Powell Combat Arts

I am a big believer in physical fitness. This is especially important for those engaged in Combat Sports, such as Boxing, Kickboxing, and MMA. It does not matter how skillful you are if you cannot go the distance. That is why I became a Certified MMA Conditioning Coach. I wanted to have the knowledge to train athletes to be in top physical condition to compete successfully. To show just how serious I am about fitness, I recently entered a fitness competition. I am competing to be crowned Mr. Health & Fitness for 2023. You can view my profile and cast your vote here: https://featured.muscleandfitness.com/2023/roderick-p

This is a case of art imitating life. I am a Boxing Coach in real-life. I had the opportunity to serve as an Executive Producer and Action Director of the new female boxing movie "LOLA 2." The movie stars actress "Taja V. Simpson" as Lola and real-life boxing champ "Claressa Shields" as her nemesis. You can check out the movie on the ALLBLK streaming platform. The first "LOLA" is available there too. You can watch the new movie at https://allblk.tv/lolatwo .

  Miyamoto Mushashi In feudal Japan, there were two types of warriors: Samurai and Ronin.  Samurai were loyal to a particular Master, while Ronin answered to no one.  One of the most famous Ronin in history was Miyamoto Mushashi who lived in the 16th and 17th centuries.  He wrote the masterpiece of swordsmanship known as the "Book of Five Rings." In more recent times, Bruce Lee could be considered a Ronin.  He famously broke from the teachings of his Master Yip Man to create his own unique martial art of Jeet Kune Do.  His conversion from Samurai to Ronin was prompted by his difficulty in winning a fight against fellow martial artist Wong Jack Man. Lee discovered that sticking dogmatically to the Wing Chun techniques taught by his Master limited his growth as a martial artist.   I had a similar epiphany.  One day I attended a martial arts class and I was asked by my instructor to demonstrate effective defenses against a straight right or cross.  By this time I had trained in

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"Panantukan" is a term that refers to the empty-hands component of Filipino Martial Arts.  In some circles, this striking art is called "Filipino Boxing," "Suntukan," or "Dirty Boxing." The art is derived from the same movements when using sticks and blades for combat.   Several characteristics of this martial art make it unique: 1.) Focus on limb destructions, e.g., striking the arms and legs, 2.) Fighting from both the Orthodox and Southpaw stance, and 3.) Unbalancing your opponent by pushing, grabbing, foot sweeping, etc.  The martial art requires a lot of practice and dedication in order to master the techniques and be able to apply them effectively in the octagon or the streets.

Manny Pacquiao aka "Pac-Man" is one of my all-time favorite pro boxers, both inside and outside the ring.  It is well-known that he is a devout Christian.  Many other top combat sports competitors, such as MMA star Cris Cyborg, attribute much of their success to their faith.  I believe that having a connection to a higher power is gives an athlete a spiritual edge and is beneficial to success as a competitor in Boxing or MMA.   Lately, I have been meditating on a Bible verse that imparts great advice for athletes who want to be their very best.  1 Corinthians 9:26 says "So I do not run without a goal.  I fight like a boxer who is hitting something - not just the air."  What the Apostle Paul was saying with these sports analogies was that he approached his mission as a Preacher of the Gospel with a clear purpose.  He also had discipline.  The Apostle did not let anything distract him from his mission.  Success in the ring or octagon requires purpose and discipline.