[MonroeDNA]

In Black Belt magazine, around 15 years ago, a small add apeared in the back.

It issued a challenge: a no-rules fight until the loser gives up or is dead. Winner gets 100k.

The add raised a storm, and martial artists protested. Bad for the industry, etc.

Secretly they were scared.

The challenge was by Gracie Ju-Jitsu, the amazing family from Brazill. It led to The Ultimate Fighting Contest. Where the Gracies won the first few years. UFC 1, 2, 3 available at blockbuster.

Never got beyond green belt in Aikido, Tae Kwan Do, or Gojo-Ru (Okinaowan "hard" Karate). Learned to shoot & carry instead.

Gojo-Ru made us break boards in mid air, with fist. Tough on the knuckles.

[4Freedom]

I can empathize. Martial Arts like Tae Kwan Do and Gojo-Ru are hard on the body. You pay for all of that abuse later on in life.

I tried Shoto-Kan Karate and Tae Kwan Do before I found Kali.

Not that I don't agree that it's great to have a gun, but there are many times when just a stick will do.