- Chuck Liddell
Charles David 'Chuck' Liddell (born December 17 1969 in Santa Barbara, California), also known as "The Iceman" is a mixed martial artist who currently fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Liddell has an extensive background in Kickboxing and collegiate wrestling. He is associated with the Pit team and recently earned a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. - Steven Seagal
Steven Seagal is a movie star, mor specifically an action movie star. The public has long since stopped believing in the movie star as moral paragon, but an odd residue of affectionate respect clings to action stars, probably because they're men of brawn-over-brain, seemingly incapable of the treachery, duplicity, and calculation associated with intelligence. Action heroes, whatever their personal flaws, benefit more than other movie stars from the mythical figures they portray. - Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie, born November 20, 1958) is a martial artist and a mixed martial arts fighter who holds a 7th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion Gracie, and half-brother to Royce Gracie and Royler Gracie. He was the winner of the Vale Tudo Japan tournament in 1994 and 1995. - Nick Diaz
Nicholas Robert Diaz (born August 2, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He is a former WEC and IFC Welterweight champion. He has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and currently fights in the PRIDE Fighting Championships and Elite Xtreme Combat. Diaz was promoted to black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Cesar Gracie on May 8, 2007. - Joe Lewis
Joe Lewis is an American kickboxer and point Karate fighter whose success in the ring in the 1960s and 1970s is still legendary. He has twice been voted the greatest fighter in karate history, and has attained the titles of "World Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion," "World Heavyweight Karate Champion," and "United States National Black Belt Kata Champion." Joe Lewis studied Shorin-ryu Karate with Eizo Shimabuku, … - Ryan Gracie
Ryan Gracie (pronounced "Hyan"; born August 14, 1974) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter, who holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a member of the Gracie family, and is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The PRIDE organization bills Ryan as the "bad boy" of the family who reputedly gained experience fighting in the streets of Brazil. - Carlos Gracie Jr.
Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie, Jr. is a 7<sup>th</sup> degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) under his late father Carlos Gracie, the founder of the art. He started the Gracie Barra Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is head of the Gracie Barra, one of the largest and most successful worldwide BJJ associations. - Rigan Machado
Rigan Machado is an 8th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu earning his rank under Carlos Gracie Jr. He is a former Jiu-Jitsu world champion and a veteran of the ADCC. He currently teaches out of his California Academy. - Ralph Gracie
Ralph Gracie (pronounced "Halph") is a Brazilian martial artist. Like other members of the Gracie family, he competed in mixed martial arts. Upon retirement, Gracie held a record of six wins (against tomato cans), one loss (against a professional fighter, Ralph got KTFO) in sanctioned fights. He holds a third degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and operates a series of martial arts academies in California. - Pedro Sauer
Pedro Sauer is a 6th Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Rickson Gracie and considered by some as the "most technical instructor in the world." On May 17 2005, he was named "Best of the Best BJJ Instructor" in a worldwide poll conducted by the renowned Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC). - Donn F. Draeger
Donald "Donn" Frederick Draeger (April 15 1922 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - October 20 1982 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) was an expert practitioner of Asian martial arts and author of related books, having lived and trained in Asia for decades. Draeger held the rank of Captain during peace time and Major during war time in the United States Marine Corps. His tombstone reflects his peace time rank of Captain. He spent several decades of his life in the Pacific area and Japan, … - Rorion Gracie
Rorion Gracie is a martial artist and a prominent member of the Gracie family. He is the oldest son of Hélio Gracie, and is one of few people to hold a 9th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He was one of the founders of the Ultimate Fighting Championship - Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks (b. September 1, 1955) is a fitness guru, martial artist, actor, and the inventor of Tae Bo. Blanks was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, the fourth of fifteen children. As a child he suffered from undiagnosed dyslexia. Blanks began his study of the martial arts at the age of fourteen. He quickly excelled, winning several local, state, and national championships. He emerged as a seven-time world Karate champion, and holds a seventh-degree black belt in tae kwon do. - Remy Presas
Remy Amador Presas was the founder of Modern Arnis, perhaps the most popular Filipino martial art in the world. Born in the Philippines, he moved to the United States in the 1970s. There he taught his art principally via seminars and camps. He also authored several books and videos/DVDs concerning his art. He was born on December 19, 1936, in the town of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Philippines, the son of Jose B. Presas, a businessman, and the former Lucia Amador. - Artur Davis
Artur Genestre Davis (b. October 9 1967), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing, a district created under the Voting Rights Act to be black-majority, and which includes the rural black belt. It encompasses the counties of Choctaw, Sumter, Greene, Perry, Hale, Dallas, Wilcox, and Marengo. It also includes parts of Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Pickens and Clarke Counties. - Ernie Reyes Jr.
Ernest E. Reyes, Jr. (born January 15 1972) is an American actor. - Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith is an American martial arts instructor, best known as the former seven-time PKA World Light Heavy Weight Karate Champion. One of his title defense matches was on the undercard for the Ali vs. Frazier "Thrilla in Manila." He currently operates a martial arts school in Virginia where he teaches Tae Kwon Do, in which he holds a 9th degree black belt. - Benny Urquidez
Benny Urquidez (born June 20, 1952) is an American kickboxer, martial arts choreographer and actor. Nicknamed The Jet, Urquidez was a non-contact karate competitor who later pioneered full-contact fighting in the USA. He made the transition from point to full-contact karate in 1974 - the year of its inception in the US - frequently fighting in bouts where the rules were ambiguous and contrasts in styles were dramatic. - Steve Arneil
Hanshi Steve Arneil (born in Krugersdorp, Transvaal, South Africa, on 29 August 1934) is the President and founder of the International Federation of Karate. At the age of 10, his family moved to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and there he began training in Judo. At the age of seventeen he became a black belt in Judo, and also practiced both Kenpo and Karate. Around the age of 25, Arneil moved to Durban, South Africa, … - Hidetaka Nishiyama
Hidetaka Nishiyama is a Japanese Shotokan karate instructor. Japanese-American karate master, author, administrator and pioneer Born in Tokyo, Japan he started kendo training in 1933, followed by judo training in 1938. In 1943, he began training in Shotokan karate at the hombu dojo under its founder, Funakoshi Gichin. By 1946 he had his black belt in karate and by 1948, he would have his second dan. Two years later, while enrolled at Takushoku University, … - Wallid Ismail
Wallid Ismail (born February 23, 1968) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter, promoter, He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlson Gracie, and is an IVC mixed martial arts world champion and eight-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion. Ismail is perhaps best known for holding Jiu-Juitsu tournament wins over four Gracie family members, including a stunning victory over BJJ legend Royce Gracie, choking him unconscious in less than 5 minutes.. - Ricardo de la Riva
Ricardo de la Riva is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is most famous for inventing the de la Riva Guard. He was voted one of the five top BJJ players in the world by "Gracie Magazine". De La Riva received his black belt from Carlson Gracie and is also well known for having beaten Royce Gracie in a BJJ tournament. Also called the Jello Guard by Carlson Gracie before his untimely death it opens up many avenues for submissions and sweeps. - Howard Jackson
Howard E. Jackson (1951 - 7 March 2006) was a noted American kickboxer, point Karate fighter, and professional boxer. He was born in 1951 in Detroit, Michigan, the oldest of four children; two brothers died violent deaths, and his parents died early as well, leaving only Howard and his sister Corliss. He began studying Kung Fu in 1967, switching to Tang Soo Do soon after, and earning his black belt in 1970 from Hwang Kee. - Egan Inoue
Egan Inoue is an American racquetball player who has won two world championships. He has also competed internationally in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At the 1986 World Racquetball Championship in Orlando, Florida, he defeated Roger Harripersad of Canada 15-2, 7-15, and 15-7. Then four years later in 1990 he won the championship again over Tim Doyle (USA) by the scores of 13-15, 15-13, and 15-5. In 1989, Inoue had a 50 percent ownership in E-Force, a racquetball equipment company. - Vitor Ribeiro
Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (born November 2, 1978 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Master and mixed martial artist (record: 19-1-0). Vitor Ribeiro is an extremely accomplished grappler. He has won the CBJJ Mundials (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship) 4 times. Once, as a purple belt in 1996, and three times as a black belt, in three consecutive years (1999, 2000, and 2001). He has competed in the ADCC World Championship in 2000 and 2003. - Rener Gracie
Rener Gracie (b November 10, 1983) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competitor. He earned his black belt the same day as his brother and also competed in the Southern California Pro-Am Invitational. He was the only one of 16 competitors to wear a gi in this gi-optional tournament and managed to take first place after submitting all of his opponents including 2004 BJJ World Champion Cassio Werneck and King of the Cage Champion Joe Stevenson. - Jack Hoban
Jack Hoban is a former active duty US Marine Corps Captain and "subject matter expert" for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). He is a long-time practitioner of martial arts and "Shidoshi" (senior instructor) in the Bujinkan system under headmaster Masaaki Hatsumi in Japan. He became fully qualified as a senior Bujinkan instructor by passing the 5th degree black belt test in 1985. He received a 10th dan in May of 1996. - Ryron Gracie
Ryron Gracie (born December 1, 1981) is an American jujutsu fighter and teacher specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is the eldest son of Rorion Gracie and lives and teaches at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. Ryron received his black belt from the hands of his grandfather, Grand Master Helio Gracie after winning the first Annual International Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Federation Open Championship in 2003. - Tim Hartman
Tim Hartman (b 1965) is a practitioner of the Filipino martial art of Modern Arnis and Balintawak, and the president of the World Modern Arnis Alliance (WMAA). In 2000 he tested for his 6th degree black belt at the Michigan summer camp, making him the highest tested rank in the U.S. under Remy Presas, founder of Modern Arnis. He was granted the title "Datu", or chieftain, by Presas shortly thereafter. Mr. Hartman is very active on the seminar circuit, … - Doug Rogers
Douglas ("Doug") Rogers (born January 26, 1941 in Truro, Nova Scotia) was a Canadian Olympic competitor in judo. His best-known achievements are a silver medal in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and gold medals at two Pan American Games, in 1965 and 1967. He was a student of Masahiko Kimura, perhaps one of the greatest judo competitors ever. As a member of the Takushoku University team coached by Kimura, … - Angi Uezu
Angi Uezu (January 3, 1935 -) is the founder of one of the major Isshin-ryu karate organizations, the Okinawan Isshin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Association (O.I.K.K.A., founded in 1990), and its former head. He is the son-in-law of the system's founder, Shimabuku Tatsuo, and a 9th degree black belt. He was born in Chiyaranka City on the island of Saipan. He married Yukiko Shimabuku (d. August 5, 2006), the third daughter of Shimabuku Tatsuo, with whom he had a son. - Teruyuki Okazaki
Teruyuki Okazaki (b June 22, 1931), a ninth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, is the founder, chairman and chief instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), which functions under the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Along with Funakoshi and Nakayama, Okazaki helped found the JKA Instructor training program. Okazaki has published a book on his experiences titled "Perfection of Character". Teruyuki Okazaki was born in Fukuoka prefecture Japan. - Takayuki Mikami
Takayuki Mikami (1933-present) is an eighth degree black belt in the martial art of shotokan karate. He is also Regional Director of the South Region of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF). Notably, in 1958 he tied for first place in the "All Japan Karate Championships". The following year, in 1959, Mikami became the All Japan champion in kumite as well as in kata. In 1961, Mikami won first in kata again. - Eric S. Raymond
Eric Steven Raymond (born December 4, 1957), often referred to as ESR, is a computer programmer, author and advocate for the open source movement. His reputation within hacker culture was established when he became the maintainer of the "Jargon File". After the 1997 publication of "The Cathedral and the Bazaar", Raymond became a high-profile representative of the open source movement, and is today one of its most recognized and controversial characters. - Ridgely Abele
Ridgely Abele began his Karatedo and Kobudo training in 1964 in Miami, Florida, under the direction of Hanshi John Pachivas then later under Hanshi Robert Trias. In 1971, he was certified to teach Karatedo and Kobudo and in 1982, Grandmaster Robert A. Trias appointed Kyoshi Abele as Chief Instructor of Shuri-ryu. He travels, trains and teaches extensively throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong & China. - Keith Vitali
Keith Vitali began his martial arts career at the University Of South Carolina in 1971 and it only took two years for Mr. Vitali to earn his 1st degree Black Belt. Keith began competing in regional tournaments, then moved on to major events throughout the United States, then the world. Before he was done, Keith was named World Karate Champion one time, and US National Karate point Champion 3 consecutive years. (1978-1980). - Phillip Rhee
Phillip Rhee is a Korean-American actor and director, most famous for his role in the Best of the Best movie series. Rhee is also famous for holding ranks of 6th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 3rd degree black belt in Hap Ki Do and a 1st degree black belt in Kendo. He currently lives in the Los Angeles vicinity and is working on a screenplay - Marcio Simas
Marcio Simas is a 5<sup>th</sup> degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Gracie, Jr. and the head of Gracie Barra Orlando and the Florida Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Marcio began training in the 1970s at Rolls Gracie's Copacabana academy is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he received his blue and purple belts. After Rolls' untimely death in 1982, Marcio moved to the Gracie Humaitá academy where he earned his brown belt from Rickson Gracie. - Hideyuki Ashihara
Hideyuki Ashihara (December 5, 1944--April 24, 1995) was a Japanese martial artist who founded the Ashihara karate system in 1980. This Karate style is based on Kyokushin Karate. He was born near Hiroshima and raised by his grandparents in the small village of Nomicho. He began studying Kendo at the age of 10. In 1960, when he was 15 years old, he moved to Tokyo where he worked for the next six years at a gas station. - Eduardo de Lima
Eduardo "Veio" de Lima is a 3<sup>rd</sup> degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) under Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie, Jr. and the head of Gracie Barra Tampa. He has won several gold medals in the black belt divisions at the Pan American Championships. Eduardo began training in BJJ at age nineteen after his friend Renzo Gracie recommended he try a class at the Gracie Barra Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For the first two years, he studied under Jean Jacques Machado, …
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