Tag: Combat

One of the most beloved kickboxers that have ever lived is Ramon Dekkers, also known as “The Diamond”. He was an icon in his time and helped put Dutch kickboxing on the map.

Here is the story of the career of the legend Ramon Dekkers. Going from how he developed his skills and became one of the biggest stars of his era.

• Name: Ramon Dekkers
• DOB: 4 September 1969(Death: 27 February 2013)
• Nickname: The Diamond
• Gym: Golden Glory/Team Dekkers
• Record: 186-36-2(95 KOs)
• Championships: 8x Champion(6 Weight Divisions)

Ramon Dekkers Early Training

Ramon started his martial arts training when he was twelve years old. Starting in Judo before taking up boxing. After taking up boxing, Dekkers would begin learning kickboxing.

His coach was the legend Cor Hemmers, who was one of the first and most famous Dutch kickboxing trainers. Within his first year of training, Ramon Dekkers would begin competing in amateur matches.

He would quickly establish himself as one of the best young fighters in the Netherlands and later Europe. In these early fights, Dekkers would show flashes of his famous style that fans would come to love.

Ramon Dekkers Early Pro Career

Just four years after starting his Muay Thai training, Ramon Dekkers would make his pro debut at sixteen. Turning pro at such a young age started to get a lot of people talking.

Dekkers would prove that despite being young, he had the talent of a veteran fighter. His pro debut took place in 1986 against fellow Dutch fighter Andre Masseurs.

He would win the bout by knockout in the second round. Ramon winning by knockout would soon become a trend throughout the fighter’s illustrious career.

Dekkers would be victorious in his first four pro fights before dropping a decision to a French fighter named Richard-Nam.

But Ramon Dekkers would bounce back from the loss and win his next four bouts by knockout. Within those four wins, Ramon would win the first two titles of his career.

The MTBN Dutch Featherweight Championship, EMTA European Featherweight Title. Then adding the NKBB European Super Featherweight title to his collection after a decision win over Kevin Morris.

Ramon Dekkers Early Matches vs. Thai Fighters

By 1988, Ramon Dekkers had earned a record of 10-2 with three titles to his collection. After suffering the first KO loss of his career, Ramon would face the first Thai boxer of his career.

A young and upcoming Thai fighter named Anakhoun Suwannee made a trip to the Netherlands to face Ramon. During this time, Thai boxers were feared and seemed like it was impossible for a western fighter to beat them.

Dekkers would prove that the Thais weren’t invincible and delivered a spectacular 2nd round KO in his hometown of Breda. His next Thai opponent would be for the IMTA Lightweight Title against Mungkordun Sitchang in Rouen, France.

Ramon would earn a decision win over Sitchang to win his fourth Muay Thai title. His next Thai opponent in Daris Sor Thanikul would control the fight and earn a decision win.

Dekkers would get another title fight against the champion Namphon Nongkee, which would be a statement win and his fifth world title. 

But if the kickboxing world hadn’t taken notice yet, Dekkers would make them aware in his next match. He faced Cherry Sor, who was considered one of the best of the era and Dekkers throttled him.

Putting unrelenting pressure on Cherry before ending the fight with a powerful left hook. While the Thai fighters dominated the sport, Ramon proved that he could beat them.

Ramon Dekkers Debut in Thailand

After competing in Europe for the first four years of his career, The Diamond would receive a huge honor. He would get the honor of being invited to fight in Bangkok at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

During this time, only a few western fighters were given the honor of fighting at the mecha of Thai boxing. Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be the debut that Ramon was hoping for. 

In Thailand, this would be the first time that Ramon Dekkers fought in Muay Thai rules matches where elbows were allowed. The first Thai fighters that he fought were aware of this advantage and exploited this flaw in Dekkers game.

He would lose five fights in a row against Thai boxers that exposed his lack of elbow and clinch work. Anytime Ramon would try to get off his patented combos, his Thai opponents would tie him up. Landing knees and elbows from their clinches, which left Ramon frustrated.

Ramon began improving these flaws, which were notable in his match against Boonchai in Japan. But the judges would give the bout to Boonchai in a questionable decision.

Even though Dekkers was coming out on the losing end, he was still developing. Also earning the respect of Thai boxing fans that wanted to see him compete more against Thai fighters.

Ramon Dekkers Rivalry with Coban

1991 would be a year of evolution for The Diamond. After winning his first fight in Lumpinee Stadium, he would have two epic matches against Coban Lookchaomaesaitong.

The two would first fight in Paris, where Coban would shock the fans with a first round KO. Just two months later, the two would have a rematch in Bangkok.

This time, Ramon would get the better of Coban and return the favor with a first round KO of his own.

Ramon Dekkers vs. Thai Judges

If you look through the fight record, you would see that Ramon Dekkers didn’t fare well against Thai fighters. But if you watch many of these fights, they tell a completely different story.

On numerous occasions, Ramon was the victim of biased Thai judges. It seemed like the only way he could win in Thailand is if he won by KO or completely dominated the bout.

There were many fights in Thailand that Dekkers didn’t deserve to lose. It felt like many Thai judges had it out for Ramon, which led to him coming out on the losing end.

But even though Dekkers lost many decisions in Thailand, he won the hearts of many fans.

The End of Ramon Dekkers’ Career

Throughout the late 1990s, The Diamond would stay active fighting throughout the world. Winning some big fights, losing a few, and competing in multiple title fights.

He would win the IKBF World Title in 1994 and then win the WPKL Super Welterweight Title in 1996. Then after his TKO win against Marino Deflorin, would retire for the first time from fighting.

This retirement would last for four years until 2005. He would return to meet Duane Ludwig at the K-1 Max 2005 Final. 

His comeback would be a successful decision win. But his last fight in 2006 would be a decision loss to Joerie Mesat at the K-1 Grand Prix 2006.

Ramon Dekkers would officially announce his retirement from fighting after the bout.

Ramon Dekkers’ Legendary Style

The Diamond had one of the most exciting styles of any fighter that has ever lived. Always pressing the fight, but being fundamentally sound in every aspect of the sport.

But the two things that he was most known for was his incredible punch combos and devastating leg kicks. Ramon Dekkers would test the range with his hands and once he found it, he’d unleash his vicious leg kicks.

Then quickly following them up with fast and powerful punching combos that would crumble his opponents. His style was one of the most exciting and effective of anyone in his era.

Helping put Dutch kickboxing on the map and further popularize the sport of kickboxing in the west.

The Passing of Ramon Dekkers

In 2013, the kickboxing world was saddened to hear about the passing of the legend Ramon “The Diamond” Dekkers. After a training session, witnesses saw Ramon fall from his bike on his way home. 

It was declared that Ramon suffered a heart attack and efforts to resuscitate him didn’t work. Fighters and fans alike were heartbroken at the loss of an icon.

At his funeral, an airplane with a banner flew by with the words “The Diamond is 4ever, rest in peace.

The Legacy of Ramon “The Diamond” Dekkers

Not only was Ramon Dekkers a great fighter with an impressive 186 wins(95 knockouts), but he was an inspiration. Generations of fighters after Ramon idolized the Dutch fighter and inspired them to get into kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Young fighters wanted to be just like their hero The Diamond and put on spectacular performances. Ramon Dekkers is gone, but he will never be forgotten.

In the history of modern martial arts, there have been a lot of phonies. Shysters that have exploited martial arts for profit.

That’s why we’ve put together our list of the top six fake martial artists of all-time. Read the absurd stories of these frauds below and see which you think is the biggest fake.

6 Fake Martial Artists

1. Count Dante 

Who quite possibly might be the very first fake martial artist in modern times is the legendary Count Dante. Born Jack Keenhan, Dante actually did practice in legitimate martial arts during his teen years.

Later on, he started going by the name Count Dante, which he stole from The Count of Monte Cristo. Complete with claiming that his family were Spanish nobles that fled Spain during the Civil War to live in the US(in secret).

He was actually 100% Irish, but he had a personal to sell. Dante only lived to the age of 36, but told a lifetime of lies. Except for being an accomplished hairdresser.

Everything from selling his scam World’s Deadliest Fighting Secrets handbooks in comic books to creating his own fake secret society(Black Dragon Fighting Society).

But what he’s most notoriously known for is the infamous Chicago Dojo Wars. The count decides to declare war on a rival dojo, which resulted in the death of his friend.

During the trial, the judge was so embarrassed to be there, he dismissed the case against both sides. Dante would die from a bleeding ulcer in 1975, but his legacy has lived on as a punchline to many jokes.

He was a legendary figure that paved the way for many fake martial artists.

2. Ashida Kim 

Ashida Kim may have been the very first fake American ninja in the history of modern martial arts. His upbringing is shrouded in mystery, but Kim did grow up in Florida and his alleged real name was Radford W. Davis. Also going by the name Christopher Hunter and Dr. Ha-Ha Lung.

He came up with his name mixing common names from Japan and Korea. Ninjas were never Korean, but logic is not part of the Kim legacy.

Ashida claims that he learned ninjutsu from a ninja master in Chicago, Illinois that was a Black Dragon Society associate. The same Black Dragon Society that was founded by Dante Kim.

Since the 1980s, Kim has released numerous books from ninja guides to weird erotic novels he claims are true. Also numerous instructional videos that seem like they were embarrassing home videos, but he’s deadly serious.

Everyone knows that Kim is a fake, but like all lying scam artists, he will never admit it. The longevity of his grift is why he’s one of the top fake martial artists to have ever lived.

3. Charlie Zelenoff 

For the last decade, one of the most notorious combat sport trolls has been Charlie “Z-Money” Zelenoff. A privileged little twerp that got famous creating a fake fighter persona and claiming to be an undefeated champion.

Zelenoff didn’t want to put in the work to become a fighter, so he faked it. Creating his own fake boxing promotion, making himself the champion, and giving himself an undefeated record.

He would begin assaulting people in the gym and claiming them as wins on his records. Then he decided to call out real fighters online and IRL. This is when things got rather funny.

On numerous occasions, Charlie Zelenoff wrote checks his a** couldn’t cash and paid the price. Getting pummeled by numerous famous fighters from Floyd Mayweather Jr. to Deontay Wilder.

Even getting beat up by retired unknown fighters, amateur boxers, and a few influencers. But in Charlie’s mind, he has never lost and still remains undefeated.

Today, Zelenoff still claims to be undefeated, but he’s banned from every gym in California. Being forced to get beat up by strangers on the street for attention. 

Some may argue that Z-Money doesn’t belong on a list of fake martial artists, but he fits perfectly. Anyone that lies about their fighting skills, record, creates a false fighting promotion, and buys belts definitely passes the fake test.

4. George Dillman 

George Dillman has been a con man for more than forty years and one of the longest running fake martial artists. At first, he was just a Karate practitioner that embellished his stories, but George would later become an embarrassment.

During his time as a competitor in Karate, Dillman claimed to have won over 300 trophies in a 3 year period. Although, there are no documents that can prove this is true.

During the early 1980s, Dillman began teaching Ryukyu Kempo. A martial art that teaches pressure point attacks. It was a bit silly, but nothing totally fake.

But then he dived into the fake nonsense and began claiming he could knockout people with his chi. Creating a ball of energy that would knock any opponent unconscious.

People had their suspicions for years that he was a fake, but a NatGeo show would prove it. When his chi attack had no effect on a chemist, Dillman would make the most absurd excuses. Everything from he wasn’t a true believer to his tongue was out of place.

Dillman has been a joke for decades and will continue to be laughed at for the foreseeable future. For sure one of the top fake martial artists in history.

5. Frank Dux 

Frank Dux was one of the biggest and successful fake martial artists that ever lived. He was able to dupe Hollywood into creating the action classic BloodSport, which Frank says is all true.

Dux claimed that his father was a decorated WW2 veteran that was in Japan and met a ninja master. This ninja master went by the name Senzo Tanaka and came from a family of martial arts masters.

Tanaka’s backstory is exactly the same as Tiger Tanaka from the 007 film You Only Live Twice. Just a weird coincidence.

Then after his ninja training, Dux enlisted in the military and went on numerous secret missions. Everything from fighting in a war that didn’t happen to saying he won numerous medals that he never earned.

But the biggest lie that Frank Dux is known for is the story of the Kumite. A secret martial arts competition that he went AWOL to attend. 

Claiming to have fought and won a sixty round tournament that never really happened. Since the 1990s, Frank Dux has been exposed as a fake martial artist, as well as his fake military service.

Even the trophy shop where he bought his Kumite trophy showed that he was a fraud. But you really have to take your hat off to Dux.

His lies gained him fame, fortune, and his very own film based on his absurd claims. Easily making him one of the top fake martial artists of all time.

6. Joshua Fabia 

He doesn’t have the track record of being one the all-time fake martial artists, but Joshua Fabia made an impact. In a time where we thought fake martial artists couldn’t thrive, Fabia really succeeded.

Joshua was able to convince a famous MMA fighter in Diego Sanchez that he was an expert fighting guru. This story took the MMA world by storm as they could not believe what they were seeing.

A skilled fighter like Sanchez getting duped by a weird scammer into being his head coach. Although, Diego is clearly suffering from years of fighting and has never been the most stable person.

With Fabian in his corner, Sanchez looked embarrassingly unprepared in his last UFC fights. Fans and fighters were pleading with Diego to get rid of Fabian and the UFC to ban him from cornering.

Sanchez would eventually come to his senses, but the damage was done. His legacy was tarnished by that weird phony Fabia. For that reason, we have to give him recognition on our list of fake martial artists.

7. Rafiel Torre

Probably one of the most insane stories of a fake martial artist has to be the story of Rafiel Torre. A respected MMA journalist that turned out to be a compulsive liar and later a murderer.

Torre was born Ralph Bartel and he grew up in California. He would later change his name to Rafiel Torre and claimed that he was a high level BJJ black belt.

For a long time, Torre’s lies went unnoticed as he was really accepted by the early MMA community. Any show from around the world from KOTC to PRIDE, Torre would cover the fights.

Fighters would warm up to Torre and even become friends with him. That was until his web of lies caught up with him.

His lies got him an invitation to compete at ADCC 1998 from founder Sheik Al Nahyan. Torre looked like an untrained fool competing with high level grapplers.

Then to save face, Rafiel would come out of retirement from fighting to fight at KOTC 7. The fight would be a fix as Torre paid his opponent to take a dive in a bout that was terribly choreographed.

But after being banished from the MMA community, Torre’s name would come back up. This time for the murder of his girlfriend’s husband in 2005.

Ralph Bartel was convicted and is now in prison for life. Definitely one of the craziest fake martial artists stories that has ever been told.

If you’ve ever seen the classic Bloodsport, then you saw the name Frank Dux in the credits. The film was supposedly based on his life and if you do a little research, you’ll be quite disappointed.

Here’s the story of Frank Dux and how he duped the world into thinking he was a real ninja. Detailing how he claims to have learned ninjutsu and the various other lies he’s told along the way.

How Frank Dux Became a Ninja 

Going back to before Frank Dux was a famous ninja/soldier/martial arts master, he may have grown up in California. He said that his father was a decorated military veteran that was part of Britain’s Jewish brigade.

Frank said that from his service, his dad would encounter the Japanese martial art of ninjutsu. Meeting a ninja master known as Senzo Tanaka.

According to Frank, Tanaka is the greatest martial artist that ever lived. Coming from a family of forty generations of martial arts masters.

Especially in a style of ninjutsu since that’s what Frank Dux claims Tanaka taught him. This Senzo Tanaka ironically has the same backstory as the martial arts master in the James Bond film, You Only Live Twice.

This ninja master named Tanaka would become Dux’s “shodoshi” and not sensei like in most Japanese martial arts.

Frank Dux’s Ninja Training

Dux claims that Tanaka taught him a particular style of ninjutsu called Koga Yamabushi Ryu. If you saw the training arc in the movie BloodSport, Frank Dux claims that was exactly how his training went.

Basically taking his body to the point of breaking all day. Going through the crazy stretching  and body conditioning routines depicted in the movie. Helping him transform into a martial arts master. 

Frank Dux: The “Military Veteran”

In Frank’s story, he was said to have served in the US Marine Corps from 1975 to 1981. From his own auto-biography, Dux claims to have been a highly decorated soldier in the Southeast Asian Conflict.

Winning numerous awards from valor and self-sacrifice in clandestine operations behind operations. The Vietnam War ended in 1975, so this must’ve been a super secret war.

Because of this knowledge of experience in this war, Frank Dux was recruited as a special tactic instructor. Teaching numerous branches of the military, as well as numerous law enforcement workers across the world.

While he wasn’t doing all of that, Dux went on routine secret special ops missions around the world. Claiming to have killed hundreds of enemies with a variety of different weapons.

From all of these secret missions and acts of heroism, Frank Dux was honored by receiving the Medal of Honor(He never received the Medal of Honor.)

Frank Dux: Winning the Kumite

During his first year of service in 1975, Dux said that he went AWOL from the military. Claiming to receive an invite to a legendary underground fighting tournament known as the Kumite.

A sixty round single elimination tournament that is held every five years. Dux has claimed this underground fighting event took place in the Bahamas. But Frank does often change his mind about events that he says happened in his life.

He also said that his friend named Richard Robinson, who was a state wrestling champ also competed at the Kumite. 

In much Dux fashion, Frank, of course, dominated this secret fighting competition. Making him the greatest fighter in the universe.

Dux Ryu Ninjitsu

After returning from winning the Kumite, Frank Dux would open his own ninjutsu school. Calling it Dux Ryu.

While running his own ninjutsu school, Frank would also find work on various and as a writer. He wrote two articles for Black Belt Magazine in 1979 and 1980 on different martial arts techniques.

The Making of Bloodsport

While working on movie sets in the 1980s, Frank would begin telling writers about his wild life. One of those writers that he told his stories to was Sheldon Lettich.

From the stories the Frank Dux told Lettich would result in a script for the movie Bloodsport. A story about a military veteran, who goes AWOL to fight in an underground fighting tournament.

This fighting tournament would take place in Hong Kong instead of the Bahamas, but Dux said it’s all true. Everything from him being a multi-time Kumite champion that holds numerous records.

Karate practitioner and action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme and become a classic action movie. Most that love the movie try to ignore that the entire plot never actually happened. 

Zane Frazier Beats Up Frank Dux

In 1993, Frank attended the 2nd annual Draka Martial Arts Trade Show in Los Angeles. At the event, he was confronted by UFC 1 veteran and Karate practitioner Zane Frazier.

Dux allegedly hired Frazier to teach at his school, but never paid Frazier for the job. Frazier would precede to beat Dux senseless in front of a large crowd.

Rorion Gracie, Big John McCarth, and UFC co-founder Art Howe were actually in attendance for the event. 

Frank Dux claims that Frazier was wearing brass knuckles, but nobody in attendance corroborated his version of the incident.

The Lies of Frank Dux Exposed

The list of lies that Frank Dux has told throughout his life is quite long and we probably missed some. Here are some of the many lies that Frank continues to tell till this day.

The Military Record of His Father

Frank Dux claimed that his father served in the British army’s Jewish Brigade in 1943. The Jewish Brigade was not formed until 1944.

Senzo Tanaka

There is no ninja master named Senzo Tanaka that has ever lived. He took the origin story from the character Tiger Tanaka in the movie, You Only Live Twice.

When confronted with this, Frank claims that the film writer Ian Fleming knew the real Senzo Tanaka. Using his teacher’s story to write the character in the film.

Dux’s Military Record

Frank did serve in the US Marine Corps starting in 1975, but was stationed within the country. He was never shipped off to fight in a Southwest Asian war.

The Vietnam War ended in 1975 and he never won any medals. Let alone going AWOL to win a secret underground tournament.

His superior officers would even note in Dux’s record that he had a tendency to have delusions of grandeur. Never letting something like facts get in the way of a good story.

Richard Robinson

Richard Robinson is a real person and he does claim that he fought in the same Kumite event as Dux. The only problem is Robinson never went to the high school, where he said he won a state championship.

He never attended Lower Merion High School and actually went to the same high school as Frank Dux. How convenient.

The Kumite

Let’s put aside the obvious lies of a secret underground fighting tournament taking place in the Bahamas. Instead, let’s talk about the math of Dux claiming to fight in a 60 round tournament.

Not a 60 man tournament, but a 60 round tournament. Math is not our strong suit on the website, but a 60 round single-elimination tournament is mathematically impossible. 

Did Frank really basically fight the population of an entire country to win his fight? He’ll probably tell you that is true.

Sheldon Lettich

BloodSport writer Sheldon Lettich has also come out to dispute Dux’s claims. On the set of the film, Dux would bring his apparent Medal of Honor medal to show the crew.

It would turn out that years later after an investigation on stolen valor that this wasn’t his medal. This particular medal that Frank had was actually reserved for only members of the army and not marines.

When confronted with this lie, Dux claimed that he never told Lettich this story or showed him the medal.

The Kumite Trophy

Frank Dux has a giant trophy that he claimed he got by winning the Kumite. Turns out that he bought it at a trophy shop in California.

When being exposed as a fraud, the trophy shop presented Dux’s receipt for the trophy. Proving that there never was a Kumite.

Is There Something Frank Dux Didn’t Lie About?

While Frank has fabricated many things in his life, he does seem to have learned actual martial arts at some point. From videos of Dux demonstrating technique, he seemed to have learned a form of Karate and maybe Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.

But there is nothing that he’s shown that indicates he knows anything about ninjutsu. 

The Legacy of Frank Dux

Frank Dux is an icon in the world of fake martial artists. He was able to lie his way into fame and fortune and even get a hit movie made from his delusional fantasies.

Dux is an insane person that will never admit that he was a fraud. But the silver lining is that we got BloodSport out of it and get to laugh at this fake ninja.

If you’ve ever seen the classic Bloodsport, then you saw the name Frank Dux in the credits. The film was supposedly based on his life and if you do a little research, you’ll be quite disappointed.

Here’s the story of Frank Dux and how he duped the world into thinking he was a real ninja. Detailing how he claims to have learned ninjutsu and the various other lies he’s told along the way.

How Frank Dux Became a Ninja 

Going back to before Frank Dux was a famous ninja/soldier/martial arts master, he may have grown up in California. He said that his father was a decorated military veteran that was part of Britain’s Jewish brigade.

Frank said that from his service, his dad would encounter the Japanese martial art of ninjutsu. Meeting a ninja master known as Senzo Tanaka.

According to Frank, Tanaka is the greatest martial artist that ever lived. Coming from a family of forty generations of martial arts masters.

Especially in a style of ninjutsu since that’s what Frank Dux claims Tanaka taught him. This Senzo Tanaka ironically has the same backstory as the martial arts master in the James Bond film, You Only Live Twice.

This ninja master named Tanaka would become Dux’s “shodoshi” and not sensei like in most Japanese martial arts.

Frank Dux’s Ninja Training

Dux claims that Tanaka taught him a particular style of ninjutsu called Koga Yamabushi Ryu. If you saw the training arc in the movie BloodSport, Frank Dux claims that was exactly how his training went.

Basically taking his body to the point of breaking all day. Going through the crazy stretching  and body conditioning routines depicted in the movie. Helping him transform into a martial arts master. 

Frank Dux: The “Military Veteran”

In Frank’s story, he was said to have served in the US Marine Corps from 1975 to 1981. From his own auto-biography, Dux claims to have been a highly decorated soldier in the Southeast Asian Conflict.

Winning numerous awards from valor and self-sacrifice in clandestine operations behind operations. The Vietnam War ended in 1975, so this must’ve been a super secret war.

Because of this knowledge of experience in this war, Frank Dux was recruited as a special tactic instructor. Teaching numerous branches of the military, as well as numerous law enforcement workers across the world.

While he wasn’t doing all of that, Dux went on routine secret special ops missions around the world. Claiming to have killed hundreds of enemies with a variety of different weapons.

From all of these secret missions and acts of heroism, Frank Dux was honored by receiving the Medal of Honor(He never received the Medal of Honor.)

Frank Dux: Winning the Kumite

During his first year of service in 1975, Dux said that he went AWOL from the military. Claiming to receive an invite to a legendary underground fighting tournament known as the Kumite.

A sixty round single elimination tournament that is held every five years. Dux has claimed this underground fighting event took place in the Bahamas. But Frank does often change his mind about events that he says happened in his life.

He also said that his friend named Richard Robinson, who was a state wrestling champ also competed at the Kumite. 

In much Dux fashion, Frank, of course, dominated this secret fighting competition. Making him the greatest fighter in the universe.

Dux Ryu Ninjitsu

After returning from winning the Kumite, Frank Dux would open his own ninjutsu school. Calling it Dux Ryu.

While running his own ninjutsu school, Frank would also find work on various and as a writer. He wrote two articles for Black Belt Magazine in 1979 and 1980 on different martial arts techniques.

The Making of Bloodsport

While working on movie sets in the 1980s, Frank would begin telling writers about his wild life. One of those writers that he told his stories to was Sheldon Lettich.

From the stories the Frank Dux told Lettich would result in a script for the movie Bloodsport. A story about a military veteran, who goes AWOL to fight in an underground fighting tournament.

This fighting tournament would take place in Hong Kong instead of the Bahamas, but Dux said it’s all true. Everything from him being a multi-time Kumite champion that holds numerous records.

Karate practitioner and action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme and become a classic action movie. Most that love the movie try to ignore that the entire plot never actually happened. 

Zane Frazier Beats Up Frank Dux

In 1993, Frank attended the 2nd annual Draka Martial Arts Trade Show in Los Angeles. At the event, he was confronted by UFC 1 veteran and Karate practitioner Zane Frazier.

Dux allegedly hired Frazier to teach at his school, but never paid Frazier for the job. Frazier would precede to beat Dux senseless in front of a large crowd.

Rorion Gracie, Big John McCarth, and UFC co-founder Art Howe were actually in attendance for the event. 

Frank Dux claims that Frazier was wearing brass knuckles, but nobody in attendance corroborated his version of the incident.

The Lies of Frank Dux Exposed

The list of lies that Frank Dux has told throughout his life is quite long and we probably missed some. Here are some of the many lies that Frank continues to tell till this day.

The Military Record of His Father

Frank Dux claimed that his father served in the British army’s Jewish Brigade in 1943. The Jewish Brigade was not formed until 1944.

Senzo Tanaka

There is no ninja master named Senzo Tanaka that has ever lived. He took the origin story from the character Tiger Tanaka in the movie, You Only Live Twice.

When confronted with this, Frank claims that the film writer Ian Fleming knew the real Senzo Tanaka. Using his teacher’s story to write the character in the film.

Dux’s Military Record

Frank did serve in the US Marine Corps starting in 1975, but was stationed within the country. He was never shipped off to fight in a Southwest Asian war.

The Vietnam War ended in 1975 and he never won any medals. Let alone going AWOL to win a secret underground tournament.

His superior officers would even note in Dux’s record that he had a tendency to have delusions of grandeur. Never letting something like facts get in the way of a good story.

Richard Robinson

Richard Robinson is a real person and he does claim that he fought in the same Kumite event as Dux. The only problem is Robinson never went to the high school, where he said he won a state championship.

He never attended Lower Merion High School and actually went to the same high school as Frank Dux. How convenient.

The Kumite

Let’s put aside the obvious lies of a secret underground fighting tournament taking place in the Bahamas. Instead, let’s talk about the math of Dux claiming to fight in a 60 round tournament.

Not a 60 man tournament, but a 60 round tournament. Math is not our strong suit on the website, but a 60 round single-elimination tournament is mathematically impossible. 

Did Frank really basically fight the population of an entire country to win his fight? He’ll probably tell you that is true.

Sheldon Lettich

BloodSport writer Sheldon Lettich has also come out to dispute Dux’s claims. On the set of the film, Dux would bring his apparent Medal of Honor medal to show the crew.

It would turn out that years later after an investigation on stolen valor that this wasn’t his medal. This particular medal that Frank had was actually reserved for only members of the army and not marines.

When confronted with this lie, Dux claimed that he never told Lettich this story or showed him the medal.

The Kumite Trophy

Frank Dux has a giant trophy that he claimed he got by winning the Kumite. Turns out that he bought it at a trophy shop in California.

When being exposed as a fraud, the trophy shop presented Dux’s receipt for the trophy. Proving that there never was a Kumite.

Is There Something Frank Dux Didn’t Lie About?

While Frank has fabricated many things in his life, he does seem to have learned actual martial arts at some point. From videos of Dux demonstrating technique, he seemed to have learned a form of Karate and maybe Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.

But there is nothing that he’s shown that indicates he knows anything about ninjutsu. 

The Legacy of Frank Dux

Frank Dux is an icon in the world of fake martial artists. He was able to lie his way into fame and fortune and even get a hit movie made from his delusional fantasies.

Dux is an insane person that will never admit that he was a fraud. But the silver lining is that we got BloodSport out of it and get to laugh at this fake ninja.

George Dillman may be the greatest fraud in the history of the martial arts world. The master of the no touch knockout has been a laughing stock for decades.

If you don’t know who George Dillman is, then get ready. Because this is the story of one of the most blatant frauds that has ever lived.

George Dillman’s Early Years

Before George Dillman was a professional shyster, he actually had a hard upbringing. The first martial art that he took up as a kid was Judo.

But after a falling out with his stepfather, he would begin bouncing from home to home. As a teen, he would take up boxing and becoming an amateur boxer. Earning a record of 25-3 before joining the military like his father.

He was stationed in Washington DC during the riots after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. This is maybe the first of many lies that Dillman would claim over his lifetime.

At the riots, George claimed that he took on thirty men at the same time and put two of them in the hospital. No one can corroborate this story, which would be an ongoing trend in the martial artist’s life.

George Dillman’s Formal Training

In 1961, Dillman would begin practicing Karate and begin dedicating his life to his training. After earning his black belt, George said that he would become an active competitor. 

On his website, Dillman claims to have won 323 trophies from 1969 to 1972. Earning them in everything from sparring, forms, breaking, and weapons.

In 1972, George would meet Hohan Soken that would introduce him to the art of kyusho-jitsu. A martial art that focuses on pressure points to take down attackers.

It wouldn’t be until ten years later when Dillman saw Seiyu Oyata demonstrate the style in 1982. George would begin training with Oyata and begin his journey into being a famous fake martial artist.

George Dillman Cons The World

After learning how to apparently knock people out with pressure points, Dillman would begin holding seminars around the world. Duping suckers into believing that he really possesses this ability.

Later on, he would somehow develop the power to knockout people with his chi. That’s right, George Dillman can knock people out with electricity that he generates with his hands.

For forty years now, George Dillman has been giving seminars and selling instructional videos of his “abilities.” Getting publicity around the world and demonstrating his bs to the masses.

He has “taught” his abilities to everyone around the world from members of the military to celebrities.

In 1997, Dillman was awarded instructor of the year by Black Belt Magazine. Being a professional liar can be quite lucrative.

Truths That George Dillman Told

While there are decades of lies that George Dillman has told, there are a few apparent truths. Here are some things that Dillman said that may actually be true.

George Dillman Being Muhammad Ali’s Bodyguard

One thing that actually might have been true about George Dillman was that he had a relationship with Muhammad Ali. There’s numerous photos of the two together and Dillman.

He apparently walked with Ali to the ring for his fight against Floyd Patterson at Madison Square Garden.

Dillman and Bruce Lee’s Friendship

From a library of photos, Dillman may have also been friends with Bruce Lee. His story of his time with Bruce actually seems legit since he doesn’t boast at all about their sparring sessions.

As George tells the story, he asked Bruce to have a sparring match. When they started, George said Bruce kicked him so fast that he never saw him move.

Dillman Being a Millionaire

George seems to be an actual millionaire, which isn’t a stretch when you think about it. When you’ve been conning people for decades, you’re obviously going to have a little money.

George Dilmman Gets Outed as a Fraud

If it wasn’t obvious that George Dillman is a fraud, the whole world would have it spelled out for them. George Dillman would be covered by a National Geographic show that investigated if stories were fact or fiction.

In this particular episode, they covered if there was any truth behind Dillman’s claims of having chi power. He had previously done shows like Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, but the show would actually dig into his claims.

The NatGeo show would film Dillman and his followers at one of his many seminars. They filmed many of his students “practicing” these techniques and knocking each other out.

Producers of the show brought on an actual chemist to watch the demonstrations. For most of the time, the chemist and producers were trying to hold back their laughter.

Then the time would come for George to try his magic on the chemist. His assistants would try to use their chi on the chemist, but to no avail. 

When their moves didn’t work, George began listing every excuse in the book. He said that the chemist was a non-believer. Therefore, the move would never work on him.

Also something about his tongue could’ve been in a different position in his mouth. But whatever excuse he had didn’t matter. 

George was outed as the fraud that he’s always been.

What if George Dillman was Really Knocking People Out?

Let’s suspend our disbelief and say that George legitimately has this power he claims. What then?

Well, if Dillman does possess this power, he has spent the last forty years knocking thousands of people out. A knockout is brain trauma and that would mean that he’s nearly killed all of these people.

That would mean that Dillman would be on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in damages. But thankfully it was all a scam and only the dumbest of society have given this man money.

George Dillman’s Legacy as a Joke

If there was a Mount Rushmore for fake martial artists, George Dillman would no doubt be on it. He has spent his entire life conning simpletons out of their money with his lies. Dillman is a fake martial arts icon that deserves every joke made at his expense.