Although Bruce Lee is oftentimes referred to as the father of MMA, his Jeet Kune Do was not the first hybrid martial art. This honor should go to Kajukenbo, a hybrid martial art created by 5 martial artists from different styles in 1947. These remarkable founders were Adriano Emperado, Peter Choo, Joe Holck, Frank Ordonez, and Clarence Chang. Each of these men was an expert in one or more of the following Martial Arts, Boxing, Karate, Judo, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Western Boxing, Kenpo, or Kung Fu. Their blending of techniques and disciplines was a testament to their dedication to the philosophy of effective combat movement, incorporating strikes, kicks, and blocks fluidly. The goal was to create a comprehensive system that could adapt to any combat situation, much like ju, the principle of yielding in Judo.
Kajukenbo the first American hybrid martial art
Because Kajukenbo was created in Hawaii, it is considered to be an American martial art. The practice often took place within a dojo where discipline and respect formed the core of training. Practitioners were encouraged to pursue their personal best, much like ascending through the ranks of the martial arts world, where each rank signifies a deeper understanding of both physical and mental aspects of the art.
When these 5 men created this new art, they decided to eliminate any techniques that did not work consistently in real street encounters. Training was super hardcore, with an emphasis on strength and flexibility, and the saying was that there was no real training unless “there was blood on the floor.” While many forms and katas were taught, the focus was primarily on self-defense and included weapons training, such as the use of bo staffs. This demanded tremendous coordination and balance, and was a testament to the adaptability of the system.
However, when this style became popular in California, many schools were opened and became successful in upscale neighborhoods, and the style came to be taught to kids of all ages. “Soccer moms” did not want their kids to train in any real contact or have to endure any hard training. The introduction of sparring sessions with safety gear allowed the younger generation to experience combat in a controlled setting, emphasizing safety and technique refinement. This new way of teaching preserved the core principles of Kajukenbo while adapting it for a broader audience.
Many of us who, like myself, have been involved in martial arts for many years, did not realize that, before the movie “The Karate Kid” came out, practically all martial arts students were adults, but after the movie, most students were kids. The result was that most traditional martial arts became more or less watered down, and this even affected some non-traditional martial arts as katas and forms gained more popularity over actual combat scenarios.
Kajukenbo also changed a lot in the US starting in the 1960s due to the influence of Al Dacascos, a famous martial artist and movie star, who trained in many different styles and had a background in Kung Fu. The main founder of Kajukenbo, Adrian Emperado, was fascinated with Al’s incorporation of Chinese martial arts techniques and incorporated many forms from Kung Fu into his Kajukenbo. Also, in many schools, instructors came to be called Sifus instead of Senseis, despite continuing to wear Japanese Gis and being awarded belt ranks. The adaptation of Kajukenbo continued to evolve, reflecting the dynamic nature of the martial arts world.
Kajukenbo’s emphasis on self defense and incorporation of modern techniques
More recently, many schools have added techniques from BJJ and have also included some techniques from Muay Thai, including the low Thai kick, so that some Kajukenbo schools came to resemble MMA gyms in some respects. The adaptation of these techniques required practitioners to develop not only combat skills but also flexibility and adaptability to various fighting styles. This continuous evolution aligns with the initial goal of Kajukenbo to be a comprehensive and effective martial art for real-world situations.
However, in Kajukenbo, unlike MMA, there are no rules or forbidden techniques, and students also train with and against weapons, including escrima sticks and knives. They also teach self-defense against an attacker armed with a gun and train to defend against multiple attackers. Because Kajukenbo is a mixture of many arts but has no rules and is intended to address the issue of multiple attackers and weapons, it can be thought of as “MMA for the street.”
I was originally skeptical of hybrid martial arts, but due to the fact that my Balintawak instructor, a very athletic and serious martial arts practitioner, also teaches Kajukenbo, I eventually tried to learn as much as I could about this art. The rigorous training helped improve my strength, coordination, and overall martial arts proficiency.
The videos shown above depict demonstrations by some top high-level Kajukenbo experts. The visual representation of these techniques showcases the elegance and effectiveness of coordinated movements and combat strategies, illustrating the world of possibilities within the art of Kajukenbo.
Joe Diaz, a 7th-degree black belt, and Dany Gomez, a black belt instructor from Madrid, both show very impressive speed, power, and flow, with excellent form for both boxing and kicking techniques, as well as open hand, hammer fist, and elbow techniques. These are put together with takedowns and stand-up grappling in very unique and creative ways. Their demonstrations highlight the flexibility and balance required to execute seamless transitions between strikes and grappling, achieving the ultimate goal of martial arts mastery.
This style emphasizes long, flowing combinations of techniques, toughness, power, speed, and fighting spirit. The practice of Kajukenbo, through its dynamic and disciplined approach, nurtures both the body and the mind, building resilience and honing combat readiness. The philosophy mirrors the way of martial arts, where continuous learning and adaptation lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of self-defense principles.
