Once, in 1990, these two great men were at my dojo in Brisbane Australia. We had a bit of free time after training and Bill said, “Well, what can we do?” I said, “You know, my folks live about an hour away and my dad is a big fan and he’d love to meet you.” And Bill said, “Well what are we waiting for?” So I phoned home and said I am coming for lunch and have some friends with me. Dad knew Bill and Benny were in town so he suspected who the friends I was coming with were. He was a huge fan. Mum said he was like a little boy, looking out the window every 5 minutes to see if we had arrived. Anyway, we spent maybe 5 or 6 hours taking it easy, eating a nice afternoon tea, enjoying the peace of the river we lived on. At one stage Benny and my dad sat out by the river for about an hour and a half, talking, respecting each other. My dad was a beautiful soul, very saintly, who had fought in WW2 and he loved warriors. And Benny is very intuitive. He felt my dad’s purity and love. I had a column in a martial arts magazine where I interviewed all kinds of great martial artists, including Bill and Benny. And my dad would always read the interviews with different martial artists and ask me, “Yes, but is he as good as Benny?” “Benny who?” I would ask. “You know, Benny!” “No, who?” “Benny Uckidy, Benny Ookaday. You know who I mean!” Lol, he couldn’t pronounce Benny’s name. It was a lovely afternoon, and Bill and Benny gave so much love with their time. My dad passed away about a month later, he was 75 and had cancer, and he was so happy to have met these fine men. So to this day I only have good things to say about how much kindness and humility these legends have.
Attended a clinic in Boulder, CO with Bill Wallace in the mid 1970s. I've retained what I learned about his kicking techniques. Even at 68, I still impress people with my kicks. Thanks, Bill!
Absolutely two great legends in Martial Arts.. I still watch Benny Urguidez older fights in awe.. I don't believe there is or has been a better kick boxer than Benny "The Jet" Urquidez.
Benny Urquidez competed when the sport of kickboxing was in its infancy. He grew up training in basic point fighting karate, and he was a teenager by the time that full-contact karate/kickboxing had an international audience. Benny could defeat Thaiboxers at a time when very few Western kickboxers could. Benny was able to "rapidly adapt" to the Muay Thai thigh kicks, while other western fighters' maintained their 45 degree angle and got their thighs destroyed. A few years ago, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson said that Muay Thai thigh kicks should be banned from MMA. Well, Benny Urquidez was more "adaptable" 40+ years ago, than Wonderboy is today.
The combined talent of these two warriors is quite mind boggling. I feel very blessed to have been part of that era of the golden years of martial arts.
RU-vid is amazing. I had no idea who these individuals were. I stumbled into "Benny" last night and it led me down quite the interesting path. Stories they have are incredible!
Outstanding conversation. It basically some up the 1960s and 70's martial arts. I recall in an interview Bill Wallace said that nowadays the new martial artist incorporating jujitsu and mix martial arts are better, for they have more tools in their toolboxes. I think those who take Krav Maga wish to discard the mannerisms of traditional karate and just practice real life self defense. Some very fortunate WW11 veterans returned to America with martial art skills, such as Dan Ivan, who brought Fumio Demura Sensei to America. It was that generation who taught the likes of Benny and Bill. Kudos to them with the utmost respect.
Great video. Both men are living legends, old school martial artists, so tough yet so humble. Just think how many great stories these gentlemen must have that they could tell, I think it's safe to say we'd all like to hear every story they have.
What a class act these two legends are. Thanks for all the memories. This is what martial arts is really about: Character, humility and discipline. God bless 'em.
Im really glad to see this. Two of the greatest US 'karate' fighters ever. Bill was number one point fighter for years, then went through as middleweight champ in full contact for 6 years at the top. Benny a star point fighter, and reigned in lightweight kickboxing including beating the top Japanese, Thai fighters. Between them they represent the development of fighting leading to mma today. At one time, Bill won BlinkyRodriguez, Bennys brother in law, and an interview like this might have been abrasive then, as some dispute in that over refs timekeeping after Blinky hot Bill with hard shot, but Bill won. But, as Benny said, the bond and honor system these fighters grew up in overcomes this kind of thing. They clearly respect each other deeply. I just wouldve liked to have seen Joe Lewis , talking with them like this, and throw in Arnold Urquidez too, who was a top heavyweight blood n guts fighter back in the late 60s, with great front kicks, and one of the few who toe to toed it with Joe. RIP Joe and Arnold. Thanks for this upload.
I was very fortunate I got to spend a lot of one on one time with Bill Wallace in 1991! We talked about the movies and how Van Damme got started and Chuck Norris powerful kicks. Bill could kick me in the back of the head just being a foot away from me. Awesome guy!
Back in Yellowknife, NWT Canada as a 10 year old, I used to read about Benny in a karate magazine. These two are still leading the pack as the most natural guys around.
Two great Champions with Niagara Water bottles next to them the great company I work for. It was honor to meet both of them🙏🏻 Bill Wallace and Benny the Jet.
Mr. Urquidez and Mr. Wallace You two were my inspiration to start Full Contact Karate and after 39 years of training I'm still going strong. I will Honor the two of You By continuing The Bushido Code God Bless
Top, top guys.. and Super GOAT's in their own fields. I loved meeting Bill at the 1985 GIKO Show in Birmingham UK (with Cynthia Rothrock, George Cheung, Tadashi Yamashita...)... pity Benny wasn't there, as I'd seen him in the Jackie Chan flick "Wheels On Meals", the same year, with one of the best choreographed Martial Arts fight scenes I had seen in a while back then. Great chaps.. and always humble, too. Love them both. 🤩
I met Benny the jet back 2010 at My old fight gym. His one of the best martial artists ever and one of the most humble men you will ever meet! His a beast and a gentleman !
Two goats right here when I was a young martial artist these two and Bruce Lee where my freaking idols! Great to see you guys, I won a lot of challenges off of techinques/strategies I learned from watching you two. God Bless!
I meet you both, many years ago in Chile, then here in the USA. Not only do I admire them as a Martial Artist, I admire them for the accessible, humble and friendly and easy to converse with them. One day, I saw Bill Wallace entering a restaurant, I could not believe it, I approached him, but I did not dare to speak to him, then I sent him a message, and he answered me, and he told me, why did not you come and talk to me? Talk to Benny once in a tournament, I will never forget the kindness, and the long conversation, they are so accessible that they give you a lesson in humility.
Wow, love these guys..grew up in the same stuff,,, tried to imitate super foot..( never could though)..........they where and still are my heroes.......!
@@jquest43 false, Benny embraces Karate and boxing and Judo. He emphasizes his hybrid system, "Ukidokan", and stilll praises his Kenpo teacher (Bill Ryuzaki) and Ed Parker greatly.
@@jquest43 lol where do you think Benny's "kickboxing" comes from? Benny is an established Sensei for a reason. Benny's kickboxing is strongly rooted in his Kenpo Karate.
Even you listening the talk you can learn how to fight I love fighting but this Legend are extra ordinary all my respect for this Legendary great guy great fighter great 👍 video
Love to see two of the greats from martial art history talking about the foundation of Martial Arts and honor. I would love to get to meet them one day.
Both of these gentlemen have made and left their mark on on God's green Earth modern day superheroes and great teachers for all of humanity to follow so in the fighting odds I tip my head to you you thank you
