Pete sends seasons greetings from Australia, wishing all UFBDA members, family and friends a merry Christmas and the very best for the New Year.

He says it's "mega-hot" over there at the moment. Shall we post him some snow, in case he's feeling nostalgic?

UPDATE: Pete sent us some pics of his students down under - click HERE to see them.

Last night saw the Dragons' annual Fancy Dress Fight Night, with fighters ranging from Amy Winehouse to the world's smallest Darth Vader.

It was a great night, and a big thanks to all who came along either to take part or just to join in the fun. Pics online now HERE.

Last Saturday, November 21st, Tom Smart was fighting in Leicester - in a cage! How did he do? Click HERE to find out.

News from down under - Pete is pleased to announce the first Grading results for his Australian students.

Yellow belt: Paul Dunster, Elliott Dunster, Mark Bloomfield, Leila Bloomfield, Kathryn Whiting, Paul Brownie and Daniel Platt. Well done to all!

As usual, the Dragons clubs will be taking their annual seasonal break over Christmas and New Year. Here are the dates:

Monday - Skellingthorpe / Sleaford - last club 14th December
Re-open 4th January
Tuesday - Imp Art / Newark / MMA - last club 15th December
Re-open 5th January
Wednesday - Ruston - last club 16th December
Re-opens 6th January
Thursday - Birchwood / Full Contact - last club 17th December
Re-open 7th January
Friday - Yarborough - last club 18th December
Re-opens 8th January
Saturday - Squad - last 20th December
Next - 10th January

The UFBDA's annual Fancy Dress Fight Night will be held this year on Saturday, December 12th at the Ruston Sports & Social Club on Newark Road. Once again, everyone is looking forward to another fun evening, so let's see those crazy clothes!

A selection of pics from the latest fight night are online now HERE.

...at today's Full Contact show in Tamworth. Says Pete:

"Good luck, boys. I know you will do me proud."

Check back to hear how they went on.

Dragons member Ric Clayton hopped off to Chicago last weekend to take part in this year's marathon, and was well-pleased with his performance. Check out his pics HERE.

Callum's weekly Mixed Martial Arts club starts at Bracebridge Boxing Gym next Tuesday, October 20th. The sessions will be from 8.30 to 9.30 p.m.

For more information, email thompson_bomber@hotmail.com

For address and map click HERE.

Dragons students Stephanie West and Roy Elsom went down to Cheltenham in September for their Black Belt Grading. Of course, they lived up to all expectations! For the full story click HERE.

Tonight October 7th, Karen Sutton starts her new ladies-only session at the Ruston Sports Centre. Time: 7.00 to 8.00 pm.

Karen describes this as "an aerobic workout session with occasional pad work." Sorry, gents - this one is strictly for the girls!

UPDATE 9.10.9 - the first night was a great success, with a large turn-out. Any ladies who missed this and still want to give it a try, please come along next week, and Karen will be delighted to see you.

On Saturday October 3rd, Pete Cook presented his Street Self Defence course at Birchwood Leisure Centre. The pics are online now. Click HERE.

THIS SATURDAY! Self Defence with Pete Cook

Pete Cook will present a two hour Street Self-defence Course at Birchwood Leisure Centre, from 10.30 to 12.30 this coming Saturday, October 3rd. It is an open event for all the family, (and non-members are welcome too.) The cost will be £10.00. Please contact Callum if you want to come along.
Email Callum at thompson_bomber@hotmail.com

- And, don't forget it's also the Fight Night this Saturday!
Details below.

Full Contact moving to Bracebridge Boxing Gym

From next Thursday, October 8th, Callum's Full Contact Kickboxing moves to Bracebridge Boxing Gym on Ewart Street (off Newark Road, opposite Walker's Crisps). Times as before: 8.00 to 9.30. For map click HERE. (Opens in new window/tab.)

TKD venue confirmed

The TKD Club is moving from Thursday evening at Black Dragon Academy to Yarborough Leisure Centre on Fridays at 8.pm. The first session will be next Friday, October 9th.

COMING SOON - MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)

Something to keep a look out for - Callum will soon be launching a weekly MMA club (Mixed Martial Arts.) Full details will be posted here as soon as the venue and times are confirmed. In the meantime, contact Callum for more information.

 

On Saturday September 26th, Pete Cook presented a two-hour Dynamic Kicking seminar at Birchwood Leisure Centre. You can see a selection of pics from the morning HERE.

Online now! Click HERE.

The Dragons will be holding their next Fight Night on Saturday October 3rd, at Rustons Sports Club on Newark Road. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Cost: Competitors £5.00 per fight (pre-paid) with one spectator.
On the night £7.00 per fight, spectators £2.00 each.

Contact Callum for more information.

On Saturday September 26th, Pete Cook will be holding a Dynamic Kicking Seminar at Birchwood Leisure Centre. Open to all - kids and adults - from 10.30 to 12.30. The cost will again be £10.00. If interested please give your name to Callum. This is an opportunity not to be missed!

Update 28.9.9 pics now online HERE

UFBDA founder and president Pete Cook is returning to the UK for a short visit, from 21st September to October 7th. While he's here he will be holding two seminars. Let's give him a big welcome back!

News from down under - Pete tells us that his first club opens next Wednesday (12th August) at Capalaba Senior Campus. Starting time 6.00 pm.

Diary date: this Saturday sees another inter-club Fight Night, which will be held at the Academy - Evans Business Centre, Roman Way, South Hykeham LN6 9UH

The event starts at 5.30 pm and the first fight will be about 6.00. Look forward to seeing you there!

I have been informed by Louise that the Sleaford club will be closed until August 24th as the venue is being refurbished. In the meantime, training will of course be available at all of our other clubs.

The Wednesday evening club (formerly Lincoln Freestyle RP) has a new venue at Ruston Sports Club on Newark Road. Session times are as before: 7.00 - 8.00 Juniors, 8.00 - 9.00 Seniors.

Update 30.7.09 : the first session yesterday evening got the "new" club off to a flying start, and all members who came to RP are encouraged to check out the new venue. New members are of course welcome too.

See the FS Ruston club page for full details.

Team Dragon was back in action on Sunday 19th July, at the WUMA English Samurai Open in Worcester. Representing the UFBDA were Karen Sutton, Callum Thompson, Tom Smart and Roy Elson. How did they go on...?

Results and pics HERE

Update 19-07-09: I don't know if you noticed, but today the visitor count for this website passed the 20K mark - that's 20,000 visitors. Good, eh?

A quick heads-up to say that the Dragons will be presenting another demo this Saturday afternoon (July 18th) at Manor Leas School. Hope to see you there!

**UPDATE 18-07-09: Pics now online HERE

Yesterday, the Dragons put on their 'demo' at Boultham Park Summer Fair. The time allowed was shorter than anticipated, but the performance was well-appreciated by a lively crowd of spectators.

Click HERE to see the pics!

The UFBDA now has a group for students and friends on Facebook.

Click HERE to visit the group.

Update 5/7/09: it's starting to get nicely crowded in the group, but there's still plenty of room for more!

On Saturday July 11th, the UFBDA will for the third year running be presenting a 'demo' at this year's Boultham Park Summer Fair, so why not come along and support them?

Online now! Click HERE.

10 students drove down to Worcester on Sunday April 26th. The 10 strong saw only two coming home empty handed, though both had very good fights and have used this experience to help them in their next tournament. Both Libby Kelham and Many Burgess gave their all. Well done to them, and the other 8 fighters all had good performances too.

Click HERE for the full results.

Team Dragon went up to South Shields to compete in the South Yorkshire Open, with 3 fighters competing at the highest level. Ben Smart just missed out but had some great fights, as did Dean Cain. Louise Nelson kept our 100% run, winning in the semi and light contact sections.

Also on the same day Tom Smart was fighting at the WKA British Championships. Getting to the quarter finals, he came out to take on the current WKA champion, and won a third place.

2 weeks later, and the MAF Martial Arts Festival was held in Leicester, with good results all around from team Dragon. Louise Nelson kept to her winning ways by notchng up yet another win as did brothers Tom and Ben Smart. Ben also took a third place in another section whilst Callum Thompson won a second, just missing out on a 1st place. All performed as normal and kept the Dragons flag flying for what looks like being yet another successful year.

Says Pete Cook: Well done all! You always make me proud - keep it up.

Team Dragon travelled to Cheltenham on March 8h & 9th, where 10 members were put through their paces in the Black Belt grading. Students taking part were:

Nathan Coleman - going for 3rd Dan
Mark Keal - going for 2nd Dan
Jordan Kelham - going for 2nd Dan
Phoebe Coleman - going for 1st Dan
Mitchell Gorman - going for 1st Dan
Libby Kelham - going for 1st Dan
Stuart Pollard - going for 1st Dan
Jane Smith - going for 1st Dan
Max Smith - going for 1st Dan
Kristian Kraatz - going for 1st Dan

I am pleased and proud to say that these 10 students gave their all as true Dragons, and have passed their grading. Well done to everyone!

A great night, with some great fights! Full results HERE.

UPDATE: 26.2.09 : pics online now - click HERE

2009's Open series kicked off in fine style last Sunday with our first tournament of the year.
Full results online now - HERE.

WUMA/Sokeship Council Hall of Fame was held on Saturday January 31st at the Cheltenham race course. Six Dragons were inaugurated into the WUMA Hall of Fame. Who? Check it out HERE.

4th & 5th DAN BLACK BELTS FOR RACHEL & PETE

At the same event, Pete and Rachel were awarded their 4th and 5th Dan Black Belts. Read all about it HERE.

UPDATE 13th February: pics from the night now online HERE

Three Dragons took part in the English Open on Saturday, January 17th in Worcester. Getting the year off to a flying start were Tom, Ben and Callum. Up first was Tom Smart with a 1st in LIght Continuous, 2nd in Points and 1st in Grappling. Next came Ben Smart ,1st in under 70g Points, 2nd in Open Points.
Then it was The Thug, Callum Thompson. He got 1st in Light Continuous, 3rd in Points.

Our three boys then entered the Team event, and it's no surprise that they came back with the First prize.

Says Pete: a good result for the first contest this year, keep it up!

2008 was the Dragons' best year to date. Last year's total was 294. To see how many trophies we collected in 2008, click HERE.

The pictures from the Dragons' Christmas party, and the UFBDA awards are online now. Click the Gallery link.

We would like to wish all our members and friends the very best for 2009, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

UFBDA NEWS ARCHIVES 2008

UFBDA NEWS ARCHIVES 2007

UFBDA NEWS ARCHIVES 2006

UFBDA NEWS ARCHIVES 2005