Black Belt Magazine and Combat Go, in association with Bellator MMA, announced today Fight Back, a virtual martial arts training event featuring the world’s biggest Martial Artists, raising funds for the benefit of Red Cross relief efforts, directly providing support for medical professionals on the frontlines of the pandemic.
The weeklong virtual event will take place on Black Belt Magazine’s Facebook page on May 4th to 8th. Each day covers over 8 hours of instruction from an A-list line up of world champions, trainers, and legends, including leading instructor Billy Blanks, Lyoto Machida, Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, Demian Maia, Chael Sonnen, and Rickson Gracie. The event also includes the Facebook premiere of exclusive interviews featuring martial arts superstars Dan Inosanto, Michael Jai White, Carlos Machado, Demetrious Johnson, and more.
The Philippines is well-represented on the global stage with Team Lakay’s champion fighter Joshua Pacio and coach Mark Sangiao participating in the event, joining two legendary Filipino-American martial artists, Apolo Ladra and Ernie Reyes Sr.
“The martial arts industry is in a unique position to help give back to healthcare professionals and first responders on the frontlines during these unprecedented times,” says Michael Dillard, President of Black Belt Magazine. “With martial artists everywhere taking their classes to online formats, we jumped at this opportunity to help inspire those in quarantine with words of wisdom and at home techniques from some of the top practitioners around the world.”
The seminars will replay the following week on Black Belt Magazine’s YouTube channel and Combat Go, a free digital TV channel that is available on Roku Channel, Xumo, Jungo SBS, and Stirr in the United States.
“During these uncertain times, it gives us hope to see how people all over the world are finding new and innovative ways to stay connected,” said George Chung, former World Karate Champion, CEO and co-founder of Jungo TV. We are honored to be part of this global martial arts experience Fight Back with our partners Black Belt Magazine, Bellator, and Ellis Island Honors Society to support the Red Cross in the global fight to end COVID-19.”
“We are proud to represent the Philippines. We started as a tiny gym with zero equipment but with 100 percent passion to become the first MMA gym in Asia to have four division belts in one promotion. We are humbled and honored to be part of this great event,” said Mark Sangiao, founder of Team Lakay.
More details about the event can be found on Black Belt Magazine’s website and Combat Go’s Facebook page.
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