Chavez School of Martial Arts Ju-Kempo

01/15/2026

12/24/2025

I got to train with Frank several years ago. Great experience.

December 21.1997 27 years ago today, Frank Shamrock became the first Light Heavyweight Champion in UFC history.

Frank Shamrock (born Frank Alisio Juarez III on December 8, 1972) rose from a turbulent childhood to become one of the most influential pioneers in mixed martial arts. He grew up in a broken home, became a ward of the state at 12, and was incarcerated at 18 — but by 22, he was a world‑recognized champion.
Rise in MMA
• Frank was adopted by Bob Shamrock, joining the same family as Ken Shamrock, and began training in the Lion’s Den.
• He became the first UFC Middleweight Champion (later renamed Light Heavyweight Champion) and retired from the UFC as an undefeated, four‑time defending champion.
• During his peak, he was widely regarded as the top pound‑for‑pound fighter in the world.
• He also won titles in Pancrase, WEC, and Strikeforce, cementing his legacy as a true MMA pioneer.
Fighting Style & Legacy
• Known for his well‑rounded skill set — submissions, striking, conditioning, and strategy — he helped define the modern, cross‑trained MMA athlete.
• His legendary fight with Tito Ortiz at UFC 22 remains one of the sport’s early classics.
• Frank is often credited with bringing professionalism, athleticism, and media presence to MMA long before it became mainstream.

10/02/2025

The image features Benny Urquidez, a legendary figure in martial arts and kickboxing, demonstrating a martial arts stance.
Pioneer of Full-Contact Fighting: Urquidez is known for pioneering full-contact karate in the United States in 1974, transitioning from non-contact point karate.
Undefeated World Champion: Nicknamed "The Jet," he held six world titles in five different weight divisions and remained largely undefeated throughout his 27-year professional kickboxing career.
Martial Arts Choreographer and Actor: Beyond his fighting career, Urquidez also made a name for himself as a combat choreographer and actor, showcasing his unique fighting style in numerous films.
Lasting Legacy: His dedication, fighting skills, and impact on both the sport and film industries have cemented his place in history, inspiring martial artists worldwide.

10/01/2025

The fight between Bruce Lee and Wong Jack Man in 1964 is one of the most controversial and disputed events in martial arts history, with conflicting accounts from those present. The private, no-rules fight reportedly took place in Oakland, California, following a dispute over Lee's decision to teach kung fu to non-Chinese students.
The cause of the fight

The reasons for the match are debated, but two primary stories exist:
Wong Jack Man's version: Wong claimed the fight was sparked by Lee's arrogance.

Wong says Lee made an open challenge to any martial artist in Chinatown after a demonstration, which Wong took offense to. Wong maintained he had no issue with Lee teaching non-Chinese students.

Bruce Lee's version: Lee's wife, Linda Lee Caldwell, claimed that the Chinese martial arts community in San Francisco was opposed to Lee teaching Westerners.

They sent Wong Jack Man to challenge Lee, with the condition that if Lee lost, he would have to stop teaching white students.

Conflicting accounts of the fight
Since no film footage exists and only a handful of people witnessed the fight, its outcome is highly debated.

Bruce Lee's side
According to Linda Lee Caldwell, Bruce ended the fight in under three minutes. She says Lee overwhelmed Wong with his speed, forced him to retreat, and eventually brought him to the floor, where Wong submitted.

Lee himself confirmed aspects of this in a magazine interview without naming Wong. He said he defeated a "kung-fu cat" who "started to run," but the fight took too long and exhausted him.

Impact on Lee's career: The fact that the fight lasted longer than he expected—even if only for a few minutes—dissatisfied Lee with his Wing Chun style. This motivated him to develop his own martial art, Jeet Kune Do, which was a more explosive and efficient fighting style.

Wong Jack Man's side
According to Wong, the fight was much longer, lasting over 20 minutes. He claimed that Lee fought like a "mad bull" but that he successfully defended himself and that Lee ultimately became exhausted.

After the match, Wong publicly disputed Lee's account and challenged him to a public rematch in a Chinese newspaper, but Lee never responded.

Supporting claims: Some reports suggest that Wong went to work as a waiter the next day with only minor injuries, a fact used by his supporters to cast doubt on Lee's decisive victory claim.

Neutral witness account
Tai Chi master William Chen was reportedly one of the few people present and described the outcome as a "tie". His account aligns with Wong's version regarding the length of the fight (20–25 minutes) and that Wong fought defensively.

The fight's legacy
Regardless of the actual victor, the fight had a lasting impact on Bruce Lee. It fueled his desire to create a more effective fighting style and move away from traditional martial arts. For Wong Jack Man, the fight was a defining moment of his life, though he later expressed regret over it. Because there is no conclusive video evidence or universally agreed-upon account, the full truth behind the famous showdown remains a mystery.

09/26/2025

The image features Gōgen Yamaguchi, a prominent Japanese martial artist and the founder of the International Karate-do Goju-kai Association. He is known for his unique style of Goju-ryu karate and his significant contributions to the martial art's development and spread globally.
Gōgen Yamaguchi (1909-1989) was a master of Goju-ryu karate, a style of karate characterized by a combination of hard and soft techniques.
He is often referred to as "The Cat" due to his distinctive fighting stance and fluid movements.
Yamaguchi played a pivotal role in popularizing karate in Japan and internationally after World War II.
He founded the International Karate-do Goju-kai Association, which became one of the largest karate organizations worldwide.
His teachings emphasized not only physical technique but also the spiritual and philosophical aspects of karate-do

09/17/2025

Promotions Brooke to Shodan, Caleb to brown, Jay to yellow. Congratulations and keep training!!! Sensei