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.

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.

VITAL SIGNS: EXERCISE; A Little Tai Chi Can Go A Long Way Against Shingles

Older people who practice tai chi may be better equipped to fight off the virus that causes shingles or experience a milder case of it, researchers say.

MUSIC REVIEW; A Rocker Who Likes Limelight. Lots of It.

Something terrible happened at the David Lee Roth concert at the Nokia Theater in Times Square on Thursday night: The show kept going.

Sport Sees 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.

‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ Design Choices

The filmmakers of “Kung Fu Panda 2” explored more of China for inspiration in scenery and design.

It Only Looks Dangerous

Mixed martial arts is much safer than other, supposedly more civilized sports, and New York State should finally sanction it.

U.F.C. Bans Vuvuzelas

The U.F.C. president Dana White said vuvuzelas are being banned for Saturday’s fight in Las Vegas between the heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin, the interim belt holder.

At New York Buddhist Church, Japanese Martial Arts

In a dojo housed in the New York Buddhist Church, students scream, kick and hurl their bodies through the air as they train in Japanese martial arts.

Film About Chinese Martial Arts Master From China

“Ip Man,” a proletarian kung fu movie by Wilson Yip, tells the life story of a Chinese martial arts master.

Corrections

Correction of February 2 article about some evangelical churches that have turned to mixed martial arts to attract young men; XTreme Ministries founder John Renken is 37, not 42

A King of Kung Fu Films Savors Work and Honors

Sammo Hung, who was given a lifetime achievement award at the New York Asian Film Festival, continues to fuel his passion for martial arts movies.

Lesnar To Return In July

The Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will return from a yearlong absence to meet the interim champ Shane Carwin on July 3.

Overseer of Boxing, Supporter of M.M.A.

Melvina Lathan, the top boxing official in New York State, said she supported proposed legislation to legalize a sport that the State Legislature banned.

Martial Arts With a Digital Twist

The Hong Kong directors the Pang Brothers, known for their small-budget horror films, have tackled a new genre: a martial arts fantasy full of computer-generated imagery.

Emelianenko Defeats Rogers in Second Round

Fedor Emelianenko’s victory over Brett Rogers in a Strikeforce M-1 Global heavyweight bout didn’t come easily.

Mixed Martial Arts for Fitness, Not Combat

Mixed martial arts, a sport that combines techniques from a host of fighting styles, has become the latest martial arts craze in the United States.

World’s Top Fighter Rejects His Sport’s Top Brand

Fedor Emelianenko, a heavyweight from Russia, will join Strikeforce and deny the Ultimate Fighting Championship the chance to put him in its mixed martial arts fold.

Cut-Prone Fighters Turn to Surgery to Limit Bleeding

Mixed martial arts fighters, who often are at risk of deep lacerations, are turning to plastic surgery with hopes of limiting their propensity for bleeding and prolonging their careers.

U.S. Wrestlers Given Incentive to Bypass Mixed Martial Arts

U.S.A. Wrestling announced the creation of a fund that will pay future Olympic wrestlers a staggering $250,000 for a gold medal, $50,000 for a silver and $25,000 for a bronze.

Cuban Athlete Kicks Referee And Faces a Lifetime Ban

Angel Valodia Matos of Cuba kicks referee Chakir Chelbat after being disqualified from bronze medal match in tae kwon do; World Taekwondo Federation says he will be banned from all future sanctioned events and records at Beijing Games will be erased; photo

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.

Diet by the Sword

Mary Tannen slashes her way to fitness.

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.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS; 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....

[TS] MIXED MARTIAL ARTS; No Holds (or Kicks, or Punches) Barred

Mixed martial arts, a sport combining martial arts with boxing, has a star and many aspiring fighters.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Goes Mainstream With Bout on Fox

The Ultimate Fighting Championship, criticized for its brutal nature, will appear for the first time on network television with a title fight on Saturday on Fox.