Benny Urquidez
Benny Urquidez | |
---|---|
![]() Urquidez in 1998 | |
Born | Tarzana, California,U.S. | June 20, 1952
Other names | The Jet |
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[1] |
Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
Division | Lightweight Super Lightweight Welterweight |
Style | Kenpo-Shotokan, Ukidokan Kickboxing |
Fighting out of | Los Angeles, California,United States |
Team | The Jet Center |
Years active | 1974–1985, 1989, 1993 |
Kickboxingrecord | |
Total | 67 |
Wins | 63 |
By knockout | 57 |
Losses | 1 |
Draws | 1 |
No contests | 2 |
Other information | |
Notable students | Pete Cunningham,David Lee Roth,John Cusack,Richard Norton,Dave Mustaine,Duff McKagan |
Benny Urquidez(born June 20, 1952) is an American former professionalkickboxer,martial arts choreographerand actor.[2]Nicknamed "The Jet",Urquidez was a non-contactkaratecompetitor who later pioneeredfull-contactfighting in the United States.[3][4]He made the transition from point tofull-contact karatein 1974, the year of its inception in the US, frequently fighting in bouts where the rules were ambiguous and contrasts in styles were dramatic. Urquidez is also known for once holding the rare achievement of six world titles in five different weight divisions, and remained largely undefeated in his 27-year career. His only loss came in aMuay Thaimatch which was shrouded in controversy, as Urquidez had only agreed to a no-decision exhibition, a clause which was ignored when the fight had ended.[5]
Between 1974 and 1993, he amassed a documented professional record of 49–1–1 (win-loss-draw) with 35 knockouts and two controversial no-contests, although he is also supposed to have an additional record of 10–0–1 (10 KOs) in undocumented professional fights, making a total of 59–1–2–2 (45 KOs).[6]However, sources vary withRatingslisting Urquidez as 63–0–1, (57 knockouts) and on his own official webpage, Urquidez lists his fight record as 200–0, and says he was 63–0, with 57 knockouts in title defenses. Also, he claims to have been undefeated in the "Adult Black Belt Division" prior to entering full-contact karate.Black Beltmagazine voted Urquidez "Competitor of the Year" in 1978.[7]In 2019, he was inducted into theInternational Sports Hall of Fame.[8]
He has appeared in occasional acting roles, including theJackie ChanmoviesWheels on Meals(1984) andDragons Forever(1988), and played a hitman inGeorge Armitage'sGrosse Pointe Blank(1997).[9]
Early life, family and education
[edit]Urquidez was born inLos Angeles County, California,the son of awrestlingmother and aboxingfather. His parents are ofSpanish(Basque),MexicanandBlackfootancestry. He has said that his father was Spanish and his mother was Native American.[10]
Benny began competing in 1958, at the age of five, in "peewee" boxing and wrestling in Los Angeles. His martial arts instruction started when he was seven years old; his first formal teacher wasBill Ryusaki.[11]Urquidez received hisblack beltat the age of 14, a highly unusual feat in the 1960s. His siblings also achieved the rank of black belt.[12]His sister Lilly Rodriguez was a pioneer in kickboxing for women,[13]and their late brother Reuben Urquidez appeared with Benny in a documentary on the combination martial art budojujitsu.
Career
[edit]At the age of 12, Urquidez attended theLong Beach International Karate Championshipsin 1964. He witnessed a demonstration byBruce Lee,including theone-inch punchwhich sent a 245-pound man flying back. This demonstration by Lee inspired a young Urqidez to start entering martial arts tournaments.[14]
He entered the point circuit in 1964 and earned a reputation as a colorful fighter.[citation needed]At the 1972 Santa Monica Kempo Open, Urquidez lost in the finals to Brian Strian. In the 1973Internationals,he fought John Natividad in what is considered one of the greatest non-contact bouts in history.[citation needed]In an unprecedented 25-point overtime match, Natividad won the match 13–12, receiving the Grand Title and the $2,500 purse. In May 1974, at the PAWAK Tournament, Urquidez lost a 4–1 decision toJoe Lewis.He also competed in England and Belgium as a member ofEd Parker's 1974 US team. Also in 1974, he began his move away from the non-contact style by entering and winning the World Series of Martial Arts Championship, effectively a tough-man contest with few rules. Over the next two decades, he fought under various kickboxing organizations (NKL, WPKO,Professional Karate Association(PKA),World Kickboxing Association(WKA), AJKBA, Shin-Kakutojutsu Federation, NJPW and MTN) to amass a record of 58 wins with no losses. This undefeated record, though official, is controversial and highly disputed.
In 1977, Urquidez traveled to Japan and fought under the WKA's compromise US–Japan rules which included leg kicks and knees to the body.[15]He defeated Katsuyuki Suzuki by KO in the 6th round (August 1977) as part of the professional wrestling event in whichAntonio Inokifought Everett Eddy in what was said to be a wrestler/karate fighter mixed match but was a pre-determinedpro wrestlingmatch. The Suzuki fight materialized because the newly formed WKA organization could not compete against the PKA in the US.[16]At the same time, Japanese professional wrestlerAntonio Inoki,who gained the worldwide fame by fightingMuhammad Aliin the controversial 1976 boxer/wrestler mixed-match in Japan, had been looking for new opponents for what he called the world martial arts championship series. Eventually, promoter Ron Holmes discovered Everett Eddy for Inoki. By that time, Eddy had been coached by Arnold Urquidez, and lost in a knockout in the 1st round to PKA world heavyweight champion Ross Scott in the previous year. In the same event, Benny Urquidez knocked outHoward Jackson,but soon his lightweight title was stripped by the PKA, and so both Eddy and Urquidez had no action in the US, and had to look for fights overseas. Even though the Inoki/Eddy bout was successful, it was the fight between Urquidez and Suzuki, which shocked Japan, where Japanese kickboxing had been very popular. Though never tested for or achieved any rank in Japanese karate, Urquidez has decided to bestow upon himself[citation needed]the title ofsensei,a Japanese honorific term which is given to experts and instructors meaning: "someone who precedes you in knowledge".[17]
The All-Japan Kickboxing Association, for which Suzuki had been rated as No. 2, became interested in the American sport of full-contact karate, decided to promote series of mixed-rules bouts between the American full-contact karate fighters and Japanese kickboxers. On November 14, 1977, the AJKF held the first of such event which featured Benny Urquidez, his brother-in-law Blinky Rodriguez, Marc Costello, Brendan Leddy, Tony Lopez, Leonard Galiza and Freddy Avila. Only Benny Urquidez and Costello came out as the winners for the American team.[18]Urquidez's victory over Kunimitsu Okao convinced the Japanese fight fans, and eventually began to be featured as the central figure for what was supposed to be the documentary comic book,The Square Ring,until he declined to avenge his loss against theThaiopponent Prayout Sittiboonlert. Urquidez's second loss came in August 1980 in Florida. American Billye Jackson dominated seven rounds including knocking Urquidez down. Urquidez protested the decision and petitioned the WKA's Howard Hansen to classify it as a no-contest.
After 1980, Urquidez' ring appearances became less frequent. Between 1981 and 1984 he fought only sporadically. In 1984, he fought Ivan Sprang inAmsterdamunder modifiedMuay Thairules (no elbows), winning by 6th-round TKO. His ring career largely came to a halt after 1985, and he retired after facingYoshihisa Tagamiat the age of 41. Subsequently, Urquidez became devoted toacting,teaching kickboxing andmartial arts choreography.Urquidez's late brother Reuben was also a competitive martial artist and actor; they appeared together in a 1982 training video,World Of Martial Arts,along withSteve Sanders (karate),Chuck NorrisandJohn Saxon.Van Halenlead singerDavid Lee Rothdedicated the band's hit 1984 song "Jump"to Urquidez, of whom Roth was a student.[19]
In 2000, Urquidez andEmil Farkasfounded the Los Angeles Film Fighting Institute, which was one of the first schools of its kind in the United States to teach martial artists the intricacies of stunt work.
Urquidez has had training in nine styles:Judo,Kajukenbo,Shotokan,Taekwondo,Lima Lama,White Crane Kung Fu,Jujutsu,AikidoandAmerican Kenpo.He is the founder of Ukidokan Karate.[20]He continued to teach at The Jets Gym inNorth Hollywood, California.Urquidez has also authored various instructional books and videos. He also has a special friendship with actor/clientJohn Cusackwith whom talks of opening up a bigger gym in Santa Monica, targeting former champions as clients and trainers are in the works as Cusack has shown interest in taking part as co-owner.[20]The Jets Gym in the North Hollywood location closed in 2007, to make way for a shopping mall. Today, he is still very active teaching privately, and working as a stunt coordinator in the entertainment business. He teaches ukidokan kickboxing at Team Karate Center in Woodland Hills, California.[12]
Controversies
[edit]Varied fights
[edit]Benny Urquidez was the first kickboxing champion with an international profile who also operated as afree agentunder different rules for different sanctions. Consequently, he fought in several unorthodox match-ups and hotly disputed bouts. In late 1974, in the grand finale of an earlymixed martial arts-style tough man contest inHonolulu,Hawaii,a 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m), 145 lb (66 kg) Urquidez decisioned a 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), 230 lb (100 kg) Dana Goodson after scoring a takedown and pin against Goodson in the third and final round.[21]
A year later, in Detroit, Urquidez was disqualified for knocking out his opponent with a fourth punch under the subsequently-discontinued three-punch rule. The disqualifying referee was the opponent's own karate instructor. The bout was excoriated on network television, prompting state athletic commissions across the United States to become interested in regulating the sport. Chuck Norris' short-lived International Karate League (IKL) and later theSTAR System world ratingsreversed this outcome.[15]
Another three bouts were eventually ruled no-contests (NC). The first, in Los Angeles on March 12, 1977, was a nine-round NC (WKA) against Thai boxer Narongnoi Kiatbandit as part of the inaugural WKA world title event.[22]Urquidez scored flash-knockdowns against Narongnoi in rounds three and six as well as five legal throws over three other rounds. Narongnoi was warned for illegal knee kicks and groin attacks on four occasions before being assessed with a point deduction in round nine. However, the point deduction came shortly after Narongnoi had scored his sole flash-knockdown which, in turn, provoked a riot among Muay Thai fans in the audience. The audience invaded the ring moments before the final bell. Scores were never collected for round nine. The California State Athletic Commission declared the no-contest.[15]
Next, on April 29, 1978, Urquidez faced his fourth Japanese opponent Shinobu Onuki in Tokyo; the event was co-promoted by the AJKBA and Shin-Kakutojutsu Federation. Eventually, Urquidez executed a throw that dislocated Onuki's shoulder. Initially, because of the throw, Urquidez was given a TKO loss, however, the promoters acknowledged that Urquidez used the throw without knowing it was illegal under Japanese rules; the bout was then scored as a no-contest.[23]Following this unsatisfactory result, the two faced each other again inLas Vegason January 2, 1980. The fight was aired by NBC, and this time Urquidez knocked out Onuki with a left hook to the body. Later, in October 1981, when the AJKBA merged with the WKA, the WKA transmuted the original Onuki no-contest to a TKO victory for Urquidez because, in fact, Urquidez's fight contract had permitted throws.[15]
Third, Urquidez fought to a seven-round NC (WKA) against Billye Jackson in West Palm Beach, Florida, on August 8, 1980. This non-title fight was first reported as a seven-round decision for Jackson; then was changed to a seven-round technical draw, and then to a no-contest. The WKA waited until March 1986 to unambiguously transmute this outcome owing to uneven glove assignments and a coerced last-minute rule change that unfairly affected Urquidez's performance in an otherwise close bout. Despite multiple attempts to reschedule a rematch to settle the dispute Urquidez refused to fight Jackson.[15]The no-contest status of these fights has been corroborated in print by Paul Maslak (Chief Administrator of theSTAR System world ratings).[24]As a side note, the WKA and Star system ratings were owned and operated by Urquidez brother, Arnold.
Meanwhile, on August 2, 1978, Urquidez faced the then fifth-ranked welterweight Thai boxer, Prayout Sittiboonlert, in Tokyo as part of the Shin-Kakutojutsu Organization's first independent event. The rules for the bout included six two-minute rounds, one-minute intervals, and no elbow contact as per agreement with Urquidez. Urquidez lost a heart-stopping decision to the Thai, who controlled the fight with relentless knee attacks and through the masterful use of Thai clinches.[25]Afterward, Urquidez claimed he had been maneuvered into a competitive bout under unaccustomed "new rules" through deliberate misrepresentations.[26]A rematch was set on October 30, 1978, at the Budokan (Martial Arts Hall) as part of the five world championships card for the Shin-Kakutojutsu Organization. However, for unknown reasons, Urquidez canceled the fight on the day of the event.[citation needed]According to one report, Urquidez did travel to Japan, but was unable to recover sufficiently from a high fever which he contracted from an allergic reaction to pain medication being used to treat a lingering left knuckle injury.[27]This sanctioning organization was among several discontinued in 1981 for alleged ties to organized crime.[28]Both the WKA and the STAR world ratings regarded this bout as muay Thai, a separate sport, and did not include it as part of Urquidez's rankings and record count for kickboxing.[15]
After a six-year absence from the Japanese ring, Urquidez agreed to fight an exhibition against Nobuya Asuka on April 24, 1989, at the Tokyo Dome as part of theNew Japan Pro-Wrestlingevent. The rules of the bout were five rounds at two-minutes each, one-minute intervals and without elbow or knee contact to the head. Additionally, it was established that, if the fight went the distance, it would automatically be scored as a draw.[29]The bout did go five rounds without knockout or disqualification and a no-decision was immediately declared.[24]
After another four-year absence on December 4, 1993, in "The Legend's Final Challenge" at the Mirage Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Urquidez fought Japanese champion Yoshihisa Tagami to establish the vacant WKA super welterweight world title. Despite having injured his left wrist in training,[30]Urquidez proceeded with the bout and narrowly defeated his equally aggressive opponent with kicking attacks. Urquidez slipped to the canvas in round two; and Tagami scored a clean flash knockdown in round nine. Neither contestant was ever in serious trouble. The bout ended in a split decision, two judges scoring for Urquidez, one for Tagami.[31]
Gracie Challenge
[edit]In September 1994, Urquidez revealed he had been challenged byRorion Graciefor amixed martial artsbout as part of theGracie Challenge.He claimed to have backed down from the fight, considering it to be just a promotional stunt, due to Rorion demanding to fight for free after having negotiated for a fight purse.[30]In response, in November of the same year, Rorion's brotherRoyce Graciechallenged Urquidez himself,[32]which Benny rejected on the grounds of being retired.[33]
Months later, Royce Gracie wrote an attack piece printed inBlack Beltmagazine titled "Message for Urquidez: Actions Speak Louder Than Words" in which he voiced his issues with Urquidez, criticizing Urquidez for not submitting to the Gracies' demands for a fight; Gracie alleged that Rorion had dominated Urquidez in a training bout at Urquidez's Jet Center gym in 1978, taking him down "several times" without being touched. Although Gracie went on to state that "that's how the whole Gracie rivalry with Benny started", he went on to accuse Urquidez of having said he would "help Rorion", but not following through on the offer.[33]He also claimed Urquidez only wanted to fight underkickboxingrules, to lessen the chance of being defeated, and that Rorion refused on the grounds that he was "not a kickboxer". None of Gracie's claims were independently verified.[33]
Movie roles
[edit]![]() |
Urquidez has played a number of roles in variousmartial arts movies.The first wasForce: Five(1981), starringJoe LewisandBong Soo Han.Later, he made two movies withJackie Chan,Wheels on Meals(1984) andDragons Forever(1988), wherein he fights against the characters played byJackie Chan,Sammo HungandYuen Biao.Urquidez is depicted as a relentlessly tough opponent who is defeated in the climactic fight scenes of both movies.[34]His final fight with Chan inWheels on Mealsis considered to be among the finest fights of Chan's career, including by Chan himself.[35]
Urquidezcameoedas a kickboxer in theTromafilmRagin' Cajun.The movie, filmed in 1988 and released in 1991, wrongfully asserted that it featured Urquidez's first film appearance, stating in the opening credits, "Introducing Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez". He appeared in the 1989 filmRoadhouseas one of the fighters seen at a car dealership which is partially destroyed in elaborately choreographed mayhem. He trainedPatrick Swayzein his own fighting techniques for the film. Urquidez appears in the 1991 filmBlood Match,and in 1992, he played a referee in theJames WoodsandLouis Gossett Jr.filmDiggstown.He has a cameo appearance in the movieStreet Fighter(1994), playing one of several prisoners put in a truck with Ken, Ryu, Sagat and Vega. Urquidez was also responsible for the physical training of most of theStreet Fightercast.[36]He was set to play a different character in the franchise, Raven, in a game based on the movie, but the character was later scrapped.[37][38]
Urquidez performed in the filmGrosse Pointe Blank(1997) as Felix La Poubelle, a hitman sent to kill a character played byJohn Cusack.He appeared in1408(2007) as a spectral killer with a hammer, again with Cusack. Urquidez is Cusack's long-time kickboxing trainer.[39]Urquidez also appeared as one of several thugs who accostKirsten Dunst'scharacter in the firstSpider-Manfilm during an attempted robbery; Urquidez plays the thug wearing a black-and-white-striped T-shirt who makes kissing noises at Dunst.
He was a fight coordinator for an episode of the television dramaCriminal Minds,"The Bittersweet Science" (season 7, episode 10),[40]and also appears in the episode in a 30-second role as an undergroundMMAreferee.[citation needed]
Titles and awards
[edit]- World Kickboxing League W.K.L - Hall of Fame 2013
- Black BeltMagazine
- 1978 Competitor of the Year
- KATOGI
- KATOGI super-lightweight (-63.6 kg) world champion (0 title defences - vacated): 1978
- Muay Thai Bond Nederland
- M.T.B.N. welterweight (-66 kg) world champion (0 title defences - vacated): 1984
- National Karate League
- N.K.L. lightweight (-70.5 kg) world champion (3 title defences - vacated): 1974-1975
- Professional Karate Association
- P.K.A.lightweight (-65.9 kg) world champion (2 title defences - vacated): 1976-1977
- STAR System World Kickboxing Ratings
- World Kickboxing Association
- W.K.A.super-welterweight (-70 kg) world champion (0 title defences - vacated): 1993
- W.K.A.welterweight (-66.8 kg) world champion (0 title defences - vacated): 1985
- W.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world champion (14 title defences - vacated): 1977-1985Note that 1 of the defences were for the W.K.A. lightweight world title (-65.9 kg) but the weight classes were later restructured
- World Professional Karate Organization
- W.P.K.O. lightweight (-65.9 kg) world champion (0 title defences): 1975
- World Series of Martial Arts Championships
- W.S.M.A.C. lightweight (-79.5 kg) world champion (4 title defences - vacated): 1975-1976
- W.S.M.A.C. openweight (unlimited weight) world champion (1 title defences - vacated): 1974-1976
Kickboxing record
[edit]Note that the record below is the documented professional record of Benny Urquidez from theS.T.A.R.website. He also is believed to have 11 undocumented matches, winning 10, drawing one with all 10 victories by way of KO.
49 Wins (35 (T)KOs, 14 decisions), 1 loss, 1 draw, 3 no contests[41] | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event/Venue | Location | Method | Round | Time | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1993-12-04 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event @Mirage Hotel | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | Decision (split) | 12 | 48-1-4 | |
WinsW.K.A.super welterweight (-70 kg) world title. Vacates title after bout. | ||||||||
1989-04-24 | No-Decision | ![]() |
N.J.P.W. Event @Tokyo Dome | Tokyo, Japan | No-Decision | 5 | 2:00 | 47-1-4 |
1985-11-16 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Northridge, California, USA | Decision (split) | 12 | 2:00 | 47-1-3 |
WinsW.K.A.welterweight (-66.8 kg) world title and receives recognition asS.T.A.R.undisputed welterweight (-66.8 kg) champion. Prior to fight vacates W.K.A. super-lightweight world title, while after fight he also vacates W.K.A. welterweight world title. | ||||||||
1984-01-15 | Win | ![]() |
M.T.B.N. Event | Amsterdam, Netherlands | TKO (referee stoppage) | 4 | 1:37 | 46-1-3 |
Wins M.T.B.N. welterweight (-66 kg) world title. | ||||||||
1983-09-12 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Tokyo, Japan | KO | 6 | 1:37 | 45-1-3 |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (14th defence). | ||||||||
1983-01-08 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Tokyo, Japan | KO | 4 | 44-1-3 | |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (13th defence). | ||||||||
1982-06-21 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | KO (spinning back kick) | 6 | 1:48 | 43-1-3 |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (12th defence). | ||||||||
1982-02-02 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event @Queen Elizabeth Stadium | Hong Kong | Decision | 6 | 2:00 | 42-1-3 |
1981-04-09 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event @Queen Elizabeth Stadium | Hong Kong | TKO (cut) | 4 | 41-1-3 | |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (11th defence). | ||||||||
1980-08-09 | NC | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | West Palm Beach, Florida, USA | decision loss | 7 | 2:00 | 40-1-3 |
1980-04-19 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Decision | 9 | 2:00 | 40-1-2 |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (10th defence). | ||||||||
1980-01-26 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event @Tropicana Casino Hotel | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | KO (left hook) | 7 | 39-1-2 | |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (9th defence). | ||||||||
1979-?-? | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Tijuana, Mexico | KO | 4 | 38-1-1 | |
1979-10-01 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. & A.J.K.B.A. Event | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 9 | 2:00 | 37-1-2 |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (8th defence). | ||||||||
1979-09-14 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Ensenada, Mexico | Decision | 9 | 2:00 | 36-1-2 |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (7th defence). | ||||||||
1979-?-? | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Tijuana, Mexico | KO | 2 | 35-1-2 | |
1979-07-05 | Win | Frank Lee | W.K.A. Event @ Northland Pavilion | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | KO | 34-1-2 | ||
1979-05-02 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | South Lake Tahoe, California, USA | KO | 6 | 33-1-2 | |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (6th defence). | ||||||||
1978-08-02 | Loss | ![]() |
KATOGI Event | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 6 | 3:00 | 32-1-2 |
Loses KATOGI super-lightweight (-63.6 kg) world title. | ||||||||
1978-04-29 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. & A.J.K.B.A. Event | Tokyo, Japan | TKO (injury) | 3 | 1:17 | 32-0-2 |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (5th defence). Fight was originally awarded to Onuki via a disqualification victory due to what was deemed an illegal throw by Urquidez. This was later changed to ano contestand then by the W.K.A. to a TKO victory for Urquidez. | ||||||||
1978-04-10 | Win | ![]() |
KATOGI Event | Osaka, Japan | KO (spinning back kick) | 1 | 1:16 | 31-0-2 |
Wins KATOGI super-lightweight (-63.6 kg) world title. | ||||||||
1978-04-05 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | TKO | 4 | 30-0-2 | |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (4th defence). | ||||||||
1977-11-14 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. & A.J.K.B.A. Event @Nippon Budokan | Tokyo, Japan | KO | 4 | 1:31 | 29-0-2 |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (3rd defence). | ||||||||
1977-08-03 | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. & A.J.K.B.A. Event @Nippon Budokan | Tokyo, Japan | KO | 6 | 28-0-2 | |
RetainsW.K.A.super-lightweight (-64.5 kg) world title (2nd defence). Note that W.K.A. had reclassified their weight divisions with the super-lightweight replacing lightweight and weights being slightly lower. | ||||||||
1977-07-? | Win | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Tijuana, Mexico | KO (kick) | 1 | 27-0-2 | |
RetainsW.K.A.lightweight (-65.9 kg) world title (1st defence). | ||||||||
1977-04-23 | Win | ![]() |
P.K.A. Event @ Hilton Hotel | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | TKO (referee stoppage) | 4 | 1:25 | 26-0-2 |
RetainsP.K.A.lightweight (-65.9 kg) world title (2nd defence). | ||||||||
1977-03-12 | NC | ![]() |
W.K.A. Event | Los Angeles, California, USA | No contest (riot in crowd) | 9 | 25-0-2 | |
Fight was for Urquidez'sW.K.A.lightweight (-65.9 kg) world title. Match resulted in ano contestafter bout was stopped due to a riot in the crowd after Narongnoi was penalised for multiple fouls. | ||||||||
1976-10-01 | Win | ![]() |
P.K.A. & W.K.A. Event | Los Angeles, California, USA | TKO | 8 | 25-0-1 | |
Wins inauguralW.K.A.lightweight (-65.9 kg) world title. Also retainsP.K.A.lightweight (-65.9 kg) world title (1st defence). | ||||||||
1976-08-28 | Win | ![]() |
P.K.A. Event @Neal Blaisdell Center | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | Decision | 9 | 2:00 | 24-0-1 |
Wins inauguralP.K.A.lightweight (-65.9 kg) world title. | ||||||||
1976-?-? | Win | ![]() |
Tijuana, Mexico | KO (kick) | 3 | 23-0-1 | ||
1976-06-? | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event | Dallas, Texas, USA | Decision | 8 | 3:00 | 22-0-1 |
Retains W.S.M.A.C. openweight world title (1st defence). | ||||||||
1976-02-14 | Draw | ![]() |
Los Angeles, California, USA | Technical draw (Hart cut after throw) | 1 | 21-0-1 | ||
1976-?-? | Win | N.K.L. Event | Detroit, Michigan, USA | KO | 1 | 21-0-0 | ||
1975-12-? | Win | N.K.L. Event | Detroit, Michigan, USA | KO | 2 | 20-0-0 | ||
Urquidez had initially been disqualified for knocking out his opponent with a 4th punch when the N.K.L. rules had stated that for every 3 punches a kick must follow. However,S.T.A.R.later overturned the decision due to a number of factors including the fact that the referee was Urquidez's opponent's martial arts instructor. | ||||||||
1975-10-11 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event | Los Angeles, California, USA | KO | 3 | 0:32 | 19-0-0 |
Retains W.S.M.A.C. lightweight (-79.5 kg) world title (4th defence). | ||||||||
1975-09-21 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event @ Honolulu International Center Arena | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | TKO | 3 | 18-0-0 | |
1975-08-? | Win | ![]() |
N.K.L. Event | San Juan | KO | 1 | 0:30 | 17-0-0 |
1975-07-26 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | KO (kick) | 4 | 16-0-0 | |
Retains W.S.M.A.C. lightweight (-79.5 kg) world title (3rd defence). | ||||||||
1975-07-? | Win | ![]() |
N.K.L. Event | Los Angeles, California, USA | KO | 1 | 15-0-0 | |
1975-06-28 | Win | ![]() |
N.K.L. Event | Los Angeles, California, USA | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | 14-0-0 |
Retains N.K.L. lightweight (70.5 kg) world title (3rd defence). | ||||||||
1975-06-20 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | KO | 2 | 13-0-0 | |
Retains W.S.M.A.C. lightweight (-79.5 kg) world title (2nd defence). | ||||||||
1975-05-30 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | TKO (cut) | 2 | 12-0-0 | |
Retains W.S.M.A.C. lightweight (-79.5 kg) world title (1st defence). | ||||||||
1975-05-16 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event | Los Angeles, California, USA | KO (knee) | 2 | 2:04 | 11-0-0 |
Wins W.S.M.A.C. lightweight (-79.5 kg) world title. | ||||||||
1975-05-10 | Win | ![]() |
W.P.K.O. Event @Madison Square Garden | New York City, New York, USA | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | 10-0-0 |
Wins W.P.K.O. lightweight (-65.9 kg) world title. | ||||||||
1975-04-? | Win | ![]() |
N.K.L. Event @Tarrant County Convention Center | Savannah, Georgia, USA | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | 9-0-0 |
Retains N.K.L. lightweight (-70.5 kg) world title (2nd defence). | ||||||||
1975-03-? | Win | N.K.L. Event | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | KO (kick) | 2 | 8-0-0 | ||
Retains N.K.L. lightweight (-70.5 kg) world title (1st defence). | ||||||||
1975-03-? | Win | ![]() |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA | KO (knee) | 4 | 7-0-0 | ||
1975-02-? | Win | ![]() |
N.K.L. Event | Savannah, Georgia, USA | TKO | 2 | 6-0-0 | |
Wins inaugural N.K.L. lightweight (-70.5 kg) world title. Also receives recognition asS.T.A.R.undisputed super-welterweight (-70.5 kg) world champion. | ||||||||
1974-11-15 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event, Final | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | 5-0-0 |
Wins inaugural W.S.M.A.C. openweight world title. | ||||||||
1974-11-15 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event, Semi Final | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | 4-0-0 |
1974-11-14 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event, Quarter Final | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | TKO (forfeit) | 3 | 3-0-0 | |
1974-11-14 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event, 2nd Round | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | KO | 2 | 2-0-0 | |
1974-11-14 | Win | ![]() |
W.S.M.A.C. Event, 1st Round | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | KO (foot sweep) | 3 | 1-0-0 | |
Legend:WinLossDraw/No contestNotes |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- Benny Urquidez,Cách đấu kỹ に sinh きる (Living On The Martial Arts).Sports Life Publications, Inc.(Japan, May 1982)
- Corcoran, J.and E. Farkas,Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People.W.H. Smith (New York, 1983)
- Benny Urquidez,King of The Ring.Pro Action Publishing (Los Angeles, 1995)ISBN0-9615126-4-4
- Benny Urquidez,Practical Kick-Boxing: Strategy in Training & TechniquePro-Action Pub. (December 1982)ISBN0-9615126-9-5
- Benny Urquidez,Karate Dynamics: The Ukidokan SystemPro-Action Pub. (July 1991)ISBN0-9615126-1-X
- Benny Urquidez,Training and Fighting SkillsISBN0-86568-015-9
- Stuart Goldman,The Baddest Dude In The World,Hustler Magazine, March 1979.
Notes
[edit]- ^Colvin, Richard (November 28, 1993)."'Jet' Fighter's Final Mission: Kick-Boxing Legend Urquidez Driven in Comeback Bid ".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 21,2010.
- ^"Kick Boxer Benny the Jet, at 41, Readies for Bout With World Champion".Los Angeles Times.November 30, 1993.RetrievedDecember 21,2010.
- ^Henson, Steve (August 17, 1985)."The Jet: Born to Brawl, Benny Urquidez Lived Through a Death Match to Become One of the Greatest Unknown Fighters in America".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 21,2010.
- ^Colvin, Richard (November 28, 1993)."'Jet' Fighter's Final Mission: Kick-Boxing Legend Urquidez Driven in Comeback Bid ".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 21,2010.
- ^Weiner, Don (December 5, 1993)."Urquidez Jets Way to Victory, Netting 6th Kickboxing Crown".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 21,2010.
- ^"BENNY 'THE JET' URQUIDEZ".S.T.A.R.Archived fromthe originalon August 27, 2011.RetrievedJuly 24,2011.
- ^"Black Belt Hall of Fame".Black Belt Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2009.RetrievedFebruary 5,2010.
- ^Dr. Robert Goldman (March 14, 2019)."2019 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees".www.sportshof.org.RetrievedJuly 14,2023.
- ^Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) - IMDb,retrievedDecember 27,2021
- ^"Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and mixing the martial arts".Bloody Elbow.April 11, 2020. Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 15,2023.
- ^"Bill Ryusaki".kenponet.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 3, 2016.RetrievedJune 4,2011.
- ^ab"Sensei Benny Urquidez Kickboxing Classes".teamkaratecenters.com.2009. Archived fromthe originalon May 2, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 8,2017.
- ^Nelson, Valerie J. (January 21, 2007)."Lilly Rodriguez, 59; martial arts champion helped open up kickboxing for women".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 30,2010.
- ^Scott, Mathew (April 11, 2020)."Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and mixing the martial arts".Bloody Elbow.Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2020.RetrievedMarch 21,2021.
- ^abcdef"STAR Authenticated Kickboxing Record: Benny Urquidez".StarSystemKickboxing.net.December 4, 1993. Archived fromthe originalon August 2, 2012.RetrievedJune 19,2011.
- ^BAB Japan (August 1, 1987). "The Dave Cater Interview".Cách đấu kỹ thông tín No.9 Kakutougi Tsuushin ( "Martial Arts Network No. 9" ).Japan.
- ^"What does sensei mean?".July 16, 2021.RetrievedOctober 8,2021.
- ^"Urquidez Retains Title with Knockout Over Okao".Black Belt.April 1978. p. 10.RetrievedNovember 3,2010.
- ^Christe, Ian(2009).Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga.John Wiley & Sons. p. 97.ISBN978-0-470-53618-6.
- ^abYoung, Robert W.; Horwitz, Raymond (March 12, 2014)."Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez: Exclusive Video Interview With the Kickboxing and Full-Contact Karate Legend".RetrievedFebruary 8,2017.
- ^"Inter-Art Melee Earns Urquidez $5,000 Prize".Professional Karate.March 1975. pp. 8–9.
- ^Marlow, Chris (November 1981). "The WKA: The First Worldwide Sanctioning Body for Full-Contact Karate",Karate Monthlymagazine, pp. 60-70.
- ^Urquidez, Benny (1982).Cách đấu kỹ に sinh きる Living On The Martial Arts.Japan: Sports Life Publications, Inc.
- ^abUrquidez, Benny (1995).King of The Ring.Los Angeles: Pro Action Publishing. p. 318.ISBN0-9615126-4-4.
- ^"Quái điểu ユキーデ toại に tán る! (Benny The Jet Finally Shot Down!)".ゴング ( "Gong" ).Vol. 11, no. 12. October 1, 1978. p. 40.Japan
- ^Corcoran, John(December 1979). "The Case against Kick Boxing".Inside Kung Fu.pp. 28–35.
- ^Thắng mộc hoằng đạo Katsuki, Hiromichi (January 1, 1979). "Đằng nguyên ~シープレーの kích đấu は nhân duyên を siêu えて kiến る giả を cảm động させた! The Tough Battle Between Fujiwara And Sepree Made A Deep Impression On The Audiences!".ゴング ( "Gong" ).Vol. 12, no. 1. Japan. p. 184.
- ^McCoy, Kid (March 14, 2007)."Japan's Kickboxing - A Condensed History".Kyokushin4life.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 18, 2012.RetrievedJuly 14,2011.
- ^斉 đằng hòa kỷ Saito, Kazunori (July 1, 1989). "4・24 đông kinh ドームで tái び ベニー・ユキーデ, 続 quái điểu vân thuyết mạc khai けThe Jet of Benny Urquidez Flies Once Again At Tokyo Dome: The New Beginning of the Continuing Legend".Cách đấu kỹ thông tín Kakutougi Tsuushin (Martial Arts Network).Vol. 4, no. 8. Japan. p. 36.
- ^abKessler, Sandra E. (September 1994)."Benny 'The Jet' Fights Back".Black Belt.pp. 64–70, 112.RetrievedJune 26,2011– viaGoogle Books.
- ^Jeffrey, Douglas (April 1994)."'The Jet' Nearly Shot Down in 'Farewell' Victory ".Black Belt.pp. 18–23.RetrievedJune 26,2011– via Google Books.
- ^Letters,Black Belt magazine, February 1995
- ^abcRoyce Gracie,The Ultimate Fighter,Black Belt magazine, March 1995, p.15
- ^Kreng, John."Talking with Jackie Chan".Kung Fu Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on February 20, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 7,2010.
- ^Johnston, Trevor."100 best action movies of all time: 58: Wheels on Meals (1984)".Timeout.com.Archived fromthe originalon November 6, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 4,2017.
- ^"Kickin' Butt and Taking Names".Electronic Gaming Monthly.No. 65. EGM Media, LLC. December 1994. p. 183.
- ^"Latest Movies and TV Shows With Benny Urquidez".IMDb.com.The Internet Movie Database.RetrievedMarch 17,2020.
- ^Benny UrquidezatIMDb
- ^Sacks, Ethan (April 22, 2012)."John Cusack puts his action skills to the test as Edgar Allan Poe in 'The Raven'".nydailynews.com.Archived fromthe originalon January 14, 2014.RetrievedJuly 10,2019.
- ^"'Criminal Minds' The Bittersweet Science (2011) ".IMDb.com.The Internet Movie Database.RetrievedSeptember 24,2020.
- ^"STAR System Authenticated Kickboxing Record: BENNY" THE JET "URQUIDEZ (fight record & stats - not that only documented version has been included)."Home".Archived fromthe originalon August 2, 2012.RetrievedApril 24,2012.Retrieved on 23 July 2011
- ^"STAR System Authenticated Kickboxing Record: Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez" (24 April 2012).http://www.starsystemkickboxing.net/Pages/BennyUrquidez.aspxArchived2012-12-01 at theWayback Machine.Retrieved on 2 June 2012
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website
- Benny The Jet's Academy of Stunt Actors
- Benny UrquidezatIMDb
- Urquidez biographyArchived2011-11-08 at theWayback Machinefrom the Paradise Warrior Retreat Center.
- Benny Urquidez's channelonYouTube
- 1952 births
- Blackfoot people
- Living people
- American male karateka
- Shotokan practitioners
- American male kickboxers
- Kickboxers from California
- Lightweight kickboxers
- Welterweight kickboxers
- American people of Basque descent
- Male actors from California
- Martial arts school founders
- American male judoka
- American jujutsuka
- American aikidoka
- American kendoka
- American wushu practitioners
- American male taekwondo practitioners
- American kajukenbo practitioners
- Action choreographers
- American stunt performers
- Sportspeople from Los Angeles County, California