Putin’s Tips for What to Do When Negotiations Collapse

Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is flexing his muscles again, this time in an instructional martial arts video.

Ultimate Fighting Tries to Gain a Foothold in Europe

The Ultimate Fighting Championship intends to step into European markets while also creating a fan base largely from scratch.

No Helmet, No Pads, No Escape

Former N.F.L. receiver Johnnie Morton will begin his second career June 2 in perhaps the only sport more violent and more dangerous than professional football.

[TS] 2 Exercises Help Older People Stay on Their Feet

Two Chinese exercise techniques may improve the balance of older people and help prevent falls, according to two new studies.

Ultimate Fighting, Toned Down, Seeks Legalization

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is beginning a public campaign to legalize so-called mixed martial arts fighting in New York State, 11 years after being banned.

Veterans of Storm Find Relief in Combat

For a group of men, the best way to cope with the stresses of life after Hurricane Katrina turned out to be martial arts.

[TS] Defendant's Lawyer Claims Anti-Muslim Bias in Charges

One of the lawyers of a man charged with conspiring to aid Al Qaeda says his client was singled out for being a Muslim.

For the Marshall Islands, a Debut on a World Stage

For the first time, the Marshall Islands are competing in the Olympics.

Marine Is Used to Fighting for His Life

Brian Stann is juggling the responsibilities of life as a husband, future father, Marine officer and having an undefeated record in World Extreme Cagefighting.

METROPOLITAN DIARY; Dear Diary

Tai chi — a discipline, a way of life ... a popular hot drink?...

[TS] SUNDAY MONEY: SPENDING; Picking Up the Sword, Purely for Recreation

ON a Wednesday evening this spring, a dozen or so adults, from their 20' s to their 60' s, attended Misha Shimshovich' s class for beginners at the Fencers Club in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

Arrest in Case of Murdered Athletes in Iraq

Troops captured a man suspected of killing members of the country’s national tae kwon do team in 2006.

Busting Out of Her Shell

The mixed martial arts fighter Gina Carano, who was a former American Gladiator, also battles to maintain a softer side.

Canseco’s Quick Debut

Jose Canseco came out swinging but did not last long in his mixed martial arts debut. Canseco, the former major league slugger, was defeated by the South Korean super heavyweight Hong Man Choi by a knockout 1 minute 17 seconds into the first round in Yokohama, Japan. The referee stopped the fight when the 7-foot-2, 330-pound Choi knocked Canseco to the mat and started punching his head.

Correction

The Medium column on March 15, about mixed martial arts, misspelled the given name of a fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is Quinton (Rampage) Jackson, not Quentin.

Banned Sport Gains Fans, and Seeks More in Albany

Promoters, fighters, teachers and other supporters of mixed martial arts are working to get the the sport legalized in New York.

Elite XC Was Brutal. So Was the Hyperbole.

If M.M.A. truly is the world’s fast-growing sport, why did the announcers of CBS’s broadcast of the Elite XC circus on Saturday sound like such in-house lackeys?

Karate Kast 2005-07-19

Bringing the world of martial arts to you with your host, Master Steven Pinder.

Couture Contract Dispute Settled

After nearly a year of legal disputes, the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced that Randy Couture had signed a three-fight contact and would defend his heavyweight title against Brock Lesnar on Nov. 15 in Las Vegas. “I’m 45,” Couture said in a conference call. “I can’t sit around in courtrooms for very long. I want to fight.” Last October, Couture announced his retirement, citing displeasure with his compensation and the U.F.C.’s inability to arrange a bout with Fedor Emelianenko. Couture,...

Real Men Don’t Fight

To the Editor:.

Real Men Don’t Fight

To the Editor:.

Ending in Main Event Raises Fans’ Suspicions

In the aftermath of Kimbo Slice’s controversial win on Saturday, mixed martial arts fans expressed their displeasure via the Internet.

[TS] Bronx Man Pleads Guilty In Terror Case

The man, Tarik Shah, pleaded guilty to plotting to teach would-be Qaeda operatives how to wage jihad with hand-to-hand combat.

With Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar gained professional fame during his four and a half years with World Wrestling Entertainment. He made his mixed martial arts debut in 2007.

Program Averages 4.3 Million Viewers

CBS’s broadcast of the Elite XC mixed martial arts program Saturday night generated a preliminary national rating of a 2.7.

MOVIE REVIEW | 'PROTAGONIST'; Men Behaving Extremely, With True Believers' Passion

“Protagonist” is an enthralling documentary exploration of people with obsessive needs for control and self-mastery.

[TS] Getting Your Kicks on Television

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has emerged from almost complete disrepute to become perhaps the fastest-growing spectator sport in America.

Pulling No Punches, Brawler Wins His Prime-Time Debut

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson defeated James Thompson by technical knockout 38 seconds into the third round, as mixed martial arts made its debut on CBS.

Badge of Honor for the New Fighter: Mangled Ear

To herald its full arrival as a major sport, mixed martial arts has claimed a signature injury: cauliflower ear.

TV Spotlight Shines on Celebrated Street Brawler

Kevin Ferguson, a mixed martial artist who goes by the name Kimbo Slice, is a knockout artist who has garnered Internet fame for bare-knuckle brawling.

Reimagining a Pivotal Year in China

"Bodyguards and Assassins'' by Teddy Chen -- a fanciful account of Sun Yat-sen's 1905 visit to Hong Kong -- is a likely blockbuster with its star-studded ensemble cast and loads of martial-arts action.

Rusty Kanokogi, Fiery Advocate for Women’s Judo, Dies at 74

Ms. Kanokogi was considered the mother of women’s judo after fighting for more than two decades to make it an Olympic sport.

An Action Star Moves to the Lead

Over the past 26 years, the martial arts actor Donnie Yen has built up a dedicated following. But it is only now, at 46, that he is entering "leading man" territory, previously dominated by Jet Li and Jackie Chan.

Strong, Silent Types (One Very Silent)

Out this week is the martial arts fable “Circle of Iron” and a boxed set of John Gilbert films.

Contender Shores Up Karate’s Reputation Among U.F.C. Fans

Lyoto Machida, who battles Saturday for the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title, has used karate techniques to dominate his opponents.

Companies Warm to Sponsoring Mixed Martial Arts

Once considered too risky, mixed martial arts is now seen by companies as a way to reach young male consumers.

Fighter Shot to Death in Idaho

The fighter Justin Mark Eilers was shot to death during a domestic disturbance, the police said. He was 30.

Madison Square Garden Shows an Interest in Mixed Martial Arts

The Garden will show a mixed martial arts event on a big screen at Radio City Music Hall, which it operates, and it is involved in other fight promotions.

Ultimate Branding

A clothing line promises the “lifestyle” of people who kick one another in the face.

Failed Test Prompts Complaint

To herald its full arrival as a major sport, mixed martial arts has claimed a signature injury: cauliflower ear.

Ultimate Fighting Recruits Military to Its Ranks

The military has embraced mixed martial arts fighting to build morale, aid recruiting and enhance soldiers’ skills.

The Businessman Who Finds Time to Fight

A former all-American running back, Jamal Patterson now spends his days selling orthodontic supplies and his nights engaging in mixed martial arts.

Unified Title at Middleweight

The Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder Anderson Silva choked out Dan Henderson, a champion in the rival Pride Fighting Championships series, at 4 minutes 52 seconds of the second round to claim middleweight supremacy at U.F.C. 82 on Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio.

SPORTS BRIEFING | MIXED MARTIAL ARTS; Fighter Dies 6 Weeks After Bout

Sam Vasquez, a 35-year-old fighter from Houston, was injured in a sanctioned bout in his hometown Oct. 20 and died Friday in a hospice. The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Vasquez’s death, but a spokeswoman said it could be several days before the official cause is determined.Vasquez was hospitalized after he was knocked out by Vince Libardi of San Antonio in the third round of a fight at the Renegades Extreme Fighting show. He lost consciousness and had a seizure.

Tapes Capture Bold Claims of Bronx Man in Terror Plot

In tapes played at a trial, Tarik Shah, a bassist, ninja and would-be terrorist, is heard planning an Al Qaeda combat training center in New York City....

[TS] MIXED MARTIAL ARTS; A 5-Foot-6 Bruiser's Journey From East Meadow to a Title Bout

Huntington.

In China, Jeers and Cheers for ‘Kung Fu Panda’

Sometimes it is important to take a political stand. And sometimes it is just fun to watch a cartoon panda trying to do kung fu.

Going to the Mat to Welcome a Sport to Broadcast TV

CBS announcer Gus Johnson has taken a month of jiu-jitsu training to prepare for Saturday’s EliteXC mixed martial arts card.

Getting Your Kicks on Television

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has emerged from almost complete disrepute to become perhaps the fastest-growing spectator sport in America....

For Soldiers, a Fringe Fighting Sport Finds Mainstream Appeal

Soldiers at Fort Bragg, N.C. took to the ring in a mixed martial arts competition, a sport the military has recently endorsed.

[TS] THE FACE; Diet by the Sword

Mary Tannen slashes her way to fitness.

Prime-Time Deal With CBS

Mixed martial arts will be broadcast on one of the major television networks for the first time. CBS announced a deal with ProElite, which produces mixed martial arts events, to broadcast in prime time two-hour live specials four times a year on Saturday nights. Douglas DeLuca, the chief executive of ProElite, called it a “pivotal moment for the sport.”.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP; St. Pierre Dominates Hughes; Liddell Bests Silva

Georges St. Pierre submitted Matt Hughes to win the interim welterweight title on Saturday, while Chuck Liddell resumed his winning ways in a convincing decision victory over Wanderlei Silva.

MOVIE REVIEW | 'WAR'; Martial Arts With a Gun Instead Of a Kick

Today, it seems, anyone seeking a pleasant summer afternoon of Asian-style fisticuffs must settle for the kind of urban-action/martial-arts hybrid that is “War.”

Morton Knocked Out 38 Seconds Into Bout

After his mixed martial arts loss to Bernard Ackah of the Ivory Coast., former N.F.L. receiver Johnnie Morton was suspended for refusing to take a drug test....

Bronx Man Pleads Guilty in Terror Case

The man, Tarik Shah, pleaded guilty to plotting to teach would-be Qaeda operatives how to wage jihad with hand-to-hand combat....

Men Behaving Extremely, With True Believers' Passion

“Protagonist” is an enthralling documentary exploration of people with obsessive needs for control and self-mastery.

MOVIE REVIEW | 'PROTAGONIST'; Men Behaving Extremely, With True Believers’ Passion

“Protagonist” is an enthralling documentary exploration of people with obsessive needs for control and self-mastery.

[TS] EXECUTIVE PURSUITS; In the Corner With the Gladiators: Trying Out the Life of the Cut Man

Cut men tend to the wounds of mixed martial arts fighters, who combine elements of boxing, wrestling, karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu in one of the country’s fastest-growing sports.

Drug Testing Hasn’t Grown With a Sport

Mixed martial arts, a young and booming sport, has no national or international governing body and lacks a rigorous drug-testing policy....

First Women’s Main Event

Cris Santos, known as Cyborg, handed Gina Carano her first defeat, scoring a technical knockout with a second left in the first round Saturday night in San Jose, Calif.

Lesnar Defends His U.F.C. Title

Brock Lesnar defended his heavyweight title at the Ultimate Fighting Championship 100 on Saturday night, capping the sport’s landmark weekend with a second-round stoppage of Frank Mir.

In Tight, a New (Old) Martial Art Gains Followers

Boxing rings and the streets give rise to a fighting style called the 52 Blocks.

SPORTS BRIEFING | MIXED MARTIAL ARTS; Ultimate Fighting Star Found Dead

Ultimate fighter Evan Tanner is found dead in Palo Verdes Mpuntains in San Diego, Calif; heat stroke is possible cause of death

Judo Icon, a Fighter for Her Sport, Is Facing a New Battle

Rusty Kanokogi, who is considered the mother of women’s judo after giving a lifetime to the sport, is now battling illness.

A Russian Warrior Who Doesn’t Battle for Acclaim

Fedor Emelianenko, the No. 1 mixed martial arts fighter in the world, has been described as superhuman. Yet, in his native Russia, few will likely be watching his next fight.

Claims of Molestation Resurface for Judo Official

The United States Olympic Committee is investigating claims that a high-ranking USA Judo official drugged and sexually molested teenage competitors in the late 1970s.

From the Edge of Madness to Fighting's Mainstream

In just a few years, mixed martial arts has gone from being considered criminal to being considered a legitimate rival to boxing.

[TS] ULTIMATE FIGHTING; Mixed Martial Arts, From the Edge of Madness to Fighting's Mainstream

In just a few years, mixed martial arts has gone from being considered criminal to being considered a legitimate rival to boxing.

CLASS IS IN SESSION: STREET KATA; Hard, Easy or Just Right?

STREET KATA.

Cuban Athlete Is Barred for Kicking Referee’s Face

A Cuban tae kwon do athlete and his coach were barred for life after the athlete kicked a referee in the face following his disqualification in his bronze medal match.

[TS] II: True-Life Tales; Former-Self Defense

The author clears his mind, and defeats the mullet-wearing attacker of his memory.

[TS] Bong Soo Han, 73, Orchestrator Of Martial Arts Scenes

Bong Soo Han helped revolutionize Hollywood’ s understanding of martial arts by creating fight sequences for modern American films.

[TS] How a Cast Got Its Kicks. And Throws. And Punches.

The rule at rehearsals was simple: “ If you hit someone for real, you owe them a beer,” said Timothy Haskell, director of “ The Jaded Assassin.”

Cuban Athlete Is Barred for Kicking Referee in the Face

Ángel Valodia Matos charged at the referee after being disqualified for taking too long in an injury timeout.

Texas: Ex-Chief of Norris Charity Pleads Guilty

The former chief executive of Chuck Norris's martial arts program for inner-city children has pleaded guilty to stealing from the Houston charity.

THE FACE; Diet by the Sword

Mary Tannen slashes her way to fitness....

[TS] FIGHTING; An Ultimate Warrior Is Used to Fighting for His Life

Brian Stann is juggling the responsibilities of life as a husband, future father, Marine officer and having an undefeated record in World Extreme Cagefighting.

[TS] CHEERING SECTION; Woman Joins Fight Club

Kat Amano, a 24-year-old writer and editor who lives in Nashville, trains in jujitsu and is a fan of mixed martial arts, which includes elements of kick boxing, jujitsu and wrestling.

How a Cast Got Its Kicks. And Throws. And Punches.

The rule at rehearsals was simple: “If you hit someone for real, you owe them a beer,” said Timothy Haskell, director of “The Jaded Assassin.”...

EXECUTIVE PURSUITS; In the Corner With the Gladiators: Trying Out the Life of the Cut Man

Cut men tend to the wounds of mixed martial arts fighters, who combine elements of boxing, wrestling, karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu in one of the country’s fastest-growing sports....

[TS] FIGHTING; No Helmet, No Padding And, in the Ring, No Escape

Former N.F.L. receiver Johnnie Morton will begin his second career June 2 in perhaps the only sport more violent and more dangerous than professional football.

DANCE REVIEW; A Blending of Euripides, Martial Arts and Noh

On Thursday night at La MaMa, Company East performed “ Medea,” with a sudden nod toward modern questions of gender identity.

[TS] MIXED MARTIAL ARTS; New Moves for an Age-Old Sport

In the primal pursuit known as mixed martial arts, Renzo Gracie may be the closest thing to a philosopher one will find.

Mixed Martial Arts Makes Its Way to High School

A high school in Winchester, Mass., offers its students a mixed martial arts program as the sport has faced its fair share of controversy.

Emirate in Ultimate Fighting Business

An entertainment promotion company owned by Abu Dhabi has bought a 10 percent stake in the Ultimate Fighting Championship for an undisclosed sum.

From Icon to Lifestyle, the Marketing of Bruce Lee

The daughter of the late martial arts star Bruce Lee has begun an effort to rebuild his image in the global marketplace.

I.O.C. Decision Draws Cheers and Complaints From Athletes

Baseball, softball and karate were among the sports left out of the 2012 Olympics, disappointing those who had been hoping to compete in London.

Ultimate Fighting Circuit Reaches a Milestone

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is poised to stage the biggest, most lucrative event in its history: U.F.C. 100 on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay.

Choose Your Weapon: Exotic Martial Arts

Here are some of the best fighting arts you may never have heard of, all taught in and around New York City.

Blood Sport

Watching a mixed-martial-arts event known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship is a sick but seductive experience.

Mixed Martial Arts: A Tale of Success, but a Note of Caution

An excerpt from an interview with the author of “Blood in the Cage: Mixed Martial Arts, Pat Miletich, and the Furious Rise of the UFC.”

Sparring Partners Put the Team Before All Else

Atony Graf’s role in the Olympics is a strange one: be a punching bag for members of the U.S. tae kwon do team.

Three Siblings Headed to Beijing in Tae Kwon Do

The Lopez family of suburban Houston has become the dominant force in American tae kwon do, and will be sending three siblings to Beijing.

Gladiator

Just because he keeps a fist in both the underground and state-sanctioned worlds of mixed martial arts doesn't mean Shad Smith lacks an inner life.

[TS] THE GOODS; A Soap That Goes to the Mat

Guy Sako, who originally created Defense Soap for amateur wrestlers, keeps his sales consistent by marketing to practitioners of mixed martial arts.

TELEVISION REVIEW; Beware the No. 2 Fighter With a Fierce Mission

“ Afro Samurai,” the new animated five-part series on Spike TV, has showdowns that start off all Kurosawa, with swords and solemn words, but soon turn “ Superfly,” with guns and funk.

[TS] PERSONAL BUSINESS: EXECUTIVE PURSUITS; In This Martial Art, Jack Benny Becomes a Sponge With Spikes

In ki chuan do, you can learn Jack Benny moves that can inspire you to unleash your inner animal in less than half an hour.

Mismatches in the Ring Draw Toughman Critics

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) The roundhouse punch that caught Jerrid Duncan took with it his memory of the night.

II: True-Life Tales; Former-Self Defense

The author clears his mind, and defeats the mullet-wearing attacker of his memory.

MOVIE REVIEW | 'WAR'; Martial Arts With a Gun Instead of a Kick

Today, it seems, anyone seeking a pleasant summer afternoon of Asian-style fisticuffs must settle for the kind of urban-action/martial-arts hybrid that is “War.”...

[TS] CRITIC$(RSQUO$)S CHOICE; New DVDs

A frequent candidate for the finest martial arts movie ever made, “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin” has at last been rescued from video bargain bins by the Weinstein Company.

[TS] Controversial Sport and Its Stars Kick Their Way Toward the Mainstream

Dismissed as too brutal by critics and banned in some states, mixed martial arts is gaining popularity and making progress in its fight for respect.

[TS] FILM; Exit Kicking: Jet Li's Martial Arts Swan Song

It’ s fairly alarming news that Jet Li is calling his new picture, “ Fearless,” the “ conclusion to my life as a martial arts star.”

Once-Secret Martial Art Rises in Ring’s Bright Lights

Recently the increased popularity of mixed martial arts in the United States has brought attention to a Russian discipline of hand-to-hand combat called sambo.

Men Behaving Extremely, With True Believers’ Passion

“Protagonist” is an enthralling documentary exploration of people with obsessive needs for control and self-mastery.

The Color of Victory? Rethinking the Power of a Blue Judo Uniform

Can the color of an athlete's uniform affect success?

CRITIC$(RSQUO$)S CHOICE; New DVDs

A frequent candidate for the finest martial arts movie ever made, “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin” has at last been rescued from video bargain bins by the Weinstein Company.

[TS] It's All Geek to Me

Lack of critical respect for “ 300” and other science fiction means nothing to fans. They made peace with their own dorkiness long ago.

THEATER REVIEW; A Martial Arts Film, Only Live

The first decapitation gets a laugh. The shadow puppets are hits. But Michael Voyer’ s innovative martial-arts fantasy is all about the battles.

Corrections: For the Record

Corrections to Oct 21 article and picture caption about tryouts in Mamaroneck, NY, for league of martial arts fighters

ULTIMATE FIGHTING; Mixed Martial Arts, From the Edge of Madness to Fighting's Mainstream

In just a few years, mixed martial arts has gone from being considered criminal to being considered a legitimate rival to boxing.

TRUE-LIFE TALES; Former-Self Defense

The author clears his mind, and defeats the mullet-wearing attacker of his memory....

From the Edge of Madness to Fighting’s Mainstream

In just a few years, mixed martial arts has gone from being considered criminal to being considered a legitimate rival to boxing....

[TS] 50 Guys, All Trying To Look Like Bruce Lee

Finding one man who looks just like that legendary martial arts master was a challenge, even in an actor-rich, Asian-rich city like Los Angeles.

Past and Future in Championship Fight

Saturday’s fight between Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture represents a generational shift for both mixed martial arts and amateur wrestling.

To the Fighter in Red Go a Few More Spoils

A German study has found that referees consistently favor the tae kwon do fighter wearing red, although the researchers say they are not sure why.

WORLD BRIEFING; Colombia: Wrong Target

Police say that armed man who tried to rob karate school in Bucaramanga, Colombia, was disarmed by dozens of students there

Men Behaving Extremely, With True Believers’ Passion

“Protagonist” is an enthralling documentary exploration of people with obsessive needs for control and self-mastery.

A Kinder, Gentler (but Not by Much) Brand of Fighting

More than 100 men tried out Saturday to become team fighters in the International Fight League, a mixed martial arts organization.