Benny “the jet” Urquidez

by Kevin Foster
(Devon)

I have been a big fan of Bruce Lee for a few years now and have watches all his films and training clips. I have also read his books and know what a great role model he has been. I also congratulate him on his unique fighting philosophy as I believe he was the first martial artist to incorporate techniques from any fighting arts as long as they worked. As good as he was I still don’t think he can compare to Benny “the jet” Urquidez who was the first western full contact fighter to go to Asia and beat the them at their own game.
Born in Los Angeles California Benny the Jet began competing at the age of five and is credited with having 66 fights and 63 wins with 3 no contests so remains unbeaten to this day. This is a phenomenal record when you consider after beating the best in the USA and Europe he travelled to Japan and Thailand to beat their champions which at the time was thought impossible.

So although Bruce Lee was a one off Legend he cannot be given the title of the best of all time because although he gave amazing demonstrations of speed, skill, and strength he never proved how good he was in full contact fighting.

Comments for Benny “the jet” Urquidez

Bruce vs Urquidez
by: Anonymous

yes, what bruce did was more self-defense (do whatever you must), less sport (do what is allowed in the regulations) so he can’t be compared to professional fighters, least of all chuck, who competed in non-contact karate.

Best singer in the world ?
by: Saoiste

Is the best singer in the world the one who knows all the words to all tha songs or is it the one whose voice sounds best ?

Bruce may not have been a sportsman but without evidence that he beat men of similar talent he can never be acclaimed as a great fighter .

The world is full of talented nearly men who had all tha talent but poor stamina , a class jaw or bad nerves on tha big occasion and the world is fulla nearly men who couldnt sustain the physical & mental & spiritual toughness beyond a 5 or 10 fight career & theres men who couldnt be fighters & be married at the same time .

Lets just leave Bruce where he is as an iconic inspiration instead of tarnishing his reputation by trying to make him out to be all things to all men & look like a fraud .

Coulda , woulda , shoulda , but he never walked that path so we will never know .

apples and oranges
by: Anonymous

bruce was more of a ill take your life kind of martial artist as opposed to the king of the ring sports fighter .[ no diss to benny though.]