Why We See Ourselves in These Legends—and Why That Still Matters By Sensei Will Esparza | Friendly Neighborhood Sensei Back in the ‘90s, if you were caught watching anime in America, people laughed. You were labeled weird, immature, or "into cartoons." I remember getting clowned for being obsessed with Dragon Ball Z, while I was literally learning more about honor, loyalty, self-improvement, and discipline from those characters than anything I saw in regular TV or school. But everything changed. WHEN TOONAMI HIT AMERICA It was 1997when Toonamihit Cartoon Network—and that changed the culture forever. Suddenly, American kids were watching Goku power up, Kenshin clash ....

As a lifelong martial artist for over 25 years, I've had the privilege of experiencing extraordinary adventures at the highest levels of the sport. Some of my fondest memories stem from my early 20s when I embraced a nomadic lifestyle, traveling the world like a ronin. I didn’t simply visit new locations—I lived in the UK, Europe, Asia, and the great United States, where I was flown out to build martial arts studios and cover upcoming gyms for media coverage, not just to train. Through martial arts, I encountered diverse cultures, customs, tastes, and scents that have enriched my life beyond measure. I firmly believe it is imperative for young men and women to venture out ....

Being a martial arts fanatic from a young age, my passion for the sport has led me on a transformative journey filled with incredible experiences and invaluable lessons. Watching iconic films like "Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior" ignited a fire within me, pushing me to explore the world of martial arts beyond my karate origins. My desire to delve into Muay Thai ultimately guided me to Thailand, where I immersed myself in the culture, built strong connections in the industry, and found my calling as a combat sports agent. After mastering both Karate and Muay Thai, I decided to take my passion to the next level by producing and filming my first Muay Thai television show to promote the sport ....

Jon Jones is back in the testing pool. Again. Jones, the UFC’s biggest star and arguably the greatest fighter of all time, has had his fair share of ups and downs. He became the youngest champion in UFC history when he claimed the light heavyweight belt at just 23 years old (UFC 128, March 19, 2011), defeating Maurício "Shogun" Rua — a legend of the Pride era. That moment kickstarted a run that’s never been matched. Since becoming champion, Jones only fought in main events, stacking up wins across three generations of elite fighters: The first wave came from the old guard between 2010 and 2013. Jon took out legends like Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson, ....