The temperature’s rising—and so is the body count. From the universe of John Wick  comes Ballerina , a high-impact thriller where elegance meets execution. Ana de Armas  stars as a deadly assassin trained in the brutal traditions of the Ruska Roma , turning ballet technique into a devastating martial art. With a mix of gunplay, grappling, knife work , and cinematic combat choreography, Ballerina  promises to be this summer’s ultimate action spectacle. Directed by Len Wiseman , known for launching the Underworld  franchise, Ballerina  marks his return to sleek, stylized action. With a background in high-impact visual storytelling—from Underworld  to Live Free or Die Hard —Wiseman brings his signature mix of dark aesthetics and kinetic energy to the world of martial arts mayhem. Expect balletic brutality, razor-sharp choreography, and action sequences engineered for the big screen. Hitting theaters June 6 , Ballerina  is set to bring moviegoers back to the big screen—for a front-row seat to the most graceful beatdown of the year.

AJ ‘Mercenary’ McKee Battles Russia’s Akhmed Magomedov at Featherweight Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson Moves Up to Face 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion Denis Goltsov Lightweights Clash as Russia’s Artur Zaynukov Meets Japan’s Takeshi Izumi Tickets On Sale Now via Ticketpro here The Professional Fighters League has finalized the lineup for the upcoming PFL Cape Town event, marking the debut of MMA in Africa with the continent’s first-ever global MMA event. Set for Saturday, July 19 at Grand Arena, Grand West in Cape Town, South Africa, this landmark event marks a groundbreaking moment in PFL’s global expansion. The event will feature the launch of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament with First Round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions, each featuring an eight-man bracket. In addition to the tournament bouts, the evening will be headlined by five high-stakes PFL Champions Series fights featuring elite global talent. Tickets for this landmark event are on sale now via Ticketpro. At 145-pounds, former Bellator Featherweight World Champion AJ “Mercenary” McKee (22-2) returns to the SmartCage against Akhmed Magomedov  (11-1), a rising Russian star and protégé of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov. Also confirmed is a Heavyweight Showcase featuring current Light Heavyweight World Champion Corey Anderson (18-6) moving up a division to face 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion Denis Goltsov  (36-8). Artur Zaynukov (16-4) returns to the PFL following an impressive showing at Battle of the Giants, aiming to extend his win streak to six. He will meet RIZIN veteran Takeshi Izumi  (6-3) of Japan, a decorated wrestler who earned a unanimous decision win over Spike Carlyle in his most recent outing. These marquee matchups round out an already stacked PFL Champions Series card, showcasing some of the world’s top MMA talent on African soil. Headlining the evening is undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny “Pressure” Eblen (16-0), who puts his perfect record and title on the line against Spain’s surging contender Costello “The Spaniard” van Steenis  (16-3).  In the co-main event, Women’s Flyweight phenom “Dangerous” Dakota Ditcheva  (14-0), widely considered one of the top pound-for-pound female fighters in MMA, faces Hawaii’s elite striker Sumiko “Lady Samurai” Inaba  (8-1) in a thrilling penultimate bout. The PFL Cape Town event  begins at 4:30 PM SAST / 10:30 AM EST  with the PFL Africa portion of the card, followed by PFL Champions Series , which begins at 8:30 PM SAST / 2:30 PM EST.  A U.S. broadcast partner will be announced shortly. Complete PFL Champions Series Card: Saturday, July 19 -  8:30 PM SAST / 2:30 PM EST Middleweight World Championship Main Event:   Johnny Eblen (16-0) vs.  Costello van Steenis  (16-3) Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event:   Dakota Ditcheva  (14-0) vs. Sumiko Inaba (8-1) Featherweight Showcase Bout:   AJ McKee  (22-2) vs. Akhmed Magomedov  (11-1) Lightweight Showcase Bout:   Artur Zaynukov  (16-4) vs. Takeshi Izumi (6-3) Heavyweight Showcase Bout:   Corey Anderson  (18-6) vs. Denis Goltsov  (36-8) Complete PFL Africa Card: SuperSport (Africa - English) | Canal+ (Africa - French)DAZN (France, UK & Ireland)  Saturday, July 19 - 4:30 PM SAST / 10:30 AM EST Bantamweight First Round Bout: Nkosi Ndebele  (8-3) vs. Mahmoud Atef (5-2) Heavyweight First Round Bout:   Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1) vs. Mikael Groguhe  (6-2) Bantamweight First Round Bout:   Shannon Van Tonder  (7-2) vs.  Boule Godogo  (3-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout:   Jashell Ticha Awa  (3-1) vs. Justin Clarke  (2-0) Bantamweight First Round Bout:   Antero Dos Santos  (5-0) vs. Karim Henniene (4-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout:   Abdoullah Kane  (3-0) vs. Mohammed Ben Yahia  (9-4) Bantamweight First Round Bout:   Simbarashe Hokonya  (5-0) vs. Alain Majorique  (5-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout:   Abraham Bably (5-2) vs. Badredinne Medkouri  (7-2) Showcase Women’s Strawweight Bout:   Juliet Ukah  (6-0) vs. Ceileigh Niedermayr (3-2)

The November 1973 edition of Karate Illustrated featured Emil Farkas , widely known as the “Karate Instructor to the Stars.” As the founder of the iconic Beverly Hills Karate Academy, Farkas established a hub for Hollywood’s elite throughout the 1970s and '80s. More than just a dojo, his academy became a go-to destination for actors training for action roles and celebrities seeking expert self-defense instruction. With a profound mastery of martial arts and a unique ability to coach performers, Farkas played a pivotal role in bridging traditional martial arts with the evolving demands of the entertainment industry. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

The December 2000 issue of Black Belt Magazine featured legendary tae kwon do Grandmaster Hee Il Cho , founder of the Action International Martial Arts Association (AIMAA), alongside his lifelong student and 9th-degree Grandmaster, Phillip Ameris . Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

The January 1974 cover of Karate Illustrated featured “Super Dan” Anderson , founder of American Freestyle Karate. A four-time national karate champion and world champion, Anderson became a defining figure in the evolution of competitive martial arts. He is also the author of the best-selling American Freestyle Karate: A Guide to Sparring , which has remained in print for over 40 years. Now a 10th Degree Black Belt in karate and a Senior Master in Filipino modern arnis, Anderson was best known for his cool, laid-back approach to point fighting—a style that brought refreshing energy to the national circuit during a time of transition. His influence helped shape a new era of martial arts, blending technical excellence with creative expression. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

The September 1969 issue of Karate Illustrated featured a young Pat Burleson alongside an even younger Pat Johnson—two trailblazers whose influence helped define American martial arts. Burleson opened one of the first karate schools in the United States in 1959, located in Fort Worth, Texas. He later made history by winning the first U.S. Karate Championships in 1964 and held the highest American Taekwondo rank under the legendary Jhoon Rhee, often called the “Father of American Taekwondo.” Standing beside him was Pat Johnson, who would go on to become one of Hollywood’s most respected martial arts stunt coordinators, with iconic credits including Enter the Dragon  and The Karate Kid . Both men remained lifelong martial artists—always training, always teaching, and forever inspiring the generations that followed. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

Tickets for PFL Africa 1 In Cape Town, Now Rescheduled for July 19, Go On Sale at 10:00 AM SAST On Thursday, May 22, as the Continent Prepares to Make MMA History GrandWest Arena Will Make History As The First Venue To Host A Major MMA Event In Africa, As PFL Africa Debuts With 18 Top African Athletes Set To Enter The SmartCage In Addition, 32 Athletes Across Four Divisions Have Been Announced As The Full PFL Africa Roster Has Been Unveiled, Representing 15 Different African Countries MMA Fans Can Purchase Tickets This Thursday From Ticketpro here The Professional Fighters League has announced tickets for its inaugural PFL Africa event in Cape Town go on sale at 10:00am SAST on Thursday, May 22 . Fans can be a part of the historic PFL Africa launch by purchasing their tickets here .Marking a major milestone for the sport, PFL Africa 1 will take place one week earlier than originally announced, on Saturday, July 19 at GrandWest Arena, showcasing Africa’s top fighting talent across Bantamweight and Heavyweight divisions. This landmark event will be the first in the continent hosted by a global MMA organization, with 18 elite African athletes set to compete in high-stakes bouts inside the PFL SmartCage.Headlining the night, South Africa’s own Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) will face Egypt’s rising contender Mahmoud Atef (5-2) in a thrilling Bantamweight Semifinal. In the co-main event, Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1) takes on Ivory Coast’s Mikael Groguhe (6-2) in a battle of heavy-handed finishers.The card will also feature a special Women’s Strawweight Showcase Bout with undefeated Nigerian prospect Juliet Ukah (6-0). Her opponent will be announced shortly.The inaugural PFL Africa Tournament will feature eight-man brackets in each weight class, starting with the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. The full tournament schedule and host cities for the semifinals and finals will be announced shortly. In total, 32 fighters representing 15 African nations will compete across the four PFL Africa divisions in 2025, as the league embarks on a continent wide journey to crown the first-ever PFL Africa Champions. The inaugural PFL Africa will also set the scene and precede a PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai card, bringing the world’s best MMA talent to Africa. At the top of the bill will be Johnny "Pressure" Eblen (16-0) who will look to keep his undefeated record intact and his World Championship by his side as he faces Spain's surging Costello "The Spaniard" van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event will be Dakota "Dangerous" Ditcheva (14-0), widely regarded as the best women's pound-for-pound MMA fighter, as she faces off against the elite Hawaiian, Sumiko "Lady Samurai" Inaba (8-1) in the penultimate bout of the evening. Additional Champions Series bouts will be announced shortly. The full fight card for the inaugural PFL Africa 1 event on July 19 is as follows: Updated PFL Africa 1 Card: SuperSport (Africa - English) | Canal+ (Africa - French) DAZN (France, UK & Ireland) Saturday, July 19 Bantamweight First Round Main Event: Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) vs. Mahmoud Atef (5-2) Heavyweight First Round Co-Main Event: Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1) vs. Mikael Groguhe (6-2) Bantamweight First Round Bout : Shannon Van Tonder (7-2) vs. Boule Godogo (3-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout : Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) vs. Justin Clarke (2-0) Bantamweight First Round Bout: Antero Dos Santos (5-0) vs. Karim Henniene (4-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout: Abdoullah Kane (3-0) vs. Mohammed Ben Yahia (9-4) Bantamweight First Round Bout: Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) vs. Alain Majorique (5-0) Heavyweight First Round Bout: Badredinne Medkouri (7-2) vs. TBD Showcase Women’s Strawweight Bout: Juliet Ukah (6-0) vs. TBD Updated PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai Card: Middleweight World Championship Main Event: Johnny Eblen (16-0) vs. Costello Van Steenis (16-3) Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) vs. Sumiko Inaba (8-1)

Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight & Middleweight World Tournament Semifinals Set  Undefeated Biaggio Ali Walsh Returns to Action The Professional Fighters League today announced a stacked fight card set for Wintrust Arena in Chicago on June 27, headlined by the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight and Middleweight 2025 PFL World Tournament Semifinals and a high-stakes Bantamweight showdown between former teammates and Bellator Champions Sergio Pettis (23-7) and Raufeon Stots (21-2). A Middleweight Semifinal between Fabian Edwards (14-4) and Josh Silveira (14-4) will headline the event, with Light Heavyweights Phil Davis (25-7) and Sullivan Cauley (7-1) clashing in the co-main. The first Middleweight Semifinal features a rematch between Aaron Jeffery (16-5) and Dalton Rosta (10-1), while Antonio Carlos Jr. (17-6) faces England’s Simeon Powell (11-1) in the second 205-pound Semifinal. Rounding out the 2025 PFL World Tournament Semifinal action on June 27 are the Heavyweights, as Valentin Moldavsky (14-4) meets Alexander Romanov (19-3), and Oleg Popov (20-2) squares off against Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3). In addition to all of these must-see, high-stakes bouts, the event will also feature the return of Chicago-born Biaggio Ali Walsh (2-0), who returns to face fellow hometown prospect Ronnie Gibbs (1-0) in a battle of undefeated Lightweights, with local pride and perfect records at stake. Alongside the Semifinals and showcase bouts, three alternate bouts will kick off the card on ESPN+,  beginning with the Middleweights, as the undefeated Jordan Newman (7-0) puts his skills to the test against Moscow's Khalid Murtazaliev (17-3). Lightweights clash as Rafael Xavier (13-8) looks across the SmartCage at Karl Albrektsson (14-7) and Heavyweights collide as Sergei Bilostenniy (13-4) faces Karl Williams (10-3).  Tickets for PFL’s return to America’s “Second City” can be purchased through Ticketmaster, with prices ranging from $50 to $350. The 2025 PFL World Tournament airs live on ESPN platforms in the U.S., Canada and across Europe, fans can catch the action live on DAZN, while globally, the tournament will be streamed in 190 countries through 20 premium media partners.One Shot. The annual single-elimination tournament features brackets at Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight, and Women’s Flyweight. The PFL World Tournament spans an action packed five months. 64 of the best fighters from around the world will compete to win MMA’s toughest test - win three straight times in five months to become PFL Tournament Champion.  The Semifinal fights will be three, five-minute rounds while the Finals are five, five-minute rounds. All events and all fights now allow the use of elbows. The PFL World Tournament will payout over $20 million in total prize money, including a $500,000 bonus for every winner.   Updated 2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals Main Card: ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (U.S.) | DAZN (Europe & Canada)  Friday, June 27 - 10:30 pm ET  Middleweight Semifinal Main Event: Fabian Edwards (14-4) vs. Josh Silveira (14-4) Light Heavyweight Semifinal Co-Main Event: Phil Davis (25-7) vs. Sullivan Cauley (7-1) Middleweight Semifinal Bout: Dalton Rosta (10-1) vs. Aaron Jeffery (16-5)  Light Heavyweight Semifinal Bout: Antonio Carlos Jr. (17-6) vs. Simeon Powell (11-1) Bantamweight Showcase Bout: Sergio Pettis (23-7) vs. Raufeon Stots (21-2)   2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals Early Card: ESPN+ (U.S.) | DAZN (Europe & Canada) Friday, June 27 - 7:30 pm ET Heavyweight Semifinal Bout: Valentin Moldavsky (14-4) vs. Alexander Romanov (19-3) Lightweight Showcase Bout: Biaggio Ali Walsh (2-0) vs. Ronnie Gibbs (1-0)  Heavyweight Semifinal Bout: Oleg Popov (20-2) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3) Heavyweight Alternate Bout: Sergei Bilostenniy (13-4) vs. Karl Williams (10-3) Light Heavyweight Alternate Bout: Rafael Xavier (13-8) vs . Karl Albrektsson (14-7) Middleweight Alternate Bout: Jordan Newman (7-0) vs . Khalid Murtazaliev (17-3)   Upcoming 2025 PFL World Tournament Schedule: 2025 PFL World Tournament 5: Semifinals - June 12 - Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville 2025 PFL World Tournament 6: Semifinals - June 20 - INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita 2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals - June 27 - Wintrust Arena, Chicago 2025 PFL World Tournament 8: Finals - August 1 - Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ 2025 PFL World Tournament 9: Finals - August 15 - Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC 2025 PFL World Tournament 10: Finals - August 21 - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida

From L-R: PFL Fighter Raihere Dudes; James Frewin, PFL Managing Director, International; Pete Murray, PFL CEO; Dan Taylor, Acting Managing Director, Stan; Ben Kimber, Director of Sports, Stan; PFL Fighters Joseph Luciano, Sara Collins and Sean Gauci Fourth PFL International League Covering Australia and New Zealand Partnership with Stan, the 9Network and 9Now to Provide PFL Pacific Broad Premium Distribution in Australia PFL Pacific Features Best Regional Fighters and Top Prize Money Competing in PFL Signature “Win and Advance” Tournament Format The Professional Fighters League continues its global expansion with the launch of PFL Pacific, the league’s fourth international division, spanning Australia and New Zealand. Powered by a premium media partnership with Nine in Australia, featuring coverage across Stan Sport, 9Now and the 9Network, PFL Pacific will deliver elite regional fighters competing for top prize money in the league’s signature “win and advance” tournament format. This strategic launch underscores the PFL’s commitment to growing the sport across Oceania and providing fans with year-round access to world-class MMA action. Under this landmark partnership, Stan will become the exclusive home for the entire PFL portfolio in Australia, with all the action streaming live and on-demand on Stan Sport, with select premium events available on Stan Pay-Per-View. Additionally, key PFL events will be available to stream free on 9Now and broadcast free-to-air on the 9Network including live fights, archived events, highlights, and exclusive content. This expansive multi-platform distribution ensures PFL’s world-class MMA is more accessible to Australian fans than ever before. The inaugural PFL Pacific Tournament will take place across four live events in 2026, featuring top regional fighters in single-elimination brackets. With PFL’s signature “Win and Advance” format and significant prize money on the line, the tournament offers a historic platform for Australian athletes to rise to global prominence. In just three years, PFL aims to crown more Australian MMA champions than any other organization. In addition to PFL Pacific, the league will debut its global PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai in the region, showcasing some of MMA’s biggest stars in premium live events. Together, PFL Pacific and the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai will ensure both rising local athletes and elite international talent compete on the Oceania stage. “It has been a priority of ours to bring the Professional Fighters League to Australia and the Pacific region, delivering our world-class brand of MMA and the sport’s biggest stars to local fans,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray . “Through our landmark partnership with Stan, and extended reach with action streaming on 9Now and broadcast free-to-air on the 9Network, we’re creating the most accessible MMA experience Australia has ever seen. With the launch of PFL Pacific, we’re also building a foundation for long-term growth and aiming to crown more Aussie champions than any other league over the next three years.” “Stan has enjoyed a fantastic partnership with the PFL since 2022, and we’re excited to take it to new heights with the launch of PFL Pacific,” said Stan Acting Managing Director Dan Taylor . “This new initiative highlights the PFL’s bold ambition and commitment to growing MMA in our region. And, as Australia’s only locally owned streamer, we’re proud to help power that growth from the ground up. With PFL Pacific, the next generation of elite Aussie fighters now have a clear pathway and platform to showcase their talent to the world - to follow in the footsteps of Rob Wilkinson or Chelsea Hackett - and that’s the journey we want to support. With extensive coverage and reach across Stan Sport, 9Now and the 9Network, we’re making world-class MMA more accessible to Australian fans than ever before.” Further details, including event dates and athlete announcements, will be shared soon via PFL platforms and social media.

The December 1982 cover of Karate Illustrated featured Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, alongside his wife, Lisa. Sliwa initially launched a civilian safety patrol known as the “Magnificent 13” to combat violence and crime on the New York City subway system during a period of escalating urban crime. In 1979, the group was renamed the Guardian Angels and rapidly expanded. Although unarmed, members underwent training in karate and were taught the legal protocols for performing citizen’s arrests before being allowed to patrol. The group became instantly recognizable by their distinctive uniforms—especially Sliwa’s iconic red beret, which continues to symbolize the Guardian Angels’ mission and presence. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com

Even though most martial artists dedicate themselves to learning practical responses to modern threats, violence can take unexpected turns that shock even the best technician. To develop the kind of mental and physical resolve necessary to prevail in such encounters, you must create a variety of worst-case scenarios so you can build relevant skill sets that can be put into action quickly. If you already engage in scenario training, you should take a hard look at the ones you currently use and examine—without style prejudice—which moves will work when there’s hard contact and full resistance. You may find that some “proven techniques” are fatally flawed when your opponent is fighting back. Obviously, you can’t go ballistic with your training partner, but you can take into account the natural reactions that would be associated with real violence. Presented here are eight threat categories that all serious students of self-defense should prepare for. 1) Fist Attacks In a street fight, the hand techniques most frequently seen are primary strikes delivered in basic combinations. Straight punches are the staples, and they're often backed up by a cross or hook. Punches tend to be pumped out in a piston-like fashion using the same hand or alternating hands. The danger has more to do with timing, distance, and force than it does with technique. Obviously, there are attacks that involve uppercuts, spinning backfists, and so on, but in general, the most common fist strikes are the jab, cross, and haymaker. They may be thrown individually or in combinations, but the limb never remains extended or static. In other words, you'll need to practice against punches that are thrown and then quickly retracted. Defending against them is not as difficult as you might think because of all the choices you have, which include altering range, evading, blocking, deflecting, and covering up. No matter which you choose, follow up with a strike or takedown to interrupt your opponent's momentum and rhythm. A single blow can be stopped by an average martial artist, but things are more difficult when punches are thrown in combination. I call this the “flurry factor.” When defending against such a barrage, blocking each punch becomes nearly impossible. What is possible is to deflect the first, the second, and possibly the third punch and then alter the range. If you haven't committed to an effective countermeasure by that point, your foe likely will penetrate your defenses. Always remember that discomfort can change the direction of any fight. The sudden jolt of an impact and the resulting pain can shift things — in your favor or in your attacker's. 2) Takedowns We all know how quickly one person can take another person down. This is why so many martial artists are adding MMA ground techniques to their arsenal. We also know how dangerous a ground fight can be, especially when multiple opponents or weapons are involved. A recent national news story drove home this point when it showed video footage of a fight between two young men that ended on the ground. As onlookers cheered, a gang member emerged from the crowd and stabbed one of the men, killing him on the spot. This serves as a valuable reminder that no matter how proficient you are on the ground, you must remain alert. You also must understand which positions offer advantages to you and which do that for your opponent. If you're smart, you'll learn a few tricks that can give you the edge on the ground. If you've studied grappling, you know the nuances of ground fighting. They include how to prevent the mount, how to execute a takedown, how to apply a submission, and how to finish with a choke. Consider bolstering that toolbox with biting, hair pulling, eye gouging, and the use of makeshift weapons such as car keys and found weapons such as rocks. Don't neglect throwing a second attacker into the training mix to see how the dynamics change. 3) Hands-on Assaults Anytime an opponent grabs you, it's considered a “hands-on assault.” Examples include a head lock, front choke, bear hug, lapel grab, and shove. Your response to any of these should be fast, direct, and uncomplicated. A counterstrike is usually in order, and that can set up a sweep or takedown. Your adversary must not be given a chance to recover, so either inflict a shocking blow or effect a grappling technique that renders him unable to continue. Of course, these options should be used only when there's no chance of defusing the aggression. Sometimes you can prevent a hands-on assault simply by deflecting or resisting in a natural way. It’s for situations in which that’s not possible that you’ll need to train. First, learn the most common assaults and practice proven methods for dealing with them. Next, get comfortable with two or three defensive options that work effectively against each threat. Make sure your chosen countermeasures work on people who are noncompliant. 4) Multiple Opponents Many street encounters involve multiple attackers. Because the average martial artist isn't used to fighting more than one person at a time, the martial artist can be easily overpowered. It might be because the defender turns his back on his enemies. It might be because he goes to the ground. The lesson to be learned is that you need to stay on your feet and not turn your back on any opponent. As soon as possible, use the element of surprise to take out the person who stands between you and your best exit. One method I teach for battling multiple opponents is “aligning.” It involves continually positioning yourself so your attackers are in a line. That way, you don't have to face them all at once. For example, if you can maneuver so enemy B is behind enemy A, it forces B to come around his own man to get to you. With practice, this tactic can work against three or more people. It's best achieved by first executing a surprise attack against one adversary and using his body as a temporary barrier between yourself and the others. As they begin to flank you, the man who’s now the nearest is struck hard and used as a shield. For whatever reason, a mass attack usually de-escalates after the first two or three opponents are defeated. In other words, if you're facing six people, you may end up fighting only two of the boldest. Of course, when facing multiple attackers, you should always try using verbal techniques to keep the situation from spiraling out of control in the first place, but that doesn't always work. 5) Third Party in Danger At one time or another, you may need to come to the aid of someone who's in danger. Numerous situations might warrant such an intervention — it could be an ordinary mugging on the street or a terrorism-related crime. In most cases, you'll approach from the assailant's blind side and use the element of surprise. That could entail taking him down by pulling his hair or jacket while kicking or kneeing the back of his knee, executing a “septum takedown” in which you apply pressure under his nose with your hand, or seizing control of the weapon while he’s focused on his hostage. People will often refrain from intervening in a violent incident involving others because they fear being hurt or killed. And that's fine because, as they say, the better part of valor is discretion. However, knowing what action to take is crucial for those situations when restraint isn’t an option. 6) Bludgeons From a defensive perspective, you need to know how to stop a stick attack and, when possible, disarm the attacker. From an offensive perspective, you also should know how to use a stick — it can be a great equalizer. That means learning how to strike vital areas and learning how to use one to apply pressure to a body part or amplify leverage. To accomplish the former, it's best if you know how to position yourself to deflect the danger. Of course, you also need to know how to enter, control the weapon and effect a disarm. To accomplish the latter, you'll need to polish your ability to maneuver into or out of several stances that have you holding the stick in a manner that doesn’t allow your enemy to snatch it out of your hand. Next, you'll need to work on striking the knees, collarbone and other prime targets that happen to be available. Example: Your opponent is holding a knife, and you have a stick. You’ll want to target his weapon hand. Higher-level stick fighting revolves around manipulating your opponent’s body using pressure and leverage. By sandwiching body parts between the stick and your own body, you can inflict substantial pain, perhaps enough to momentarily debilitate him. Such “wedge locks” can target bones, joints and nerves. 7) Edged Weapons Blades are dangerous because even an untrained person can cut you to the bone with a single slash. Likewise, a person can inflict a deep stab wound with very little power and no real technique. No matter how big or strong you are, a minimally trained person with a blade can bring you down with a single movement of his arm. Unfortunately, defensive techniques that work in theory don’t always work in reality when resistance and bad intent are part of the equation. This is why range is crucial in knife defense. Stay out of range whenever possible. When you need to get close enough to control the weapon and disarm the person, maintain awareness of the blade at all times. Evasive maneuvers such as leaning away and hollowing out can thwart blade-to-body contact but only momentarily. When the assailant is savvy enough to use stabs and slashes in quick combinations, he can defeat even someone who’s skilled at self-defense. One key to stopping this kind of attack is countering with one or two quick strikes and then altering the range by moving outside or inside his attack. Moving outside is easier. Moving inside requires courage and the ability to smother his attempts to counter your entry. From there, a takedown or disarm must be done quickly and followed by a submission or a knockout. 8) Firearms Disarming a gunman is a risky proposition, one that should be attempted only if a life is on the line. It is possible, however, to take a gun away from an assailant when conditions are favorable and your technique and timing are spot on. Distance is paramount in gun defense. Simply put, you must be close enough to get your hands on the enemy before he can shoot. He won’t let you take his weapon, so it’s essential that you’re prepared to deal with the inevitable retraction of the weapon arm. That means practicing gun disarms while working against resistance. The best moves are those that follow the retracting limb of the assailant and seek to “consume” him before stripping the weapon from his grasp. Technically, it’s preferable to work against the thumb of the hand that’s gripping the firearm. If you need proof of concept, try to hold something securely without using your thumb. You'll find out just how weak the human hand can be. Preparing for what typically occurs in self-defense situations such as the ones described above will make you better-equipped to deal with any threat you face. It will minimize your response time. It will teach you to stay true to the code of readiness, which ultimately brings you closer to taking action. This reduces the chance that you’ll panic because you’ll be operating under circumstances similar to the scenarios that you’ve prepared for.

The August 2002 cover featured martial arts stuntman extraordinaire Larry Lam and the late Richard Brandon—two influential figures who left a lasting legacy in the martial arts world. Larry Lam, a champion in both Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu, successfully transitioned from the tournament circuit to become one of Hollywood’s most respected stunt performers and coordinators. Renowned for his precision, creativity, and leadership, Lam played a key role in shaping the action of countless films and television shows, bringing martial arts to life for audiences worldwide. Richard Brandon, a rising wushu star, was widely recognized as one of the most outstanding forms competitors on the North American open circuit. Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com