Custodian to a Legacy:

Certified 2nd Generation Jun Fan Gung Fu / Jeet Kune Do Full Instructor Sifu Paul S. Lewis

Sifu Larry Hartsell and Sifu Paul S. Lewis

Interview by Richard Bennett, AMAM

AMAM: What do you think of the about the continually growing popularity of MMA ?

PSL: I think it’s great! It’s healthy for the sport. It has a positive effect on all forms of martial arts around the globe.

PSL: Getting all the promoters and MMA organizations to be legally sanctioned helped it to gain a very solid foothold here in California. Its revenue’s have grown as a result!

AMAM: What would you say is the biggest problem in MMA right now? How about the best aspect of the sport today?

PSL: Well … some would likely say that where there’s potential big bucks, corruption may soon rear its ugly head!

I can say that today’s evolved MMA is giving many young fighters a fair chance to get out there and really compete and gain some recognition. Undoubtedly, it has given many championship fighters rewarding and good-paying careers.

AMAM: Who do you think is the best pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world right now and why?

PSL: My choice constantly changes along with the influx of newer talent. More than one.

AMAM: As a fan, what impresses you most about watching martial arts in action, and what do you think about the effect of MMA on the interest in martial arts training around the world?

PSL: Well … I’m interested in learning more about the bio-mechanics involved in the human body relating to the execution of martial arts techniques. Learning more about this seems to help me discover more potential, and limitations, within my own body. It enlightens me to better understand it.

The first effect that MMA has generated is the awareness. People can now witness what may really work for different fighters.

It may help those training to have more insight towards themselves and their own training approaches.

AMAM: As a skilled trainer, what can you say about how the sport is being taught today?

PSL: I think it’s being taught very well in most camps. The effective knowledge base has now had enough time to become more widespread and readily available.

AMAM: What do you think about the different/coaches/training teams out there, which one is most impressive to you?

PSL: Gokor Chivichyan trains some very tough fighters. His team win 95% of all their fights. Gokor is the best ever!

AMAM: How are things at Juanito Ibarra's new WORLD CLASS MMA / BOXING GYM going for you these days? What is the ultimate goal there?

PSL: I have more students there now. I was able to certify two of my students as Beginner Level JKD instructors this summer.

The gym has been working hard to develop worthy MMA fighters. The intention is to have them ready to compete next year.

AMAM: What’s the most important thing a fighter can do to prepare for a fight?

Besides all your regular training, I’d have a fighter seriously step up on the cardio and conditioning in preparation for a fight.

There is nothing worse than having plenty of ability, but no more gas in the tank… it freaks a lot of fighters out!

AMAM: What elements of martial arts are misunderstood or under taught in MMA training?

PSL: Good question. From my humble opinion, based on my Jeet Kune Do background, I’d like to see some more Trapping going on in MMA. Not the traditionally taught Wing Chun-styled version, but, more the modified Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do stuff. I teach it the way Larry Hartsell it taught to me. This consists mainly of what Bruce Lee taught him. Intercept, tie up, hit hard and often! Trapping-Range is where a lot of serious damage can occur, I say this because it works well when accompanied by the proper footwork and some complimentary grappling knowledge. It might help to save a lot of N.H.B. Cage Fighters from receiving so many unfortunate hits when in-fighting.

PSL: Perhaps because Bruce Lee only kept rather small groups of students, some of the original techniques he used may have become lost or diluted over time. To an extent, the specific training information he taught directly to his 1st generation students may no longer be as clear today. Just like if I tell you a story today, you tell someone else and they tell someone else, on and on down generations...the information is bound to become a bit reinterpreted over time. Though some revisions can be truly worthwhile, certain bio-mechanics remain certain. I have found Trapping being taught ineffectively in most schools I've visited. This might be because Trapping takes practice, lots of it, to get it right in genuine action. Most give up on it long before they learn the true beauty of it.

PSL: Any technique is a good one if I’m able to execute it thoroughly. I do favor my direct JKD training, but have always been an avid cross-trainer of mixed-martial arts and I also have black belts in other systems. Instead of relying on a limited amount of possibilities, I try to flow fluidly into my increasing personal arsenal, allowing techniques to instantly come to me as needed.

AMAM: Who were your martial arts role models growing up? How did you first get into martial arts?

PSL: The first influence for me as a kid was not Bruce Lee. Before I know of him I saw the movie “Billy Jack” with Tom Laughlin. Wow, that was pretty cool Hapkido on the big screen in English, man! Soon, I began looking for teaching sources and got myself started.

PSL: My first fighting experience was in the schoolyards and neighborhoods. Once I learned I was fast, I became a bit of a young bully to those who’d dare mock me for being a bit of a “rocker” in school. It wasn’t until my teens when I discovered tournaments and sporting competitions. Later, I got into amateur Kickboxing. Back in the day, I also fought in some wild No-Holds Barred (Long before the UFC) matches in rough warehouses in San Pedro and in Chicago, during the early 1980's. Those few in attendance said my fights were spectacular…I did win them all in the early seconds of the 1st Rounds. However, I think the biggest purse was only 100 dollars! Later, in the 1990's I continued my winning streak in various competitions, only losing once, and finally retired 14-1. I have always been bold. I think it was my defiant attitude that got me into bloody street fights throughout my youth … but, I have mellowed greatly with age.

AMAM: As a matter of style, do you prefer a more power-driven approach, or are you more of a tactician? Would you classify yourself as a brawler or a boxer, a striker or a grappler?

PSL: Yes. (Laughs) In JKD we learn to flow from one fighting-range into another at will…that’s my goal. In the introduction of “King of the Ring” by Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, he talks about the differences of being a checkers or chess player when confronted with an opponent…great stuff by someone who knows and has proven it! However, both are good too. I try to emphasize the importance of all five fingers on both hands…one finger for kicking, one for punching, one for grappling, and still another for Trapping. Plus, one thumb to enable them all. All ranges of combat should be thoroughly addressed.

PSL: Good! I’m lucky to have taken so many Private training sessions with my Sifu Larry Hartsell! Hartsell was a renowned student and friend of Bruce Lee's. Training with Larry was like learning guitar from a virtuoso like Eddie Van Halen or taking piano lesson from someone as accomplished as Elton John, simply amazing! He made me into a better instructor, martial artist and overall person. So, now I can pass some of his extensive martial arts knowledge to my own students. I am eternally grateful to him! I'm also extremely fortunate to have become a devoted student and good friend to “Judo” Gene LeBell and Gokor Chivichyan. I learn so much from both of them! Being able to train with the “Godfather of Grappling” is an honor, and Gokor is the very best ever...I'm totally indebted to them! My aim is to help carry on their great legacy.

PSL: I can tell you, Gene is a helluva character and one of the kindest people I know. I've also studied some with Richard Bustillo and Paul Vunak.

AMAM: Sifu, you've trained with some of the most respected martial arts minds I know. Thanks for introducing me to Sifu Larry Hartsell, Sensei Gene Lebell, Sensei Gokor Chivichyan and Sifu Richard Bustillo.

Thank you Sifu Lewis for taking the time to allow me to conduct this interview with you...good luck with AMAM-MAGAZINE.COM and all of your endeavors!

To learn more about JKD / MMA training with Sifu Paul S. Lewis, please see the links below: