Author: Bret Gordon
It is truly amazing the lengths people will go to when they are consistently proven wrong. Despite revealing my entire resume and the verification necessary for every document that I claim in the article "What Is A Martial Arts Fraud?," my detractors continue to flood the internet with blog after blog of half-truths and outright lies for no reason other than their own enjoyment. It's not like any of them run schools, in my area or anywhere else, or are they affiliated with us in any way. Therefore, I have yet to figure out how anything I do is any of their business or affects them at all.
Some of these lies I will admit are rather amusing, like the assertion that I am now claiming a "black belt" in Muay Thai, even though I have no Muay Thai experience. When it comes to sparring, I've always preferred point fighting, but I do have some full contact kickboxing experience and was on a team led by Arnaldo Lugo that was supposed to go to Okinawa in 2011 to compete in kyokushin-style kumite though we never did raise the funds to actually go. Before anyone jumps the gun, I am not saying that I have trained or have rank in Kyokushinkai Karate, just that on this team we fought by kyokushin-style rules (bare knuckle, full contact) and were going to compete by them.
In addition to outright lies, the trolls at BSMA like to use half-truths and pseudo evidence to bolster their position, such as boasting about an email from the Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu that says they've never heard of Hasaka Yutashi, the founder of the American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu. Of course, I never claimed he studied there or had official ranking in the art so why would they have any record of him? I bet the Aikikai, the Takumakai, the Wadokai and every other organization he never belonged to hasn't heard of him either. I did say that Yoshinkan Aikido is one of the influences of the art, but in actuality I would say it is more in spirit and inspiration than any long-term training. American Yoshinkan is definitely Daito Ryu derived, as my Daito Ryu friends continuously point out.
What prompted this article, actually, is a tall tale by a new comer to the BSMA echo chamber. You know, with as much as they talk about me and my instructor, I'm starting to think that BSMA really stands for "Bret and Steven's Martial Arts fan page." This article, claiming that I am posing as a victim, is so ridiculous I thought about not responding at all. But this is the internet, and no matter how blatantly obvious it is that something is fake, someone is bound to believe it.
Some of these lies I will admit are rather amusing, like the assertion that I am now claiming a "black belt" in Muay Thai, even though I have no Muay Thai experience. When it comes to sparring, I've always preferred point fighting, but I do have some full contact kickboxing experience and was on a team led by Arnaldo Lugo that was supposed to go to Okinawa in 2011 to compete in kyokushin-style kumite though we never did raise the funds to actually go. Before anyone jumps the gun, I am not saying that I have trained or have rank in Kyokushinkai Karate, just that on this team we fought by kyokushin-style rules (bare knuckle, full contact) and were going to compete by them.
In addition to outright lies, the trolls at BSMA like to use half-truths and pseudo evidence to bolster their position, such as boasting about an email from the Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu that says they've never heard of Hasaka Yutashi, the founder of the American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu. Of course, I never claimed he studied there or had official ranking in the art so why would they have any record of him? I bet the Aikikai, the Takumakai, the Wadokai and every other organization he never belonged to hasn't heard of him either. I did say that Yoshinkan Aikido is one of the influences of the art, but in actuality I would say it is more in spirit and inspiration than any long-term training. American Yoshinkan is definitely Daito Ryu derived, as my Daito Ryu friends continuously point out.
What prompted this article, actually, is a tall tale by a new comer to the BSMA echo chamber. You know, with as much as they talk about me and my instructor, I'm starting to think that BSMA really stands for "Bret and Steven's Martial Arts fan page." This article, claiming that I am posing as a victim, is so ridiculous I thought about not responding at all. But this is the internet, and no matter how blatantly obvious it is that something is fake, someone is bound to believe it.
It appears the article is a response to my blog "Beware The Martial Arts Police," and is an attempt to discredit what is quickly becoming one of my most popular articles. The basis of this work is broken down into a few points, so let's break them down one-by-one, shall we?
In Point 1, it is claimed that I am "foolish enough to compare my fraudulent 'accomplishments' to some highly-regarded martial artists." It even breaks down four examples of the numerous examples I gave of martial artists who if judged by the "commonly accepted norms" of the martial arts community would all be considered frauds instead of the pioneers and legends they truly are. It is claimed that either my research about these individuals is faulty, or that I am simply lying. At some point, these people will learn that I don't lie... But here we go (picture of Kano omitted from the screenshot for spacing purposes):
In Point 1, it is claimed that I am "foolish enough to compare my fraudulent 'accomplishments' to some highly-regarded martial artists." It even breaks down four examples of the numerous examples I gave of martial artists who if judged by the "commonly accepted norms" of the martial arts community would all be considered frauds instead of the pioneers and legends they truly are. It is claimed that either my research about these individuals is faulty, or that I am simply lying. At some point, these people will learn that I don't lie... But here we go (picture of Kano omitted from the screenshot for spacing purposes):
Kano's Kito Ryu Menkyo Kaiden Kano received formal instruction from Fukuda and Iso in Tenjin Shin'yo Ryu Jujutsu beginning in 1877 (age 17). When both died, they left him the various densho of transmission and Iso named Kano his successor (view source). This is the equivalent of being awarded a teaching license (menkyo) although an official certificate of such is not publicly available, to my knowledge. The other menkyo that Kano received, that is available, is in Kito Ryu Jujutsu (listed on the certificate as Nihonden Kito Judo, shown at left). Why the art is listed as Kito Judo and not Kito-Ryu Jujutsu I can only speculate about, but what is telling about this certificate are Kano's own words about it. From his "Roppo no Kuzushi" lesson (view source), Kano writes "Soon after this episode the master gave me the diploma of Kito-ryu, the densho and all the hallows belonging to the school. I received in this way the authority of the ryu." So if you'd like to argue this isn't a "Menkyo Kaiden" because the word "Kaiden" doesn't appear on it, I'd argue that neither does the word "Menkyo" and yet that is widely accepted as what it is. It actually says "Menjo," which means diploma. They also argue my timeline of events, while providing the evidence for me. Kano studied jujutsu in college, meaning he started in the fall of 1877 and opened the Kodokan in spring of 1882. That's four years gentleman (ok, maybe four years and 7 months). Apparently they've taken Common Core Math a little too seriously.
Still in "Point 1" they move on to Miyagi Chojun who I claimed had "twenty years of prior training before opening his dojo, teaching what would later be known as Goju Ryu, at age 29." They don't dispute this, but rather snipe at me with the following:
Still in "Point 1" they move on to Miyagi Chojun who I claimed had "twenty years of prior training before opening his dojo, teaching what would later be known as Goju Ryu, at age 29." They don't dispute this, but rather snipe at me with the following:
Yes, for the last 8 years I have been training under Steven Hatfield though I would hardly call him a fraud (and neither would anyone else to his face). But the assertion that before that I had "nothing more than a shodan in Tae Kwon Do" is an outright lie. I received my 1st Poom in Kukki Taekwondo in 2000 under D.S. Kwak and Mark Bivens, my 1st Dan in Kempo Jiu Jitsu in 2004 under Rich Spatola and Enzo Aliotta, and my 1st Dan in Nihon Tetsuken-Ryu Karate in 2006 under Chad Love. Although I started training with Hatfield sensei in 2012, I did not stop training in other arts, and would later go on to earn my 2nd Dan in Kukki Taekwondo under Bart Pontecorvo and 2nd Dan in Kempo Jiu Jitsu under Sil Crino (both in 2012).
 Kukkiwon 1st Poom |  Kukkiwon 2nd Dan |
 Kempo Jiu Jitsu 1st Dan |  Kempo Jiu Jitsu 2nd Dan |
Nihon Tetsuken-Ryu Karate 1st Dan
Any other certifications relevant to what I claim can be found here. Just because I don't rush to post these things online when people demand them, or that my history does not fit into the confines of someone's preconceived notions of how "things should be," does not mean I am lying. Like I said, I don't lie...
In "Point 2," it is asked what makes my art unique from other legitimate martial arts. While the best answer to such a question would be "work out with us and see for yourself," the article "What is San Budo Sogo Bugei?," will have to suffice. Moving on to "Point 3."
In "Point 2," it is asked what makes my art unique from other legitimate martial arts. While the best answer to such a question would be "work out with us and see for yourself," the article "What is San Budo Sogo Bugei?," will have to suffice. Moving on to "Point 3."
Shaolin Ch'uan Fa Brown Belt As I've shown above, the claim that when I created San Budo I "had only earned a 1st degree black belt in a single art - Tae Kwon Do" is completely false. I did not "fraudulently claim" that I had earned black belt ranking in generic "karate" (it was Nihon Tetsuken-Ryu Karate, but yes I would often simplify that to just "Karate" since no one has ever heard of NTR) and Kempo Jiu Jitsu, as the verification for these claims is in this article above. As far as Shaolin Kung Fu, it was actually Shaolin Ch'uan Fa (see left) under the authority of Steve DeMasco, disciple of the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple. I don't believe it gets more authentically Shaolin than that...
And my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training was more than "just a couple of weekend seminars." Gregg Thompson of Gracie Barra Orlando began teaching a full-time program at Chad Love's school a year before I left, and as an employee of the school and dedicated student I was at every single class taught by Gregg. So while Chad decided to minimize the amount of instruction I received on the 2008 Bullshido thread people like to throw around at me, it was certainly more than "just a couple of weekend seminars." Why did Chad try to discredit me? I'm sure it had nothing to do with me opening a school around the corner from him... But that is ancient history.
Did I claim things in 2008 that I had no business to? Yes. That is not something I have denied, though I will assert that if we could all be crucified for our actions as a teenager then none of us would be clean. San Budo was created in 2007, though I will fully concede that back then, I was not truly the creator of anything although I claimed to be. In 2012, I traveled to Ohio to meet Hatfield sensei for the first time and take a physical exam in front of a board for the right to call myself a founder. After what can only be described as the most grueling experience of my life, I walked away with a temporary certificate and the instruction to continue my education to actually develop something. Over the next several years, the art I taught evolved alongside my personal experiences and began to take on an identity of itself. San Budo Sogo Bugei is not a mix of other arts, but rather an expression of my personal philosophies, beliefs and training methods. After all, that's what any style is at its core. There's only so many ways to cause physical damage to another human being, so what separates styles from each other are the principles behind them.
Now, not present in the article referenced above but nonetheless have become commonplace are a few pieces of misinformation, though I will admit it's not entirely their fault. In addition to the resume I claim here, a fake profile by the name of Budo Bob Davidson states the following:
And my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training was more than "just a couple of weekend seminars." Gregg Thompson of Gracie Barra Orlando began teaching a full-time program at Chad Love's school a year before I left, and as an employee of the school and dedicated student I was at every single class taught by Gregg. So while Chad decided to minimize the amount of instruction I received on the 2008 Bullshido thread people like to throw around at me, it was certainly more than "just a couple of weekend seminars." Why did Chad try to discredit me? I'm sure it had nothing to do with me opening a school around the corner from him... But that is ancient history.
Did I claim things in 2008 that I had no business to? Yes. That is not something I have denied, though I will assert that if we could all be crucified for our actions as a teenager then none of us would be clean. San Budo was created in 2007, though I will fully concede that back then, I was not truly the creator of anything although I claimed to be. In 2012, I traveled to Ohio to meet Hatfield sensei for the first time and take a physical exam in front of a board for the right to call myself a founder. After what can only be described as the most grueling experience of my life, I walked away with a temporary certificate and the instruction to continue my education to actually develop something. Over the next several years, the art I taught evolved alongside my personal experiences and began to take on an identity of itself. San Budo Sogo Bugei is not a mix of other arts, but rather an expression of my personal philosophies, beliefs and training methods. After all, that's what any style is at its core. There's only so many ways to cause physical damage to another human being, so what separates styles from each other are the principles behind them.
Now, not present in the article referenced above but nonetheless have become commonplace are a few pieces of misinformation, though I will admit it's not entirely their fault. In addition to the resume I claim here, a fake profile by the name of Budo Bob Davidson states the following:
 |  |
First and foremost, the 4th Dan by World Black Belt Bureau is absolutely false. The only certificate I ever received from them was in 2007 as a 2nd Dan. I joined the WBBB when I was 15 years old, immediately after beginning to teach martial arts out of my garage. My father, who helped me organize the business since I was a minor, felt that I needed to be under someone (rightfully so) and signed me up for an instructor's certification and later rank certification. I displayed these certificates in my school until mid-2010 when I finally tossed them and ended my affiliation with the WBBB, knowing what they were.
As for the International Association of Martial Arts Founders, it appears they were one of countless fly-by-night online martial arts organizations. While I did claim them in 2008, they were discarded in mid-2010 along with my WBBB placemats. Both should be stricken from the record immediately as I haven't associated with them in over a decade!
As for the International Association of Martial Arts Founders, it appears they were one of countless fly-by-night online martial arts organizations. While I did claim them in 2008, they were discarded in mid-2010 along with my WBBB placemats. Both should be stricken from the record immediately as I haven't associated with them in over a decade!
Jidokwan 5th Dan Listing Taekwondo four times is misleading at best. My rank in Taekwondo is a 5th Dan from the Jidokwan World Headquarters. Coming up through the ranks, I did belong to Kukkiwon schools and did receive Kukkiwon certification (as shown above), and prior to receiving my 5th Dan from Korea I did test for my 4th Dan with the American Jidokwan Association under Steven Hatfield. This is all one continuous journey from white belt to 5th Dan, under various organizations, and should not be listed as four separate ranks.
My 4th Dan in the US Taekwondo Grandmasters Society, as well as my 7th Dan in Aiki Budo from the Kokusai Nihon Bugei Rengokai, are organizational recognitions, not earned ranks. That is why I do not claim them on my resume.
It is not uncommon for martial arts organizations to issue recognitions of their member's ranks. Some large, multi-style organizations issue these certifications in generic divisions, such as Karatedo, Jujutsu, Aiki Budo, etc., instead of in the specific style/ryuha. The most prominent organization to do so is the Kokusai Budoin, founded in Japan in 1952 with the mission of carrying on the purpose of the old Dai Nippon Butokukai, which was the standardization and regulation of martial arts in Japan. This practice of adopting generic divisions is currently used by numerous organizations, including the up and coming All Japan Budo Association (which is really based in Serbia, though they do have a Japanese "honorary chairman") and of course, the Kokusai Nihon Bugei Rengokai.
My 4th Dan in the US Taekwondo Grandmasters Society, as well as my 7th Dan in Aiki Budo from the Kokusai Nihon Bugei Rengokai, are organizational recognitions, not earned ranks. That is why I do not claim them on my resume.
It is not uncommon for martial arts organizations to issue recognitions of their member's ranks. Some large, multi-style organizations issue these certifications in generic divisions, such as Karatedo, Jujutsu, Aiki Budo, etc., instead of in the specific style/ryuha. The most prominent organization to do so is the Kokusai Budoin, founded in Japan in 1952 with the mission of carrying on the purpose of the old Dai Nippon Butokukai, which was the standardization and regulation of martial arts in Japan. This practice of adopting generic divisions is currently used by numerous organizations, including the up and coming All Japan Budo Association (which is really based in Serbia, though they do have a Japanese "honorary chairman") and of course, the Kokusai Nihon Bugei Rengokai.
KNBR Aiki Budo 7th Dan My 7th Dan in the generic division of Aiki Budo from the KNBR is in recognition of my rank in American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu (7th Dan is the last rank I held before fully inheriting the system on January 12, 2020 and becoming its new headmaster). The Aiki Budo division of KNBR is overseen by Darel Chase of Daito Ryu Goshinkan, so the certificate is signed by him as well as Leon Major, the organization's figurehead. By including this and my 4th Dan from the USTGS, Budo Bob is padding my resume for me in what I can only assume is a failed attempt to make it look like I'm claiming more than I have. Just another example of their misinformation...
Since this charade began over a year ago, every time we post something to silence the detractors they find something else to keep the witch hunt going. For example, last night I posted on Facebook that I had received two certificates from the Jidokwan World Headquarters in Korea for members of the American Jidokwan Association. It only took a few hours for a screenshot of that post to end up on BSMA insinuating I must've printed the certificates off myself because they are dated October 20th, and there's no way they got here from Korea that fast. When I responded with a picture of the shipping label, they then made a crack about the Jidokwan headquarters being in an office building rather than a state-of-the-art training facility like the Kukkiwon. I am sure the Kukkiwon can absolutely afford such a building considering they are government funded, and just like every government funded organization, suffer from so much corruption that they no longer add their President's name to the certificates they issue because they can't keep one long enough without him being arrested or "under investigation." But tell me again how legitimate and prestigious they are...
Close-up of Kukkiwon Dan certificate signature
So like I said, it will never be enough to satisfy the detractors as they will always find something to say. I did invite one of them to come visit me on November 12th. You all remember Dale Dufas, who issued a public challenge, demanded I name a time and place, and for some reason both times I did so never were convenient for him (click here for more information). I do sincerely hope he shows up this time, though I know no matter what happens it won't do anything to change the opinions of those who think we're frauds as the truth is the truth, regardless of someone's physical abilities. To paraphrase BSMA's cult leader Don Roley, Mike Tyson could claim to be the Soke of Togakure Ryu and even if he wipes the floor with Roley, he'd still be lying. And I do agree with this sentiment! The truth is most certainly the truth, no matter how much they try to twist and manipulate facts, or the erroneous picture they try to paint. But just once, I would like to be in the same room as one of these trolls...
More on this situation in Part 2...
More on this situation in Part 2...
EDIT (November 3, 2020) - Wow! This article hasn't even been online more than an hour or so, and I have yet to share it anywhere as I am working on Part 2 and planned to share them together, yet BSMA has already reposted it. They really do spend their time watching my every move! Most intriguing is the comment... Is that an admission that their combined 29 articles about me and my teacher contain very elaborate lies? I would certainly call that "long-winded."
