As a son breaks away from his father’s championship kickboxing legacy, he discovers how to forge his own path training the next generation of young MMA fighters, all while remaining true to the family philosophy: work hard, fight hard and earn everything you get; there are no participation trophies here.
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From Rejected to Respected:
11-Year-Old Champion Overcomes Autism, Epilepsy & Cerebral Palsy
Meet an incredible girl who defied all odds to become a world champion in karate despite having cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy. Many karate schools turned her away, but we saw her potential and welcomed her with open arms. This is a story that will inspire you to believe in the power of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!
1
Retired Kickboxing Champ & Son Inspire Kids with Karate
Meet Bobby and Erik, the father and son dynamic duo behind AMAA (American Martial Arts Academy) in Orlando, Florida. Bobby, a former Kick Boxing champion with a 37-1 record, started the family-owned martial arts school with just $5000 on his credit card. Erik, his son, is bringing the school into the modern age with Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.
2
Father-Son Karate School:
From Kickboxing Legacy
to MMA & BJJ Revolution
AMAA has always been known as a striking school with their history firmly grounded in Bobby Dixon’s Taekwondo and kickboxing Legacy. But his son Erik wishes to bring their school into the new age with Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. In this episode Erik sets up a MMA sparring competition for one of his teenage fighters David Angel.
3
Teen overcomes Bullying, Takes on Top Rival in Dramatic MMA Fight
The fight is on, and a surprise guest arrives to scout fighters for a new promotion. David faces intense pressure during the fight, and Erik’s encouragement is crucial between rounds. Despite his struggles with self-esteem and past bullying, David’s determination to succeed is unwavering.
4
Turning Defeat into Victory:
Bullied Fighter’s Journey to
Becoming a Champion
In this episode, David continues his journey to mental preparedness. Born with a cleft palate, David faced relentless bullying. Despite his struggles, David’s determination only grows stronger. Join him as he trains with his brothers and friends, vowing to become a UFC champion.
5
Fighting for Their Future: 3 Brothers Face Muay Thai Challenges
In this episode, we follow David and his brothers who have chosen fighting as their career to lift their family out of a difficult situation, allowing their mother to finally stop working. As they prepare for a historic fight card featuring all three of them, an unexpected setback occurs on the day of the fight when David receives news that he might not be able to compete. The episode delves into their intense journey and the challenges they face as they strive to make their dreams a reality.
6
From Fighter to Coach:
David’s Unbreakable Bond with
His Brothers on Fight Night
In this gripping continuation, David faces the heartbreak of not being able to fight on the big night. But instead of stepping back, he steps up, taking on the role of coach to guide his brothers through the toughest challenge of their careers. While the disappointment weighs heavy on him, David channels his energy into ensuring his brothers are prepared to give it their all. Witness the intense bond of brotherhood as David helps his brothers gear up for the fight of their lives, proving that even on the sidelines, he’s a crucial part of their journey.
7
Karate Legacy Evolving:
BJJ, MMA, and the Future of Fighting
In this episode, we follow the dynamic father-and-son duo of Erik and Bobby as they embark on a new chapter in their martial arts journey. Erik, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, looks to expand their renowned kickboxing and karate school by integrating BJJ and MMA.
Their journey takes an exciting turn when they meet James Sang Lee, a visionary launching a new youth MMA fight league. As Erik and Bobby step into this new arena, they must confront their differences and adapt to a changing world of combat sports. Will they embrace this evolution, or will their old-school roots hold them back? Watch as they navigate this new path and test their skills in a whole new way!
8
House Divided:
Sisters Clash Over Fighting Styles!
In this episode, tensions rise in a family of fighters as two sisters find themselves at odds over their chosen paths. The older sister, Kyrie, has long dominated the world of point fighting and resists the shift to MMA, while the younger sister, Kialeah, is thriving in the new combat style. As the sisters navigate their rivalry and family dynamics, they must confront their differences and find common ground in a house divided. Will they find a way to bridge the gap?
9
Meet Judah “Honey Badger”:
The Relentless Young Fighter
In this episode, we meet Judah, known as “Honey Badger,” a young and gifted fighter with a fearless and relentless style, much like his namesake in nature. Born into a family with a pastor father, a speech therapist mother, and two younger twin brothers, Judah’s journey into martial arts began with a desire to protect others, despite having no initial skills. Martial arts have brought discipline and structure to his life and strengthened his family bonds. However, Judah struggles with control, sometimes pushing too hard in training. We delve into his challenges and the balancing act between his natural aggression and the control needed to succeed.
10
Honey Badger: The Trials of a
Young Fighter
As the big day for “The Fighting Lion” tournament approaches, tensions run high. Judah finds himself on notice, while Damian’s dad, a former drill instructor, questions if some kids are ready for the Fighting Lion.
The day before the event, the kids seem unfocused, raising concerns about their readiness for this first-ever major MMA event. We get an exclusive sneak peek of the high-production-value setup from James Sang Lee, who aims to create a professional MMA atmosphere for the youth competitors. Supported by the ISKA, this tournament is set to be a unique and groundbreaking event.
11
Fighting Showdown: Brown belt,
Kyrie, Takes on the Black Belt Division!
It’s the day of “The Fighting Lion” tournament, and before the MMA event at Full Sail University, the morning kicks off with a traditional sport karate competition. Kyrie, a brown belt, faces her toughest challenge yet as she competes in the black belt division against seasoned opponents. Can she hold her ground and rise to the occasion? Meanwhile, Julissa’s anticipated MMA match is canceled by Sensei Erik, who believes her opponent’s extensive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience creates an unfair advantage. Frustrated, Julissa gives only partial effort in her point-fighting competition. Judah also competes in point fighting but must be ready to jump in the car right after to make it to the MMA venue on time. The episode is filled with tension, unexpected twists, and the fighters’ emotional journey as they prepare for the main event.
12
From Struggles to Strength:
Inside the Youth MMA Event
The Youth Sport MMA event, The Fighting Lion, has finally arrived, and the team is both excited and impressed by the venue, which is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. However, Damian’s dad, Dwight, makes a surprising decision to sit in the stands rather than coach his sons, leaving them to face their fights without his guidance. Can they rise to the challenge without their dad nearby? The team encounters a rocky start: Judah receives unexpected bad news, and the younger fighters struggle in their matches. Despite these setbacks, the team remains undeterred, looking to learn from their difficulties and grow stronger.
13
Julissa “The Diamond” Shocks
Everyone with a Bold Move
Redemption Ring – EP 13 In Part 2 of “The Fighting Lion” MMA event, the AMAA team turns their rough start around and begins to dominate the competition. Spirits are high, but then Julissa “The Diamond” drops a bombshell that leaves her coach Erik and her parents in shock. As tensions rise, the team is caught off guard by Julissa’s unexpected move, leaving everyone wondering what’s next. Watch as the episode unfolds with unexpected twists and the AMAA fighters proving their resilience in the ring.
14
Season Finale Showdown:
Will Kialeah and the Angel Brothers Rise to the Challenge?
In this season finale, emotions run high as Kialeah, a young girl with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, steps into the ring for her big MMA match, with her parents anxiously watching from the sidelines. Meanwhile, the Angel brothers, for the first time ever, all compete on the same fight card, fighting not just for victory but for a chance to change their family’s future. Will they find a way to win, and could one of them turn pro to lift their family out of a tough situation and allow their mother to retire? This episode is filled with drama, determination, and dreams — a must-watch to see how it all unfolds.
Behind the Scenes
Behind the Break: The Viral Story
In this inspiring video, we delve into the story behind the viral sensation of young Phoenix. Struggling to break a board during his belt test, Phoenix faced a moment of doubt and determination. Given one more chance, he managed to break the board, capturing the hearts of over 600,000,000 viewers worldwide. Join us as we explore the journey of perseverance, the support of his martial arts community, and the incredible impact of Phoenix’s viral moment. This is the story behind the story, showcasing the power of resilience and the spirit of a young warrior.
Turning Rejection into Success: Exclusive Casting Tapes of
Martial Arts Kids
Join us as we share our journey from facing Hollywood rejections to taking control of our own story. This video features exclusive casting tapes of two talented martial arts kids from our school. Discover how we turned setbacks into opportunities and brought our vision to life on YouTube.
Surviving the COVID Shutdown:
Our Martial School’s Comeback
Discover the remarkable journey of our family-owned martial arts school as we faced and overcame the 2008 real estate crash and the COVID-19 shutdown. From the brink of closure to finding our way to power through these challenges.
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