Local MMA Fighter Arrested in Decapitation Case

A tragic case from beginning to end

I am pretty confident that neither mixed martial arts (MMA, cage fighting) nor Islam has anything to do with this awful and tragic case from London, UK. I am also pretty confident it has a lot to do with mental and/or drug related issues.

When you have a suspect that evidently has been overheard shouting "The cats have stolen my lighter" as he hacked a poor cat to pieces with the edged weapon, it seems pretty obvious we are dealing with a very disturbed individual.

Other reports claim the suspect had ambitions to become a cage fighter, but that he had gone off the rails and was known locally for dealing drugs.

Still, the media will probably have a field day if it turns out the murderer who decapitated an 82-year-old innocent great-grandmother with a machete is indeed a Muslim convert, an African immigrant connected to local MMA fighting.

Cage fighting, mixed martial arts

Woman Use Martial Arts to Fight Off Attacker

Victim says she was saved by her martial arts training

UK -- A woman in her mid 20's was walking in Cheltenham early Sunday morning when an unknown suspect suddenly appeared from the shadows an attacked her.

She told reporters was punched as she fought off the attacker trying to sexually assault her. The victim said martial arts training helped her.

"I have had martial arts training, so I have techniques to be able to defend myself in this situation. I just ran away after he hit me and he legged it in the other direction. I found some help and called the police straight away."
"At the time I just thought about how I needed to stay in control but afterwards I was shaken. It was very frightening."

Saved by her martial arts training - image from Flickr.com

Disability Claim While Going for Taekwondo Black Belt

I suppose claiming disability while at the same time being fit enough for black belt exams in taekwondo isn't the smartest of moves ... unless you want to have authorities on your back faster than you can say 'kick and punch'.

Case in point being this 40-year-old mother from the UK who claimed £18.000 over a period of five years during which time she reportedly became a second dan black belt in the martial art and also took part in competitions.

Image from telegraph.co.uk

Angry XXL Martial Arts Expert

Each time you might be lead to think it could possibly be any more alive and breathing martial arts nitwits out there, a new one pops up for us all to shake our heads at.

Case in point; this rather angry XXL martial arts expert from the UK appears to be quite something else. Threatening workers at his apartment when they apparently was unsettling his pet snake and offended his Buddha statue is just a small fraction of his antics.

Guess it's not that hard to run away from the "rather solid" man. Wouldn't fancy him getting hold of me though...

Confuse-Us #30

Dude... You got us all confused, even master Confuse-Us can't keep track; you really need to decide which scare tactic you're gonna use!

Are going to keep on crappling, claiming you are into the awesome kick-boxing stuff, or will you stick to the "I've got a knife and I'm willing to use it" verbally aggressive moves? You can't just jump around like that and expect others to take you seriously.

You will potentially end up confusing yourself if you don't get your act together. Here's a bit of advice: Stick to one main tactic at the time if you want results as a true Martial Arts Maniac.

And here's another heartfelt tip for you: If you know for a fact that every time you drink shots you get into a rage, it may perhaps be a good idea not to drink shots if you want to avoid being treated to police tactical intervention... just saying.

Image from Flickr - stop drinking, you're confusing everyone!

Taekwondo Dispute Goes Too Far

A 44-year-old, British taekwondo teacher and Olympian reportedly admitted she was "hot-headed" and said "it was not a good idea."

I think you can safely say it is far worse than a bad idea when you wrongly accuse someone of being a pedophile, posting fliers all over the man's neighborhood. The end result is that the man gets attacked on several occasions.

Some times it is a good idea to take a deep breath (or two) and use your brain before you act like a real moron... just saying. Here's a news article regarding the case, supposedly going back a long time and being about a dispute at a martial arts school.

Former Karate World Champ Jailed

Karate - Illustration by Flickr.com

There's quite a bit of an uproar - and quite understandably so if I might add - when a British former karate world champion recently received a lean 30-month jail sentence after he was found guilty of sexual related crimes towards children.

You should definitely click over to Bournemouth Echo and read the whole story for yourself ... if you have the stomach for it.

Former karate world champ jailed

A former world karate champion from Poole who committed a string of sexual offences has been jailed for 30 months.
Triple world number one Tim Stephens, 50, will be released in less than half that time after pleading guilty to a total of 43 charges, in which he assaulted a woman in her sleep, groomed a teenage girl online and hoarded vast numbers of indecent photos, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.
But his former partner told the Daily Echo: "I'm disgusted with the sentence. I thought he should get at least five years."

It appears that the judge has paid more attention to the defendant than the victims in this case.

And by all means, feel free to chime in below. What's your opinion on the issue?

No Headbutts in Judo!

Eric Joyce - from Wikipedia.org

No ifs or buts - there are definitely no headbutts in judo!

These attacks may be allowed in a political judo fracas - although I doubt that very much. In a drunken pub brawl, on the other hand...

It appears that a British MP (Member of Parliament)  have gone gung ho, or berserk as it has also been described, in a well-known London bar reserved parliament members and their guests.

Here's what the British dailystar.co.uk has to say about the rough and tumble political action:

Former squaddie and Judo fighter Joyce, 51, faces a court hearing after he was accused of launching a vicious fight in a House of Commons bar.He allegedly yelled “This place is full of f***ing Tories” before shoving Mr Percy against a wall and headbutting Conservative MP Stuart Andrew, 40.
Joyce is also said to have punched Tory Alec Shelbrooke, 36, and MP Phil Wilson, 52 – who is one of his fellow Labour colleagues.

Can we assume that there was alcohol involved in this brawl? In any case guys, there are no headbutts in judo - political or otherwise ... even if you've had a glass or two and really hates you opponent.

Martial Artist Try to Avoid Arrest

Wrist lock - photo from Wikipedia.com

Cambridge-news.co.uk reports below about a move (martial arts or otherwise) which definitely is not a wise one - trying to fight police. Can you "win" in the short run? Well, maybe ... if you're good. Are you going to lose in the longer run? Sooner or later, definitely.

It appears the British 66-year-old doctor of psychology (!) discovered the implications of being obnoxious when he reportedly was pepper sprayed for resisting arrest.

A martial arts instructor used his handlock skills to try to evade arrest after abandoning his crashed car, a court heard.
Daniel Downey grabbed Pc William Vye by his hands and twisted his wrists as the officer tried to handcuff and arrest him for drink-driving.
Downey had returned to Cambridge to drown his sorrows after a physical attack on him forced him to abandon a training weekend in Wolverhampton.

There are lots more interesting bits and pieces to the story, and you definitely might want to head on over and read it in its entirety.

Among other things, there's this totally laughable brain-fart - appears to be from the man's defense lawyer (a silly statement is probably to expected from said individual):

"If someone comes within your space in martial arts, you instinctively do something to protect yourself."

Really? After 30 plus years in the arts, I wasn't aware of that. And I have to add, dang! All those people I owe a good beating for stepping too close... Come back here!

Any who, remember to add your comment, send a tweet, add to Facebook and the like :-)

Karate Master - String of Offenses

UK -- A respected as well as trusted, 62-year-old high grade karate expert who has written a history of Shotokan karate has admitted to a number of sexual offences against girls, according to jarrowandhebburngazette.com.

Police reportedly discovered a huge amount of indecent images of children when the 62-year-old man was arrested. He also admitted possessing one extreme image of a person having sex with an animal.

The married father was already in prison awaiting sentence after having admitted a series of sex assaults on children.

Karate Ace Denies Sex Acts

Update, Januar 20 2012:
The karate fighter, who has won gold medals at world and European championship level, was sentenced to five years for the sex offences against his victim.

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Update, December 23:
The karate champion has been convicted by a jury of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl.

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UK -- Yorkpress.co.uk reports that a 30-year-old international karate champ allegedly was planning to leave his wife for a 13-year-old girl with whom he allegedly was having an underage sexual relationship.

The prosecutor leading a case against the man, claimed the couple kissed and carried out other sexual acts together in the defendant's house, in a Clifton Moor car park as well as a men's toilet.

Cage Fight and Children?

Dailymail.co.uk and other ill informed British newspapers have been all over a "shocking" revelation of children doing "cage fighting" recently.

All though there are some things that were not good decisions about the two young lads fighting, one really has to wonder if the sensation seeking press has totally lost their collective marble...

Yes, the fight was held inside a one of the cages used for cage fighting, and yes it was during an MMA event. But had the half-wits of the press done any basic research they would have discovered that A. this was not an MMA fight, and B. not a "cage fight".

In fact it was nothing worse than a regular wrestling, grappling, judo or BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) match - something children all over the world are doing with great success day in and day out.

Yes, the setting and arrangement around this "cage match" should definitely not been handled the way it turned out. But one should also hope that the nitwit press representatives and the sensation seekers (some of which probably want children to wear a helmet indoors to avoid being hurt - poor things...) could refrain from talking about things of which they have absolutely no frigging clue what so ever.

Am I a great fan of young children fighting? Nope. How about MMA? I do find some parts of that questionable as well. Still I do find passages like the ones below (from said newspaper) very offensive and totally laughable really:

"The spectacle of grown men punching the life out of each other in public was stomach-churning enough. But the behaviour of the crowd as two young schoolboys were led into the cage set up in the centre of the dingy room, was sickening to the extreme."

"As the boys began to pummel each other into submission, the baying chants of the 450 adults could be heard in the streets beyond."

For your information - this was a grappling match - no punches or kicks to be seen anywhere...

"Footage of that awful fight, which had all the aggressive hallmarks of a backstreet brawl, provoked a wave of outrage this week when it surfaced on the internet."

"(...)But the British Medical Association (BMA), the NSPCC and the charity Safechild have all reacted with fury, branding the spectacle 'disturbing and sick'. They are calling for a police and social services investigation. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has also condemned the 'sport' as 'barbaric'."

Let's hear it - what's your take on these ill-informed representatives and sensation seekers of the press? Are there any hopes of educating reporters about what martial arts is about, and finally - what's your take on MMA fights and children fighting in particular?

Feel free to comment below.

He Denies Sex Charges

Update, September 28:
The shamed karate instructor from Birmingham was found guilty as charged and has been sentenced to 8 years in prison.

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UK -- A 48-year-old Birmingham karate instructor is in court, charged with having a sexual relationship with a student when she was 13 and 14 years of age (between February 2008 and May 2009).

The prosecutor said the victim, who has since died, told a nurse about the affair when she feared she might be pregnant, according to kidderminstershuttle.co.uk.

Fake Charity Fraud

UK -- A 61-year-old hooligan and martial arts "legend" from the Burnley area has been sentenced to jail after falsely claiming he collected money for a kick-boxing club.

The man told people in Blackburn, that - while using a charity collection tin - he was part of a group collecting for the club, according to pendletoday.co.uk.

He was allegedly arrested when an off-duty police officer recognized him from Burnley.

The 'Shadow'

OK, so I admit it... I'm as boyish and childish as they come. I have even made it my mission not to become too grown up ... ever - that concept is so plain boring!

That said, even I find it very weird - troubling even - to read about a grown man, aged 33, dressed up as ninja, trawling the streets at night to "to protect the public" in jolly old England.

- Ninja costume? Check.
- Carrying weapon? Check (wooden pole).
- Wearing hearing aid to be able to hear better? Check.
- Stalking in the shadows? Check.
- Adult? Check (sort of).
- Devised his own interpretation of the martial art? Check.
- Street name 'Shadow'? Check.
- "Patrolling" the streets? Check.
- Sometimes spending all night out on the streets? Check.
- Has developed a special roaring war cry? Check.
- Will use force if required? Check.
- Proudly posing for pictures in the papers? Check.
- Police not happy about it? Check.
- Honorary Martial Arts Maniac? Double check.

Too Much Ninja Turtles

UK -- (Northern Ireland) A judge has allegedly lamented that too many young men today are "fascinated by martial arts and Ninja Turtles".

This rather strange conclusion came after a 22-year-old man was found guilty of assault and various other offences.

The defendant was reportedly arrested after being seen staggering along the streets of Londonderry carrying a circular saw and later holding a police officer in a headlock.

So there you have it ... those green fellows may land you in a heap of trouble. I better cut out this martial art thingy all together.

I suppose alcohol is still OK since the judge didn't make a note about that.

Karate Expert, Weapons Dealer

UK -- A 35 year old karate expert has been give a strict jail sentence in Newcastle.

The karateka was allegedly ranked at #17 in the UK at one time.

The black market weapons dealer smuggled what has been described as as appalling armoury of martial art throwing stars, butterfly knives, knuckle dusters and even blowpipes from Pakistan, and sold them on for huge profits.

Officials at Newcastle Airport reportedly discovered a shipment of 2,700 weapons in boxes marked only as hand tools, according to chroniclelive.co.uk.

When a random check was done of cargo arriving at Newcastle on an Emirates flight, officials recovered a total of 1,005 knuckle dusters, 600 butterfly knives, 1,800 throwing stars and 720 dart firing blowpipes.

When officers later raided his home they discovered a haul of a further 1,500 similar weapons.

Fighting Spirit

UK -- Eleven-year-old Daniel Kimmins was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006, according to thisisbath.co.uk.

After two operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the young boy was reportedly left mute and unable to move the left side of his body.

Now, this real-life fighter, who has had to learn to walk and talk again, is set to achieve black belt in taekwondo. Way to go son!

Judo Benefit Fiddler

UK -- While teaching and practicing judo, a 46-year-old black belt judoka has been pocketing in excess of £1,000 a month in disability support, according to thesun.co.uk.

The civil war refugee from Congo, who does judo at a community sports center in North London has allegedly even been posting pictures of himself in judo gear on Facebook.

Documents supposedly show the man, who's also been described as "a violent drunk" was sent a letter in April 2008 where officials accepted he was "virtually unable to walk" and needed "attention with bodily functions through the day".

Capoeira Expert Jailed

UK -- A Plymouth court was told by a prosecutor how a married Brazilian capoeira "expert" passed a Plymouth woman in the street on New Year's Day and wished her a happy new year.

The prosecutor told how the defendant then turned and followed the young woman. He dragged the victim into a service lane and subjected her to a 20-minute horrific ordeal in which the victim was convinced the attacker was going to kill her, according to thisisplymouth.co.uk.

The woman was reportedly strangled, blindfolded, threatened with a knife and raped three times before the 23-year-old martial arts "expert" finally took off.

The court ended up sentencing the defendant to eight years in jail.