Art of War Fighting Championship
Encyclopedia
The Art of War Fighting Championship (英雄榜/Art of War/AOW) is the primary Chinese professional mixed martial arts
promotion
based in Beijing, China
. The Chinese title "英雄榜" literally translated means "Gathering of Heroes." Art of War FC has no relation to the defunct US MMA promotion Art of War Undisputed Arena Fighting Championship. Art of War I was held at the Beijing Sports University on November 6, 2005. The inaugural event made it the first professional mixed martial arts contest in the People's Republic of China
. To date, AOW has held 15 events in mainland China. Its largest event was Art of War 12 - Invincible, held at the National Olympic Sports Center Auditorium in Beijing on May 23, 2009 to an audience of around 6,000 fans. The event attracted many international guests, including former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia
, renowned ring announcer Michael Buffer
, and experienced referee "Big" John McCarthy.
The Art of War Fighting Championship has featured some of China's top mixed martial arts athletes, including IKF World Champion and 2002 King of Sanda champion, Bao Li Gao
; 1996 Chinese Olympian and China national judo champion, Ao Te Gen Ba Tar; and 2004 Chinese Olympian and China national Greco-Roman wrestling champion, Sai Yin Ji Ya. In addition, Art of War FC has featured some of the world's top fighters including WKN European Muay Thai champion Filippo Cinti of Italy, DEEP veteran Jeong Ho Lee of Korea, and Japanese Karate and jujutsu expert, Setsuma Takeda.
Art of War is the first mixed martial arts organization to be broadcast by CCTV-5
, China's largest sports broadcasting platform with over 1 billion audience coverage in China and internationally. Art of War IV, broadcast on December 29, 2006 set a record as the single largest mixed martial arts tournament broadcast in the world.
In March 2008, Art of War Fighting Championship signed a China nationwide broadcasting agreement which will bring the tournament into the homes of over 200 million viewers around the country on a weekly basis, including regions of Hong Kong, Macau, Australia and New Zealand.
instructor Andrew Pi and his younger brother Konrad Pi, both Chinese Americans living in California at the time they conceived of the idea of creating a MMA promotion in China. After Andrew Pi won a tough match with an armbar submission, he wanted to find a way to promote jiu-jitsu in China. Konrad Pi, an investment manager and private helicopter pilot living in San Diego thought it was a good idea, but the idea would be hard to execute due to the restrictions formed by the Chinese government as well as the difficulty of raising money for a big promotion.
Fortunately, their father Frank Pi is a business executive with ties to China. They successfully made contact with the Chinese government and obtained the proper permits for hosting a sporting event. The Pi family eventually found a few potential sponsors, including football star Rashaan Salaam
. On November 6, 2005, The Art of War Fighting Championship conducted its first event.
No Contest - The match shall be ruled a "No Contest" when:
Technical Draw - The match shall be ruled a "Technical Draw" when:
NOTE: Based on the previous articles, there are no decision victories made by judges, fights that go the distance are ruled as technical draws.
Bao Li Gao
Jadamba Narantungalag
Antonio Braga Neto
Michel Costa Rodney Glunder
Rolles Gracie Peter Graham
Ole Laursen
Daijiro Matsui
Simeon Thoresen
Ryuki Ueyama
Andy Wang
Zhang Tie Quan
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
promotion
Promoter (entertainment)
An entertainment promoter i.e. music, wrestling, boxing etc is a person or company in the business of marketing and promoting live events such as concerts/gigs, boxing matches, sports entertainment , festivals, raves, and nightclubs.- Business model :Promoters are typically hired as independent...
based in Beijing, China
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. The Chinese title "英雄榜" literally translated means "Gathering of Heroes." Art of War FC has no relation to the defunct US MMA promotion Art of War Undisputed Arena Fighting Championship. Art of War I was held at the Beijing Sports University on November 6, 2005. The inaugural event made it the first professional mixed martial arts contest in the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. To date, AOW has held 15 events in mainland China. Its largest event was Art of War 12 - Invincible, held at the National Olympic Sports Center Auditorium in Beijing on May 23, 2009 to an audience of around 6,000 fans. The event attracted many international guests, including former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia
Tim Sylvia
Timothy Deane Sylvia is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, professional wrestler, and former Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion. He trains as a member of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp and is part of their MFSE group...
, renowned ring announcer Michael Buffer
Michael Buffer
Michael Buffer is an American professional ring announcer for boxing and professional wrestling matches. He is known for his trademarked catchphrase, "Let's get ready to rumble!" He is known for pioneering a distinct announcing style in which he rolls certain letters and adds other inflections to...
, and experienced referee "Big" John McCarthy.
The Art of War Fighting Championship has featured some of China's top mixed martial arts athletes, including IKF World Champion and 2002 King of Sanda champion, Bao Li Gao
Bao Li Gao
Bao Li Gao , also known as "Son of the Grassland" and "Muay Thai Killer," is a Chinese San Shou fighter and mixed martial artist born in the Inner Mongolia Province...
; 1996 Chinese Olympian and China national judo champion, Ao Te Gen Ba Tar; and 2004 Chinese Olympian and China national Greco-Roman wrestling champion, Sai Yin Ji Ya. In addition, Art of War FC has featured some of the world's top fighters including WKN European Muay Thai champion Filippo Cinti of Italy, DEEP veteran Jeong Ho Lee of Korea, and Japanese Karate and jujutsu expert, Setsuma Takeda.
Art of War is the first mixed martial arts organization to be broadcast by CCTV-5
CCTV-5
CCTV-5 , also known as the Sports Channel, part of the China Central Television family of networks, is the main sports broadcaster in the People's Republic of China. CCTV-5 began broadcasting on 1 January 1995...
, China's largest sports broadcasting platform with over 1 billion audience coverage in China and internationally. Art of War IV, broadcast on December 29, 2006 set a record as the single largest mixed martial arts tournament broadcast in the world.
In March 2008, Art of War Fighting Championship signed a China nationwide broadcasting agreement which will bring the tournament into the homes of over 200 million viewers around the country on a weekly basis, including regions of Hong Kong, Macau, Australia and New Zealand.
Origins
The Art of War Fighting Championship was founded by Brazilian Jiu-jitsuBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
instructor Andrew Pi and his younger brother Konrad Pi, both Chinese Americans living in California at the time they conceived of the idea of creating a MMA promotion in China. After Andrew Pi won a tough match with an armbar submission, he wanted to find a way to promote jiu-jitsu in China. Konrad Pi, an investment manager and private helicopter pilot living in San Diego thought it was a good idea, but the idea would be hard to execute due to the restrictions formed by the Chinese government as well as the difficulty of raising money for a big promotion.
Fortunately, their father Frank Pi is a business executive with ties to China. They successfully made contact with the Chinese government and obtained the proper permits for hosting a sporting event. The Pi family eventually found a few potential sponsors, including football star Rashaan Salaam
Rashaan Salaam
Rashaan Iman Salaam is a former professional American football player. Salaam won the 1994 Heisman Trophy as a running back for the University of Colorado at Boulder, rushing for 2,055 yards by the end of the season. Salaam is the fourth major college football player to rush for over 2,000 yards...
. On November 6, 2005, The Art of War Fighting Championship conducted its first event.
Rules
The Art of War Fighting Championship tournaments are conducted according to the Art of War Unified Rules System, which allows for a variety of striking and submission techniques including soccer kicks, stomps, elbows, and knees to a grounded opponent.Rounds
All non-title fights shall consist of one ten minute round and one five minute round, with two minutes of rest in between. Title fights will have three rounds; one ten minute round and two five minutes rounds (With a two minute break between the first and second round and a one minute break between the second and third round).Weight divisions
The Art of War Fighting Championship currently uses eight weight classes:- Under 60 kg: Lightweight
- Under 66 kg: Super Lightweight
- Under 72 kg: Welterweight
- Under 78 kg: Super Welterweight
- Under 84 kg: Middleweight
- Under 90 kg: Super Middleweight
- Under 96 kg: Heavyweight
- No upper limit: Super Heavyweight
Match Outcome
The winner of the bout shall be determined by one of the following methods:- KO (Knockout) – Fighter is knocked out.
- TKO (Technical Knockout) – When a fighter has gained a remarkably superior advantage over his opponent and the referee determines that the inferior fighter is in danger if the fight continues.
- Submission – When the contestant surrenders, submission and/or forfeiture is expressed either verbally or by tapping more than three (3) consecutive times on the mat or the opponent's body using the hand or the foot.
- Doctor Stoppage – When a fighter is injured by an opponent's legal attack and if a ringside doctor determines that the injured fighter is incapable of continuing the fight, the injured fighter loses the match.
- Renunciation – The fighter's corner men may surrender the fight by "throwing in the towel." In case the referee fails to see it, the Art of War organizing committee can stop the fight.
- Disqualification – If a fighter is disqualified because of an illegal action as per Article 4 , his opponent will be deemed the winner of the bout.
No Contest - The match shall be ruled a "No Contest" when:
- An illegal action disqualifies both fighters.
- The judges, doctors, or the Art of War organizing committee end the fight because of an accident during Round 1.
- An accident causes either or both fighters to be unable to continue.
Technical Draw - The match shall be ruled a "Technical Draw" when:
- If at the end of the bout, a winner has not been determined according to the criteria defined in Articles 3.1 – 3.6.
- The judges, doctors, or the Art of War organizing committee end the fight because of an accident during Round 2.
NOTE: Based on the previous articles, there are no decision victories made by judges, fights that go the distance are ruled as technical draws.
Illegal Actions
The AOW Fighting Championship has deemed these actions to be illegal:- Butting with the head.
- Eye attacks of any kind.
- Biting.
- Hair-pulling.
- Fish-hooking.
- Attacking the groin.
- Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on your opponent.
- Striking using the point of the elbow.
- Throat strikes of any kind, including without limitation, grabbing, pushing or squeezing the trachea with the hands and/or fingers.
- Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh and ears.
- Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
- Attacking the back of the head, the spine and the medulla.
- Grabbing, twisting or squeezing the fingers and toes (small joint manipulations).
- Holding onto the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
- Timidity, including without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or repeatedly dropping the mouthpiece, escaping to the outside of the contest area, or faking an injury.
- Grabbing onto and refusing to release the ring ropes and/or intentionally hanging the limbs of the body (hands, arms, legs or feet) over the ring ropes.
- Grabbing, holding or otherwise impeding an opponent's movements with the sole intention of obtaining a referee restart.
- Throwing the opponent outside of the ring or contest area.
- Spitting at an opponent.
- Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Using abusive language in the contest area.
- Attacking an opponent during the break.
- Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee or doctor.
- Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the round.
- Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
- Interference by a fighter's corner men
Art of War Fighting Championship Events
This is a list of events held and scheduled by Art of War Fighting Championship. Upcoming events are listed in italics| No. | Event | Date | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Art of War I | November 6, 2005 | Beijing Sports University |  Beijing, China |
| 2 | Art of War II | December 10, 2005 | Araneta Coliseum Araneta Coliseum The Smart Araneta Coliseum, known as The Big Dome is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines... |
 Manila, Philippines |
| 3 | Art of War III | March 25, 2006 | Communications University Auditorium | Xi'an, China |
| 4 | Art of War IV | December 22, 2006 | The National Olympics Sports Center | Beijing, China |
| 5 | Art of War V | March 31, 2007 | Xing Guang Studio | Beijing, China |
| 6 | Art of War 6 | May 26, 2007 | Xing Guang Studio | Beijing, China |
| 7 | Art of War 7 | July 28, 2007 | Xing Guang Studio | Beijing, China |
| 8 | Art of War 8: Worlds Collide | September 22, 2007 | Xing Guang Studio | Beijing, China |
| 9 | Art of War 9: Fists of Fury | November 24, 2007 | Xing Guang Studio | Beijing, China |
| 10 | Art of War 10: Final Conflict | December 23, 2007 | The National Olympic Sports Center | Beijing, China |
| 11 | Art of War 11: The Real Deal | March 28, 2009 | Chaoyang Gymnasium | Beijing, China |
| 12 | Art of War 12: Invincible | April 12, 2009 | The National Olympic Sports Center | Beijing, China |
| 13 | Art of War 13: Rising Force | July 18, 2009 | The National Olympic Sports Center | Beijing, China |
| 14 | Art of War 14: Ground Zero | September 26, 2009 | The Venetian Macao The Venetian Macao The Venetian Macao is a hotel and casino resort in Macau owned by the Las Vegas Sands corporation. The Venetian is a 40-story, $2.4 billion anchor for the 7 hotels on the Cotai Strip in Macau... |
 Macao, China |
| 15 | Art of War 15: Showdown | November 28, 2009 | The National Olympic Sports Center | Beijing, China |
| 16 | Art of War 16 | TBA | ||
Notable Art of War FC fighters
Baga AgaevBaga Agaev
Baga Agaev is a Russian mixed martial artist and is a M-1 Global veteran. Agaev holds a notable win over former UFC contender Kristof Midoux and former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman. Baga recently signed with Art of War Fighting Championship and lost in his debut to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
Bao Li Gao
Bao Li Gao
Bao Li Gao , also known as "Son of the Grassland" and "Muay Thai Killer," is a Chinese San Shou fighter and mixed martial artist born in the Inner Mongolia Province...
Jadamba Narantungalag
Jadamba Narantungalag
Jadamba Narantungalag is a Mongolian mixed martial artist, kickboxer and grappler who has fought for World Victory Road, K-1 MAX, and the Art of War Fighting Championship....
Antonio Braga Neto
Antonio Braga Neto
Antonio Braga Neto is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who has competed for World Victory Road and is a Gold Medalist in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt World Champion under Roberto "Gordo" Correa, Braga Neto currently trains out of in Brazil and...
Michel Costa Rodney Glunder
Rodney Glunder
Rodney "The Silent Assassin" Glunder is a Dutch-Surinamese mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He has fought for M-1 Global, Cage Rage, K-1, PRIDE Fighting Championship, RINGS, It's Showtime and Art of War Fighting Championship, and holds notable wins over top contenders Cheick Kongo, Melvin...
Rolles Gracie Peter Graham
Peter Graham (kickboxer)
Peter "The Chief" Graham is an Australian kickboxer, boxer and mixed martial artist. His enterance music is AC/DC's Thunderstruck andhe has trademarked his special moves like his somersault kick, The Rolling Thunder.-Kickboxing:...
Ole Laursen
Ole Laursen
Ole 'Iron Fist' Laursen is a Danish welterweight Muay Thai kickboxer and lightweight mixed martial artist, fighting out of Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand.-Biography:...
Daijiro Matsui
Daijiro Matsui
Daijiro Matsui is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division. He has fought in a number of organizations including the Pride Fighting Championships and the Cage Rage Championships.-Career:...
Simeon Thoresen
Simeon Thoresen
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Ryuki Ueyama
Ryuki Ueyama
Ryuki Ueyama is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division. He has fought for organisations such as; Fighting Network RINGS, DEEP, Pancrase, Hero's and Pride FC.-Fighting Network RINGS :...
Andy Wang
Andy Wang
Andrew P. Wang is a Taiwanese-American mixed martial artist, currently competing in the lightweight division. Wang received his Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt from Egan Inoue and is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructor at the Taiwan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Taipei...
Zhang Tie Quan
Zhang Tie Quan
Zhang Tiequan, or Zhang Tie Quan , often anglicised to Tiequan Zhang, is a Chinese mixed martial artist, who fights as a featherweight. He has spent most of his career fighting in the Art of War Fighting Championship in his native China, but in 2010, he joined World Extreme Cagefighting in the...