Patrick

Can you name any styles that prefer the vertical punch? I know that Isshin Ryu and I believe Wing Chun both prefer the vertical punch.

Which martial arts prefer front kicks with the heel?

Please forgive the use of "prefer." Martial arts don't "prefer," "teach" or "use" techniques, people do.

What are some criteria used to determine when practitioners are ready for a promotion to shodan? Does your martial art have formal testing and If so which of the following testing methods or criteria are used in your dojo?

1. Kata proficiency (which katas? all katas up to shodan?)

2. Ippon Kumite (one step sparring)

3. Kumite (free sparring) Contact or no Contact?

4. Randori (another term for free sparring)

5. Terminology - Are you required to speak the names of techniques in the "mother tongue?"

6. Language proficiency - Are you required to speak the "homeland?"

7. History of the martial art

8. History of the "homeland"

9. History of combat and war in general with important figures?

10. Thesis on an important person, place or occurrence in your martial art?

11. Required reading such as Art of War or Book of Five Rings

12. Knowledge of Continuum of Force as well as ethical, legal and moral implications of self defense in addition to de-escalation, awareness, avoidance and alertness

Some specific examples are provided, for each example, is this a martial art and why or why not?

1. Boxing

2. Capoeira

3. Fencing

4. Jeet Kune Do

5. Kalaripayattu

6. Krav Maga

7. Kyudo

8. Muay Boran

9. Pankration

10. Point Shooting

11. Taekkyeon

12. Taekwondo

13. Taijiquan

14. Wrestling

Stann defeated Leben via TKO (strikes) 3:37 of round 1.

Who thinks Chris Leben had influenza at UFC 125? Given his history, I think it is much more likely that he had a hangover following New Year's Eve. I am not necessarily suggesting he overindulged but even a couple of drinks could have a drastic impact on a person who dropped 10-15 pounds leading up to a fight.

Leben is now 25 - 7 in his MMA career.

Chris Leben needs to get his house in order to stay relevant or he will only solidify his "gatekeeper" status. On October 20, 2010, Leben was arrested in Honolulu for suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing his truck in to a wall off of Kapiolani Boulevard. He was released from custody after posting bail.

To followup on a question asked by another member, who are, in your opinion, the top ten pound for pound fighters in the world today?

Here is Sherdog.com’s Pound-for-Pound Top 10

1. Georges St-Pierre

2. Anderson Silva

3. Jose Aldo

4. Frankie Edgar

5. Jon Fitch

6. Mauricio Rua

7. Jake Shields

8. Rashad Evans

9. Gilbert Melendez

10. Dominick Cruz

http://www.sherdog.com/news/rankings/Sherdogcoms-P...

We all need a good laugh every once in a while. Please tell us your best bullshido story or technique. Please don't bother with No Touch Knockouts or people who claim to be 33rd Grandmaster of Shitake Nonjutsu as we all know those stories. Feel free to post anything humorous but non-offensive unless you want to offend martial artists trained by aliens from Mars.

Reviewing the tape on the Mir/Carwin fight, do you believe that the referee should be fired? Mir wasn't defending for 20 seconds! Should the fight should have been stopped long before it was?

In Extreme Martial Arts (aka "Tricking") what are the fourteen most challenging "moves?" Best answer will be awarded. Thank you very much!

What was the first mixed martial art and when was the art developed? Best answer will be awarded. Thank you very much.

I am looking for martial arts apps for the Apple iPhone. Apple approved iTunes Apps only please. All submissions (pun intended) will be considered so please include MMA News Apps, MMA informational Apps, etc. Best answer will be chosen. Thank you very much!