Interview with Chris Smith - Jeet Kune Do and Kali

Chris Smith with Richard Bustillo 

Chris Smith has decades of Martial Arts Experience. He has trained with some of Bruce Lee's best students and is a Certified Master Instructor in Jeet Kune Do. He also specializes in Kali; a true all around complete system of fighting. He has very successful fighting record across a multitude of styles and fight types.

I understand you have had to use your martial arts background in real life. Can you tell us about one of those situations?

People get good at fighting in a controlled environment. There is no element of control in street fighting. If there was an element of control, the fight would not have occurred in the first place.  Sometimes I use my martial arts in unconventional ways. I have used the physical side lots of times. There was a time when you could say I was a veteran bar room brawlers. That was when I was a knucklehead in my twenties... actually up until about 35. But, the coolest thing I have ever done was when six guys were going to jump one of my roommates at a bar. I verbally punked them when i challenged them as a group to a fight knowing that i would probably loose to six people. I projected the attitude of confidence and my resolve sold it. Punked six guys without throwing a punch! The martial arts are more than just about fighting. It is a lifestyle where confidence, honor and inner strength are practiced daily. 

You are undefeated in no holds barred challenge fights. What are these? How many of these have you had? How did you win them?

Between the ages of 19 and 23 I was the gym enforcer and hitman, lol, but it’s the truth. The academy I trained at during this time had an open door challenge and policy. If you had something that worked or had something better than what was offered,  you were encouraged to bring it and test it. Back then the model was if you got through or past the top student you had an opportunity to fight the head instructor. No one ever made it to the head instructor. In retrospect when I look back I am not really proud of it but it was real. Back then all sparring sessions consisted of boxing kickboxing throwing take-downs and  submission holds we just didn't call it MMA. I have had 27. I was able to come out on top by never giving up. I was able to beat people mentally and punch then until they quit. Most people are mistaken when they think Martial Arts is all physical. The mentally strong individual will always come out on top. I was able to win by submission, TKO and TKO's due to strikes. 

You trained directly with one of Bruce Lee’s students. I’m sure he must have told stories about Bruce. Can you tell about your favorite one?

Chris Smith training his class

I have trained with several of Bruce Lee's students but mainly Sifu Richard Bustillo who is currently at this moment in my gym holding a seminar lol. One of my favorite stories about Bruce Lee comes from Sifu Bustillo. When I first began my Jeet Kune Do studies, all of the original students seemed like superheroes or like Jedi Knights to me. Sifu would tell us stories that brought them back down to Earth, these guys would make jokes, had lives, had wives, make mistakes, they were HUMAN. Those are my favorite stories  

You stated previously that you  “…did a lot of research on body language so I could actually learn how to intercept better.” Can you give us an example we could use?

Often before initiating an attack people have tells. If you learn what these tells are, intercepting is easy. For example, if someone is trying to sucker punch you they will adjust their stance subtly, so that they have a firm base to deliver from. They will also adjust their distance to put themselves at a range they feel comfortable at to deliver the punch. If they have a weapon they will almost always do a "weapons check" no one wants to reach for a knife thinking it’s there and it actually is NOT there. Some will get louder to work up the confidence to strike.  These are some of the tells.... 

What is Kali and how do you incorporate it into your training?

Kali is the fighting art(s) of the Philippines. Arguably the world’s only fully complete martial arts system. Kali teaches every aspect of fighting. All striking, (empty hand and weapons) ground combat, and projectile weapons are in the curriculum.  There is a dedicated Kali class that meets twice a week at the gym. However, we use Kali training methods in every class to enhance the effectiveness of our curriculum. We improvise equipment to add to the realism of our weapons sparring like using hockey gloves as hand protection and fencing masks for your face. Sometimes we make padded sticks to spar full contact or wear ski goggles to work finger jabs. We also use Kali full contact sparring equipment, so that way we can use ACTUAL AUTHENTIC KALI STICKS and hit each other. 

What is your favorite Martial Arts movie and why? To make it more interesting chose one without Bruce Lee?

My favorite movie is Roadhouse and the Matrix Reloaded. Roadhouse because a lot of martial artists at some point pursue bouncing at a bar. The Matrix Reloaded because a lot of work went into the fight choreography and it shows. Also, Rapid Fire because it stars Brandon Lee and is one of the best displays of Jeet Kune Do in recent years. The last one I have to admit would be Never Back Down because it showed more training sequences than the Ultimate Fighter TV show does lol. 

If someone wanted just a basic knowledge of martial arts for self defense and did not want to make a long term dedication, what style would you suggest and why?

Become a Monk LOL. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is good however unless strikes are incorporated in the rolling it is insufficient for self defense. If they kicked and wrestled in boxing it would be ideal ... but they don't. If in kickboxing class you learned how to defend against a knife that would be ideal for the street.  The best art would be Kali. It has curriculum for everything.  

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Yes, LIVE THE LIFESTYLE, THE MARTIAL ARTS LIFESTYLE. Enjoy your training, research your Art and research your training. Make your martial arts journey a lifestyle! Train with the only goal of wanting to grow and improve! Training for just the purpose of competitive fighting or street fighting is ok but very limited in scope. When we live the Martial Way we will find opportunities to grow in knowledge and gain spiritual and emotional inner strength. Let your Martial Arts training and lifestyle transform and expand you.


Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions Chris. We enjoyed the experience immensely.

Please be sure to visit Chris' school at IMBCT

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