There is a very long tradition of legendary martial arts heroes in the Chinese culture. These martial arts heroes show great courage in fighting against vice, to defend the safety of others, and they are ready to sacrifice their lives for a higher moral value.

These qualities are not reserved for Chinese heroes, however, they can be found in the heroes of all cultures. The values from which heroism spring are universal.

This article is to inform fans of AMAM-MAGAZINE.COM around the world about the current principles and conditions of the martial arts community, specifically in the United Kingdom, England. Furthermore, I am attempting to write this perspective from an insiders point of view based on personal experience in being an American martial arts instructor in the UK.

I hope none of you mind me going on a little bit with this as it seems I may have pissed off a lot of people over here for my beliefs and principles, as it is. This is just me teeing off on some of what happens to disgust me, personally.

Although similar gang-related mentalities, once banded together, may produce such negative behaviour...it now seems like fight clubs are more often a breeding ground for direct physical violence against its other members...or even towards innocent bystanders.

Frequent gang-related activities have long plagued many urban and rural areas. Law enforcement agencies in most major cities have created special crime-fighting units in futile attempts to combat the continual rise in these criminal occurances. However, more often it seems that Police officers are increasingly outgunned and under-manned for such a huge task.

False fight clubs are on the rise, bringing with them a threatening gang mentality, causing violent episodes in various regions within the United States and other parts of the world!

Although, more often in a professional fight the decision may be obvious and a referee has a simple call to make, many times it's not so easy to judge.

Clearly unfair decisions or a bad call can lead to angered suspicions and unrest amongst the fans, it has even led to rioting in the stands! History has even reported homicides between gamblers and mobsters occuring over big losses as a result of a crooked referee ending a fight on a bad call!

Saved from the edge of despair by his "American Gladiators" co-star Laila Ali, Wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan had finally reached his breaking point.

Hogan’s friends and fellow stars of a revival of “American Gladiators” knew of his emotional condition and called to check up on him. He lied and said he was alright, even as he moved closer to actually pulling the trigger.

That’s when his co-star came to his rescue...

Actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" who also had a wide-ranging career in the movies, has been found dead in the Thai capital, Bangkok. A news report said he was found hanged in his hotel room and was intially believed to have committed suicide.

April-19th, 2010: Valero, a respected former championship Boxer, known for having an undefeated fight-record and a noticable tattoo of Hugo Chavez on his chest, was found dead in his jail cell. Attending Police said he hanged himself after being arrested in his wife's murder. Boxing takes in all types: the misfits, the abused, the ones who simply start out on the wrong side of the tracks... but, for all whom the sport provides support and a way of reversing the misfortunes they may have suffered early in their lives, it also has its share of casualties.

From now on, seated passengers should hear "Please fasten your Black-Belts," on airplanes after what happened on US Airways Flight-1447 from Philadelphia to San Francisco when self-overdosed medicinal marijuana cookies consuming patient, passenger Kinman Chan, allegedly began suffering from a severe panic attack after he doubled up on his dose preflight...

It was at this point that veteran flight attendant Lorin Gorman told him to sit down

When I wrote the “Path of the Warrior in Suburbia” for this fine publication there were, of course, a few open ended areas of discussion that were placed there pretty much on purpose. The primary point of that piece was to introduce the discussion of the disturbing state of martial arts training in today's society.

Now, would you like me to continue on with a related topic? I knew that you would...

I was forged to be a professional Timekeeper for an assortment of Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai Kick-Boxing events.

I'm made of metal and, when struck by the hammer of my able partner, I resonate loudly. My voice rings clear above the rest. My timing is absolute.

In most sports, the long road to glory into the Pros usually begins within the Amateur ranks.

An Amateur is generally considered to be an athlete who is not yet able to command financial compensation to compete in his sport of choice, someone often competing out of a serious passion; or a devoted individual simply paying his dues trying to move further up the ladder of success.

Although, professional boxing will always far overshadow it, amateur boxing allows novice fighters to better develop their growing skills and gain vital experience inside the ring.

"It is difficult to associate these horrors with with the proud civilizations that created them: Sparta, Rome, the Knights of Europe, the Samurai...They worshipped strength, because it is strength that makes all other values possible. Nothing survives without it. Who knows what delicate wonders have died out of the world, for want of the strength to survive."

~ Shih Kien as the Evil Han in Enter the Dragon

The author of this feature is an outstanding disciple of Sifu Yip Man, the renowned Chinese master of Wing Chun Gung Fu. In his younger days, already a practiced student of Wing Chun, he befriended a child-actor from his neighborhood named, Bruce Lee.

This will kind of remind you of the old schoolyard argument about who’s dad could beat up who's dad, the only difference is this argument is still taking place all over the martial arts community even today...

There is a reason why there is, I’m told, about an 85% drop out rate of martial arts students…

It all comes down to what the instructor wants to teach and show. “My school=my rules” is definitely a proponent of teachers choosing to keep whatever they feel may work in a curriculum and leaving what doesn’t aside.

Ron Kosakowski, is one of the leading authorities on traditional Filipino weaponry; and is the only individual in America known to teach a complete curriculum on a rare Filipino fighting system called: KunTao Dumag.

Among his many renowned instructors, Ron is a direct student of Guro Dan Inosanto and Sifu Larry Hartsell

Is "Anting-Anting" a reality or simply a myth?

Folklore, the comparative study of folk knowledge and culture, is often created out of the traditional beliefs, practices, legends, and tales of a people, transmitted orally through generations. It is generally a body of widely accepted but specious notions about a specific place, ethnic group, or particular institution that is usually surrounded by a clear set of superstitions.

Throughout the ages, warriors from all around the world have made their weapons of choice...after painstakingly abusive trials and life-threatening errors.

Bruce "Voice of the UFC Octagon" Buffer is a real genuinely sincere type of guy. I always find him to be easily approachable and friendly to all. His naturally silky-smooth speaking voice is quite a contrast compared to his famous booming operatic tambour, which is his trademark that always seems to completely blanket the expansive MMA arena's where his alter-ego calls home.

Within the past decade or so, the term 'MMA' (Mixed-Martial Arts) has practically become a familiar household name, this is due mainly to mainstream organizations like the juggernaut Ultimate Fighting Championships.

What is the reason for the apparent mutual attractions so many of today's female porn star actresses have for certain top male MMA fighters?

You may ask yourself, "What does this increase in sex appeal do for the MMA industry? Does turning up the heat at an MMA event actually help to fill the seats?"

One man's internal struggle with his fish swimming downstream is revealed in this humorous and entertaining article!!!

Orange County, California - Former child actor Skylar Deleon (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) received the death penalty after standing trial for a series of murders in 2004.

It all began soon after the new Tae Kwon Do Academy first opened up right across the boulevard from my already established Muay-Thai Kickboxing Gym...

I figured it was just some "schoolyard" rivalry, until it escalated.

That was the first time I ever really had blood on my hands. Looking back, I have no reasonable excuse for participating in that savage beat-down, but that is how it truly was there for us poor folk in those days. Back then, it was difficult knowing who to trust, who wouldn't stab you in the back with a stolen knife and who was or wasn't running schemes, it was a hard life for every family without enough money to feed so many hungry mouths.

From the time I'd started training in BJJ, I had decided to work more on my physical conditioning by lifting more weights and changing my diet to a healthier regimen. I did begin to gain more muscle mass and seemed to have greater energy, thanks to all of the new supplements I'd begun ingesting. I began to feel stronger than I'd ever been before!

However, I had not considered the embarrassment that soon followed!

There was a time when to become a Black Belt in a specified Martial Arts system really meant something more. It signified a sense of true achievement within oneself, a display of hard-earned accomplishment!

This is a tale of one woman's courage to confront her own mortal fears and discover a way to persevere and move on with her life. Out of my respect for her privacy and her personal request to remain anonymous, it was necessary to change her name in order to tell this story. All else is exactly how I recall her telling it to me and what I experienced by knowing her.

A detailed exploration of the "psyche" of the modern martial artist and the evolutionary path taken since the 1960's until the present day in the world of martial arts. A very a good read!

I'd like to talk about Martial Arts Competitions,

There are many varieties, Traditional Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Mixed-Martial Arts, and what I think can be the most controversial, "Open to All Styles" Competitions.

Kata: is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of physical movements often practiced by either a single individual or in pairs. Kata are used in many traditional Japanese arts, such as theater forms like kabuki and schools of tea ceremony (chad), but are most commonly known for their presence in the martial arts.

Tattoo (ta-too'): a permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars.

Warriors from many cultures have often adorned themselves with a variety of tattoos and body arts.

Krav Maga or Kravmagá, which in Hebrew means "hand to hand combat", is the official self defense system used by the Israel Defense Forces personnel, known in its infancy as Kapap, which means "fighting face to face."

So, you became interested in martial arts at an early age. You've sought out a qualified instructor at a nearby school and proceeded to take enough training there until you've finally received your Black Belt or its equivalent. Over the years, your passion for the arts has become strong enough for you to decide to open up a school of your very own. However, success may not be as easy as you'd wished!

One of the best known arguments in the MMA world is whether or not "traditional" martial arts, or TMA (Such as Kung Fu, Karate, Aikido, Hapkido, etc.), are actually effective in the "real world" and whether they truly do well in a cage match?

I've operated my own Karate school now for three years and the lease is coming due again, but I will not be renewing it. Of course there are many factors for making this decision, including financial ones; however, after a month of contemplation, I have determined that those are not the primary ones...

If you are interested in training in Jeet Kune Do and wish to belong to any organization, be careful with fraud and internal politics!

Much of the confusion related to JKD really refers to the ongoing debate on who is and who is not authorized to teach it and the pursuit of the almighty dollar.

One particular dilemma that many inexperienced fighters are often faced with during a bout is the control of "pain management" under stress.

Learn to control it without allowing it to control you!

I think we need fighters who have the techniques necessary to win in "stand up" fighting or on the ground, but, properly representing themselves as role models to our young fighters who'll help reiterate the importance of having positive values in our lives, which might lead them to be the best people they can possibly be and more complete martial artists. My hope is that some new fighters will eventually come along and better represent these traditional values, more often seen in ancient martial arts systems, in the cage.

"At first it was hard to convince people and companies, everyone was cautious and no one wanted to commit. But like a snowball rolling down hill, it just kept picking up speed, size, and momentum till at times we could barely control it. We were understaffed and working in-human schedules just to make it a reality."

Shoot Wrestling is a popular martial art and combative sport in Japan founded by Satoru Sayama and brought to the United States by former Shoot Wrestling Champion and highest-ranking instructor under Sayama, "Shootist" Yorinaga Nakamura

The following article gives a brief introduction to the world of Shooto and Shoot Wrestling.

I recently sold the martial arts supply store I owned for many years to move on with my goals to become a special education teacher in alternative schools, with at-risk students. The sale was a quick deal and I tried to make the transition as smooth as possible for the new owner.

Commercialism has changed Karate.

Recently, I asserted to some friends on a web forum I frequent that the way that we train in the park might be called; "turning ourselves into the most effective mental, emotional, and 'spiritual' mental & physical tools possible".

If you are an up and coming fighter and have ever lost your composure in the heat of competition, then this is a must read article for you!

The story of an Ex-Fighter's battle with City Hall to get his business back on track. Interesting to see how politics and martial arts don't mix.

I hear it all the time, especially since the birth of the U.F.C. and growing popularity of "No-Holds Barred" fighting competitions. It's generally the same remarks time after time, "Those guys wouldn't last a minute in a real fight." or "They always pull their punches."

In this article AMAM founder Paul Swaim discusses some of the many similarities which exist between learning to play Music and Martial Arts training, even if you have made the connection before, this article will be interesting to you.

Southern California's "Inland Empire" was again ablaze with professional Mixed-Martial Arts! This time it all took place inside a fabulous state-of-the-art venue, which set the stage for an evening of action-packed full contact cage-fighting.

Sparstar Promotions and its associate sponsors recently put on an all-star MMA event at the spacious Quiet Cannon Country Club in Montebello, which is located just a few miles east of downtown Los Angeles. This exciting event's co-promoters; Tony Perez & Tony Padilla (The Two Tony's) really provided some well-planned martial arts entertainment to a nearly sold-out crowd!

On a perfectly clear Southern California Saturday night in mid October; Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA) promoters Todd Meacham and Richard Rasmussen managed to make it look easy once again...

Within the last decade, the rising popularity of Filipino Martial Arts around the world has produced several noteworthy FMA sporting competitions, including the events chronicled here at AMAM.

The WFA Media Day took place at the new Legends MMA Training Gym in Los Angeles, Ca. Legends, operated by noteworthy MMA champions Bas Rutten and Randy Couture, and was filled with a variety of respected martial artists and sports reporters who were polite, yet anxious, for the opportunity to pre-interview some of the fighter's in a comfortable environment prior to the premier WFA King of the Streets MMA event, scheduled to take place the following Saturday at the famous Los Angeles Forum.

This year marked the inaugural Summer Fist MMA Series inside the fairgrounds' Action Sports Grandstand Arena, which is normally known for hosting motorcycle and rodeo events. This special Summer Fist MMA Series, which was co-produced by Roy Englebrecht Events Promotion; sponsored by Budweiser, Orange County Harley Davidson and Capistrano Harley Davidson, proved to be very exciting and highly eventful for all the MMA fans in attendance!

A highly ambitious, but vastly under-sold event, plus public lack of interest
made a recipe for disaster.

Dynamic MMA event held in Ontario, CA sponsored by promoter Eddie Millis of the "Shark Tank" fighting gym, good stuff!!!

Tijuana, Mexico: It was a hot afternoon outside the Baby Rock nightclub where a few hundred people lined up outside to get a glimpse of who is going to be on the Fight-Card for the highly anticipated evening of action. My gym associates and I were all down there South of the Border to support our fighter ...

Promoter Dave Brock really gave a heartfelt apology to everyone, for the last minute cancellation of this highly anticipated event! He promised all those on hand that he planned to reschedule the big show in Costa Mesa and come back again with a TKO for all the fans who were turned away that evening!

This high-profile Mixed-Martial Arts competition featured matched competitors from two highly populated and notorious neighboring areas of sunny Southern California~USA.