Martial Artists who contributed to fighting and promotion of our sports competition

[Grandpa Troll]

I wanted to help educate and spur some conversation.

I'll astart with an old school favorite of mine:

Benny The Jet 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. Between 1974 and 1993, he amassed a record of 58-0-0 (win-loss-draw) with 49 knockouts and three controversial no-contests (The Star System Computer Ratings listed Urquidez as 56-1-1, 47 knockouts in 1984 & 1985). On his own official webpage, Urquidez lists his record as 63-0, with 57 knockouts. Black Belt Magazine voted Urquidez "Fighter of the Year" in 1978.

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[Asher]

Benny and the Jets

[Grandpa Troll]

Bill "Superfoot" Wallace

Bill Wallace retired as the undefeated Professional Karate Association (PKA) Middleweight Champion after defeating Bill Biggs in a 12-round bout in June 1980. The victory, Wallace's 23rd straight, signaled the end to an illustrious 15-year career in tournament and full contact fighting.

Known to the karate world simply as "Superfoot," symbolic of his awesome left leg, which was once clocked in excess of 60 mph, Wallace left a string of battered and bruised bodies along the martial arts fighting trail.

He used his foot as others would use their hands, faking opponents with two or three rapid fake kicks and following with one solid knockout technique. His power was amazing, his precision astounding.

Wallace, a 5-foot, 10 1/2 inch native of Portland, Ind., began studying karate in February 1967 after suffering a right leg injury in a judo accident. The injury left him without the use of the leg in karate competition. Some observers said Wallace was committing martial arts suicide. Wallace, however, had other ideas.

In the next seven years, "Superfoot," named after his manager saw an advertisement for a "super foot long hot dog" at a sporting event, dominated the point-tournament circuit.

As a national champion point fighter three years in a row, Wallace captured virtually every major event on the tournament circuit. The more prestigious victories included: the U.S. Championships (3 times), the USKA Grand Nationals (3 times), and the Top Ten Nationals (2 times).

He was such as dominant figure in martial arts that Black Belt magazine, the bible of industry publications, named him to its Hall of Fame three times in seven years -- twice as "Competitor of the Year" and once as "Man of the Year."

In 1973, Wallace, whose education includes a bachelor's degree (1971) in physical education from Ball State University and a master's degree (1976) in kinesiology (the study of human movement) from Memphis State University, suffered what many considered a career-ending injury. However, one of Wallace's friends, the late Elvis Presley, flew in a Los Angeles acupuncturist to treat the Karate champion at Graceland Manor.

A year later, Wallace turned professional and captured the PKA middleweight karate championship with a second-round knockout (hook kick) of West German Bernd Grothe in Los Angeles. He relinquished the crown in 1980, undefeated and respected around the world.

Despite his retirement, Wallace continues to be one of the martial arts most popular figures. He is the author of three books: Karate: Basic Concepts & Skills, Dynamic Kicking & Stretching, and The Ultimate Kick.

As well as a former member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness, Wallace also has been active in the film industry.

His credits include : A Force of One with Chuck Norris; Kill Point, with Cameron Mitchell; Continental Divide and Neighbors, with John Belushi, whom he acted as trainer and bodyguard; Protector, with Jackie Chan; A Prayer for the Dying,with Mickey Rourke; Ninja Turf; and A sword of Heaven.

[Grandpa Troll]

Jean Yves Theriault

Thériault began his martial arts training in 1972, achieving blue belt status in jujutsu. He won his first Kickboxing competition in 1976 after only six months of training under the direction of Kyoshi John Therien, and subsequently became Canadian Middleweight Kickboxing Champion two and a half years later.[citation needed] In 1980 he won the title of the World Middleweight Kickboxing Champion, and held the championship for a record of 15 years.[citation needed]

He has been often referred to as "The Iceman", a nickname given to him due to his intimidating icy stare and his cool demeanour in the ring.[citation needed]

Since he became a champion, Thériault has worked with many groups and charities, such as, the Big Brothers, Children's Wish Foundation, Laucan.[citation needed] He is author of a book on kickboxing techniques and has a series of video cassettes on the science of combat sports. He is the subject of an hour and a half film produced by the National Film Board. He was voted Athlete of the Decade by the Sports Writers Association of his home province, New Brunswick. However, the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame still will not induct him into their ranks after several attempts by friends.

Since his retirement on December 1st, 1995, (a 3rd Round Knockout of Marcus Reid) Jean-Yves still trains 5 days a week and teaches classes exclusively at all Therien Jiu-Jitsu & Kickboxing Schools. He is a role model for all Martial Artists today; he is humble, honest and down to earth. He is a devoted father and a friend to all of his students.

Today, Jean-Yves has also become a world-class promoter for the sport of kickboxing. With the aid of his friend Kyoshi John Therien, he is giving new, young fighters the opportunity to realize their dreams in the “Iceman Amateur Kickboxing Circuit.” He is a true ambassador for the sport giving back so other ambitious athletes can realize their dreams.

If it’s kickboxing in Canada, its “The Iceman” Jean-Yves Theriault.

Jean-Yves Theriault finally obtained his Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu in early 2008.


[edit] Career
Professional Record

76 fights :: 69 Wins :: 6 losses :: 1 draw :: [61 Knockouts]

[Grandpa Troll]

When I was actively competiting, Theriault was such a consumate professional.

I incorporated his front leg snap kick into my repitoire

He was such a gentleman and extremly dangerous opponent.

I think he was a tax collector in maybe Ottawa

His contributions to the sport of PKA helped pave the way to ISKA and then K-1.

Eventually, the Octagon and UFC took front and center, but without these early stars, we perhaps would never have seen such popularity.

A few other such as Joe Corley,Joe Lewis,Jeff Smith. Jerry Rhome,Badrad Hefton, Jerry "Golden Boy" Tremble and Rick "The Jet" Roufus also helped blaze the trail.

The Youtube section has great fights but some are very grainy, making a little difficult to see.

I have something like 16 hours of fights from mid 1980's which was the heyday of PKA public promotion, including many all weekend tournaments with point fighting and demonstrations of weaponry mastery culminating in several nite fights.

[Zopperoni]

ANGEL "BOOM HEADSHOT" MATOS

Ángel Valodia Matos, 31, charged at the referee, Chakir Chelbat of Sweden, after Chelbat disqualified him for taking too long in an injury timeout. Matos angrily pushed another judge, ran at Chelbat and kicked him, and spit on the mat as he was grabbed and ushered out of the arena by security.

[Asher]

The ref looks like a chipmunk. He deserved it.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Asher
The ref looks like a chipmunk. He deserved it.

No, any competitor that attacks a referee should be banned for life!

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Zopperoni
ANGEL "BOOM HEADSHOT" MATOS

Ángel Valodia Matos, 31, charged at the referee, Chakir Chelbat of Sweden, after Chelbat disqualified him for taking too long in an injury timeout. Matos angrily pushed another judge, ran at Chelbat and kicked him, and spit on the mat as he was grabbed and ushered out of the arena by security.

Well, he did bring attention to Olympic Tae Kwon Do..albeit in a negative connotation.

Cheap Shot artists miss out on the essence of true Tae Kwon Do..

He missed the Tenets....Courtesy,Integrity,Perseverance,Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit

But each man must give an account..his in this case is a pure form of missing the true essence of this art form.

[Asher]

It was a chipmunk impersonating a referee.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Asher
It was a chipmunk impersonating a referee.

Was it a snuggly chipmunk?

[Tuberski]

Originally posted by Asher
The ref looks like a chipmunk. He deserved it.

He didn't before the kick to the face.

ACK!