Federation of Israeli Martial Arts

Happy 4th of July to everyone celebrating! As the United States marks 250 years, today is a reminder that the strength of a nation has always come from its people. From different backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, and walks of life, people continue to build, protect, overcome, and move forward together. That spirit of freedom is not about perfection. It is about resilience, responsibility, courage, and the belief that tomorrow can be better than yesterday.

At FIMA, we believe those same qualities live in every person who chooses to become stronger, more aware, and more prepared. Whether you are celebrating today in the United States or sharing in the spirit of freedom from somewhere else in the world, we wish you a meaningful and joyful 4th of July. May we all continue to stand for strength, resilience, courage, and peace.

ANNOUNCEMENT: About Great Grandmaster Ernie Reyes Sr.

🏆 FITA 2026 Hall of Fame Spotlight: Grandmaster Ernie Reyes Sr. Living Legend in American Martial Arts

At FITA 2026, the Federation of Israeli Martial Arts proudly inducted Grandmaster Ernie Reyes Sr. into the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. Ernie is one of the most important builders and visionary in the history of American martial arts, and his impact is simply impossible to overstate.

🥋 Co-founder & head instructor of West Coast World Martial Arts: 20+ schools & over 7,000 students
🥋 Founder of the legendary West Coast Demonstration Team, which set the global standard for martial arts demos & still performs worldwide today
🥋 Fight choreographer behind classic films like The Last Dragon & Surf Ninjas
🥋 Father of film star Ernie Reyes Jr., who carried the family name onto the silver screen
🥋 International Sports Hall of Fame inductee
🥋 Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee
🥋 One of the most influential figures in the growth of Tae Kwon Do & Korean traditional arts in America
🥋 A pioneer who introduced traditional martial arts to entire generations of American audiences
🥋 On the FIMA Grandmaster Advisory Council

From the demo floor to the silver screen to thousands of students across the country, Grandmaster Reyes built things that will outlive us all.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Grandmaster. 🙏

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✊ FIMA honors Juneteenth and the enduring pursuit of freedom and equality.

This day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States in 1865 and represents resilience, progress, and justice.

At FIMA, we stand for dignity, strength, and the defense of human rights for all.

Carlos Machado

🏆 FITA 2026 Hall of Fame Spotlight: Master Carlos Machado

LIVING LEGEND IN BJJ

At FITA 2026, the Federation of Israeli Martial Arts proudly inducted Master Carlos Machado into the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. Carlos is one of the most respected and beloved names in the entire world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and he is family to FIMA.

🥋 8th Degree Red & White Coral Belt, one of the highest ranks in BJJ

🥋 Eldest of the legendary Machado brothers

🥋 Cousin & student of Carlos Gracie Jr.; trained directly under Helio Gracie, Rolls Gracie, Rickson Gracie & Carlson Gracie

🥋 2X Pan American BJJ Champion

🥋 10-year Brazilian National Champion

🥋World Master's Champion in 2 weight divisions

🥋 Founder of the Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu Association, with certified schools across the world

🥋 Chuck Norris's personal Jiu-Jitsu coach for decades

🥋 Black Belt Magazine Instructor of the Year, a rare honor for a BJJ practitioner

🥋 FIMA Board of Directors & FIMA Honorary Grandmaster Council member

On Saturday night, Carlos received his own induction and then stood with his fellow legends to accept the posthumous Hall of Fame award for his longtime student and dear friend Chuck Norris.

A teacher, a champion, and a brother. Carlos Machado is indeed a living legend in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!!

Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Carlos. 🇧🇷🇮🇱

🏆 FITA 2026 Hall of Fame Spotlight: Benny "The Jet" Urquidez
Living Legend in Kickboxing
At FITA 2026, the Federation of Israeli Martial Arts proudly inducted Benny "The Jet" Urquidez into the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. When you talk about the greatest kickboxers who have ever lived, you can't leave out The Jet.
• 6X World Kickboxing Champion across 5 different weight classes
• Undefeated professional record: 63-0
• Over 60 years in martial arts & still one of the most beloved teachers in our art
• Founder of The Jet Center in Los Angeles, shaping fighters, stunt performers & action stars for decades
• Trained Patrick Swayze for Road House & John Cusack for Grosse Pointe Blank
• Starred opposite Jackie Chan in classic Hong Kong action cinema
• Upcoming biographical film narrated by Keanu Reeves, bringing his story to a whole new generation
• Member of the FIMA Honorary Grandmaster Advisory Council
Benny didn't just receive his own honor on Saturday night. He also stood on stage with his fellow legends to accept the posthumous Hall of Fame award for his dear friend Chuck Norris. A champion in the ring and a champion of his brothers.
Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Jet. 🥊
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🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEAST! 🎂
🏆 FITA 2026 Hall of Fame Spotlight: Dan "The Beast" Severn
Living Legend in MMA
The Beast just celebrated another trip around the sun, so there's no better time to look back on the night we welcomed him into the Hall of Fame. At FITA 2026, the Federation of Israeli Martial Arts proudly inducted Dan "The Beast" Severn into the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. Dan has more professional MMA wins than anyone alive on this planet, and his resume reads like the history of the sport itself.
• 101 professional MMA wins across 127 fights (101-19-7)
• UFC Hall of Famer, inducted in 2005
• First & only UFC Triple Crown Champion: UFC 5, Ultimate Ultimate 1995 & UFC Superfight Champion
• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee
• NWA Hall of Fame inductee & 2X NWA World Heavyweight Champion
• 3X NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at Arizona State University
• 2X U.S. Olympic Team alternate (1984 & 1988)
• Coached future UFC Hall of Famer Don Frye, who was in the room at FITA 2026
• Trained champions like Rashad Evans, Rampage Jackson & Sean Sherk
Dan also taught a seminar at FITA 2026, sharing decades of experience from the absolute highest levels of MMA and professional wrestling. The Beast is one of one.
Happy birthday, Dan, and welcome to the Hall of Fame. Wishing you many more! 🦁🎉
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🕯️ FITA 2026 Hall of Fame Spotlight: The Late, Great Grandmaster Chuck Norris
Lifetime Achievements in... Everything (Posthumous)
At FITA 2026, the Federation of Israeli Martial Arts posthumously inducted Grandmaster Chuck Norris into the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. Chuck passed away on March 19, 2026, and no Hall of Fame in the martial arts world is complete without him. He elevated our art in the public eye like no single individual ever has.
A legend in every sense of the word:
🥋 6-time undefeated World Karate Champion
🥋 10th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster & founder of Chun K*k Do
🥋 U.S. Air Force veteran who began his martial arts journey in Tang Soo Do while stationed in Korea
🥋 3rd Degree Black Belt in BJJ under the legendary Machado family, coached for decades by his close friend (and fellow 2026 inductee) Carlos Machado
🥋 Brought karate to the silver screen opposite Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon
🥋 Action icon of classics like Missing in Action, Code of Silence & The Delta Force
🥋 Star of Walker, Texas Ranger, bringing a martial arts hero into millions of American homes every week for nearly a decade
🥋 Founder of Kickstart Kids, using martial arts to transform the lives of more than 100,000 at-risk middle school students
🥋 Taught martial arts to millions through decades of dedicated work
🥋 The most legendary name in pop culture, with every joke flowing from genuine respect for the man
Chuck's bond with FIMA ran deep. He had previously been honored with our Humanitarian of the Year Award for his charitable work and was appointed to the FIMA Honorary Grandmasters Advisory Council, where he dedicated his leadership to truth, integrity & excellence in martial arts.
In one of the most moving moments of our Saturday night banquet, the Hall of Fame award was accepted on Chuck's behalf by five of his dear friends and fellow martial arts legends: Carlos Machado, Joe Corley, Jeff Smith, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace & Benny "The Jet" Urquidez. Decades of friendship, competition, and brotherhood, all standing together on one stage to honor him. Some men become famous. Chuck Norris became a legend.
Rest in peace, Grandmaster. 🙏🇺🇸
*kDo

It is with great pride, deep respect, and heartfelt appreciation that we announce the 2026 FITA Hall of Fame Inductees.

These ten extraordinary individuals have each made a lasting impact on the world of martial arts through their dedication, skill, leadership, and lifelong commitment to teaching, inspiring, and paving the way for others. Their contributions span generations, styles, systems, and communities, but they all share one powerful legacy: they have helped shape martial arts into something greater than technique alone.

They have built schools, trained champions, protected communities, inspired students, entertained audiences, and carried forward the values of discipline, courage, honor, and perseverance.

This year, we are especially honored to recognize both living legends and those we remember with love and gratitude for a lifetime of achievement and influence.

Please join us in congratulating and honoring our 2026 FITA Hall of Fame Inductees.