Anderson Silva training with Fabricio Werdum prior to UFC 162

Watch and listen as Anderson Silva trains with ground specialist Fabricio Werdum prior to his title fight against  next weekend.

Semmy Schilt retires due to heart condition

Over the last few months there have been various reports that four-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, 2012 Glory Grand Slam and Glory Heavyweight Champion Semmy Schilt will no longer be fighting. The rumors were first centered around his participation in future tournaments, as after his victory on New Year's Eve in 2012 he stated that he would not participate in future tournaments, although it was quickly brushed off. Since then there has been talk about him fighting Gokhan Saki with the Heavyweight title on the line, but there has also been talk of Schilt no longer fighting at all.

Since last night LiverKick has received numerous reports from reliable sources that Semmy Schilt is retired, effective immediately. The decision was apparently not an easy one for the Hightower, who was instructed to retire from his medical team due to a heart condition that was discovered. This marks the retirement of what may be the greatest Heavyweight Kickboxer of all time, with five big tournament victories under his belt and numerous world championships. Schilt was also a pioneer in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, making his debut in Pancrase in 1996, fighting in both the UFC and PRIDE over the course of his career.

3 Steps to Reduce Stress with Martial Arts Training

              Martial art is regarded as one of the most effective ways of reducing our stress level. With the help of a trained martial arts instructor, you can understand the basic principles of stress reduction and also learn how to manage it successfully.

Is your lifestyle killing you? Do you feel so anxious that it's now getting in the way of sticking to a regular routine? Martial arts training could be the perfect stress buster for you.

Find a skilled and dedicated martial arts instructor near where you live and make the most of the training provided. It is psychologically proven that traditional martial arts training programs are highly effective in diminishing our stress level as well as aggression. It also induces positive attitude towards life.  Here are 3 stages of how to cut down stress level with a conventional martial arts training program efficiently:  

Step 1: Select a martial art form that is best for you

Take your time and learn about different martial art styles, techniques and their basic philosophies. Primarily focus on the traditional forms for maximum stress relief. You can either go for soft styles (such as aikido, tai chi, judo, wrestling, jujitsu etc. which involve throwing and grappling) or concentrate on hard styles like boxing and develop striking as well as blocking skills. Traditional Karate (taekwondo, kung fu etc.), which is a perfect combination of both the elements can also be practiced.

Step 2: Identify with the principles of stress reduction

Martial arts training helps us to know the causes of stress and understand the basic principles of reducing them. It polishes our mind and fosters our warrior spirit which is essential for developing as well as strengthening some of our stress-reducing characteristics. With the help of efficient martial art training sessions, we can sharpen our decision-making capacities, overcome our fears by dominating the associated aspects, establish true focus, project self-confidence and enhance self-management skills greatly in order to build your coping mechanisms against stress.  

Step 3: Learn to expose yourself to the fear factors

When you start practicing martial arts under the proper supervision of a proficient martial arts instructor you undergo a routine that involves facing an opponent. It makes you confront several fear-evoking circumstances. When you are exposed to such situations again and again, you learn how to tackle these successfully. It is extremely helpful in eliminating the fear as well as anxiety as you learn how to take action sensibly and coolly. This is why, martial arts training is considered as one of the most effective ways for boosting our confidence level and self-esteen. However, with time, endurance and regular practices, you would be able to achieve better posture as well as stronger movements. You just need to enlist yourself in a suitable program offered by a martial arts instructor and you would soon find yourself being stress-free.

Scott Adkins - " I am the most complete fighter in the world !! "

      Scott Adkins was born in Sutton Coldfield, England, on June 17th, 1976, into a family that for generations were Butchers. Along with his elder brother Craig, he was raised by John and Janet Adkins, a loving middle-class family. It is worth mentioning that Scott's great, great grandmother was of Spanish descent. Scott attended Bishop Vesey's Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield. Probably not the best of students, he used to sneak downstairs after his parents had gone to bed and watch films all night then fall asleep during lessons. A natural athlete, Scott enjoyed a variety of sports as he grew up, but when he was 10 years old, he accompanied his father and brother to the local Judo club. The attraction was instantaneous. Idolising stars such as Bruce Lee and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Scott began to train everyday. He took over his Dad's garage and turned it into his own Dojo. He even had a shrine to Bruce Lee in there that he would bow to. He remembers being mugged on a bus when he was around 13 and that really kicked his training into overdrive. He wasn't ever going to let that happen again. At the age of 14, Scott went on to train in Tae Kwon Do under the instruction of Ron Sergiew with the T.A.G.B. After a few years, he moved on to Kickboxing under Anthony Jones.Starring roles in feature films soon followed with his portrayal of Talbot in Special Forces (2003) (V) and Yuri Boyka" in Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006). It was this film that broke him into the mainstream with his villainous portrayal of a Russian MMA underground fighter Boyka in what has been hailed as one of the best American made Martial Arts films of recent times.