout record in BRAVE CF history. From the opening bell, Zulmi wasted no time, charging forward with a powerful flying knee that sent Phromsakha crashing to the canvas. Zulmi seized the opportunity and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, forcing the referee to stop the contest just 15 seconds into the first round. BRAVE CF 76, saw a 15 second KO!! This remarkable victory solidified Zulmi's reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the BRAVE CF featherweight division. His aggressive style and knockout power have made him a fan favorite, and his recent performance has only heightened expectations for his future. Zulmi's victory also came within striking distance of the fastest knockout record in BRAVE CF history, currently held by Swedish fighter Anton Turkalj, who achieved a 13-second knockout at BRAVE CF 50. While Zulmi fell just short of breaking the record, his 15-second finish remains an impressive feat and a testament to his exceptional skills. With his latest victory, Zulmi has firmly established himself as a top contender in the featherweight division. His knockout power, combined with his aggressive fighting style, makes him a dangerous opponent for any fighter. As he continues his journey in BRAVE CF, Zulmi is undoubtedly poised for even greater success. Watch the video here

Beneil Dariush, a seasoned mixed martial artist, has made a significant impact in the UFC since his debut in 2009 and his entry into the UFC in 2014. With a record of 22 victories, 4 losses, and 1 no-contest, he is known for his impressive streak of consecutive wins. Among his top victories in the UFC are: Beneil Dariush vs. Scott Holtzman : At UFC on ESPN+ 32, Dariush executed a stunning spinning back fist 4 minutes and 38 seconds into the first round, knocking out Holtzman. This finish is remembered as one of the most spectacular in UFC history. Beneil Dariush vs. Drakkar Klose : At UFC 248, Dariush showcased his striking skills by knocking out Klose in the second round, demonstrating his versatility beyond his reputed ground game. Beneil Dariush vs. Drew Dober : In this UFC on ESPN+ 4 bout, Dariush clinched a submission victory over Dober, highlighting his well-rounded fighting skills. Beneil Dariush vs. Frank Camacho : At UFC Singapore, Dariush secured a first-round submission victory over Camacho just over two minutes into the fight, underscoring his dominant performance. Beneil Dariush vs. Mateusz Gamrot : At UFC 280, Dariush added a significant win by securing a unanimous decision victory over Gamrot, a highly regarded lightweight contender​​. In addition to these remarkable victories, Dariush is scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC Fight Night on December 2, 2023. This event will take place at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and is eagerly anticipated by MMA fans. The fight against Tsarukyan promises to be a significant moment in Dariush's career as he continues to solidify his position in the UFC lightweight division.

Walter Goncalves began his ONE Championship career with a three-round war with Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Proving he could hang with the best in the world, the Brazilian has been hopeful of returning to the title picture. His next attempt will come at ONE Fight Night 17 on Friday, December 8. The flyweight Muay Thai bout with Jacob Smith will also mark Goncalves’ return to Muay Thai. The Brazilian tried his hand at MMA in his last outing in July. While he still plans to compete in the sport, he remains positive after reflecting on his unanimous decision loss to Banma Duoji. “As it was my first MMA fight, it was an incredible feeling. There’s no way to describe it. I just know that I want to fight MMA more often, and I’m going to train a lot more for that. One day, I want to be an MMA World Champion,” Goncalves told ONE . “I don’t think anything went wrong [in the fight]. He was better than me that day because in MMA he is much more experienced than me. But that didn’t frustrate me at all. It just made me want to pursue my dream more.” “Iron Hands” may be hopeful of a future MMA career, but his focus now is solely on Muay Thai. Goncalves remains steadfast in his pursuit of his ultimate dream, a dream that is still the picture of his Thai rival holding the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship. “I want to achieve my goal of becoming a Muay Thai World Champion. I feel like it’s something that’s closest to me as it’s where I feel most confident and comfortable,” the Brazilian said. “I hope to be able to fulfill my dream of becoming a ONE Championship World Champion and then being able to buy a house for my family.” To make his first step back into the title picture, he must defeat the crafty Brit. Smith has his own three-round bout with Rodtang, and Goncalves was impressed by what the English star brings to the table. “I watched Jacob Smith’s fight against Rodtang, and I saw that he is a strong guy, that he moves forward all the time, that wherever he hits, he hurts his opponent, and that he also takes hits well,” Goncalves remarked. “I believe that his strong points are his kicks and punches.” However, for all the positives, Goncalves also sees holes in his opponent’s game. The Brazilian striker is adamant that the speed of this matchup could be the deciding factor if he can dictate the pace once the bell rings. “I think his weak point is his speed. I think he fights a lot standing still, and I’m faster than him. So, I think this could be a good path to explore in this fight. I believe it will be a good game for me,” Goncalves said. “In addition to my agility, I believe that the strength of my blows will make a difference in this fight in my favor.” “I’ll try to explore the gaps in his game. I don’t know how it will play out, but I really hope that I can get a knockout victory.” ONE Fight Night 17 airs live on Prime Video at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on Friday, December 8. The event is free for all Amazon Prime members based in the U.S. and Canada.

Old-School Martial Artists Offer Advice for All Who Plan to Train for Life! Part 1: Ernie Cates by Terry L. Wilson 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 important, 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. Take a Good Technique and Make It Better! Expert: Ernie Cates Arts: judo, jujitsu, neko-ryu Black Belt Archives: April 2008 issue When he was just 14 years old, Ernie Cates bowed in for the first time. Now 88, he’s still on the mat, passing on five decades’ worth of hard-earned knowledge to students of all ages. The style he teaches is neko-ryu jujitsu, a system of self-defense based on the way of the Cat. What has enabled Cates to continue to practice and teach is the way his style replaces power with a focus using simple and natural movements like those that felines use. To illustrate the logic of his path, Cates said that controlling an opponent using his art’s version of tai-sabaki saves a lot of wear and tear on the joints, muscles and knees — in stark contrast to styles that rely on brute force. “I don’t do pull-push systems anymore like I did when I was competing,” Cates said. “Everything in martial arts that works is a push. Pulling actions injure joints. If you depend on a pull to break your opponent’s balance, at the end of the pull, your opponent is against your body, forcing you to use more force to execute the throw.” He continued, referencing judo’s one-point back-carry throw: “In ippon seoi nage, if you turn as the leg comes around, by pushing, not pulling the opponent’s arm, you have directed the connecting limb into a pushing instrument, not a pulling instrument. Now your body is in perfect alignment; you aren’t separating anything or running the chance of a dislocation. This is the difference between how we used to train and how we train now in neko-ryu.” Cates is adamant about smart training because of the toll his early years took on him. As a national judo champion who won more than 300 matches, he found that his knees were the first to feel the effects of endless throws and breakfalls. “Both of my knees have been totally replaced,” Cates said. “My left one is stainless, and my right one is titanium. I’ve had 19 corrective surgeries, and I had those surgeries because I made mistakes. But from those mistakes, I eventually learned a safer and more effective way to control and drop my opponents. “A good coach or sensei will take what he or she has learned over the years and remove whatever it was that made that technique difficult by creating shortcuts, and that’s what we’ve accomplished with neko-ryu.” As an example, he noted how much effort is needed to set up the judo technique known as osoto gari: “First, you’re using power to pull your opponent in as you drive your leg past his. You do this a few thousand times, and it puts stress on the knee and elbow that may require surgery as you get older. “In neko-ryu, there is no pulling. You rest your hands on the opponent — don’t pull at all — and step in a semicircle [instead of driving your leg through] and then merely step behind the opponent. He will go down because his arm will provide all the leverage Take a Good Technique and Make It Better! needed for the throw. “Once you learn how to align your entire body into the push — regardless if it’s for a lock, a throw or mat work — it will increase your power a hundredfold. That’s how I take a good technique and make it better.” Inevitably, however, a time comes when the number of candles on a martial artist’s birthday cake reminds the ego that some things have to be given up so practice can continue. Fortunately, any worthy art will offer plenty of other things to allow the person to stay in the game. Often, that entails passing along acquired knowledge to the next generation. “I’m 88 years old,” Cates said. “Standing up, I can move well enough to explain tai-sabaki, breakfalls, centering and other techniques. I can’t do them, but I can still teach them!” 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!

The UFC Fight Night held on December 2nd in Austin, Texas, was a night of electrifying battles and stunning surprises, particularly in the lightweight division. Headlined by the much-anticipated clash between Arman Tsarukyan and Beneil Dariush, the event delivered a series of memorable moments that left fans and analysts alike in awe. From breathtaking knockouts to tactical masterclasses, this fight night underscored the unpredictable and thrilling nature of mixed martial arts. Here's a detailed breakdown of the main card fights, including the show-stopping performances in both the main and co-main events. Main Event: Arman Tsarukyan vs Beneil Dariush In a lightning-fast showcase of skill, Arman Tsarukyan emerged victorious over Beneil Dariush with a jaw-dropping knockout at just 1:04 minutes into the first round. This stunning outcome at the UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, has sent ripples through the lightweight division. Tsarukyan's precision and power were on full display, marking him as a formidable force in the UFC. Co-Main Event: Jalin Turner vs Bobby Green The co-main event mirrored the intensity of the night with Jalin Turner securing a knockout against Bobby Green at 2:49 minutes of the opening round. Turner's explosive performance further cemented his reputation as a rising star in the lightweight division. Main Card Highlights Deiveson Figueiredo vs Rob Font : In a battle of technique and endurance, Deiveson Figueiredo claimed victory over Rob Font via unanimous decision. This fight showcased Figueiredo's strategic prowess and resilience in the octagon. Sean Brady vs Kelvin Gastelum : Sean Brady's grappling skills were on full display as he subdued Kelvin Gastelum with a kimura at 1:43 minutes of the third round. This win solidifies Brady's standing as a serious contender in the welterweight division. Joaquim Silva vs Clay Guida : Silva's tactical approach earned him a unanimous decision win over the veteran Clay Guida. This match was a testament to Silva's evolving skill set and determination. Dustin Stoltzfus vs Punahele Soriano : In a gripping middleweight bout, Dustin Stoltzfus triumphed over Punahele Soriano with a rear-naked choke at 4:10 minutes of the second round, demonstrating his grappling expertise. Preliminary Card Standouts Miesha Tate vs Julia Avila : Miesha Tate showcased her veteran skills, defeating Julia Avila with a rear-naked choke in the third round. Cody Brundage vs Zach Reese : Cody Brundage delivered an impressive first-round knockout against Zach Reese, proving his striking power. Drakkar Klose vs Joe Solecki : Klose earned a swift victory with a knockout over Solecki early in the first round. Rodolfo Bellato vs Ihor Potieria : Bellato's striking prowess was evident in his second-round knockout win against Potieria. Jared Gooden vs Wellington Turman : Gooden secured a win with a rear-naked choke against Turman, demonstrating his submission skills. Veronica Hardy vs Jamey-Lyn Horth : In a closely contested bout, Hardy emerged victorious with a split decision over Horth. Looking Ahead: UFC Fight Night - Song vs Gutierrez As the dust settles on the exhilarating UFC Fight Night in Austin, attention now turns to the upcoming event on December 9, 2023, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This event, headlined by Song vs Gutierrez, promises to keep the momentum going with another lineup of exciting matchups. Fans and fighters alike are eagerly anticipating what's next in the world of UFC.

BRAVE Combat Federation’s Super Welterweight champion Marcin Bandel has wasted no time making an impact in the most global MMA promotion.Since his debut fight, the Pole has produced performances of such a high standard that he earned his way to BRAVE CF gold in just three fights - one of the fastest routes to a BRAVE CF Championship. His opening fight at BRAVE CF 54 saw him make a huge statement - living up to his stage name “Bomba” with an explosive performance against Switzerland’s Magomed Ayskhanov, whom he submitted by rear-naked choke within two minutes of the first round. Impressing the BRAVE CF matchmakers, Bandel was given a more challenging task and thrown in at the deeper end against the Brazilian veteran Luis Felipe Dias. But the former GMC Middleweight Champion reiterated his dominance within the 175-pound division, proving that a new BRAVE CF star and potential future champion was on the rise after he dominated the experienced Diaz over three rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory at BRAVE CF 58. Backed by his motherland and beloved fans, Bandel was hungry to continue flying Poland’s flag in the most global MMA promotion, as he was now 2-0 in BRAVE CF. With 21 wins, a jiu-jitsu black belt under ADCC Open-Weight champion Robert Drysdale, and 18 submissions to his name, Bandel was now officially the new threat in the division. But another rising star was quickly making his mark as the “Austrian Wonderboy” Ismail Naurdiev had plans to secure the title. Bandel and Naurdiev were matched up for the vacant BRAVE CF Super Welterweight title. With Naurdiev being the showman that he is, loved by thousands of BRAVE Nation fans, he was naturally dubbed the favorite. It was a spectacular main event for an incredible show as the two stars headlined Kombat Kingdom’s BRAVE CF 63 show in Bahrain. Bandel proved just too much for his opponent as he knocked down Naurdiev before dominating him on the grappling side, silencing the “Austrian Wonderboy" fans with a frightening armbar early in the first round, securing yet another scalp on his long list of submission wins. It was official, Poland had secured a BRAVE CF Super Welterweight champion, and the nation celebrated their new hero with a beautiful homecoming. Soon after, Bandel was honored in his home country, receiving the 2022 Herakles Submission of the Year Award following his incredible submission win over the world-renowned Naurdiev. The prestigious Herakles - regarded as the “Oscar” of Polish MMA awards - is the highest honor a Polish combat sports athlete can receive from the National Sporting Council. The ceremony - which took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Warsaw - consists of different categories and honored a who's who of the mixed martial arts scene in Poland, including the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Mateusz Gamrot. It was not the only recognition Bandel received as his emphatic win also earned him a Submission of the Year nomination at the 2022 BRAVE CF Awards. Bandel now had the world at his feet, and everybody had started to pay attention to the man. Eight months later, the dangerous unbeaten Russian in Kamal Magomedov desperately wanted what Bandel had and looked to secure BRAVE CF gold in the same period as the Pole. Magomedov had entered BRAVE CF on an eight-fight win streak and secured two convincing wins over Vitaly Tverdokhlebov and Olli Santalahti at BRAVE CF 55 and 63, respectively. Magomedov had proven himself a worthy adversary and was then lined up to compete for Bandel’s throne. The two gladiators were set to meet in BRAVE CF’s return to the Kingdom of Bahrain this year at BRAVE CF 71 in what would have been Bandel’s first title defense, however, the fight fell through due to unforeseen circumstances. With that said, a new meet is in the works between these two elite athletes, and BRAVE Nations fans could potentially find out who the real king of the division is before the end of this year.

"Puas" faces off with Colombian Knockout artist Sebastian "Pitbull" Piedrahita in the 5 bout Main Card. This Event will be the first of the 4 Combate Global Live Fight cards taking place in December 2023 Combate Global Pre Show begins at 8 PM ET this Saturday, Dec 2, 2023 COMBATE GLOBAL today announced the return of Mexican lightweight (155 pounds) superstar, Cristian “Puas” Perez (12-1), who will square off with Colombian finisher Sebastian “Pitbull” Piedrahita , in the main event of a stacked, five-bout Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card in Miami on Saturday, Dec. 2, live on Paramount+. The live Paramount+ stream of COMBATE GLOBAL’s event will begin with a 30-minute pre-show, hosted by Jimmy Smith and Rodolfo Roman at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT, and will continue with the first preliminary card bout at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. The event will be the first of four COMBATE GLOBAL live fight cards that will take place in December to close out what has been the Hispanic-focused MMA organization’s best year to date. Recently re-signed to a new, exclusive, multi-fight promotional agreement with COMBATE GLOBAL, the 24-year-old Puas of Mexicali, B.C. will is seeking his fifth consecutive victory after obliterating former world champion Bruno “Aquiles” Cannetti in the first round (1:26) of battle with a barrage of punches on June 18. To date, Puas, who made his professional debut under the promotion of COMBATE GLOBAL as a 20-year-old in 2019 and who has been competing for the Hispanic-focused promotion since then, has notched 75 percent of his professional career wins by way of (T)KO or submission. The 31-year-old Piedrahita of Medellin holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and, to date, has earned a spectacular 91 percent of his wins via (T)KO or submission. Piedrahita, a newcomer to the ranks of COMBATE GLOBAL, secured his career-best victory, thus far, in his last effort by scoring a fourth round (:15) TKO (strikes) on Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Alexander “Rolo” Torres on July 8. In a featured women’s atomweight (105 pounds) contest, Ana “La Guerrera” Palacios (7-2-1) will collide with undefeated Anastasia Nikolakakos (4-0). Hailing from Mexico City, Mexico where she trains with one of her country’s finest MMA teams, Bonebreakers, the 25-year-old Palacios, has earned 70 percent of her wins via (T)KO or submission and is regarded as one of the best 105-pound competitors in the world. Palacios is looking to rebound from a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Japan’s Chihiro Sawada on May 13. Prior to the loss, Palacios was in the midst of a five-fight win streak and had only sustained one career defeat while fighting above her weight class. Nikolakakos is a 34-year-old resident of Toronto, Canada and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, making her COMBATE GLOBAL promotional debut. Prior to turning professional in 2017, Nikolakakos was unbeaten (3-0) as an amateur competitor. In a second featured fight on the card, flyweight (125 pounds) sensation Ernesto “The Stallion” Ibarra (8-1) will collide with knockout artist Javier Valdebenito (5-3) at the 125-pound limit. The 27-year-old Ibarra of Ensenada, B.C., Mexico is riding a three-fight win streak after defeating Martin Davila in La Jaula on April 28. Ibarra is a member of Team Blacxicans that has produced the likes of Puas and undefeated, fellow COMBATE GLOBAL athlete, Ramiro “El Cachanilla” Jimenez. At just 20 years of age, Valdebenito has already put eight professional fights under his belt after a busy 2022 in which he competed six times. A member of Team Jaula Bahamondes, the native camp of MMA star and COMBATE GLOBAL veteran Ignacio “Nacho” Bahamondes, Valdebenito has earned 80 percent of his career wins by way of (T)KO. In preliminary bout action, a second women’s atomweight affair will see Kayla “Kayrock” Hracho (5-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla. face off with Andrea “Kali” Meneses (5-1) of Gava, Spain. Leading off the undercard will be a lightweight clash between unbeaten Michel Martinez (2-0) of Tudela, Spain and Carlo “El Bambino” Ricci (3-2) of Caracas, Venezuela. The three-bout main card will also air on UNIVISION at 12 a.m. ET (9 p.m. PT). Additional information about COMBATE GLOBAL and its athletes can be found on www.CombateGlobal.com as well as on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and YouTube . Here is the FULL Fight Card for Combate Global on Dec 2, 2023 Sebastian "Pitbull" Piedranhita vs. Cristian "Puas" Perez [Main Event] Anastasia Nikolakakos vs. Ana "La Guerrera" Palacios [Co-Main Event] Andrea "Kali" Meneses vs. Kayla "Kayrock" Hracho Carlo "El Bambino" Ricci vs. Michel Martinez Katie "Maquina Asesina" Perez vs. Janet Garcia Featured Bout: Javier "El Pantera" Valdebenito vs. Ernesto "The Stallion" Ibarra

Last week, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) wrapped up another memorable season with their 2023 PFL World Championship event. Dubbed as “MMA’s Richest Night”, the league’s finale for the 2023 PFL Season saw six world championships crowned, and as many million-dollar purses awarded. The stacked card also saw the return of homegrown PFL stars such as Kayla Harrison and Ray Cooper III, as well as the debut of Derek Brunson. While the World Championship event was indeed a major highlight for the year, perhaps the bigger story came earlier that week, when the PFL announced that they had finally acquired Bellator MMA, a once-rival promotion that was founded in 2008, and has produced some of the biggest names in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). With the acquisition, the PFL says that they have created a ‘global MMA powerhouse’ and it’s hard to disagree. Now, the PFL also owns Bellator’s roster of fighters, which includes multiple globally-ranked competitors and world champions. Here’s a quick look at Bellator’s titleholders: Ryan Bader (Heavyweight) Vadim Nemkov (Light heavyweight) Johnny Eblen (Middleweight) Jason Jackson (Welterweight) Usman Nurmagomedov (Lightweight) Patricio “Pitbull” Friere (Featherweight) Patchy Mix (Bantamweight) Cris “Cyborg” Justino (Women’s featherweight) Liz Carmouche (Women’s flyweight). While the champions already make up an impressive list, Bellator’s roster also features the likes of Sergio Pettis, AJ McKee, Raufeon Stots, Ilima Lei-MacFarlane, Aaron Pico, Logan Storley, and more. These names are without a doubt amazing additions to the PFL’s roster, and also sets up the possibility of a number of fights that fans have been wanting to see for a long time. Here are some of the fights that fans can watch out for in the PFL in 2024: PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Fight fans love to fantasy-book cross-promotional champion-versus-champion matches. With the PFL acquiring Bellator, these fights no longer need to be fantasy affairs. “We can’t wait to bring MMA fans what they have been asking for - best vs best with the PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions Mega-Event,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray in the official release, which means that this has indeed something in the works and will likely take place in 2024. Following the 2023 PFL World Championship event, here’s how the champion-versus-champion card could look like: Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader Impa Kasanganay vs. Vadim Nemkov Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Jason Jackson Jesus Pinedo vs. Patricio Pitbull Larissa Pacheco vs. Cris Cyborg. While the PFL doesn’t have a middleweight champion, a matchup between Derek Brunson and Bellator’s 185-pound champion Johnny Eblen could make for an intriguing fight to go along with the champ-versus-champ bouts. Biaggio Ali Walsh’s First Professional Bout Since joining the PFL, Biaggio Ali Walsh has been easily the biggest name in amateur MMA. The grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Ali Walsh has made quite the name for himself by picking up five straight knockout wins inside the PFL SmartCage, with the most recent coming against Joel Lopez at the 2023 PFL World Championship card. Before his fight against Lopez, Ali Walsh already teased the possibility of jumping to the pro ranks with a win. Whether he finally pulls the trigger remains to be seen. Francis Ngannou vs. Either of the Heavyweight Champions Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was arguably the biggest single signing that the PFL was able to pull off this year. The Cameroonian knockout artist is expected to compete in the PFL’s PPV Superfight Division, and the two heavyweight kings in the company could be intriguing matchups for “The Predator’s” first foray into the PFL SmartCage. Ngannou versus Ferreira would be an absolute barnburner, with two of the sport’s most feared strikers going head to head. Ngannou versus Bader, meanwhile, would be a classic matchup of styles, and should be an interesting fight to see for fans. Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz The PFL’s other massive signing for 2023 was none other than social media star-turned boxer Jake Paul. Paul signed with the PFL in early 2023, and is expected to make his MMA inside the SmartCage. Like Ngannou, Paul will compete in the league’s PPV Superfight Division, and he has continuously called out former UFC star Nate Diaz. Paul and Diaz have already crossed paths, duking it out inside the boxing ring, with the former winning by unanimous decision. “The Problem Child” wasted little time in offering Diaz a rematch, but this time inside the PFL SmartCage. As of writing, Diaz has yet to entertain the offer, but it could be something that comes to fruition in 2024. Kayla Harrison vs. Cris Cyborg It goes without saying that this would be the biggest match to book following the PFL-Bellator union. Harrison and Cyborg have been at odds with each other for years, and it seemed like the two were finally on a collision course when Harrison entered free agency a couple of years back. Ultimately, Harrison decided to remain with the PFL and Cyborg remained with Bellator. Now, the two are in the same company and it’s only a matter of time before we finally see two of the most dominant women in MMA share the SmartCage.

BKFC-56 is LIVE this Saturday, December 2 from the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, UT and will be broadcast on Pay-Per-View. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC ) hosted its Final Press Conference for BKFC-56 , the promotion’s biggest ever event , today at Bucked Up Headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT ahead of Saturday’s must-see showcase event at Maverik Center in Salt Lake City. The ‘Open to the Public’ Ceremonial Weigh-In will take place on Friday, December 1 at 6:00 p.m. MT at SKY SLC, 149 Pierpont Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 and will be streamed live on the BKFC App and BKFC YouTube page. "This is absolutely the biggest fight of my career. Eddie has experience with BKFC; I think you learn a lot from your first one. I want a (expletive) battle, dude. I'm sorry, boss, what I've gotta do to your Philly boy, man.I've still got some weight to cut. I think I'm going to blow up after I weigh in. I don't know how much Eddie is going to blow up because he was looking pretty fat last time. I don't know how much weight he's gonna put on after weighing in at 175.You're here for a paycheck, which is crazy to me, I can't even think like that … I’m going to beat the (expletive) out of you so bad, man". "I always thought the (King of Violence) title belonged to me, and I don't need a belt to prove it. I've had it, I'm defending it against Mike Perry, and it's going to be a successful title defense. I love this fight, man. I was a 155lber, but these days I walk around at 200. I can't make 155 anymore. I wanted to make it 175 to suck some water out of Mike's head, so when I hit it, it just falls over." "I'm looking forward to Saturday night and putting on a show." "This is everything. The past is the past. One day I'll look back and reflect on the past, but this is the opponent in front of me, this is the task at hand, and I plan on taking care of this task. (If Conor McGregor wants to fight me with BKFC) he’s gotta get off the blow first. He's gotta get off the steroids. He's got a long, long track ahead of him. He's fought some fights, but now he's gotta fight some real deals, the guy's he's been avoiding. That's a longshot. It's not something I really think about. He can get it on the street, for sure. His mom knows. I'm born and bred for this. I'm going to do big, big business here in bare knuckle." David Feldman, Founder/President of BKFC quoted "We've got six fights on this card that could be a main event on any other card we've ever done. The biggest event in BKFC history is happening right here in Salt Lake City. I'd like to thank our great partners, because without them, this stuff doesn't happen. And thank you to the fans. You guys made us the fastest growing sport on planet Earth. Thank you very much. I'm super excited about this event.” "We figured, let's have some fun with this thing and create the King of Violence Championship, because we've got two very violent people right here; Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez. They've got amazing accolades, they've never turned down a fight, and they've beat almost everyone they've fought, so we made it the King of Violence Championship. Who's the most violent, is it Mike Perry or Eddie Alvarez? We're going to find out on Saturday night." "We have some really, really exciting announcements that we're going to make next week. We have some new marquee states that are going to be opened up. We're working on this network deal, and hoping to be able to announce that by Dec. 15. We have some really, really exciting news for BKFC in 2024." "We've got some great partnerships. I say partnerships because they help us make these fights happen, and we help give them notoriety and help their brand grow. It always has to be win-win or it doesn't work at all, and it's always win-win." "Ben Rothwell came down really, really sick this morning, so he's not going to be able to compete. We tried to get a last-minute replacement for Todd Duffee, but we just couldn't do it, so we're going to push that fight to February. I'm sorry to the fans for that, but we still have a stacked card, an unbelievable main event, and a whole lot to be excited about here in Salt Lake City." Fighters turned up the heat at the BKFC 56 Final Press Conference Headlining BKFC-56 is the highly anticipated return of ‘The Face of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship , ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry, (3-0), battling long-time arch-rival , Eddie ‘The Underground King’ Alvarez , (1-0), in the middleweight division. Co-featured at BKFC-56, Women’s Flyweight World Champion Christine ‘Misfit’ Ferea , (7-1), will defend her title in a highly anticipated rematch against Australian arch-rival, #3 Ranked Contender ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings , (3-2). BKFC Featherweight World Champion Kai ‘Hefty Bag’ Stewart, (4-0), will also defend his title against Fast Rising Star, #2 Ranked Challenger Howard Davis , (5-1-1). In an outstanding heavyweight rematch, former BKFC Heavyweight World Champion Arnold ‘Bomaye’ Adams, (7-2), battles Great Britain’s powerhouse Mick Terrill, (6-1), Former UFC Star Jeremy Stephens make his BKFC debut against lightweight veteran Jimmie Rivera , (1-0-1). Due to illness the Ben Rothwell vs. Todd Duffee heavyweight battle will be rescheduled.

BKFC-56 Results: ‘PLATINUM’ Mike Perry Wins BKFC ‘KING OF VIOLENCE' Title Christine Ferea and Kai Stewart victorious in BKFC World Title Defenses Mick Terrill wins BKFC Heavyweight World Title Salt Lake City, UT (December 2, 2023): In front of a sold-out Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, UT on Saturday night and a massive international viewing audience, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) presented BKFC-56 , their biggest and best event in the company’s history. Fighting in the main event, international combat sports superstar, ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry , (4-0), defeated Eddie ‘The Underground King’ Alvarez , (1-0), earning the inaugural BKFC King of Violence Title . Also victorious in sensational world title defenses, BKFC Flyweight World Champion Christine Ferea , (8-1), defeated Bec Rawlings , (3-3) and Kai Stewart (5-0), outpointed Howard Davis , (5-2-1), both wins coming by unanimous decision. Great Britain’s Powerhouse, Mick Terrill , (9-1), won the BKFC Heavyweight World Title by knocking out Two-Time BKFC Heavyweight World Champion Arnold Adams , (7-3). Stated David Feldman , President and Founder of BKFC, “The sold-out attendance tonight was over 8,200, a record for our company. The free prelims were watched by over four million viewers. In the 90 plus countries BKFC-56 was broadcast in, we had over 18 million live views globally. The pay-per-view is trending at three times higher than BKFC-41.” “Our Performances of the Night were Kai Stewart and Esteban Rodriguez and the Knockout of the Night goes to Mick Terrill. The fans here are fantastic and we can’t wait to come back here for another great event.” Here are the BFC 56 Results. Fighting in the main event for the BKFC King of Violence Title, ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry improved to 4-0 with a stoppage after the second round of Eddie ‘The Underground King’ Alvarez , (1-1). Opening the clash both fighters attacked aggressively, landing hard-hitting counters and combinations. In the second round Perry took control landing multiple power shots to Alvarez’s head. Alvarez would turn the tables to end the stanza landing a barrage of punches. Following the second round, Alvarez’s corner stopped the action due to severe damage he suffered to his left eye with Perry being declared the winner by technical knockout. In the co-main event, BKFC Women’s Flyweight World Champion Christine ‘Misfit’ Ferea , (8-1), defended her title in a rematch against top challenger Bec Rawlings , (3-3). Following an even first round, Ferea would land huge combinations opening a cut under Rawlings’ right eye. The third and fourth rounds saw Ferea dominate, aggressively landing with both hands. Closing the fight strongly in the final round, the defending champion was declared the winner by unanimous decision. Scores were 50-45 on all three judge’s scorecards. “She’s tougher than anyone I’ve ever faced,” said Ferea. “Cris Cyborg is the one I’ve always looked up to but I’ll mop her up in BKFC.” BKFC Featherweight World Champion Kai Stewart , (5-0), won a unanimous decision over top rated challenger Howard Davis , (5-2-1). The southpaw Stewart worked his game plan to perfection throughout with punches from numerous angles catching the game Davis. Controlling the action and the pace, Stewart landed 117 total punches to Davis’ 78. Judge’s scores in Stewart’s favor were 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47. UK Heavyweight Powerhouse Mick Terrill , (9-1) stopped Two-Time BKFC Heavyweight World Champion Arnold Adams , (7-3) in the fourth round with the victory earning him the previously vacant BKFC Heavyweight World Title. Following an even first round, Terrill would take over in the second stanza landing multiple counter shots. The third round saw the valiant Adams mount a successful rally, however in the fourth round he was dropped hard twice to the canvas as the fight was called to a halt at :47 of the round. Terrill is the first BKFC champion from the United Kingdom. In a highly anticipated lightweight clash, former UFC Star, Jeremy Stephens , (1-0), successfully debuted in BKFC with a third-round stoppage of Jimmie Rivera , (1-1-1). The taller and longer Stephens was able to walk forward throughout the first two rounds and land numerous clean shots. With multiple cuts opened on Rivera’s face, the fight was stopped by the ringside physician at the end of the third round. Stephens out-landed Rivera throughout the fight, 59-43. In heavyweight action, Ben Moa of Ogden, UT pieced up Great Falls, MT’s Bridger Bercier over the course of three rounds, causing several lacerations en route to winning by doctor’s stoppage in the third round. Time of the technical knockout was :51. Moa, a former member of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets of the National Football League, is now 1-0 in the squared circle; Bercier fell to 0-1. Holland, MI’s Erick Lozano improved to 2-2 with a third-round knockout over debuting Salt Lake City fighter Mike Jones in the light-heavyweight division. Lozano floored Jones twice, paving the way to the stoppage 51 seconds into the third frame. Esteban Rodriguez of Grand Rapids, MI returned to the win column in style with a second-round knockout over the previously unbeaten Keegan Vandermeer of Denver in their cruiserweight showdown. Rodriguez utilized relentless pressure and volume to drop Vandermeer in the second round. Time of the stoppage is 1:06 in round two. With the win, Rodriguez improved to 3-1, while Vandermeer’s record dropped to 2-1. West Haven, UT’s Trevor Bradshaw, (1-0), dropped hometown Salt Lake City fighter Troy Dennison twice in the opening round of their welterweight contest. Dennison picked himself up off the canvas once, but couldn’t continue after his second knockdown. Bradshaw wins by knockout at 1:55 in round 1. Dennison fell to 0-1. In the first sanctioned bare-knuckle fighting bout in Utah history, Danny Hilton of Prescott Valley, AR landed at will on Clearfield, UT's LJ Schulz throughout their battle of debuting lightweights. Severe swelling around Schulz’s eye forced the ringside doctor to call a stop to the fight at the end of the first round, declaring Hilton the winner via TKO.

Who are the greatest male martial arts movie stars? With martial arts films finding critical success in the last year, we are looking to our all-time favorite male martial art movie stars. Some of these men are living masters and former world champions in martial arts, while others just play the part. Regardless of their background, these kick-ass icons have created some of the most legendary moments in martial arts cinema. 1. Bruce Lee Bruce Lee is undoubtedly the most iconic male martial arts actor of all time. He brought a new level of intensity and authenticity to on-screen fighting that had never been seen before. Enter the Dragon, The Way of the Dragon, Fist of Fury, need we say more?! 2. Jackie Chan Jackie Chan is a legend in his own right, known for his incredible acrobatic skills and use of improvised weapons. He has starred in countless martial arts films over the years, becoming a household name in the process. Getting started in Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon he went on to star in Young Master , Rumble in the Bronx , the Rush Hour franchise and how could we forget, Kung Fu Panda ! 3. Jet Li Jet Li is a Chinese martial artist and actor who has starred in numerous martial arts films. He is known for his incredible speed and agility, as well as his impressive range of fighting styles. Jet Li has left his mark in blockbusters like Once Upon a Time in China, The One, The Expendables, Romeo Must Die , and The Forbidden Kingdom. 4. Donnie Yen Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor and martial artist who has appeared in many popular martial arts films. He is known for his lightning-fast kicks and his ability to blend different fighting styles seamlessly. Yen is known for movies like Raging Fire, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, IP Man franchise, Mulan , and Iron Monkey . 5. Tony Jaa Tony Jaa is a Thai martial artist and actor who is known for his incredible athleticism and acrobatic skills. He is best known for his role in the 2003 movie Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior , which showcased his extraordinary athletic ability and combat skills. Jaa started his martial arts training at a young age, studying Muay Thai, Kung Fu, and Taekwondo. He rose to prominence as a stuntman in Thai cinema before transitioning to leading roles in action movies. In addition to Ong-Bak , Jaa has starred in several other martial arts movies, including Tom-Yum-Goong, The Protector, and Furious 7. His dynamic fight scenes and acrobatic stunts have earned him a loyal following among martial arts movie fans. 6. Scott Adkins Scott Adkins is a British actor and martial artist who has appeared in many martial arts films over the years. He is known for his impressive physicality and his ability to perform his own stunts. While not a household name, his skill and recent credits alone rank him among the best living martial artists in cinema. He is trained in Taekwondo, Judo, Karate, Ninjitsu, Capoeira, Krav Maga, Wushu, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Acrobatic Gymnastics. He can be seen in Undisputed 3: Redemption, IP Man 4: The Finale, and Avengement. 7. Wesley Snipes Snipes began his martial arts training at a young age, studying Shotokan Karate and Hapkido. He later went on to train in several other martial arts disciplines, including Capoeira, Kali, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. One of Snipes' most famous roles was as the vampire hunter Blade in the Blade trilogy. In these films, Snipes was able to combine his martial arts skills with impressive swordplay to create an unforgettable action hero. He also starred in the martial arts movie Undisputed , where he played a boxer who finds himself in prison and must use his skills to survive. Snipes' proficiency in martial arts has not only made him a sought-after actor in action movies, but also a respected martial artist in his own right. 8. Michael Jai White Michael Jai White is an American actor and martial artist who has appeared in numerous martial arts films over the years. He is known for his impressive physicality and his ability to perform a wide range of martial arts styles. Fan favorite films of his include, Blood and Bone, Undisputed II: Last Man Standing, Falcon Rising, Universal Soldier: The Return, and the Never Back Down franchise. These actors have all left their mark on the world of martial arts cinema, and their performances continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the globe. That’s our list. Did your favorite make the cut? Check out some of their most legendary movies on Black Belt+ Black Belt+ biggest martial arts digital platform in history. The platform includes thousands of remastered instructional videos, martial arts movies, documentaries, and, of course, digital issues and articles from the iconic Black Belt Magazine . The new app is available on iOS and Android mobile devices and tablets. Or download and subscribe directly from Black Belt at plus.blackbeltmag.com .

Non-practitioners often assume that rank in karate and other martial arts is a standardized affair, controlled perhaps by an official body located somewhere in japan. Those who train, of course, know that there’s no such thing and that a sixth-degree black belt in one dojo might not even be considered a first dan in another school. That said, many budo organizations have worked to standardize testing among their members. If you belong to a dojo affiliated with a national or international group, chances are you have a test with specific requirements for each rank. This allows for a lot of order and predictability. You can go to any dojo affiliated with that organization and be fairly sure of the quality of the ranked students and they can be sure of yours. Probably most practitioners would think this a positive. It is, in some ways. However, give some consideration to an alternative perspective on grading and standardization. Classical Japanese martial arts, also known as koryu, developed somewhat in isolation from one another. Keeping the essence of your ryu secret was a considerable advantage in an age of warfare. During the later feudal period, after Japan’s long civil war ended, there was some interchange among ryu. Members of one ryu, having gained enough skill — and received permission from their teacher— might have joined another ryu. In terms, though, of how the ryu were structured, each tended to follow its own protocol for rank. There was no standardization or need for such. And by rank‚ note that the koryu system was and is entirely different from that of modern budo forms like karate. There was no need to give someone a rank, certificate or belt to signify skill. If you were alive, that was proof of your talent. The only need for certification was to establish who had the right to teach and transmit the ryu. That’s because a ryu was considered property. (They still are.) To address this, the headmaster of the ryu issued a menkyo. Literally, it means “license.” This is the word most often associated with written proof of one’s authority to possess and transmit the ryu, but other terms were also used. As a ryu established itself, there was a need for members to be licensed to teach certain aspects of the art. So documents were written, like menkyo, to give the owner permission to do so. In some cases, these might have been loosely bound, like a book. In most cases, they were written on scrolls imprinted with the seal of the headmaster. These were also called mokuroku (catalog) and might be simply a list of all kata the recipient could teach. Or they might be called menjo (certificates). Yurushi is the term used in some ryu; it means “permission.” A few ryu issued a series of these licenses. A lower menkyo would give the owner the right to teach perhaps the first part of the ryu’s curriculum. As he became more skilled, a second license would be issued for him to teach the second part. Some ryu gave out no licenses at all except to the one person who had been designated to take the position of the next headmaster. “Ranks are meaningless,” some karateka insist. “They’re just dangled out there to keep students interested.” This may be true; obvious symbols of rank have an appeal, particularly for people who are reward-oriented. It’s too harsh and generalizing, though, to dismiss rank systems as simple marketing devices. Colored-belt ranks — this is a big reason they were created — make it easier in a big dojo or organization for instructors and seniors to see the approximate skill level of practitioners they might not personally know. However, what if your teacher, the leader of your budo organization, did personally know all the students? What if all practitioners of your art knew one another and trained together regularly? Would there still be a need or a desire for a standardized form of rank? While it’s impossible to read the future, I do wonder if the martial arts might see in this century an evolution toward smaller groups, toward less homogenization spread over entire regions and countries. Today, many practitioners might think of Japan and its budo organizations as a kind of central authority. Few of those practitioners, though, have been there or trained with the main instructors. Their sense of belonging to an art or a dojo lies with the person who actually teaches, in the building where they go regularly. There was a time when few non-Japanese had the level of skill and experience to teach independently. As that has changed, more and more teachers are at a place where they need to take responsibility for their students. The idea that a seventh-dan teacher with four decades of experience instructing in his own dojo needs to bring in someone else to do grading is becoming increasingly odd. And pointless. How about if that teacher established the standards? He or she might decide to issue menkyo-type licenses instead of belt ranks. Maybe the teacher would decide to revamp the qualifications. Instead of students saying, “My rank is certified through the International Whatever Karate Association,” they would say, “My rank is certified by my teacher.” If a student looks bad or even mediocre, it reflects directly not on some organization but on that teacher. Organizational rank systems have their strengths and weaknesses. It’s worth considering. Dave Lowry has written Karate Way since 1986. For more information about his articles and books, visit blackbeltmag.com and type his name into the search box.