Karate expert, Lyoto Machida, knocked out Rashad Evans for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title Saturday night, May 23, in Las Vegas, NV.
The knockout occurred in the second round. The video link is below. Pay
particular attention to the hand blitz Machida unleashes at 9:59, until the
knockout at 10:25. It began with a straight left reverse punch followed by a
hand blitz, typical of sparring matches at the KIA, in which Machida never let
up until he knocked out Evans with a punching flurry.
Recognize these cuties and their gorgeous smiles? If you’ve been checking out
our KIA photo of the week, you will. They are Jenny and Ryan Vail, Jon and
Janice’s children. The family lives in Colorado and blessed us with a visit in
the Fall of 2008. The twins were the subject of our November 17 photo of the
week. Jon and Janice have both studied at the Karate Institute of America, and
would have continued, but destiny moved them to the Centennial State.
Hopefully, we’ll get to see them again in the near future.
Greg “Maddog” Bendel is the 14th Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu (now 2nd Dan),
receiving his 1st Dan in December 1990. Greg works full-time as a consultant
for Hewlett-Packard, assisting customers to prepare for, manage, and survive
disasters. He serves the community in Orange County Sheriff’s Department
Search & Rescue Reserve Unit, serving as sergeant for the Command, Control &
Logistics Squad. Greg is also the very proud father of two beautiful sons,
Hunter and Marcus.
Pictured with Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet and Josh “Viper” Shamassian is Paul
“Tron” Daniels, the 34th Black Belt of the Karate Institute of America. Mr.
Daniels, who began his own physical fitness business, The Body Warehouse, and
who also trains both Tristan’s and Josh’s mothers, referred the boys to the
KIA. It was a pleasure to have Tron attend and participate in the boys’ purple
belt test. And, of course, there is that famous Mr. Daniels smile!
With new Kiado-Ryu Purple Belts, Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet and Josh “Viper”
Shamassian, are their happy and proud families.
Behind Tristan (left) are his mother, Atousa; father, Ed (having fun) with
younger son, Aidan. Standing with Josh are his mother, Joann; father, Mike;
Aunt, Silva; and the beautiful young lady is Josh’s sister, Hannah.
It is parents and families such as these that have made the Karate Institute
of America a wonderful place. We are extremely blessed to have them as part of
our KIA family.
Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet (left) and Josh “Viper” Shamassian (right) stand in
ready stances at the beginning of their purple belt test earlier this month.
These two young men are excellent students and did equally excellent jobs on
their exams. In the background, on the left, is Mr. Shamassian; and on the
right is Mr. Ligtvoet.
