Gichin FunakoshiAs the father of Shotokan Karate Funakoshi was also the first Karate master to introduce the art to the mainland of Japan and he would choose to remain after his third demonstaition, which was for the emperor of Japan. Born in Shuri Okinawa in 1868 he would first learn the ancient art from Anko Asato who was the father of his best friend. Funakoshi was trained in 3 styles of Karate which would later be combined to form the very popular art known as Shotokan the styles that formed this art were Shorei-ryu, Shorin-ryu, and Kendo. Although much of the world of Karate is divided by its many styles it is no doubt that Funakoshi was one of the pioneers who spread the teaching of Karate, and without his contribution Karate would be considered the most popular Martial Art on the planet. Funakoshi died in 1957 and later a monument was erected in his honor, in 1968 at the Engaku-ji temple in Kamakura. Funakoshi was many things, a philosopher, ans artist and a poet, and we truly able to bring all these things together. His teachings continue to inspire many young and old practitioners today.
CARLOS GRACIECarlos was the first Gracie to learn the traditional art of Judo from the late great master Mitsuyo Maeda. Using what he learned, Carlos along with his brothers Helio, Oswaldo, Gastao Jr, and Jorge, created what we now know as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Martial Art, adopted techniques from Judo and Jiu-Jitsu and was fashioned for street defence in Brazil. Carlos later gave up his teachings to focus on the nutritional aspects of BJJ, and is the creator of the world famous Gracie diet. Carlos Gracie is the pioneer behind BJJ and although the casual fan dose not know this man and his accomplishments, they should because he is the father of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos Gracie was 92 when he died, a true testament to the art and the diet that he help create and perfect.
GENE LEBELL"Judo" Gene Lebell also known as the the god father of grappling is 9th Dan Kodokan and 9th Dan U.S. Judo master who has worked in over 300 TV shows and films as a stunt performer of coordinator. The former AAU National Judo champion of 1954 and 55 has colorful combat background, once defeating Professional boxer Milo Savage, choking him out in round 4, and famous fight between Steven Segal whom he was able to choke out in rivalry between striking Martial Arts and Grappling. Gene Lebell was also known to work with Bruce Lee Karo Parisyan and number Pro wrestlers. Lebell spent a great deal of his career as a pro wrestler and is widely considered a man of many talents.
DAN GABLEDuring his prep and college careers, Gable compiled an unbelievable record of 182-1. He was undefeated in 64 prep matches, and was 118-1 at Iowa State. His only defeat came in the NCAA finals his senior year. Gable was a three-time all-American and three-time Big Eight champion. He set NCAA records in winning and pin streaks. After college, Gable added titles at the 1971 Pan American Games, the 1972 Tbilisi Tournament and the 1971 World Championships. He won an unprecedented six Midlands Open championships and was that meet's outstanding wrestler five times. In 1972, he won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics without surrendering a point to any of his opponents. The Soviets came to the Olympics with only one goal in mind; to defeat Gable. They were unsuccessful. In Gable's final 21 Olympic qualification and Olympic matches, he scored 12 falls and outscored his nine other opponents, 130-1. The single point being scored by Larry Owings, who defeated Gable in his final collegiate match.
BRUCE LEE
Lee's first introduction to martial arts was through his father, Lee Hoi Cheun. He learned the fundamentals of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan from his father. Lee's sifu, Wing Chun master Yip Man, was also a colleague and friend of
Lee trained in Wing Chun Gung Fu from age 13–18 under Hong Kong Wing Chun Sifu Yip Man. Lee was introduced to Yip Man in early 1954 by William Cheung, then a live-in student of
Lee was also trained in Western boxing and won the 1958 Boxing Championship match against 3-time champion Gary Elms by knockout in the 3rd round. Before arriving to the finals against Elms, Lee had knocked out 3 straight boxers in the first round. In addition, Bruce learned western fencing techniques from his brother Peter Lee, who was a champion fencer at the time.
At 22 Lee also met Professor Wally Jay, and began to receive informal instruction in Jujitsu from him. The two would have long conversations about theories surrounding the martial arts and grew to be longtime friends.
As seen in his films, Lee shrieked and made high-pitched noises while moving to throw opponents psychically off-center.
Although there is no record of Lee having achieved any belts, sashes, or certifications in any particular martial art, this multi-faceted exposure to different fighting arts would later play an influence in the creation of the eclectic martial art Jeet Kune Do.
HELIO GRACIE Gracie had 19 professional fights in his career. He began his fighting career when he submitted professional boxer Antonio Portugal in 30 seconds in 1932.
Also in 1932 he fought American professional wrestler Fred Ebert for fourteen 10 minute rounds. The event was stopped because Brazilian law did not allow any public events to continue after 2 AM. Fred Ebert sustained a severe beating throughout the fight. After the fight Ebert was rushed to the hospital and Helio went home with black and blue elbows resulting from hitting Ebert's face.
In 1934 Gracie fought Polish professional wrestler Wladek Zbyszko, who was a former world champion, for three 10 minute rounds. Even though the wrestler was almost twice Helio's weight he could not defeat him and the match ended in a draw. After regulation time expired Helio proposed an immediate extra round to be fought, but Zbyszko refused. Hélio then defeated Taro Miyake, a Japanese professional wrestler and judoka who had an extensive professional fighting record and worked for Ed "Strangler" Lewis in the
Hélio also fought several Japanese judoka under submission rules. In 1932 he fought Japanese judoka Namiki. Helio defeated the Japanese heavyweight judoka and sumo wrestler Masagoichi via armlock. The fight ended in a draw, but according to the Gracie's the bell rang just seconds before Namiki would have tapped out. Gracie had two fights with Japanese judoka Yasuichi Ono after Ono choked out Hélio's brother George Gracie in a match. Both fights ended in a draw. Gracie fought another Japanese judoka Kato twice. The first time was at Maracanã stadium and they went to a draw. Afterwards, Kato asked for a rematch. The rematch was held at Ibirapuera Stadium in
MITSUYO MAEDE Maeda was born in Funazawa Village, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, on November 18, 1878. He attended Kenritsu Itiu high school (currently Hirokou - a Hirosaki school). As a child, he was known as Hideyo. He practiced sumo as a teenager, but lacked the ideal build for the sport. Because of the interest generated by stories about the success of judo at contests between judo and jujutsu that were occurring at the time, he changed to judo. In 1894, at seventeen years of age, his parents sent him to Tokyo to enroll in Waseda University. He took up Kodokan judo the following year. Arriving in the Kodokan, Maeda, who was 164cm tall and weighted 64 kg, was confused with a delivery boy due to his country manners and demeanor. He was spotted by Judo's founder Kano Jigoro, and assigned to Tsunejiro Tomita (4th dan), the smallest of the teachers of the Kodokan's shiten-no, to illustrate that in judo size is not important. Tomita was the first Kodokan judoka and a close friend of Kano Jigoro. According to Koyassu Massao (9th dan): Although the weakest of Kodokan shinte-no, Tomita was able to defeat the great jujutsu champion of that time, Hansuke Nakamura, from the Tenjin Shinyo Ryu style. With Soishiro Satake, Mitsuyo Maeda formed the head of the second generation of Kodokan judoka, which had replaced the first by the beginning of the 20th century. Satake, at 175cm and 80 kg, had no match in amateur sumo but admitted that he himself was not able to match to Maeda in judo. Satake would later travel to South America with Maeda and settle in Manaus, Amazonas State, while Maeda continued traveling. Satake would become the founder, in 1914, of the first historically registered judo academy in Brazil. He and Maeda are considered the pioneers of judo in Brazil. At that time, there were few graduated Kodokan judoka. Maeda and Satake were the top graduated professors at Waseda University, both sandan, along with Matsuhiro Ritaro (nidan) and six other shodan. Kyuzo Mifune registered at the Kodokan in 1903 and attracted the attention of Maeda, who commented, "you are strong and competent, therefore, you will certainly leave your mark in the Kodokan...". Mifune went to learn under Sakujiro Yokoyama and later, already a celebrated judoka, Mifune said that Maeda's words were a great incentive, as he regarded Maeda with the greatest admiration, even though Yokoyama was his sensei.According to Mifune, in 1904 Maeda lost to Yoshitake Yoshio by Hane Goshi, after defeating three adversaries in succession, but in a following tsukinami-shiai defeated eight adversaries in a row and was awarded the 4th dan (yondan). Mifune also states that Maeda was one of the most vigorous promoters of judo, although not by teaching Judo, instead generating recognition of Judo through his many combats with contenders from
MASAHIKO KIMURAAt age 16, after six years of judo, Kimura was promoted to 4th dan. He had defeated six opponents (who were all 3rd and 4th dan) in a row. In 1935 at age 18 he became the youngest ever godan (5th degree black belt) when he defeated eight consecutive opponents at Kodokan (headquarters for the main governing body of Judo). Kimura's remarkable success can in part be attributed to his fanatical training regimen. He reportedly lost only four judo matches in his lifetime, all occurring in 1935. He considered quitting judo after those losses, but through the encouragement of friends he began training again. All through the nights, he practiced osoto gari, a basic leg throw, against a tree. After six months, his technique was such that daily randori or sparring sessions at various dojos resulted in 10 people with concussions. Fellow students frequently asked him not to use his unorthodox osoto gari. At the height of his career, Kimura's training involved a thousand push-ups and nine-hours practice every day. He was promoted to 7th dan at age 30, a rank that was frozen after disputes with Kodokan over becoming a professional wrestler, refusing to return the All Japan Judo Championship flag, and issuing dan ranks while in Brazil. Kimura also entered karate in his pursuit of martial arts, believing that karate would strengthen his hands. First he trained what today is known as Shotokan karate under its founder Gichin Funakoshi for two years, but eventually switched to training goju-ryu karate under So-Nei Chu (a pupil of Goju-ryu karate legend Gogen Yamagushi) and finally became an assistant instructor in his dojo. The submission armlock commonly used today known as the Kimura was named after Masahiko after a battle to wich he submitted Helio Gracie. Helio refused to tap and his arm was broken. Later it would be the Gracies who gave the armlock its new name in honor of Masahiko's victory.
EVAN TANNER Tanner was born in Amarillo, Texas and graduated from Caprock High School in 1989 where he won the Texas State Championships in wrestling as a junior and senior despite only entering the sport in his sophomore year of high school. Tanner attended college but dropped out because he felt that he was not receiving a "real world" education that he was searching for. After his initial success, Tanner taught himself submission and grappling techniques using instructional videos created by the famous Gracie family. He continued to fight in local shows and tournaments in Texas and Iowa before traveling across the world to Japan to compete in the Pancrase organization. Tanner won five fights overseas and competed in the USWF once more before being asked to join the UFC. Tanner made his UFC debut in 1999 at UFC 18, submitting fellow Amarillo native Darrell Gholar by rear naked choke in the first round. Tanner's next fight in the UFC was against Valerie Ignatov at UFC 19. Ignatov was widely known for his leg submissions and because of this, Tanner decided to fight barefoot for the first time in his career, citing that shoes sometimes make it easier for an opponent to gain a submission. Evan, eventually ended up fighting Tito Ortiz where he was KO’d with a body to body slam. After this fight Evan Tanner re-grouped to win 5 in a row finally losing to Rich Franklin. Evan then won 4 in a row and loss again to Rich Franklin & David Louiseau. Tanner was devastated and would find himself at the end of a bottle for 3 years. He battled back and got clean and found his place in the UFC once again winning by Triangle against Justin Levens. Evan Tanner later in 2008 died after a spiritual retreat in the desert would prove to be his biggest nemesis. He will be missed and his story is truly epic.
Charles "MASK" LewisFounder of TAPOUT was killed in a fatal car crash
March/11/09
MASK, not only was a pioneer for the most popular clothing label in Mixed Martial Arts but was the biggest promoter for the up in comers in MMA, giving them a crutch to stand on by sponsoring the young fighters and motivating them. He will be missed by all who love MMA, he was and is one the biggest icons in the sport.
not only one of the founding fathers who helped make the sport of MMA mainstream but was known for is strong devotion to his company his friends and family and his fighters
KEN SHAMROCKKen Shamrock is one of the most widely recognized MMA fighters in the world. He is a legendary American Mixed Martial Arts fighter & former professional wrestler. Ken Shamrock is best known for his participation in the Ultimate Fighting Championships, Pride Fighting Championships the World Wrestling Federation, Total Nonstop Wrestling Action and Pancrase. No other fighter possesses the credentials that has rightfully earned him the title of “The World’s Most Dangerous Man”.
- Elected UFC Hall Of Fame - 2003
- Four Time UFC Heavyweight Champion
- First UFC Superfight Heavyweight Champion
- First Pancrase Heavyweight World Champion
- WWF Intercontinental Champion
- WWF World Tag Team Champion
- Four Time Tough Man Champion
- TNA World Heavyweight Champion
- King of the Ring Champion
- Pride Superfight Heavyweight Champion
- Shamrock is currently a subject matter expert in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).
- He has written two books, Inside the Lion’s Den and Beyond the Lion’s Den.
PAT MILETICHThe creator of the infamous MILETICH FIGHTING SYSTEM Pat has been in the cage with everybody and anybody. Known more as one of the best coaches in the world of MMA he has trained fighters like; Tim Sylvia, Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawler, Jens Pulver, Spencer Fisher, Ben Rothwell, and so many more.
He made his official UFC debut at UFC 16 and would win the very first UFC Lightweight Tournament. During UFC Brazil Pat would defeat Mikey Burnett and come the first UFC Lightweight champion. In 2001 the UFC would change the weight class limits, creating the Welterweight division and announcing Pat Miletich as the champion. During UFC 31 he would lose, his title to Carlos Newton by submission. This would also be his first loss in the UFC officially. After defeating Shonie Carter at UFC 32, Pat would be encouraged to move up to the middleweight division. His decision to do so was also partially based on the fact that friend and colleague Matt Hughes (who is a member of Pat’s “Miletich Fighting Systems” team) had recently defeated Carlos Newton for the UFC Welterweight title. If Pat were to continue in that division he would eventually have to face his teammate Matt in the Octagon. Do avoid this situation, he would put on the extra weight and join the middleweight division. At UFC 36 in 2002 he was quickly defeated by Matt Lindland.
MAURICE SMITH
After a stint in Japanese promotions Pancrase and RINGS, accumulating a 4-7 record, Smith joined Battlecade Extreme Fighting in 1996 to fight in their third event against the heavyweight champion Marcus "Conan" Silvira. Throughout the fight Maurice showed excellent use of the sprawl technique which negated the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu man's attempts at takedowns before knocking Conan out in the third round with a kick to the head. In doing so he became the first legitimate striker to win a top end MMA event. He then defended his title in the forth show against judo exponant Kazunari Murakami, this time Maurice won with a first round knockout. After that the company went under and Maurice went to the UFC. At UFC 14 on July 27, 1997, he defeated Mark Coleman via unanimous decision to win the UFC heavyweight championship. He successfully defended his belt against David "Tank" Abbott winning via strikes, before losing his belt to Randy Couture due to a controversial decision.
KAZUSHI SAKURABA He has competed foe UWFI, Kingdom Pro Wrestling, the UFC, PRIDE FC, K-1 Hero's and DREAM. He has the distinction of competing in the longest mixed martial arts bout on record, having beaten Royce Gracie in a 90-minute bout in 2000. In Japan, he is known as "The IQ Wrestler", for his brilliance in the arts of catch wrestling and freestyle wrestling, as well as for his overall cerebral approach to fighting. He is also known as "Saku", which is frequently represented by the number "39" (the Japanese pronunciation of 3 being "san" and 9 "ku"). In the West, he is often referred to as the "Gracie Hunter," due to his victories over the famed Gracie Family of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. He also holds notable wins over Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie,Royler gracie, Vitor Belfort, Quinton Jackson, Guy Mezger, Kevin Randleman, and Ken Shamrock
ROYCE GRACIERoyce Gracie, 13-2-2 His training begun at the an early age, with his father, Helio Gracie, at the Rio Academy. And begun competing in BJJ tournaments when he was only eight years old. Ten years later Royce would become a Black belt, and at this time he moved to the United States, where he was teaching Jiu-Jitsu out of his garage. Later Royce and his older brother Roion Gracie, would open up the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in California. Today it is one of the biggest schools in the world.
DAN SEVERNDan Severn has captured the attention of fight and wrestling fans all over the world since his 1994 debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championships [UFC]. Dan is known as "The Beast", a name given to him by Jim Brown during one of his many fights in the UFC. The native of Coldwater Michigan has accepted all challengers in any no holds barred, or professional wrestling events. On May 17, 1996, Dan was crowned the UFC Superfight Champion in his home state of Michigan. He defeated "The World's Most Dangerous Man", Ken Shamrock to regain the title. Dan is the only triple crown UFC champion in the sport today. Severn has won two eight man tournaments and The Ultimate Ultimate 1996, which pitted champions and runner-ups against each another to determine the true champion of the sport.
BAS RUTTENBas Rutten, 24-4-1. Three time King of Pancrase, and former UFC Heavy Weight Champion. Bas, has beaten a "who's, who" of MMA Fighters Including: Marice Smith, Frank Shamrock, and Kevin Randleman. Bas has also been an established icon of the sport of MMA.Not only a commentator for PRIDE FC, he was also a coach with the IFL. Bas Rutten has many self defence videos and many of the techniques he teaches have helped revolutionized the sport of MMA.
