Ron Van Clief Fight Footage

Ron Van Clief, "The Black Dragon" appeared in several kung fu films during the 70s. He also fought Royce Gracie in an early UFC fight in the 90s (in his early 50s). I just came across some fight footage of Ron as a young man in Hong Kong. Check him out.

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

Van Damme Fighting Footage (For Real)

For years many have wondered if Jean-Claude Van Damme was a real fighter or not. Well, here is a little footage showing some tournament stuff and an interview with his Karate instructor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0pnfzVESWw&feature=related

Shidokan Knock Down Karate Rules

Traditional knock down Karate is very different from Shidokan Karate tournaments. For example, in Kyokushin grabs, throws, take downs, and submissions are not allowed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0boHrl3Dro

In Shidokan Knockdown rules grabs, throws, and subs are allowed. The rules allow brief moments of grabbing/grappling to emphasize speed and control to finish an opponent under a knock down format. Remember all knock down karate rules seek to finish an opponent in the most efficient manner possible, creating a sense of urgency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in8q5QKP-lw&feature=related

Head Trauma

In contact sports there will be a lot of trauma to the head. Let's face it, contact is bad on the body. As a fighter you have to be careful in training and allow your body to heal after competition. After competing for several years you have to assess the damage done to your body and evaluate when your end time for competition will be. Check out this clip on head trauma. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8DXiCr3-jE&feature=related

Rolling Arm Bar

Looking at YouTube you can always find some really cool videos. The arm bar is used in every grappling event and there are so many ways to attack for the Juji Gatame (arm bar). Here's is a unique twist on the rolling arm bar in a Russian Sambo competition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cEr2SIzm7o&feature=player_embedded#!

Real Karate Tournament

To do away with politics in Karate there should be tournaments where the different organizations compete against each other under an agreed upon format. This would create unity and commaraderie among the different groups. Here's a clip from such a tournament several years ago featuring: Kyokushin, Shidokan, Seidokan, and several others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc_l7A9hkzg&feature=g-vrec

Everybody Loves A Winner

It's funny how fight fans talk bad about a fighter once he loses. He can win for 10 years and as soon as he loses, many will say he doesn't have it anymore. For the simple fact that he's in there doing it, means he still has it. As a fighter, he loves to fight. He seeks competition and wants to be challenged. He walks that fine line between winner and loser. Just like he can win, he knows he can lose. I respect anyone who will get and there and just do it. Beyond our selfish wants to see our favorite fighters win all the time, we have to remain loyal fans to them even in defeat and be thankful that they have given us the entertainment and excitement that got us to watch them in the first place.