Michael Jai White is known for his work as a Hollywood actor and his expertise in MMA. Jai White has been spotted training with several fighters, including Kevin ‘Kimbo Slice’ Ferguson and Uriah Hall. During his training and sparring sessions with Hall, the actor/martial artist shared valuable knowledge about the ‘no telegraph’ technique. This technique ultimately helped Hall in an important fight.
In 2015, UFC middleweight Uriah Hall achieved a significant victory by defeating Gegard Mousasi in Japan. At the time, Mousasi entered the bout as a big favorite. The underdog Uriah Hall prevailed in a sensational knockout finish. Hall recently discussed the story behind this win on the Jaxxon Podcast. He shed light on the ‘no telegraph’ technique that enabled him to get the finish.
Two weeks before that fight, I was hanging out with Michael Jai White…He was showing me the spinning back kick and I think I was this close to him…He showed me how to move my body that way so when I did that jump spinning back kick, I took away the fat a little bit because I expected him to move a certain way and it just lined up perfectly.
Uriah Hall via Jaxxon Podcast
Hall mentioned that he observed Mousasi’s last fight with Lyoto Machida. He noticed that the Dutch fighter tended to drop his head whenever Machida faked with his hips. Hall then integrated this observation with a technique he learned during his final preparations from Jai White.
It’s no surprise that Michael Jai White has a keen understanding of the sport. He has analyzed some fighters’ losses and shared his insights as well. It turns out Uriah Hall was not the only fighter who gained valuable knowledge from the ‘Blood and Bone’ actor.
“This motherf**ker got skinnier,” Uriah Hall recalls breaking Chris Weidman’s leg during UFC’s most brutal fight[/related-content]
Michael Jai White teaching Kimbo Slice the ‘no telegraph’ technique
Michael Jai White and Kimbo Slice shared the screen in a movie called Blood and Bone. Kevin ‘Kimbo Slice’ Ferguson was a former MMA fighter and a professional boxer. They shared great camaraderie during the movie’s shooting. The movie was released in 2009, the same year Kimbo Slice made his UFC debut.
Michael Jai White also taught Kimbo Slice the ‘no telegraph’ technique (via X)While shooting for the movie, Jai White demonstrated the ‘no telegraph’ technique to the legendary street fighter during an interaction. In that technique, Jai White told Kimbo Slice to strike without giving any hints to the opposition. He further elaborated that in this technique. There was no need to throw punches fast, only the accuracy mattered. Kimbo Slice joyfully appreciated and understood the technique.
Michael Jai White demonstrates an important concept to Kimbo Slice:
It’s more important to not telegraph your punches than to throw them fast. pic.twitter.com/OKeoAa20g2
— Miguel Class (@MigClass) June 7, 2023
Kimbo Slice didn’t have a successful run as a UFC fighter. He was 1-1 in the promotion. Nevertheless, he had an impact on the community with his mutual combat street fights. These street fights eventually inspired Jorge Masvidal to pursue his fighting career. Sadly, Slice didn’t get to see Masvidal win the BMF title as he passed away in 2016.
On the other hand, Michael Jai White’s camaraderie can also be seen with former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou. The 56-year-old American also has an official YouTube channel, where he posts several number fighting techniques and training sessions with active MMA fighters.
