Ron Van Clief

    Ron Van Clief

    January 25, 1943 (82 years old) in Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Ron "The Black Dragon" Van Clief is a martial arts legend. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1943, he started martial arts training in his early teens. At 5 feet 10 inches and 190 pounds, Van Clief was fast, powerful, and tough. He won 10 New York State Full-Contact Karate Championships. He won multiple Karate Point-Fighting Titles. By the early 1970s he had earned his 10th Degree Black Belt. His karate record was reported to be 110-8. In 1994 at age 51, he launched a comeback on December 16, 1994 fighting former World JuJitsu Lightheavyweight and Ultimate Fighting World Champion Royce Gracie. The Black Dragon landed one good punch, but was taken to the canvas where after a valiant battle was choked into submission, thus ending one of the greatest fighting careers in martial arts history.

    Known For

    Iron Fists and Kung Fu KicksIron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks
    Death by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce LeeDeath by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee
    Fist of Fear, Touch of DeathFist of Fear, Touch of Death
    Enter the Clones of BruceEnter the Clones of Bruce
    Top FighterTop Fighter

    Credits