In the words of Joe Rogan, Hollywood star Michael Jai White is “legit”. Yes, the Hollywood star is an actual credentialed martial artist and holds black belts in at least seven different martial arts, which include Shotokan, taekwondo, Goju Rye, and Wushu. All of this was possible because he started training at the age of seven. Owing to this, he made history by becoming the first black actor to portray a mainstream comic book superhero (Spawn, 1997).

Fans will remember videos of his fearsome leg kicks thrown with perfect technique. And if that isn’t enough, the ‘Black Dynamite’ star has also sparred with Jon Jones, with the UFC champ even admitting in 2023 that he had been ‘humbled’ after their session. Jones had stated:

“We had a good time here. Such an honor to have Michael Jai out here in Albuquerque. This guy’s a tremendous athlete. Amazing kicks filled with knowledge not only in the martial arts but in life, and I’m truly just inspired to have him here at the house.”

When Jai White thanked Jones for the appreciation, the UFC fighter responded: “I’m gonna post the video on my social media account. I got humbled. I got humbled today.” But fans are not quite convinced that Jai White is ‘legit’, as was apparent from the comments on one of the action star’s recent videos where he demonstrated a unique and little-known kicking technique.

In a video shared by ‘ParryPunch’, he could be seen in a dojo, demonstrating a kick that he claims ‘no one has ever blocked’. He goes on to start throwing what looks like a left roundhouse kick coming in from the outside. But midway through the kick, the actor took his left leg to the other side and seamlessly transitioned to an axe or sidekick to his opponent’s face.

“This is my most unfair kick ever! I’d only use it when I HAD TO score or end a match because no one has ever blocked it successfully. Once they went for the block, I’d turn it into the hook to the temple or sidekick to the face, depending on what was open. In sparring, I’d grab my foot or go over the head of my partner as not to injure him. It’s pretty evil and I’ve felt guilt over the years from using it so please, if you master it, be responsible,” the actor wrote on Facebook.

However, many of the fans were unimpressed and took to the comments section of the Instagram post to let their thoughts out while some came to the Hollywood star’s defense.

Top Comment by Brian

I want Mr White to train me

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Fans are not sure about Michael Jai White’s ‘unblockable’ kick…

Despite his numerous martial arts accolades, Michael Jai White is not a professional fighter. After all, the Hollywood star grew up in the pre-UFC and MMA world of the seventies and eighties, when there weren’t many opportunities to make money being a pro martial artist (except in boxing or pro wrestling). But some fans, of course, hold this against the actor and feel that he is essentially pretending to be a martial arts expert.

• “No fighter is a fighter until actually tested, put him up with some UFC boys.”
• “Mjw specializes in showing off against untrained individuals.”

Since the UFC is considered the pinnacle of combat sports at the moment, it wasn’t surprising to see more fans call out Michael Jai White to prove his ‘legit-ness’ as a martial artist by trying his hands inside the Octagon and felt that he would not do well there:

• “He would get smashed in the ufc tho.”

Movies like ‘Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (2006)’, ‘Tyson (1995)’ and ‘Black Dynamite (2009)’ prove his excellence as an actor and a skilled combatant. However, this wasn’t the first time the actor went to a dojo and showed off his moves, which was also something fans took issue with since he wasn’t going up against a martial artist.

• “Nobody blocks it because he only hangs with these type of mcdojos”.

Of course, these fans perhaps are unaware of the action star’s famous sparring session with Jon Jones where the actor more than held his own and even ‘humbled’ the UFC champ with his excellent kicking game. Bringing this up, a couple of fans mentioned:

• “He beat up Jones in sparring and internet people are here questioning his legitimacy.”
• “The fact ppl think this guy don’t know what he’s talking about is crazy he’s had some top mma names ask him for help and even Jones said he’s legit.”

Well, do you think Michael Jai White could have been a great MMA fighter had the sport existed during his youth? Let us know in the comments below.