Latest news with #KungFu
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Abu Dhabi adds four exciting bouts to UFC Fight Night
Four new bouts have been added to the card for Abu Dhabi's UFC FIGHT NIGHT, featuring Robert Whittaker and highly-rated Dutch standout Reinier de Ridder later this month, promising an action-packed night as the world's largest sports promotion returns to Abu Dhabi on July 26 at the Etihad Anrea. Among the new additions, UAE fans will be watching closely as Emirati lightweight Mohammed Yahya returns to the Octagon to face Dallas-based Steven Nguyen, with both fighters eager to secure their first UFC win in a clash that promises intensity from the opening bell. The fight card also now features an all-action welterweight clash between 41-year-old veteran Muslim Salikhov and Carlos 'The Lion' Leal, who is 10 years his opponent's junior. Salikhov, famously known as the 'King of Kung Fu' is one of the most creative and dangerous strikers in the division, while Leal's aggressive pace and fearless approach promise to bring fireworks to the Octagon. In the women's strawweight division, Brazilian stars Amanda Ribas and Tabatha Ricci are set for a must-watch showdown. Both are elite grapplers with strong judo and jiu-jitsu backgrounds, but they are also equally capable of standing and trading blows. Ribas returns to Abu Dhabi with fond memories, having secured a win during the UFC's Fight Island series in 2020. Her experience in the UAE could give her an edge, but Ricci's compact striking and tight ground game will present a serious challenge. Also newly added to the card, Da'Mon Blackshear and Davey Grant will face off in a bantamweight showdown. Blackshear enters the bout on a three-fight win streak, while Grant has claimed victory in three of his last four outings, setting up an enticing contest where something has got to give. Earlier, UFC CEO Dana White has revealed an incredible card for UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi at the iconic Etihad Arena in Yas Island. The main event will be headlined by former UFC middleweight champion Whittaker and de Ridder — whose seamless transition from the ONE Championship has been hugely impressive. White took to social media to announce what promises to be one of the most thrilling Fight Night cards of the year, which will see No12-ranked 185-pounder De Ridder, undefeated in his three UFC bouts to date, likely earn a middleweight title eliminator should he defeat Whittaker. 'De Ridder is a former middleweight and light heavyweight world champion and has finished every one he has fought in the UFC,' White said. 'He's coming off a win over the top prospect in the sport, Bo Nickal. If De Ridder can beat Whittaker, it's very likely he'll be fighting for the No1 contender bout next. 'I am pumped for this fight because these guys are both killers — and they always come out and deliver.' The main card boasts two five-round bouts and a stacked lineup of electrifying talent, former champions, and elite contenders — all coming together for one of the year's most anticipated international showcases, marking the 21st UFC event in Abu Dhabi since 2010.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Ex-TVB star Albert Law Ho-kai, 75, now relies on wheelchair to get around
Hong Kong actor Albert Law Ho-kai admitted that his deteriorating health makes him feel discouraged at times. Photo: Sin Chew Daily When Hong Kong actor Albert Law Ho-kai made his last public appearance on a talk show in 2021, he revealed that cervical spine issues had left him unable to sit upright. In a more recent interview with HK01, Law, 75, shared that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease more than 10 years ago, and his health has steadily declined over the years. 'My condition is deteriorating. I have Parkinson's disease, and it has worsened over the past year or two. My mobility is far from ideal,' he said. Law added that he's currently unable to walk on his own and requires a wheelchair to get around. His daily needs are attended to by his wife and caretakers. Despite being wheelchair-bound, the former TVB actor maintains a sense of humour, joking that he enjoys 'speeding' near his home. Still, he admitted that he does feel a little discouraged at times. 'These days, I don't even bother seeing a doctor when I'm sick … Just sitting here feels meaningless,' he shared. Even so, Law continues to find pockets of joy in his hobbies such as singing and recording music, adding; 'I recently started learning to play the guitar too.' Since joining TVB in 1975, Law has starred in series such as Kung Fu (1975), You Only Live Twice (1982), You're Hired (2009) and Come Home Love (2012-2015), among others. In 2017, Law left the Hong Kong broadcaster and gradually retreated from the spotlight, making only occasional appearances in dramas.
India.com
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Who is Vismaya, superstar Mohanlal's daughter? Lost 22 kilos, is a poet, trained in Kung Fu, will make debut with…
Malayalis' favourite star daughter, Vismaya Mohanlal, has made her acting debut with Thudakkam. The film is being directed by Jude Anthany Joseph under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas. Mohanlal has also conveyed his best wishes to her daughter 'Mayakutty'. The actor often shares his daughter's joyful moments on social media. He had also expressed his happiness on social media when Vismaya's poetry book Grains of Stardust was released. Why is Mohanlal's daughter Vismaya making headlines? Mohanlal took to his X timeline to make the announcement and blessed his daughter by writing, 'Dear Mayakutty, may your Thudakkam be just the first step in a lifelong love affair with cinema. #Thudakkam. Written and Directed by Jude Anthany Joseph and Produced by Antony Perumbavoor, Aashirvad Cinemas #VismayaMohanlal @antonyperumbavoor @aashirvadcine #JudeAnthanyJoseph.' How much weight did Vismaya Mohanlal lose? Through her training in Thailand, Vismaya lost 22 kilograms. She first practiced Muay Thai there and later began learning Kung Fu as well. In short, Vismaya explored and learned various martial arts during her time in Thailand.
Forbes
22-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
A Biologist Spotlights 3 ‘Extreme' Snakes — By Strike Speed, Ground Speed And Air Speed
It may not come as a surprise that snakes move quickly, as their prey – often fast-moving animals – ... More demands agility. What many don't realize, however, is just how many snakes are capable of outpacing even humans. In Kung Fu, 'striking like a cobra' symbolizes speed and precision – qualities that are quite real in the snake world. Many snakes feed on creatures like rodents, birds and other small vertebrates, all of which are impressively quick for their size. However, contrary to popular belief, cobras aren't the fastest strikers in the snake world. When it comes to sheer strike speed, few snakes rival the puff adder (Bitis arietans), whose deadly reputation in Africa is well-earned. Responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities in Africa, the puff adder strikes with both speed and precision. Its strike can reach a blistering 19 feet per second. To put that in perspective, it takes just under 90 milliseconds for the snake's fangs to reach their target, while a typical human blink lasts around 200 milliseconds. In other words, the puff adder can strike faster than the blink of an eye. But while the puff adder is the meanest striker, it isn't the fastest when it comes to locomotion – the process by which an animal physically moves through its environment. Over land and air, there are two snake species that can very well outpace humans. Black Mamba – The Fastest Snake On Land The black mamba is the fastest snake on land, capable of reaching speeds up to 12 miles per hour. When it comes to land speed, few snakes are as fast as the black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis). Native to sub-Saharan Africa, this long, slender, and remarkably agile species can reach speeds of 9 to 12 miles per hour over short distances, making it the fastest snake in the world on land. Don't be fooled by web searches claiming the sidewinder rattlesnake is the world's fastest snake – a misconception that's been widely perpetuated online. While sidewinding is an efficient way to move across loose desert sand, it's not particularly fast. Biomechanical research shows that sidewinders top out at around 2.2 miles per hour on the ground. By contrast, the black mamba's smooth lateral undulation and powerful muscular coordination allow it to traverse open ground with astonishing speed. Its movement is not only fast but also controlled and deliberate. Black mambas are often seen cruising the savanna with their head and neck held high, using their keen eyesight to scan for danger or track prey – typically small mammals such as hyraxes, bush babies, and rodents. Despite their fearsome reputation, black mambas are not inherently aggressive. In reality, they are shy, secretive snakes that go out of their way to avoid conflict. Like most snakes, they strike only when they feel threatened or cornered. (Sidebar: Long considered the world's second-longest venomous snake at up to 15 feet, the black mamba has recently slipped to fifth place. Curious which four venomous snakes outrank it in length? Read the full story here.) Paradise Flying Snake – The Fastest Snake In Air This gorgeous paradise flying snake has the amazing ability to use its body to control a free fall. ... More By flattening its ribs, it is able to "glide" through the air, making it a very unique species of snake. The paradise flying snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) is not capable of flight in the traditional sense, but it has evolved a remarkable ability to glide through the air, making it one of the most fascinating – and fastest moving – snakes in the world. Found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, this snake uses its unique body structure to 'fly' from tree to tree by flattening its ribs and undulating through the air. Its gliding ability allows it to cover distances of up to 100 feet in a single leap, often traveling at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Measured by sheer velocity, that makes it the fastest snake in the world – though it only reaches these speeds while gliding. The snake's technique involves launching itself from a high point and using the air to support its long, flattened body, making it seem like it's flying. In reality, the snake is engaging in controlled freefall, steering with precise body movements to direct its glide. This specialized form of locomotion helps it escape predators, hunt for prey and move efficiently between trees in its dense forest habitat. There are five species in the genus Chrysopelea, but only four have documented gliding behavior. The exception is the Sri Lankan flying snake (Chrysopelea taprobanica), for which data on aerial locomotion is still lacking. While the other species are all considered skilled aerial travelers, biomechanical research suggests that the paradise flying snake is the fastest glider among them. While the paradise flying snake is venomous, its venom is mild and poses little danger to humans. Its primary diet consists of reptiles, birds and other small vertebrates, and its ability to glide gives it a distinct advantage in ambushing prey or escaping threats in the treetops. Curious to see how your fear of animals stacks up? Take our quick quiz to find out fast-moving creatures — like snakes that strike fast, slither, swim and glide — send a shiver down your spine: Fear Of Animals Scale
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
28 Years Later viewers left baffled over ‘weird' final scene and sickening nod
Fans of the film were left baffled after watching 28 Years Later as the ending showed a cult dressed in blonde wigs and shell suits as an apparent salute to disgraced Jimmy Savile 28 Years Later has recently come under intense scrutiny by fans as the ending of the film appears to pay homage to peadophile, Jimmy Savile. The latest instalment of the horror franchise, directed by famed director Danny Boyle, shows a 12-year old boy named Spike who has managed to be kept safe from the virus. Played by Alfie Williams, Spike is taken from the small island that he has been safely living on and is now on a mission to head to the mainland. The film also stars acclaimed actors Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, along with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was cast as Spike's dad. The highly anticipated movie ends with Spike bumping into a cult on the mainland, whose leader is a man named Jimmy Crystal, played by Jack O'Connell. As the encounter gathers pace, viewers are made aware that the cult are Kung Fu experts and their fashion sense has been inspired by prolific peadophile Jimmy Savile as they donned blonde wigs and shell suits. However, it was initially unclear as to why the director decided to give a nod to the disgraced TV personality as following his death, police at the time concluded that he was a predatory sex offender as the extent of his sickening crimes came to light. At the time of his death in October 2011, a slew of allegations surrounding sexual assault were brought to the public attention, which led to a police investigation. And this may explain why fans of the film were left scratching their heads over the chosen ending and its nod to the monster. Taking to social media, one person wrote: "Watched 28 Years Later last night and I can't believe they had a character called Jimmy who dressed exactly like Jimmy Savile." Another said: "If you have an itch that can only be scratched by watching a film that ends with ninjas who are all dressed like Jimmy Savile, then go and watch 28 Years Later. I'm not even joking." Meanwhile a third added: "Movie was alright, epic cinematography. Not sure why there were 15 Jimmy Saviles at the end though." And a fourth penned: "I went to see 28 Years Later and I thought it was a smart, gripping and unexpected sequel in the series. I even liked the weird Kill Bill Jimmy Savile end!" In a bid to gain clarity over the ending a number of fans came forward with their own theories as to why the ending appeared to feature Jimmy Savile. One person said: "In the world of 28 Years Later, Jimmy Savile was never outed as a pervert and was still a beloved entertainer in the minds of all survivors." Another viewer explained: "Crazy that the Jimmy character in 28 Years Later resembled Jimmy Savile - I guess with the UK pretty much coming to an end in 2002 in that world he was never exposed for his crimes." When speaking to The Independent, Danny Boyle explained: "The role of Jack O'Connell's character and his family, which is a replacement, really, for the family he loses at the beginning of the film, is to reintroduce evil into what has become a compassionate environment." He added: "I asked Alex [Garland, writer] right at the beginning to just tell me what's the nature of each of the films, and he said that the nature of the first film is about family. The second film is about the nature of evil. And you're about to meet a lot more of them when it'll be more appropriate to talk about them in the second film."
