Before we dive into the DVD update, we must understand the source material. The original Fightingkids series (circa late 1990s) was a controversial yet groundbreaking underground video series. It was not a Hollywood movie or a mainstream instructional.
Instead, Fightingkids was a raw, documentary-style compilation of youth martial arts sparring sessions—specifically focusing on full-contact karate, Muay Thai, and early mixed martial arts (MMA) drills for younger practitioners. The brainchild of independent martial arts filmmaker Craig "Iron" Morrison, the VHS tapes were originally sold via mail order through martial arts magazines like Black Belt and Inside Karate.
We scanned martial arts forums like Sherdog’s Wrestling Forum, r/martialarts on Reddit, and KarateForums.com to gauge real-world reactions to the Fightingkids Dvd -UPD-.
"I owned the VHS back in ‘99. The -UPD- is night and day better. The audio alone makes the sparring sessions feel alive. My only complaint? They cut one of the original locker room interviews. But the new commentary explains why (privacy reasons)." – SenseiMike_KFM Fightingkids Dvd -UPD-
"As a youth MMA coach, I use the pad drills from chapter 4 every Friday. Kids complain about the intensity, but their parents see results at tournaments. Thank you for re-releasing this." – CarlosD_Texas
"Controversial take: This DVD shouldn’t exist. BUT… I bought it for historical research. Morrison’s commentary is surprisingly thoughtful. He admits mistakes were made. 3.5 stars." – AnonymousUser_420
It is important to address a criticism leveled at the Fightingkids DVD -UPD-. Some Black Belt instructors argue that no DVD can replace live sparring under a qualified coach. They claim the Fightingkids series gives parents a false sense of security. Before we dive into the DVD update, we
The updated version responds to this directly. The opening disclaimer (read aloud by a narrator) states:
"This DVD is a supplementary tool. It does not certify your child as a fighter. It is designed to buy them three seconds of surprise to escape to an adult. Always practice with a partner and a mat."
If your child attempts the flying armbar shown in Chapter 4 without proper crashing pads, they risk injury. The -UPD- edition adds red warning borders on screen whenever a technique requires a certified coach present. "I owned the VHS back in ‘99
If you are a martial arts purist, a fight historian, or a coach who values unconventional training methods, yes – buy it before it goes out of print. The -UPD- is the most complete, respectful, and watchable version of this controversial series ever released.
If you are easily shocked by adolescent contact sports or expect polished tutorials, skip it. Stick to Gracie Combatives or Stephen Thompson’s Wonderboy channel.
But for the rest of you who remember the smell of a sweaty dojo, the crack of a focus mitt, and the hunger to learn real fighting as a kid… the Fightingkids Dvd -UPD- is more than a disc. It’s a memory.