Dan Inosanto (USA)

Dan InosantoGrand Master weapon instructor of the year

Dan Inosanto began training in martial arts at the age of 11 receiving instruction from his uncle who first taught him traditional Okinawan Karate and later also Judo and Jujutsu. He was a student of Ed Parker, from whom he received a shodan rank in American Kenpo. Inosanto is one of three people who have been appointed to teach at one of the three Jun Fan Gung Fu Institutes under Bruce Lee; Taky Kimura and James Yimm Lee are the other two people. Inosanto studied with different martial arts masters elsewhere in the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe, including Johnny Lacoste, and Chai Sirisute. After Bruce Lee's death, Inosanto became the principal spokesperson and historian for Jeet Kune Do. He has had minor roles in a number of films, including Bruce Lee's uncompleted last film Game of Death (1972). During this time period (1964–75), he also taught physical education at Malaga Cove Intermediate School in Palos Verdes Estates, California.

The film I Am Bruce Lee provided Inosanto an opportunity to reveal a little-known fact about the friendship the two men shared. Inosanto was teacher to Bruce Lee, introducing him to nunchaku. Inosanto explained that he introduced the weapon to Lee, taught him the basics and some exercises to get him started on his weapons training. The Game of Death movie, one of the most recognizable of the Bruce Lee films, showcases the use of the nunchaku by Lee and Inosanto. He is featured as the Black Belt Magazine's 1996 "Man of the Year".

Inosanto holds Instructor or black belt level ranks in several martial arts. He is known for promoting the Filipino Martial Arts. He is responsible for bringing several obscure forms of the South East Asia Martial Arts into the public eye such as Silat, a hybrid combative form existing in such countries as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. He has recently acquired his black belt in the Machado family style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He trained Shoot wrestling under Yorinaga Nakamura. Currently he is the vice-president of Lameco International, carrying on the Eskrima of the late Filipino martial artist Edgar Sulite.

Notable students

Inosanto teaches The Art and Philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Shoot wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Eskrima, Muay Thai, Silat, mixed martial arts and other arts at his Marina del Rey, California school, the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts.

Dan Inosanto's notable students include

MMA Team Gladiator Dubrovnik

MMA Gladiator Team DubrovnikMartial Arts Team of the Year

MMA Gladiator Team Dubrovnik is one of the best croatian MMA teams, actual croatian champions in MMA, and they also compete in other different style (grappling, judo, kickboxing, BJJ, etc.). The founder and head couch Maro Perak is also one of the best croatian MMA fighters with impressive carrer in russian M-1 promotion. Members of this very popular and famous martial arts team from Dubrovnik are Ante Delija, Kristijan Perak, Antun Račić, etc.

Predrag Znaor, prof. (Croatia)

Predrag ZnaorDedication to the martial arts

He start train martial arts in Budokai Club Rijeka during 1976, and continue with karate and full contact.

During 1994 he start train kickboxing as a founder of KBK "Malinska", 1996 he became a vicepresident of Croatian kickboxing association, member of WAKO, 1998 he get a referee license.

From 2000-2010 he was a president of Croatian kickboxing association with a great results - his daughter Ana Znaor (multiple national, european and world champion) and others champions - Roland Conar, Marko Desa, Zvonimir Gribl, Sead Pejmanović, Pero Gazilj).

Mohamadhadi Nasiri (Iran)

Mohamadhadi NasiriDedication to the martial arts

Mohamaedhadi Nasiri is founder and head couch of International Dokando Federation and master of combat jujitsu. He is a very popular and respected instructor of martial arts - jujitsu and well known around the Persia and Asia with a huge number of own dojos and students.

Ray Sefo (USA/NZ)

Ray SefoMartial Arts Legend

Sefo had an impressive unbeaten record as an amateur and a professional in the Oceania kickboxing league. Early in his career Sefo trained at Balmoral Lee Gar gym alongside Jason Suttie, Jayson Vemoa, Doug Viney, John Conway and his brother Rony Sefo.

Some would say his fight against Andre Manaart was his first major challenge on the world stage. In this fight he overwhelmed Manaart with devastating speed and elusive footwork, knocking him down on numerous occasions. In the ring after the fight, Manaart took the microphone and said "...you should call him Sugarfist, not Sugarfoot"...

His first major breakthrough was becoming a WKA Cruiserweight Champion, after which he also acted as a sparring partner for fellow New Zealander David Tuawhen Tua first returned to New Zealand for a fight after turning pro.

Ray made his K-1 debut against future four-time World Grand Prix Champion, Ernesto Hoost. Sefo held his own against the much more experienced Hoost, but was finally knocked out in the 4th round by a leg kick. Sefo gained respect for standing up to such an elite fighter in just his first fight.

Sefo gained more respect in his third K-1 fight where he knocked out K-1 legend Jerome Lebanner in round 1. Sefo's hard right hand was enough to break the Frenchmans jaw in four places.

Sefo had an up down first few years in the K-1, unable to make it past the quarter finals in the K-1 World Grand Prix against the likes of Sam Greco and Andy Hug. In 2000 he made it to the WGP final after knocking out Japanese star Musashi and French kickboxer Cyril Abidi before losing again to Hoost.

In 2002 he defeated Dutch legend Peter Aerts in the quarter finals but lost again to his nemesis Hoost in the semi finals.

In 2007, he was thought to be a legitimate challenger to dethrone four-time World Grand Prix Champion Semmy Schilt for the new Super Heavyweight title. In Round 1, Sefo became only the second man in history to knock Schilt down. However, he would go on to lose by KO in the second round.

He went on to lose five more fights and would not find the winners circle again till he beat Hong Man Choi, Yosuke Nishijima and Ionut Iftimoaie all by decision.

He was then asked to fight at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16 on ten days notice against Tyrone Spong. Ray put up a decent fight for a short preparation but was beaten by decision. At the moment Ray is unsure about whether he will continue to fight in the K-1, though he is still considered one of the sport's oldest and still entertaining fighters.

In mid February 2011 he had his third MMA fight in a reserve fight for the Strikeforce Heavyweight tournament. He fought Valentijn Overeem, brother of Alistair Overeem, the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix champion. Overeem had 50 MMA fights behind him and beat Sefo by submission in the first round. Sefo's striking on the feet looked good, but as an inexperienced grappler he lost early on by neck crank.

World Series Of Fighting

Sefo is the current president of the World Series of Fighting and has inked a deal with NBC Sports to air 8 to 10 events for the network.On 15 May 2013, WSOF announced a 4-man tournament to crown an Inaugural Middleweight Champion. One Semi Final fight will take place at WSOF 4 & the other will take place at WSOF 5. The participants announced are as followed: Jesse Taylor, Elvis Mutapcic, David Branch & Danillo Villefort.On 12 June 2013, WSOF president Ray Sefo announced he will return to fighting at this event.[6] At WSOF 3, Sefo announced that he will be facing Dave Huckaba.[7] The two fought at World Series of Fighting 4 on 10 August 2013. Sefo lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Titles

  • 2000 K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Runner Up.
  • 1997 WKA World Super Heavyweight World champion.
  • 1996 WMTF World Heavyweight champion.
  • 1996 ISKA World Super Cruiserweight Champion.
  • 1995 ISKA World Cruiserweight Champion
  • 1994 ISKA World Light Cruiserweight Champion.
  • 1992 WMTF World Light Heavyweight Champion.
  • 1992 South Pacific Cruiserweight Champion.
  • 1991 New Zealand Cruiserweight Champion.
  • 1990 New Zealand Heavyweight Champion.

MMA accomplishments

Hero's

  • Superfight winner at K-1 Hero's 2

Retirement, Life Beyond Fighting, and Personal Life

On an interview in April 2015, Ray Sefo said "I actually made a promise to myself that this year will be my last year. He has not fought since losing a MMA bought against Dave Huckaba in the WSOF cage.Sefo is the current president of the MMA promotion World Series of Fighting.He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and continues to train out of Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts.

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