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Benny Urquidez
radiates a rare energy which is the force behind his unique " fighting
style", with his legendary "Jump Spinning Back Kick", nicknamed "The
Jet" by his peers after witnessing the speed and accuracy of his lethal
kick.
Benny Urquidez was reared in a natural athletic environment, passed on
through generations of his Black Foot Indian and Spanish ancestry. His
Mother was a Professional Wrestler, his Father was a Professional Boxer;
and his
siblings are all Black Belts. At the tender age of five he was competing in
"Pee Wee Boxing" events at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Since
then he has earned Black Belts in nine (9) different styles of Martial
Arts, and trained in many other styles. "The Jet" trained with his
mentor and brother Arnold Urquidez, Bill Ruiyisaki, Ed Parker and many
legendary Martial Art Masters.
He was encouraged to test for his Black Belt at the young age of 14.
Indeed an accomplishment rarely awarded and recognized by well-respected
Martial Art Masters. Immediately he competed and was undefeated in the
Adult Black Belt division. His unique style has won him every major
international tournament, a dream for the most accomplished of fighters.
At that time he chose to pioneer Full Contact Karate, instead of
becoming a pro boxer, and the rest is history. In 1974 Benny "The Jet",
introduced to the US what is known as Full Contact Karate or American
Kickboxing.
"The Jet’s" professional fighting record stands at 200 plus wins and
Zero (0) losses, his accomplished World Title Defense Record Stands at
63 wins and zero (0) losses, with "57 knockouts". Unprecedented in ring
history, Benny "The Jet" is the only fighter to have retained Six World
Championships in five weight divisions for 24 consecutive years. Coming
out of retirement in 1993 at the age of 42, he again demonstrated his
unique fighting style, defeating Yoshihisa Tagami the 25-year-old
Japanese World Welterweight Champion to win the World Light Middle
Weight Championship. "The Jet" is the longest reigning World Champion
of all Professional Sports in history.
"The Jet" is retired from the ring; and has devoted time to his acting,
and movie career. His specialty is training actors for fight scenes;
taking into consideration camera angles, fighting technique, weapons,
stunts, etc.. He is currently the most sought after fight coordinator
in Hollywood and has coordinated stunts and fights scenes for
television and feature films including, the soon to be released Fox
TV’s "Ali". He also trained and coordinated the opening fight
scene with Cuba Gooding Jr. for Jerry Bruckheimer’s movie "Pearl Harbor"
which was released in 2000. He has also worked on "Natural Born Killers," "Batman
Returns", "Roadhouse, "Street fighter " The Crow: City of Angels" "Con
Air," Grosse Pointe Blank", "Soldier", also co-starred with action
legends Jackie Chan and Sylvester Stallone. Los Angeles Magazine
recently named him "Los Angeles Best Personal Trainer". "The Jet" has
trained Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack, Nicolas Cage, Jean-Claude
Van Damme, Jimmy Smits, Chuck Norris, Kurt Russell, Mark Wahberg, Louis
Gossett Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, Juliette Lewis, Michael Keaton, Woody
Harrelson, Rene Russo, and Patrick Swayze. David Lee Roth, who trained
with "The Jet" for years, has dedicated the Van Halen hit "Jump" to his
relentless teacher.
Benny Urquidez has written four instructional books and has released
eight instructional videos. He is also the hero in a series of Japanese
comic books entitled Benny "The Jet".
"The Jet" is the founder of UKIDOKAN KARATE which is recognized as a
true Modern Martial Art Discipline by the Okinawan Masters of Japan. "UKIDOKAN"
translated means "A Way of Life", internal training, based on how you
deal with emotions under pressure. Through "proven theory" he discards
the inferior techniques and applies only what works to The UKIDOKAN
System. The North Hollywood based "Jet’s Gym" is the top kickboxing gym
in California.
The Marital Arts continues in "The Jet’s" personal life. His
wife Sara teaches kickboxing and spiritual awareness classes at "The Jet’s
Gym". His lovely daughter Monique is also a talented kickboxer as
well as a professional model.
Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, "Not by chance
but meant to be".
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