Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Boxing Tribute

Here's an inspirational video of some of the best in boxing training. After you watch this, you'll probably go workout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yazi7krffn8&feature=related

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Christian Buffaloe III

Here's installment 3 of the young Karate fighter from NC, Christian Buffaloe. Christian is following in the footsteps of his instructor and father, Kenny Buffaloe. Here is Christian latest news interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldyE-IsxMhQ

Monday, February 27, 2012

Japan Military Karate

Shotokan Karate probably the most well known style of Karate out there. Wanted to share some hardcore training footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_zmL6BRCOA&feature=g-vrec&context=G2447801RVAAAAAAAAAQ

Friday, February 24, 2012

Old School to New School

I recently got some early 90s Shidokan full contact karate fights on VHS. If featured the top Karate fighters of that time(like Ralph Linares, Hidetso Otsu, Norm Rivard, and the late Tomaz Kucharezki). Fighters from World Oyama, Kyokushin, Seidokan, Shidokan, Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Kung Fu squared off and fought bare knuckle karate matches. It is cool to watch because this was a time where martial artists fought hard with no dreams of becoming the next great UFC champ or making a lot of money. They just fought. A lot of guys today have the illusion that they are going to become the next Jon Jones, Anderson Silva or GSP. Or the hold out on fighting waiting for that big pay day. The great thing about the fights I watched is they were before Youtube and Google in that, these guys entered and fought. Some of them had no clue which is what makes it raw and appealing. Watching a couple of years fight shows showed Shidokan's tournament evolution of the Triathlon (Karate, Kickboxing and Grappling). What started out as a Karate tournament added gloved fighting to draws and later grappling to make all 3 required in an event. The Karate fighters gave way to the Thai boxers like Marco London who would win 4 World Opens in a row. The Karate guys who once ventured out of their own organizations went back into their own world and the fighters who would later take over were the kickboxers and MMA fighters. Hope to see the Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu guys in the future. Being a promoter of Shidokan events and a match maker for them, I tell you it's hard to get karate guys to fight out of their element. We'll see what the future holds. But until then, I will keep looking at these fights from the past.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Clinch and Knee Techniques

I was watching some old school Shidokan Karate fights yesterday and I noticed that the clinch and knee was an key element in the winner's success. Grabbing the Gi and head and knees to the legs, body, and head are very effective in breaking an opponent down. He is a clip of me using the knees to get the job done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd9E6Q067LI&feature=related

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Giorgio Petrosyan

The top middleweight kickboxer in the lighter category is Giorgio Petrosyan. Check out this highlight of the 2x K-1 Max champ. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVHUMJiaN-k&feature=related

Monday, February 20, 2012

Do Aikido and Hapkido Locks Work?

I see a lot of demos from aikido and hapkido experts where grown men grab their wrists and get thrown/taken down. Wrist locks do work a after you stun an opponent and they are better applied when you have someone down. Having learned hapkido locks before studying judo, I will tell you that they don't work like most instructors teach 'em. If you have ever been grabbed by a decent judo player, you will know that you won't be twisting his hand off into a lock. If you have somebody throw a half way decent punch at you (like a boxer), you won't be sidestepping and grabbing his wrist. Before doing any of the above it is best to stun the opponent with a strike or throw.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Boxing James Kirkland

There is a new star in boxing named James Kirkland. I want you to watch this highlight clip and notice the angles of his punches. See how he places his shots and watch how he watches his punches go to the target.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb0y0mkganU&feature=related

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Shindokai Demonstration

Shindokai is an offshoot of Shidokan Karate, emphasizing the 3 concepts of Karate, Kickboxing, and Grappling. Here's a clip from a 2009 demo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFrWA_quAs4&feature=related

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Always Remain Humble

This past weekend I competed in the Annual Wakamusha Judo Tournament in Atlanta. I finished 4th in the Senior Men's division. I lost my first match and would have to win all of my other matches to fight for 2nd place. I lost right before getting to that point. So, I won 3 and lost 2. At first I wanted to kick myself for losing because I HATE LOSING. Hey, I was a kickboxing and Shidokan World Champion. But, this is neither of the two. A lot of former champions in my age group and younger don't do any kind of competition now, let alone workout hard. I pat myself on the back for leaving my ego and champion pride outside and enter my judo competitions humbly. Prior to last year, I hadn't competed in a judo event since 2001. I'm 45 years old and I get out there with the young guys (now for the bigger tournaments I will do the masters). It's OK that I'm not as awesome a judo player as I was a kickboxer. But, I'm working on becoming the best that I can be. So, remember that you can always learn and challenge yourself. Don't rest on accolades of yesterday. Do something today and prepare for tomorrow.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Old School Shidokan Highlight

Came across this highlight video of Shidokan fights from the 90s. Really cool clips here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJccFuPxOf4

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Shidokan 2007 Slide Show

Here's some awesome pictures of Shidokan acton at the 2007 World Open feature some great fighters from around the World. The action of a Shidokan event is unlike any other. Stay tuned, because it is on it's way back! The photographers is Steve Matteo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxidWjGqFOM&feature=fvst

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Willie Pep

This guy was truly amazing! One of the most skilled boxers of all time, Willie Pep shows his uniqueness in this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huZC1RWe5KE&feature=g-all-u&context=G202faccFAAAAAAAAAAA

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Classic Bill Superfoot Wallace Retirement Fight

Before UFC, Strikeforce, etc. there was the early kickboxing stars of the PKA and WKA. Bill Wallace was a champion karate competitor and undefeated middleweight kickboxing champion. Here's is his retirement fight against Robert Biggs. I remember it like yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5B2uUKkqRg

Monday, February 6, 2012

Become An Expert At Everything

In today's world of martial arts, MMA is really popular. There are a lot of traditionalist (singular disciplines) that feel you can't become good and several ranges of combat (striking, grappling, take downs, etc.). Being involved with Shidokan (Known as "The Triathlon of Martial Arts"), I go with the philosophy of learning it all together. In my dojo, I have kids learning and competing in knockdown tournaments, point and judo tournaments. The know classical techniques and kata, how to throw a jab, 360 round kicks, Judo and Wrestling takedowns, and more. I have devised a curriculum that develops students in multiple areas all at the same time. It is proven as I have students fighting in boxing, kickboxing, MMA, Judo, submission wrestling, and karate events with success. So, be open to all and learn it all. You have your whole life. Sure, you'll be better at some things than you are at others, but strive to master it all.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Spin Hook Knockout

Came across another great head kick KO (spinning hook kick). If one of these lands, forget about it. Check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8EdRoIJ6yM

Friday, February 3, 2012

Kudo Match

Came accross this Kudo (Daido Juku Aka MMA Karate, etc.) from a fight in Russia. This style is expanding around the world. It encompasses all ranges of combat (punches, kicks, clinch, throws, knees, elbows, submissions, and head butts). A realistic yet safe way to fight full contact with all weapons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHhoERYuAV4&feature=related

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Master Your Basics

Years ago, I was watching World Heavyweight Kickboxing Champ, Jerry Rhome hit the heavy bag. Each punch and kick was thrown with focus and precision. He was wailing away on the bag. I told him, "Jerry, I've seen you drop guys in fights and in the gym with ease. Do you feel like you've just got it?". He said, "No, I still feel like I can be a little sharper and I'm always improving my speed and timing". Years later, I understand that he meant that you need to keep your tools sharp. As my Tae Kwon Do instructor, Issac Thomas would say, "White belt, black belt is all the same, except that one has been doing it longer." So, folks, keep practicing your basics. They are your foundation to success.