Powell Combat Arts

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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 ...

Introduction A basic understanding of physics can lead to an improvement in athletic performance.  One concept from physics that is especially relevant to boxers and other combat sports participants is "power."  The colloquial term for power in the context of sports is "explosiveness."  Power is defined as the rate at which work is done.  For example, if you watch Mike Tyson's boxing matches from early in his career you will see explosiveness or power in action.  The ability to quickly apply enough force to knock someone out before they knew what hit them is "power." In physics, power is expressed in watts.  For example, the power used for walking is about 280 watts.  The power used for playing basketball is about 800 watts.  The power used for sprinting is about 2,415 watts.  The power used for boxing or MMA would probably rank somewhere between 800 and 2,415 watts.   The Work Component of Power In physics, work is define...

I recently spoke with a long-time boxing trainer and former pro who told me he never uses mitts when he trains boxers.  He said his trainer never used them to train him.  I use mitts a lot.  This trainer gave me some serious food for thought.  He said the problem is that you tend to create a routine when you use the mitts.  The boxer gets accustomed to reacting a certain way to certain punches.  Of course, in the ring, there is no set routine.  You have to adapt to whatever your opponent is doing. The best boxer of all-time Sugar Ray Robinson never used mitts.  I never saw Angelo Dundee use then with Muhammad Ali.  Obviously, you can become a great fighter without training with focus mitts. All of my boxers know when I throw a jab and lead hook they are supposed to catch the jab and bob and weave under the hook and then throw a 2-3-2-1-1-1.  This looks great for their Instagram … but when I think about it … it is a pre-arranged routi...

There are several bad habits I have witnessed in my time as trainer and trainee in combat arts.  These habits can cost you dearly in the ring, octagon, or in a real fight for your life.  If you are guilty of any of these habits, it would be a smart idea to break them.  Here we go … 1) After going through an empty hands technique drill, you immediately lower your hands in front of your training partner.  Don't do that.  2) You stand in front of a heavy bag punching wildly and paying no attention to your defense.  Don't do that.  3) In order to get the heavy bag to stop swinging you let your guard down and grab the heavy bag with both hands.  Don't do that.  4) You throw your training partner to the ground with a great judo move and immediately help him up.  Don't do that.  5).  You are training with weapons and superbly disarm your partner and promptly give his weapon back to him.  Don't do that.  Until next time!

Jeet Kune Do in Chinese Characters Jeet Kune Do was the name Bruce Lee gave to his martial art.  The English translation of Jeet Kune Do is "The Way of the Intercepting Fist." Lee developed Jeet Kune Do after years of training, studying, and observation.  His magnum opus on his martial art is the " Tao of Jeet Kune Do ." There are two versions of Jeet Kune Do taught today.  One is called "Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do" ( Ted Wong lineage ) and the other is called "Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do Concepts" ( Dan Inosanto lineage ).   Of the two versions taught, "Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do Concepts" is by far the most widely-practiced.  However, the family of Bruce Lee endorses the "Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do" version.  This blog highlights the main differences between the two versions of Jeet Kune Do ("JKD"). Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do   Ted Wong and Teri Tom Jun Fan JKD is based on techniques taught directly by Bru...

A few days ago, I was discussing the difference between "traditional" martial arts, such as Karate and Kung Fu, and "non-traditional" martial arts, such as MMA, with one of my trainees ... I mentioned that many people these days go straight into "non-traditional" martial arts and miss out on the lessons of "respect" and "character" that are taught in "traditional" martial arts ... I recalled how in the movie "Return of the Dragon" ... after Bruce Lee's character killed Chuck Norris' character, Bruce spotted the top of Chuck's karate uniform and, as a gesture of respect, covered his face and body with it ... that is what you learn from "traditional" martial arts ... I admire Conor McGregor's fighting skills ... however McGregor's recent actions illustrate what can happen if you miss out on those important lessons of "respect" and "character" that are taught in "t...

There are a two schools of thought when it comes to sparring.  Some trainers like their fighters to go all out when sparring and some do not.  I am in the latter camp.  I do not see any reason to ever spar at more than 75% of your full power for head shots and more than 85% of your full power for body shots.  You primary focus when sparring should be to improve or hone specific skills you will need to win a fight, not to knock out your sparring partner! Sparring

There are many "how to" books out there that demonstrate various boxing or mixed martial arts techniques.  On the other hand, there are very few books available that discuss fight strategy.  To fill that glaring void, I decided to put my thoughts on fight strategy down on paper.  The result is my new book "Winning in  Combat Sports:  Strategies & Tactics."  It is now available in print and kindle versions on Amazon. Fight Strategy Book