Modern psychology would call preferring a sure outcome over a gamble “risk aversion.” Which makes complete sense, especially in a cage match in front of hundreds of people. This is rational. However, there are always a few chosen souls who are willing to roll the dice and at least attempt to defy statistics. In this article, I’ll look at four of the most sought-after MMA submissions ever pulled off in the octagon. Keep in mind that this list is subjective, and it’s hard to find good UFC statistics, but these are the four submissions I found most interesting. 4 Inverted Triangle The inverted triangle is a submission that you can envision if you’ve watched much MMA. It’s just like the triangle you see all the time: Isolate the head and an arm. Figure-4 your legs around them. Pull down on the head and squeeze. (There’s much more complexity to this and the other moves on this list, but I’m being brief for the sake of brevity.) Instead of inverting the side the lock is on like you might have seen Vinny Magalhães do, you invert your orientation to your opponent. Your head goes toward his hips, similar to a north-south position. The technique is attempted most when someone is sliding off the back, but it’s rarely finished. Here are the four fighters who were able to make it happen. You’ll notice a theme with the first three examples — it’s definitely more about what they were doing with the arms that led to the tap and not the lock around the neck, but it’s what got them to the position to finish. First was Chris Lytle in 2007. He pulled it off against Jason Gilliam at UFC 73. Second was Cole Miller in 2010 against Dan Lauzon. Same thing here. It was an impressive grappling display, but it was the arm work that led to the finish. Third, funnily enough, was from former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, who was able to secure one against Tim Boetsh on his path to the middleweight strap. Great fight, and Luke Rockhold used the cage well to work his transitions to get the finish. The final and latest entry is the only one that achieved the submission wholly and purely. Jordan Leavitt locked one on in December 2021 and is the only one whose Wikipedia page reads “inverted triangle choke” as he did not need to manipulate an arm at all to achieve success. 3 Calf Slicer The calf slicer is a move that was brought back into modern jiu-jitsu by the recent romance with leg entanglements. It’s tricky to control, but it has a place in some of the most successful martial arts schools. Even if you don’t attend a prestigious school, there’s probably a dude in your gym who will go for this after a night of YouTube-ing grappling moves. So far, there have only been two men who can claim they got their hand raised because of a calf slicer. First was the champ Charles Oliveira during his featherweight debut. He was initially trying to work a kneebar when Eric Wisely rolled over and “Do Bronx” was able to pull on Eric Wisely’s hips after lacing up the leg. (Some would argue that this is technically a “calf crusher,” but the directed pressure is the same, so humor me.) Making the pressure even worse and with a winced expression on his face, Eric Wisely was forced to tap. The second was from Brett Johns during the finale of The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion. What makes this sub so impressive is not only how fast he was able to snatch it up but also whom he got it on. Joe Soto was the inaugural Bellator featherweight champion and is a world-class black belt who was a state-champion wrestler in high school and a finalist at EBI 4, so Soto has a tough grappling pedigree. 2 Twister The twister is one of the more complex moves on this list. Instead of isolating an individual joint to control or chasing the neck, you have to control a single leg with both your legs and continue that control until you get a grip on the crown of the skull after getting past the arm on the opposite side. Even though entry is debatably easier than back chasing on account of just needing one hook, it’s rarely attempted in professional MMA. Only two men have pulled it off successfully: Jung Chang-sung and Bryce Mitchell. When “The Korean Zombie” first pulled it off in 2011 against Leonard Garcia, everyone was shocked and confused — including me. I never saw a submission like that before, let alone understood its nuance and difficulty. Everybody thought that it was going to be the next “thing” and that fighters would be chasing it from now on. Shows how much gossip is worth because it wouldn’t be until December 2019, almost nine years later, when a young Bryce “Thug Nasty” Mitchell pulled off another one against Matt Sayles. Matt Sayles didn’t make it easy despite Bryce Mitchell dictating the positions until he got the tap late in round one. 1 Omoplata The omoplata is as risky as it is slick when done correctly. It is most frequently attempted off a failed kimura or triangle as the momentum leads into it. However, most of the time, the guy will just roll through and create a scramble if he can pull his arm free at the same time. But if you can keep complete control of the arm as you invert and sit up, you can really bear down on the shoulder and create immense pressure. Here are the two I’ve seen. The UFC was around for a long time before one of these was seen in the octagon. The first man to get it was Ben Saunders in 2014 against Chris Heatherly at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Don Anjos. Ben Saunders was taken down but began working off his back as soon as he hit the canvas. Pulling on Chris Heatherly’s head and climbing his legs up, Ben Saunders was threatening triangle and armbar variations when Chris Heatherly pulled his head out and Ben Saunders spun for the omoplata. Where most guys lose it when their opponent rolls forward or bucks backward, Ben Saunders managed to stay in control until Chris Heatherly was unable to stand it any longer. The second and last omoplata to be completed in the UFC was by rising heavyweight Adam Wieczorek in April 2018. You might think the big boys lack the finesse to pull off such a complicated technique, but Adam Wieczorek begged to differ. He had to threaten arm locks and even a cheeky gogoplata to get Ajarn Singh Bhullar to turn. But once he did and tried to limp-arm out of it, Adam Wieczorek put all his pressure right into Ajarn Singh Bhullar’s shoulder until he had to submit. What a gorgeous display of control from a heavyweight! All right, boys. Those are my top 4 rare submissions ever pulled off after a Zuffa walk, the ones that I almost always hope get finished when attempted. I’m sure there are plenty more out there, and I’m sure there are some awesome ones I missed — as well as a few one-time outliers I forgot to mention. You can reach me @ivory__shoulders on Instagram to tell me all about it. Hope you enjoyed the read. Hang out on BlackBeltMag.com for the next one.

Ricardo Liborio Is a trailblazing champion and coach in BJJ and MMA, and is a featured instructor on the most comprehensive martial arts platform in history— Black Belt+ *Due to editorial limitations, parts of this interview may have been abbreviated. Black Belt+: You inspired so many, who or what inspired you? Ricardo: I started Judo when I was four years old. I passed through taekwondo, boxing and started doing Jiu-Jitsu when I was 15. The uncle of my first girlfriend was my biggest inspiration to start. He was a Carlson Gracie black belt, and invited me to visit Carlson’s school, and I never stopped after that. Black Belt+: Black Belt+ was started to help students outside the dojo, what are your expert tips on training solo or remotely? Ricardo: We live in the era of distance learning, knowledge was never so accessible to all as it is today. I really wish that it was like this in my time! The ability to receive a martial arts education is a blessing for the curious mind. Black Belt+ : Oftentimes in our training we hit a wall, what’s your advice for students who lack motivation or want to quit? Ricardo : Inspiration and motivation is not always going to be there. If you want to succeed in anything you count on discipline, that’s a fact. The key to success is to consistently show up. Black Belt+ : Traditionally many martial artists start with one style, when do you recommend the best time to branch out and learn other styles? Ricardo : Anytime you feel it’s important to expand your knowledge, do it. Learning is a continuous act and it’s never enough. Keep learning online. Black Belt+: What are some changes or developments in your art over the years? Ricardo : There are many changes in style and in rules for competition but the essence of BJJ is to adapt and evolve, keeping an open mind is essential to be up to date on the sport. Black Belt+ : Today, what is the emphasis of your teaching? Ricardo : Jiu Jitsu is a lifestyle. It involves culture (food, music, art etc.), involves a philosophy of treating people the way you want to be treated, making them fell welcome, to help people heal physically and mentally. I’ve been through all the cycles in my sport, as an athlete, coach for high performance, school owner, sport administrator, and in the end my emphasis is about helping others and passing on the knowledge. Black Belt+ : What motivates you to stay passionate about your art? Ricardo : Love and discipline. I know my “why”! Check out Ricardo Liborio’s instructional videos on Black Belt+ . Download and subscribe directly from Black Belt Magazine at plus.blackbeltmag.com . Or download in the App

From Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan to Jean-Claude Van Damme and Ron Van Clief these talented martial artists also starred in some of the most iconic fighting films. There are those who enjoy martial arts movies and then there are those who are die-hard fans. Are you one? Check out our list of iconic martial arts films to see if you qualify as a bona fide superfan. All of these films and more are available now on Blackbelt+. 1.Return of the Dragon First on the list is the 1972 Hong Kong martial arts action-comedy film Return of the Dragon . It was famously written by, co-produced by, directed by, and starring Bruce Lee . The film co-stars Nora Miao , Robert Wall , Wei Ping-ou , and Chuck Norris —launching Norris into his own super stardom. The scope of the set is huge, and by huge we mean colossal, as in the major fight scene is set at the Colosseum in Rome. Simply iconic. If you have any respect for martial arts cinema then you’ve seen this film (and probably a dozen times!). 2.Enter of the Ninja Next is Enter the Ninja directed by Menahem Golan and starring Franco Nero, Susan George, and Shô Kosugi. Immediately upon completing his training at a ninja school, an army vet travels to the Philippines and finds himself battling a developer who is taking his war buddy’s property. This film solidified Kosugi as a bona fide martial arts superstar and gained him a massive cult following. This film also helped usher ninjas into the Western zeitgeist, and we are forever grateful. 3.No Retreat, No Surrender Next is No Retreat, No Surrender . This 1986 American martial arts sports film is written and directed by Corey Yuen and stars Kurt McKinney and Jean-Claude Van Damme . It’s a perfect blend between the ‘80s pop culture and the then growing trend of martial arts in American culture. And, of course, we have a Russian villain. What more could you ask for? 4.The Chinese Connection The Chinese Connection might be the ultimate martial arts movie from the ultimate martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. This 1972 classic delivered the iconic line “you killed my teacher” and introduced the nunchuck to the world. The original name of the movie was Fist of Fury, then released in America as Chinese Connection . But Bruce Lee had another movie called Fist of Fury so to avoid confusion they called that movie The Big Boss …confused yet? Nah, you’re a true fan! You can watch this movie of many names on Black Belt+ ! 5.The Black Dragon’s Revenge The Black Dragon’s Revenge stars the “Black Dragon” himself Ron van Clief. This 1970s action thriller is about rival gangs in search of the lost "finger fighting" manual written by Bruce Lee. This film is the pinnacle of ‘70s Blaxploitation and kung fu flicks. And it outlives many in the genre due to Van Clief’s legitimate presence and capabilities. 6.Chinese Hercules The 1973 film Chinese Hercules directed by Huang Ta, stars Bolo Yeung. Yeung plays a fighter haunted by his past who now works the docks under an abusive boss. The workers struggle to fight back, but only the young fighter is strong enough to ultimately take on the henchmen and bosses. You might know Bolo from Enter the Dragon . As a bodybuilder, he was known for his massive physique, which is why he was often (always!) shirtless in these films. He also found a new fanbase in the late 1980s when he played the villain in the movie Bloodsport . Raise your hand if you knew that? Great! 7.Revenge of the Ninja We talked about Enter the Ninja , now let’s look at Revenge of the Ninja . Directed by Sam Firstenberg and reprising the lead role is Sho Kosugi. After his family is killed in Japan by ninjas, Cho and his son Kane escape to America. Cho opens a doll shop that smuggles in heroin right under his nose. After discovering the betrayal, Cho prepares for the battle of a lifetime. Also starring Keith Vitali , Virgil Frye , and lead Sho Kosugi's son, Kane Kosugi . If you’re looking for cinema that shaped a genre, look no further. This 1983 classic sealed the concept of ninjas in the history of cinema. That’s our list. How’d you do? If you need to brush up on your martial arts cinema, you can watch these iconic movies and more at Black Belt+ Check out the biggest martial arts digital platform in history. From its rich history spanning over 60 years, 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.

Cynthia Rothrock is a legend in the martial arts community and cinema, she is also a trailblazing instructor on the most comprehensive martial arts platform in history— Black Belt+ Black Belt+: You inspired so many, who or what inspired you? Cynthia: My mom and dad inspired me to not be afraid to do the things I love, to be fearless, and excel in all you do. Black Belt+ : Black Belt+ was started to help students outside the dojo, what are your expert tips on training solo or remotely? Cynthia : Training remotely or online, it's important to get a great video where the teacher really knows how to teach and explain the techniques thoroughly. Video tape yourself and compare it to the instructional video. Practice in front of a mirror so you can spot incorrect positions. Black Belt+ : Oftentimes in our training we hit a wall, what’s your advice for students who lack motivation or want to quit? Cynthia : Change your way of thinking. Think of ways to not get bored. I teach students different combinations, so the student can be creative and make up fun and challenging combinations. Learn to love your martial arts. Practice different ways. Maybe one day bag work, another day self-defense techniques, then focus on forms, or a day working with weapons . I find it’s an art to keep one challenged . There is so much knowledge out there that one should never get bored. Black Belt+ : Traditionally many martial artists start with one style, when do you recommend the best time to branch out and learn other styles? Cynthia : I have branched out into many different styles, but I have been training over 49 years. I would recommend get proficient or your black belt in one style then move on to another if you choose. When you start out observe many styles or schools and see which one seems to fit you and your body the best. Black Belt+: What are some changes or developments in your art over the years? Cynthia : Over the years, I've learned more techniques to be fit and flexible which has changed my way of doing martial art techniques to be faster, stronger, and more effective. I love to teach students. My philosophy is to have a Warrior Spirit when training. That means love your moves, perfect your moves, and always do them with intent, confidence, power and speed. Black Belt+ : Today, what is the emphasis of your teaching? Tell us about your videos featured on BB+. Cynthia : I always first work with stretching and conditioning. I have developed a formula to help you get maximum benefits for your training. I see most people stretch incorrectly, not utilizing maximum effort. I give them ideas how to improve any stretch. We can always challenge ourselves no matter what our flexibility level is. I am a stickler for technique. I'm constantly correcting feet and hand positions. I teach self-defense hoping to give new insight on a technique and for those interested in fighting for film. Fighting for film is difficult for most people because even if they have the proper technique, they don't know how to react realistically, which is vital for film. Black Belt+ : What motivates you to stay passionate about your art? Cynthia : Passion is my motivation. I love training and teaching. It starts out with a mindset. When I'm training, I also think what great exercise my body is getting. We all have moves that we hate, but I say the moves we hate are the ones we need to work on. Mine were pushups, but I switched my mindset to “I love pushups because they make my arms strong and lean so therefore the more I do them the more benefit I will get.” Also learning a new form or weapon was always motivational for me. -- Check out Cynthia Rothrock’s movies, interviews, and instructional videos on Black Belt+ . Download and subscribe directly from Black Belt Magazine at plus.blackbeltmag.com Or download in the App Store or Google Play.

Janet Todd has been on a mission to become the undisputed Muay Thai queen since arriving in ONE Championship She will get that chance at ONE Fight Night 8 on Friday, March 24. But on her road to the top, the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Interim Muay Thai World Champion has been inspired by those who came before her. And Todd wants to pay it forward. “I hope people can see what I do and say, ‘Yeah, I can do that.’ Or even say, ‘Yeah, I could do that better. I could be the next champion and help the sport grow.’ Because compared to the men, there’s not as many women competing. ONE Championship is a great platform, but I hope the sport continues to grow through some of these major promotions like ONE Championship. And, yeah, I hope people get inspired to compete. If I can do it, you can do it,” Todd told ONE. As women’s martial arts has exploded over the last decade, much work remains to be done. Todd is happy to be a part of the growth of the sport and believes ONE is doing its part to elevate martial arts as a whole through its global platforms. Exposure to martial arts is critical. That is why the American striking star is happy that ONE is pushing kickboxing and Muay Thai on its biggest platforms, making it accessible to those who may become interested in putting on the gloves for the first time. “I think ONE Championship, making the fights more accessible to people through watching it on YouTube or watching it on Amazon Prime, is helping grow the interest in the sport. I’m sure after people watch it, maybe not everyone’s like me, but they might want to start and see what it’s like,” said “JT.” “And maybe that’ll help the sport grow, too. So I think ONE Championship is making that more accessible to people by putting it on platforms where we can watch all these fights for free.” But it is not just about growing the sport from a competitive angle. Todd knows through her own experiences that martial arts has an impact on life itself. That, perhaps more than anything, is what the Southern California native wants women to take away from martial arts. “I think what martial arts, at least, has done for me, is giving me confidence that I can take on challenges that I thought I couldn’t and find a way to get it done. And it’s not just in martial arts, but outside, in my work and everything else in life,” said Todd. “I don’t let failures get me down, I just know I just have to try again, find a different way to do it. And it’s given me the confidence to be able to get back up and try again and be able to discover more of what I’m capable of, which has been really rewarding. So I hope that people who start martial arts gain that kind of experience too.” ONE Fight Night 8 airs live on Prime Video at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on Friday, March 24. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Janet Todd vs. Lara Fernandez | ONE Championship Full Fight Kickboxing queen Janet Todd is your newest champ-champ, edging out Spanish star Lara Fernandez to claim the ONE Interim Atomweight Muay Thai World Title!Foll...

Fariborz Azhakh is a trailblazing martial artist and is a featured instructor on the most comprehensive martial arts platform in history— Black Belt+ *Due to editorial limitations, parts of this interview may have been abbreviated. Black Belt+ : You inspired so many, who or what inspired you? Fariborz : When I was a young boy growing up in Tehran, Iran Firouz, my brother, used to take me out to see martial arts movies every weekend. When I saw Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon I was hooked! From there, the things I learned through self-development training inspired me and shaped my belief system. The first were People Synergistically Involved (PSI) and Life Spring but the most powerful of all was spending a week in Utah with Stephen R. Covey working on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey’s philosophy not only made sense in my mind but stayed in my heart; I am forever grateful for the knowledge I received from him and his organization. Black Belt+ : Black Belt+ was started to help students outside the dojo, what are your expert tips on training solo or remotely? Fariborz : Much of my own early training was solo. My advice is to develop a simple routine that is repeatable and practice it consistently. For example, for me, doing “count kicks” – developed by Jhoon Rhee - still hits this mark. Also, we must remember that, as martial artists, our training consists of mental, emotional, physical and spiritual elements. The physical components are flexibility (which focuses on muscles), mobility (which focuses on joints), cardiovascular capacity, and strength. We must develop ourselves in each area accordingly. Black Belt+ : Oftentimes in our training we hit a wall, what’s your advice for students who lack motivation or want to quit? Fariborz : Get back to your “why.” Keep a journal and in times like this go back to it and allow yourself to remember what you have forgotten. Black Belt+ : Traditionally many martial artists start with one style, when do you recommend the best time to branch out and learn other styles? Fariborz : I don’t believe in “styles” anymore (famous Bruce Lee’s words, right?). I do think it’s important that you earn your black belt in any style but practice with an open mind toward all disciplines. With the power of the Internet today you have access to some of the best instructors in the world and I think it's important that you educate yourself in understanding “ranges” and not so much on styles. Also knowing your own body type and attributes can play an important role in the success of your overall training. For example, if you have long, strong legs you are likely better suited for Korean forms of martial arts like Taekwondo. Black Belt+: What are some changes or developments in your art over the years? Fariborz : My art – Hapkido Blend – is a multicultural martial art based on usefulness but with a foundation in Hapkido, the discipline that was taught to me by Grandmaster Ji Han-jae and Master Steve Sexton. Hapkido Blend is in development all the time. I am a lifelong student and love to learn so I am always evolving my practice. I am currently heavily involved in firearms training, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Filipino and Indonesian martial arts. Black Belt+ : Today, what is the emphasis of your teaching? Fariborz: The emphasis on my teaching is both philosophical and self-defense related, and better fitness will likely be a by-product. Hapkido Blend is not a sports-oriented system. My philosophical orientation speaks to the “whys” of what we practice - things like the historical context of different disciplines and “bowing” on and off the mat and in and out of the studio as a sign of respect and peace. My goal of imparting this knowledge is to build character in my students. I also want to assure that my students can demonstrate competency in our art and basic self-defense. I emphasize both “character” and “competency” so my students are well rounded. I have met too many so-called “masters” who are physically talented but have questionable character, and, at the same time, I have met many nice, reputable individuals who can’t kick themselves out of a wet paper bag. Black Belt+ : What motivates you to stay passionate about your art? Fariborz : How much I don’t know keeps me passionate about my art and continually working to develop it. I am always curious about what else is out there, what else I can learn. I am particularly drawn to disciplines that are “unorthodox” (understanding orthodoxy is in the eyes of the beholder). I consider unorthodox approaches as those characterized as unexpected for the circumstance or context, and orthodox approaches as those that are essentially choreographed or learned and based on rules. For example, in the realm of fighting, I would consider street fighters as unorthodox and competition fighters as largely orthodox in comparison. Similarly, I was once paired to spar with an individual trained in Silat. As he weaved under my swing, he simultaneously crushed my foot and toes with his knee - very unorthodox and very effective (it literally knocked me out!). I continue to be captivated by the Silat system. Check out Fariborz Azhakh’s instructional videos on Black Belt+ . Download and subscribe directly from Black Belt Magazine at plus.blackbeltmag.com Or download in the App Store or Google Play.

Herb Perez is an Olympic gold medalist in taekwondo and is a featured instructor on the most comprehensive martial arts platform in history— Black Belt+ . *Due to editorial limitations, parts of this interview may have been abbreviated. Black Belt+: Oftentimes in our training we hit a wall, what’s your advice for students who lack motivation or want to quit? Herb: At every stage of my training, I would be faced with challenges that I thought were insurmountable. They may have been skills, strategy, or knowledge based. And in other cases, they may have been financial or life challenges that I thought would force me to stop pursuing my Olympic dream. It is important to remember that challenges are part of growth and that without challenges you truly can never become as good or as great as you might be. Challenges reveal what you need to do as opposed to what you want to do to become better. Athletes who are never challenged never truly understand what to do when they are faced with adversity in or outside the arena. You must remember that trapped inside of you is an amazing individual in the process of becoming the person that they ultimately want to or can be. The only thing that stands between you and true success is you. And the only person that can defeat you is you so face the challenges and even in the times where you lack the motivation to continue understand that that is human and that every great athlete or practitioner feels that. In 1988, after winning the World Cup championship and being the best American and targeted to be the 1988 Olympic team member I did not meet the mark. I could have quit and if I had, I would not have become the 1992 Olympic gold medalist. It was incredibly difficult to find the motivation to continue and to sacrifice another four years in pursuit of a dream that may and most probably could have eluded me. In retrospect, the additional four years allowed me to gain the skill sets necessary so that I would ultimately be successful and achieve my dream. I always remind myself of this because patience is ultimately the most important life skill when one is trying to achieve our goal. Black Belt+: Traditionally many martial artists start with one style, when do you recommend the best time to branch out and learn other styles? Herb : I have had the good fortune to practice with amazing martial artist in a variety of styles including Fu Jow Pai Kung Fu and a variety of karate styles. if you are not training or fighting in the competitive arena for a particular martial arts style then there is no wrong time to try and practice other martial arts. However, remember it is important to continue to master your art of preference and achieve the goals that you set for yourself in it. If you are competing in a particular high level martial art that is style specific, then I think it is better for you to focus wholly on that martial art and only do cross training in other disciplines of strength and agility that may help you improve your competitive edge. My biggest and best growth came because of training with Sifu Vizzio and in Fu Jow Pai. it was not only because of the martial art that he taught but more importantly the experience he had from his competition in a variety of different arenas including the PKA. that experience provided him with the knowledge to develop good fighters in any martial art into better fighters. Black Belt+: What are some changes or developments in your art over the years? Herb : To be honest, the Olympic sport and martial art of Taekwondo has been dumbed down to such a degree that it is no longer viable as a martial sport. Additionally, much of the culture of the martial arts in the sport has been diluted and erased. As a result, the athletes lack the ability to kick with power and or a strategic framework that could be utilized to damage or incapacitate an opponent. The sport is virtually unwatchable, and I can't think of one of my contemporaries who actually enjoys or watches any Olympic competition. The Olympic sport in the USA has been hijacked by second- and third-rate performers and coaches who run the organization and can't even qualify a male athlete to participate in the Olympic Games. And this is even in this diluted week and dance version of the competition that we all must tolerate. The martial art side of Taekwondo continues to grow and develop a better framework to develop martial artists and build life skills under the new president of the Kukkiwon. they are developing a set of standards to teach the martial art and to certify master level instructors and hold them accountable under the Dan ranking system. Black Belt+: Today, what is the emphasis of your teaching? Herb : When I first decided to teach, I wasn't convinced that I had anything to teach because I didn't believe I was actually the best person to teach Taekwondo. I believed that I had met many people more qualified and better in the martial art and in the sport. However, I then had an epiphany. I realized that what I did have to teach was a method and a process to learn. Most martial artists teach like folk artist, watch me do it like me and it'll make sense later. This was how I learned this was how most people learned there was no set framework or textbook that could provide a consistent and repeatable method for others to follow. With the help of Century, I developed the first Taekwondo curriculum (TORCH) that could be memorialized and visualized through a series of written documents and DVD's. It was method based it described in detail how to build a skill set and a strategic framework. I then went on to develop the Olympic education program for athletes, coaches, and referees for USA Taekwondo. it utilized many of the same methods that were available in the Torch program. we traveled around the country and conducted seminars for every coach in the Olympic sport and provided them with information and practical teaching skills in an attempt to standardize the approach to the sport and to develop the athletes of the future. Many of the athletes we identified in that process went on to become our future national and Olympic team members and are currently developing athletes around the world in various other programs. These days in my schools I focus on developing young athletes into better people and developing life skills that will help them be successful in life and not just in athletics. We serve as the guardians of the flame and as the last wall between chaos and ethical behavior. It is important to remember that we must deliver on this promise every day and must develop the leaders of the future through the training that we do as individuals in our communities. In these days of social media and various incarnations of social irresponsibility we must continue to develop young people who are ethical, capable, and responsible. Each one of my martial art instructors was uncompromising in their expectations of me. Yes means yes and no meant no. It never occurred to me to ask why, nor would they have entertained my question. they expected good and great things from me, and I did my best to make them proud. In my schools every young athlete is required to go through a series of life skill teachings and to submit writings at the end of each. Additionally, they have community service that they perform at the black belt level. Our school motto, is “Excellent is Earned.” I still teach the full contact martial sport and art of Taekwondo and I refuse to capitulate to the current k-pop dance version of it and the lack of athleticism it requires . I had hoped not to become such a naysayer, or I guess what they call a boomer but that is difficult if not impossible. Black Belt+: You inspired so many, who or what inspired you? Herb : I always wanted to make my mom proud of me. I was fortunate that I found great mentors along the way, and this was a result of needing mentors and a male role model to follow. My father was not part of my world my mother left my father when I was quite young because he was abusive. As a result, I gravitated towards teachers and ultimately a martial art teacher who provided a strong foundation and an ethical framework. A fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Murtha, who taught history inspired me to follow a path of education and ultimately go to law school. Master Anthony Alvarez and Master Ki Chung Kim Were my first martial art instructors and idols they both possessed outstanding technique and expected great things from me in terms of athleticism and personal development. They held me to high standards and were unrelenting in their expectations of ethical behavior. Sifu Paul Vizzio Was singularly the most important person in the development of my pathway to the Olympics and my ultimate success in 1992. He provided the inspiration necessary to undertake this arduous task he was uncompromising in his approach to martial arts training and what he expected from his students and athletes. He was the one martial artist that I met who lived and practiced what he preached. Ultimately, we all walk into martial arts schools hoping to become this magical mystical figure and to harness and understand this mysterious thing called the martial arts. I like many others were inspired by movies and books and this was my first inspiration. Black Belt+: Black Belt+ was started to help students outside the dojo, what are your expert tips on training solo or remotely? Herb : It is amazing to have so many resources available so that young athletes or old practitioners can better themselves and their skill sets remotely. It is important to remember that your best to practice time is done by yourself we will have an opportunity to experiment, hypothesize, and realize your true path to excellence. Currently I train and learn new information through a variety of online resources and some remote teaching and learning as well. It is important to take notes and record your sessions so that you can review and see from another perspective what you are doing and how you are doing it. The hardest thing to do is to hold yourself accountable for your progress and your ability to absorb information. You must first realize that you are capable and that this was the original form of learning. You would watch others do an activity or a skill and you would mimic it and by yourself try to find a pathway to mastering it. Now you can watch it repeatedly, slow it down, and repeat it as often as necessary so that you can interpolate the information and utilize it in a practical situation. So, remember to slow down take your time and truly listen to what is being said and watch how it is being done. Additionally, if you can find someone on the same path either at your level or above your level they can serve as a colleague or as a mentor to help you as you try to build this new skill set. Black Belt+: What motivates you to stay passionate about your art? Herb: The greatest gift I was ever given was the gift of martial arts. The day that I wandered into a dojang and was able to take my first class changed my life forever. We all must remember that it is these moments of opportunity and choices that allow us to become better than we thought we ever would be and better than we ever thought we could be. I stay motivated because I realized that every day a young person wanders into my school that I will change forever and for always. We must stay consistent and provide others with the opportunity to be better. It is our duty, it is Our Calling. Check out Herb Perez’s instructional videos on Black Belt+ Download and subscribe directly from Black Belt Magazine at plus.blackbeltmag.com. Or download in the App Store or Google Play.

Also known as Arnis or FMA (Filipino Martial Arts), is a martial art style that originated from the Philippines. It is a weapon-based martial art that focuses on the use of sticks, knives, and other bladed weapons, as well as empty hand techniques. History and Origins: Eskrima/Kali has its roots in the Philippines, where it was developed and practiced by the indigenous tribes for self-defense against invading colonizers. The art was passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition and practical application. The word "Eskrima" comes from the Spanish word "esgrima," which means "fencing." Kali, on the other hand, is a term that originated in the Visayan region of the Philippines, which refers to the ancient pre-Hispanic art of blade fighting. Principles and Techniques: Eskrima focuses on practical self-defense techniques that can be used in real-life situations. The principles of Eskrima include speed, accuracy, coordination, and timing. The techniques are based on the use of weapons such as sticks, knives, and machetes. Eskrima also incorporates empty-hand techniques such as strikes, kicks, and throws. The training in Eskrima usually begins with the use of a stick or rattan, which is a flexible and durable material that is commonly used in the Philippines. The techniques involve striking, blocking, and trapping with the stick. Eskrima/Kali also emphasizes the use of both hands equally, as well as the use of footwork to move in and out of range. As the practitioner advances, the use of knives and other bladed weapons are introduced. The techniques for knife fighting are similar to the stick techniques, but they require more precision and accuracy due to the lethal nature of the weapon. Eskrima also includes techniques for disarming an opponent, as well as defending against multiple attackers. Benefits: Eskrima/Kali is not only a practical self-defense system but also a great form of exercise. The training involves a lot of movement, which helps improve cardiovascular health and stamina. It also helps develop coordination, balance, and agility. Eskrima is also a great stress reliever as it requires mental focus and concentration, allowing practitioners to forget about their worries and focus on their training. Training and Equipment: Eskrima can be practiced with a partner or alone. The training usually begins with basic drills and techniques, and then progresses to more advanced techniques and sparring. The equipment needed for Eskrima includes a pair of rattan sticks, a training knife, and protective gear such as gloves, headgear, and a mouthguard. Finally: Eskrima is a weapon-based martial art that originated from the Philippines. It focuses on practical self-defense techniques that can be used in real-life situations. The principles of Eskrima include speed, accuracy, coordination, and timing. The techniques involve the use of sticks, knives, and other bladed weapons, as well as empty hand techniques. Eskrima is a great form of exercise that improves cardiovascular health, coordination, balance, and agility. The training can be done with a partner or alone, and the equipment needed includes a pair of rattan sticks, a training knife, and protective gear. You can start learning Eskrima/Kali from masters like Thomas Sipin here! 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 .

Paulo “GN” Rubio has built a massive following with his extensive training and knowledge. He takes a broad and diverse look at tactical training through mixed martial arts and self-defense from a law enforcement, military, and responsibly armed civilian perspective. He is a disruptor in the martial arts and tactical worlds by bringing this knowledge to the masses. Check out Black Belt+ for more instruction from world-class teachers. *Due to editorial limitations, parts of this interview may have been abbreviated. Black Belt+: You have such a unique approach to martial arts training, who or what inspired you? Paulo: I see my inspirations kind of like a math equation of circumstance. One, I grew up in the Philippines splitting my time between urban jungles and actual jungles . These environments inspired me to explore and it fueled my curiosity. Two, I came from a tight knit family where everyone was involved in each other's business...then at the age of nine, my family immigrated to Canada. This was transformative because all of a sudden, I found myself with no relatives outside of immediate family and a brand new, unfamiliar environment to explore. Three, my father passed away when I was a teenager leaving me the only Rubio male in Canada. If you add up one, two and three, you will find that I was an adventurous and curious kid who, all of a sudden, was thrust in an unfamiliar environment with no tribe or community to answer to. I had to find my own truths. I had to examine these truths meaningfully. And while I grew up in culture, tradition and a tight knit family, I understood what it meant to thrive in relative isolation. These circumstances really forged my approach to martial arts. Also, Jackie Chan. Jackie Chan and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Black Belt+: The pandemic created a world of isolation, what are your expert tips on training solo or remotely? Paulo: Meaningful solo training must be based on reverse engineering performances. If you have nothing to reverse engineer, any solo training will be a kind of mindless repetition. Repetition is important, but it must be mindful. It must serve a purpose outside of repetition alone. I started my Filipino Martial Arts journey by fighting a world champion in a full contact stick fight in the Philippines. I got smacked a lot. But I smacked him back. This was a revelation and a motivation. I realized that anyone can get hit, even by an untrained opponent, and I became motivated to become harder to hit. I devised solo training based on reverse engineering my performance. The fight was filmed and so I can identify my deficiencies and shortcomings. I created drills that addressed them. My main training tip for solo training is to subject yourself to an experience that you can learn from. This means competition, pressure testing, sparring or some meaningful challenge in your chosen martial art where you are thrust outside of your comfort zone. Film it. Analyze it. Shed your ego and identify your points of failure with brutal honesty. Then, in isolation, use critical thinking to create drills and solo practice that address your shortcomings. You don't need a Guru or a Master for that. You know yourself better than any Sifu of Grand Master ever could. Fix yourself. Black Belt+: Oftentimes in our training we hit a wall, what’s your advice for students who lack motivation or want to quit? Paulo: My advice is to quit. Give it up. Remember that you are an artist and artists need periods of rest. After a musician releases an album, they need downtime. They need to sit under the shade tree and rejuvenate. They need to recharge creativity and find inspiration. A martial artist is no different. Take that time off. Do something else. But not for long. The martial arts will call you back and you cannot resist. Remember that this rest period is not to divorce yourself from the thing you love, but rather a moment of meaningful separation, so that you can love it better. Black Belt+: Traditionally many martial artists start with one style, what is your approach to introducing styles to a student? Paulo: While I understand the benefit of building a strong foundation based on one style, this does not reflect my journey. From the beginning I sought commonalities and built my foundation based on an understanding of common or universal principles that pulse through the core of every style. Timing, footwork and mobility, accuracy and precision, power generation, distance and proximity management, interception and control, angles and trajectories and finally, tactics and strategies. Every martial art seeks to introduce, develop, and master these concepts in one way or another. As an instructor, I don't introduce styles to my students. Rather I introduce concepts and principles. For example, when I teach trapping and counter-trapping under the framework of knife use, we discuss the underlying principles that lead to its successes. You can't trap out of range. Your trap is optimized if you have tactically advantageous angles. And those angles are earned through strategic entries via distance and proximity management. And for that, you must have good timing and so on. Through the process of teaching and crafting these principles to my students, I might allude to JKD and Pekiti Tirsia Kali and Boxing and JiuJitsu. Not that I am an expert at any of those styles, but I can certainly recognize their focus and intentions that drive their techniques which reveals the concepts and principles...which are universal. I must also say that not everyone will agree with this approach. And that is perfectly fine. This approach won't work for everyone. And it is certainly possible to explore all of these concepts and principles within the framework of one style. But that's just not my style. Black Belt+: Much of your training and outreach is done via social media, how has that changed the way of teaching vs the traditional dojo way? Paulo: Albert Einstein is quoted to have said "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." Social media outreach necessitates simple explanations of complex concepts under a pressurized time constraint to an audience with varying attention spans. It is challenging. The truth is, any good boxing coach will tell you that perfecting the jab is a lifelong pursuit. And any seasoned martial arts instructor will tell you that despite teaching everyone with the same care and consideration for long periods of time, there will be deviation and variety in student skill acquisition and performance. The traditional dojo way offers no guarantees, nor does social media or online training. I've met enough old school hard hitters who in the 80's and 90's learned martial arts from VHS tapes, magazines, books and the odd seminar here and there. These are suboptimal modes of learning. Just as social media and online training are suboptimal modes of learning. But what did these old school dudes do back in the day that allowed them to succeed and to eventually become the masters we know them today? Simple. They took fragments of information, they took it into their back yards and garages with their buddies and they tested, trained and fought with what they gathered. They bridged the gaps. They explored. They asked questions. They connected the dots. And then, when the next opportunity arose, they trained with masters in person. The path of learning from online courses and social media may be new, but the underlying principle behind what could make them effective is not new. A student climbs up the mountain to train with the sage Kung Fu master who gives him one gem and then asks him to leave. What that student does with that gem is ultimately up to him or her. These days it is easy to criticize online learning as not being complete or comprehensive...and therefore ineffective. This is a fallacy based on a sense of entitlement that places the burden of mastery solely on the instructor. This is not traditional. The traditional and ancient path to mastery is driven by the willingness, desire and sacrifice of the student to attain it. Black Belt+: What is the emphasis of your teaching? Paulo: The folks I primarily associate with are law enforcement, military and defense professionals. These are people with the ability to extract what is useful and relevant to their task and purpose. Think about it. A cop may interview a suspect who is intent on lying and deceiving and that cop will still be able to gather pertinent information. A military professional or an executive protection agent needs to sift through incredible amounts of data and information, often in real time, and be able to select which elements are relevant to ensure favorable outcomes to the mission. The emphasis of my training is creative problem solving and attribute development with a primary focus on art form and self-expression. This allows me to serve a multitude of intentions simultaneously while staying true to myself. I am not a soldier. I was never a cop. I cannot teach them about "the realities of combat" of which I have no experience in. I cannot teach them tactics derived from missions I was never a part of. That would be disingenuous, dishonest and deceptive. Here's an example: In class, I might teach intercepting incoming high line attacks to the face. This lesson might begin as a solo form using parries and redirections. It might manifest through an artful partner sequence or flow drill. This beautiful sequence might evolve into a competitive game. And this game might evolve into some kind of competition or pressure test. This evolution can serve someone who wants fitness and cardio. It can serve someone who engages in sport. It can serve someone with a self-defense intention. It can certainly serve someone who on duty sworn to protect the public. Each one of these individuals will interpret the lesson based on their immediate needs, goals and intentions. Black Belt+: What motivates you to stay curious about your art? Paulo: I am inspired by the community. Being a public figure means I am constantly confronted by intellectual challenges and curiosities. By virtue of my willingness to be authentic and vulnerable on social media, I am subject to criticism and praise that inspire me to think, reflect and improve. Start training now for free! Instructional videos on Black Belt+ Download and subscribe directly from Black Belt Magazine at plus.blackbeltmag.com . Or download in the App Store or Google Play.

Martial arts may have roots in Asia, but that does not mean it has stagnated. In recent years, a revolution has been brewing across the continent with a new wave of exceptional talent thanks to the growth of mixed martial arts. And women have played an enormous role in that growth. With two global promotions dedicated to elevating the sport and its female athletes, fans have been treated to their inspiring performances. The impact of which has reverberated across borders. These are five incredible female athletes who have helped the martial arts revolution grow across Asia. Angela Lee The ONE Atomweight World Champion has been a beacon for the next generation of women martial artists since arriving in ONE Championship. And she has exemplified her nickname, “Unstoppable,” in the atomweight division to spark excitement since her professional debut. Lee has repped her multicultural heritage since her debut in 2015 as a teen upstart. After a 5-0 start to her career, she defeated veteran Mei Yamaguchi to win the inaugural ONE Atomweight World Title, and she has never let it go since. But her story is an inspiration in and outside of ONE’s Circle. She has overcome pneumonia, a car crash, and most recently returned less than a year after giving birth to her daughter to successfully defend her title against Stamp Fairtex. Lee has been an example to follow for Asian mixed martial artists. She has dedicated herself to improving each day, overcoming the most difficult of obstacles, and continues to display the martial arts spirit that makes her the best atomweight on the planet. Zhang Weili 34-year-old Zhang Weili has been carrying the banner for China. She became the first-ever Chinese UFC World Champion in 2019 when she won the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. Her exciting style has endeared her to fans around the world, but the impact in China has been immeasurable. As the nation’s first UFC champion, her place in history is assured. She instantly became one of the poster women for the sport in her country. In the following years, more athletes from the country, both men and women, have ascended toward the top following her lead. Now that she has reclaimed the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship, Zhang continues to be an icon of MMA in China. Stamp Fairtex MMA luminary Rich Franklin discovered Stamp Fairtex while he was in Thailand, scouting other talents. The sound of her kicks crashing into bags captivated his attention, and ever since, she has captivated fans in much the same way. When Stamp first arrived, it was in the Muay Thai and kickboxing ranks. She quickly won titles in both sports. She could have remained there and been a long-standing fixture in the striking arena. However, she expressed interest in becoming a three-sport World Champion and conquering the MMA world. While many may have seen her signature “Stamp Dance” and claimed it was all a show, her progression and results soon silenced those doubters. Stamp has become a threat no matter where the action takes place and has shown it against the world’s most challenging opposition. Stamp is becoming one of the biggest stars in all of martial arts. Her captivating charisma and bubbly personality are fused with her mesmerizing brutality inside the Circle. Her impact is being felt in real-time, and she’ll try a second time to claim MMA gold on Friday, September 29, at ONE Fight Night 14 . Xiong Jing Nan Zhang is not the only Chinese athlete who has been elevating the sport in the country. The first-ever Chinese MMA World Champion, “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan, continues to shine on the global stage. The ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion has maintained her stranglehold over the division since assuming the post in 2018. She has taken on all challenges, including thwarting Angela Lee’s chances to become a two-division champion on two separate occasions. “The Panda” continues to accept challenges from all areas. At ONE Fight Night 14, Xiong will battle Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak in a special rules striking matchup in four-ounce gloves to showcase her powerful boxing skills. Xiong was the first to bring back gold to her country. She has been the standard and helped spark the sport’s tremendous growth in China. Her legacy is still being written but will show her incredible impact through future generations. Ham Seo Hee Ham Seo Hee has been an unsung hero in the sport, but her influence should not be forgotten. Ham made her professional debut in 2007 and competed in DEEP, Smackgirl, and Jewels. She even competed against Megumi Fujii, a pioneer of women’s MMA, early in her career. But her biggest influence did not begin until she returned to the Asian scene in 2017. After a few years of competing above her natural weight, Ham put together a six-bout winning streak at atomweight before joining ONE. That streak has not stopped since joining the world’s largest martial arts company, as she has picked up three wins and become a top contender in the division. The South Korean will meet Stamp for the ONE Interim Atomweight World Title at ONE Fight Night 14. A victory would be the culmination of her tireless work over the years and be the crowning achievement of a veteran who has helped grow the revolution in Asia.

Combat hapkido is unique in that it straddles the line between the ancient and the modern. As the word “hapkido” implies, combat hapkido has roots in old-time Korea. But the addition of “combat” indicates that it’s been modified and updated to better address the needs of reality-based self-defense practitioners. So even though it’s an old art, it’s also relatively new—which is precisely why it’s attracting the attention of growing numbers of martial artists. “Combat hapkido is down-and-dirty self-defense; it’s not geared for children or sports,” says John Pellegrini, the Chandler, Arizona-based martial artist who founded the style. “I don’t use the old methods—forms, ancient weapons, leaping and bounding maneuvers, or static stances and positions that have been proved ineffective in close-quarters combat. However, I’ve retained many of hapkido’s deeply rooted aikijujutsu basics and effective self-defense components, and blended them with elements from selected grappling and striking arts.” Outlined below are three of John Pellegrini’s favorite combat-hapkido combinations. Combat Hapkido Training The keys to stopping an assailant as quickly as possible and escorting him to a less-volatile location, John Pellegrini says, are twofold. First is the basic rule of self-defense. “[You should] make the person compliant before you try to control him,” he says. “Never try to walk a person somewhere [while he’s] still swinging. You make the combatant submit by putting him in an uncomfortable and painful position. Only after achieving total compliance should you escort him away.” The second half of the equation is the brush-trap-strike strategy, which is designed to help you execute pain-compliance techniques such as joint locks. “Never attempt to put someone in a joint lock at random; you need to distract and weaken him first,” says John Pellegrini, who was Black Belt’s 2004 Instructor of the Year. “Brush-trap-strike is a multifunction tool that keeps you from getting hit while helping you gain the dominant position as you transition from the initial engagement to the joint lock. ‘Brush’ means to parry or deflect the attack. ‘Trap’ means to get hold of the opponent’s wrist, arm, fingers or whatever. ‘Strike’ means to hit him with a blow to the head or another prime target with the objective of disrupting his brain waves or nervous system. While he’s reacting to the blow, he’s ready to be joint-locked.” Note that the basic idea of the brush—avoiding the attack—can be accomplished by moving to the side, ducking or intercepting the strike with your own strike. Similarly, trapping can refer to seizing the close-quarters-combat zone, which gives you a positional advantage. Moreover, it’s possible for the opponent to unknowingly trap himself by grabbing or pushing in a particular way. Consequently, circumstances sometimes require the employment of variations of the brush-trap-strike and/or going directly to a joint lock. Hapkido Technique #1: Hammer-Lock Escort Stance: The defense begins in the combat-hapkido awareness position, the art’s signature fighting posture. It’s similar to a boxer’s stance, except that your hands are open and raised slightly. Strategy: After you avoid the punch and momentarily take control of the arm so he can’t try to hit you again, stun him with a palm heel to the face. That primes him for the hammer lock. Speed: Swiftly move into the hammer-lock position so he has no time to recover from the palm to the face. Lock: John Pellegrini teaches a two-step process. First, place your left forearm against the man’s right forearm, and while you’re holding his wrist, push the arm back and raise it until the elbow is behind his shoulder. Second, leverage the trapped wrist behind the man’s body while applying pressure on the upper arm with your left forearm. (John Pellegrini advocates using the sharp edge of your forearm to wedge into the elbow.) Then let go of the grabbed wrist so you can use your free hand for other things—like seizing the man’s throat. Tips: “Look at that secured arm as the lever, your body as the base, and your forearm, upper arm and shoulder as the fulcrum,” John Pellegrini says. “Use your fulcrum to crank that lever and achieve compliance. For a more stubborn opponent, you can cause extreme pain by applying more weight and torque to winch up the hammer lock while increasing the pressure on the throat.” Hapkido Technique #2: Armbar Takedown and S-Lock Stance: The aforementioned combat-hapkido awareness position. Strategy: The assailant opens with a right punch, which you deflect to the inside using your lead hand. Then trap the wrist and nail him in the head with your left palm. Speed: While he’s still wobbly from your wallop, transition to the armbar takedown. Lock No. 1: Maintaining a firm grip on his wrist, place the knife edge of your other hand against his upper arm. Apply pressure on the triceps tendon while you twist and pull the wrist up until it’s against your hip area. That will cause him to lean forward, thereby crippling his balance. Drop your weight to force him face-first to the ground. Lock No. 2: Getting the S-lock requires some wrangling with the trapped arm. Lift it up and push it behind him, bend the elbow, turn the arm clockwise and twist the wrist outward until the limb reaches the desired shape. Grip his hand with both your hands and tuck his elbow into your body for leverage, then compress the wrist by pulling and twisting. Tips: “Like wringing out a mop or a rag, your pulling-and-twisting motion applies pressure directly into and against the wrist and elbow,” John Pellegrini says. “As you manipulate the arm, it’s important to lower your knees onto his head and kidney area so he can’t escape.” Footnote: “The S-lock is like a gooseneck [come-along] except that the neck—your opponent’s wrist—faces outward to form the limb into the shape of the S,” John Pellegrini says. It affects the wrist and elbow and adds a little extra to really ramp up the pain component. How? By positioning the assailant facedown with your weight on him and with his arm angled behind his back. It makes the technique similar to a hammer lock, he adds. “As a result, you get to crank his shoulder, too.” Hapkido Technique #3: Shielding Smackdown Stance: Once again, it’s the combat-hapkido awareness position—this time, a bit sideways, though. Strategy: When the adversary unleashes a haymaker punch, go with the flow. In this case, the flow is a flinch. Make it more defensive by raising your left arm as a shield. The shield sets up your offense by enabling you to launch your counterattack from the inside. Speed: Again, it’s crucial to immediately transition to the counter, which begins with a strike to the face and finishes with a “brachial stun,” a quick knifehand to the windpipe. While he’s leaning backward, attack his exposed groin. The low blow bends him forward, which is your cue to whack the back of his head with your palm. Tips: “Never use a fist to counterstrike,” John Pellegrini says. “Always use an open hand because it offers better reach, it’s more relaxed and it’s quicker.” Hitting that way is also better should you wind up in court, he says, because witnesses will be able to say he was the one who had his fists clenched. Principle: “This technique uses the basic high-low combat principle,” he explains. “When you hit the man high, his head goes back. This pushes his pelvis forward, giving you a perfect low target. When you strike low, the pelvis moves back, giving you a high target. This confuses him, which gives you the advantage.” The high-low principle belongs in everyone’s combat arsenal, he says.

For 99 percent of the martial artists out there, Joe Lewis needs no introduction. But for the 1 percent who may be new to the arts, here goes. Joe Lewis is particularly famous for three accomplishments: He earned a black belt in three styles in less than one year, he practically created the sport of kickboxing and he successfully made the transition from champion noncontact fighter to champion semicontact fighter to champion full-contact fighter. Enough said? Ever since he was a teenager, Joe Lewis knew he loved the physical side of life. By the time he turned 14, he was heavily into wrestling and pumping iron. When he joined the Marines in 1962, he started learning hand-to-hand combat as part of basic training. Ernie Cates, a seven-time Marine Corps judo champ who taught self-defense techniques to recruits, gave Joe Lewis his first real exposure to the martial arts. He wasn’t impressed. “Wrestlers would put on a gi and beat the heck out of the judo guys on the mat,” Lewis said. “I had the opportunity to be exposed to karate in Cherry Point, North Carolina, when I was still in the Marine Corps,” Joe Lewis continued. “The styles were primarily Japanese and Okinawan, such as wado-ryu and isshin-ryu karate. “At first, I wasn’t really attracted to the arts. My loves were still wrestling and weightlifting. Back then, if a person was skinny and didn’t have muscles or weigh 200 pounds, I wasn’t impressed. I came from a weightlifting world where guys could bench-press 400 pounds and squat 600 pounds. That impressed me, as did someone who could run the 100-yard dash in 10 seconds. I loved speed and power, and if it didn’t look like you could produce them, you didn’t get any respect from me. "I gradually became attracted to the exotic and abstract look of karate, the visual appeal of the striking maneuvers. I finally got the bug to learn it, so I told my commander I wanted to go to Okinawa.” Joe Lewis’ superiors were more than happy to oblige. They shipped the 19-year-old off to Okinawa, where he stayed for almost two years. “I started training in a couple styles of shorin-ryu, ” Lewis said. “In the first year, I made black belt in kobayashi-ryu, matsubayashi-ryu and Okinawan kempo. “The man who taught me how to spar in Okinawa was an American, a man named John Korab. He was a black belt in wado-ryu, then went to Okinawa and started over again in shorin-ryu karate.” Joe Lewis also trained under some Okinawan instructors, including Eizo Shimabuko and Kinjo Chinsoku. But with the destruction of World War II still fresh in the mind of most locals, resentment against the Americans ran high. Were the instructors open about teaching their cultural treasures to their conquerors? “They were open about making money,” Joe Lewis said. “And they liked Americans because we were big and they enjoyed watching us pound on each other.” He credited those pioneering American martial artists with spearheading the fighting side of the arts. “Most of the Japanese and Okinawans I met then were just into doing the kata and the traditional ceremonies,” he said. “They didn’t care that much about sparring, and I didn’t think they knew that much about tactics and strategy. The Americans were the ones who made a science of it, who really enjoyed it. They spent most of their time competing.” Joe Lewis, on the other hand, spent most of his time practicing. “I trained about four to five hours a day,” he said. “On a bad night, I would get in only a two- or three-hour workout. On weekends, I got a chance to train two or three times. The last six months I was in Okinawa, I would go to a kempo school at noon, a judo school at 6 o’clock and a karate school at 9 o’clock. “What I liked about training overseas was that there were no distractions. We didn’t go home every night; we went to the barracks. We weren’t distracted by hobbies, dating, football games or basketball games — there was nothing going on. We would train in the military all day, and then at night we would train in the martial arts. There were always plenty of young, tough guys around to spar with and beat on.” Joe Lewis tried his hand at competition when the Okinawan Championships were held in 1964. He was a brown belt and wanted to see what tournament sparring was all about. His first foray into American competition came in 1966 at Jhoon Rhee’s U.S. National Championships in Washington, D.C. “I didn’t understand the rules, so I just wanted to go there and watch,” he said. “But I went to Jhoon Rhee’s school the night before, and he talked me into competing.” Jhoon Rhee told Joe Lewis to report for duty the next day at 9 o’clock. “I showed up at 8:30, like a good Marine, but I didn’t start competing until 5 o’clock,” Lewis said. “I sat there all day long with no food or anything. That’s when I decided I would never arrive early at a tournament again.” But an empty stomach didn’t deter the young fighter. “I did real well,” he said. “I tore the gi off three of my opponents that day, and no one scored a point on me till the very last match. A kid from a shorin-ryu school came at me with two kicks, and I stepped out of the ring and looked behind me to see if I was still in the ring. That’s when he threw a low kick to my belt line and scored a point.” Yet Joe Lewis triumphed. He took first in sparring and black-belt forms, and he won the grand championship. He didn’t stop winning until he retired from competition in 1971. Not bad for a guy who once thought wrestling and weightlifting were the ultimate physical pursuits! Text by Robert W. Young