“Bad” Brad Hefton • Highlight

“Bad” Brad Hefton
Old School Kickboxing 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟴𝟬'𝘀.
“Bad” Brad was a Professional Karate Association World Super Heavyweight kickboxing champion who was also named the face of ESPN kickboxing in the 1980s. 𝗔 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. 𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗡 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿" 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟵𝟴𝟱. His in ring skills were amazing and scary to be honest. A man of that size should not be able to move that quick.
“Bad” Brad Hefton member of the Illinois State Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
With all of his success, one of “Bad” Brad's most memorable fight came late in his career. Hefton stepped into the ring with a 19 year old Vitali Klitschko. Early in the fight, “Bad” Brad took a shot that broke his arm. Super Heavyweight continued to fight for 8 more rounds!
“Bad” Brad Hefton ruled the world of Super Heavyweight kickboxing in the 1980s, and is still regarded as one of the most fearless fighters in the history of the sport.

[@esteban1487]

That spinning sidekick was ferocious.

[@afsoc4629]

He and John Monczak were my sensei’s for many years. Last saw him about 5-6 years ago at my brothers wedding. One of the greatest guys I have ever met

[@johnyguitar258]

lucky fuck

[@MSWSB]

Watched him fight in the 80’s and worked with him after his Title days at Cubby’s. Really kind guy. If you’d never seen him destroy people in the ring, you wouldn’t give this quiet teddy bear a second thought. Never saw him be anything but relaxed and friendly, but I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere near his hands or feet if he got angry.

[@groofoot]

same here! ... and ... I'll agree with you about Hefton ....

[@itsyaboyarchie1182]

No pic no proof lol jk jk

[@100Denario]

Mind if I ask where he’s located or if he still has a school?

[@dalegribble60]

Used to watch kickboxing before MMA was a thing. I had totally forgot about Brad until I stumbled across this. He was a beast! I also forgot about those spinning kicks. Brutal!

[@wilbennick]

Meet Bad Brad this last weekend while in Rockford, IL. Super nice guy, very humble and still in pretty dam good shape. Was on honor to talk to him. Thanks Brad! Appreciate your skill and time.

[@62202ify]

Yes, people have said he's a gentleman in person.

[@soundslikebstome]

Watched him in the 80's and he lived up to the name. My friend in Cali, years later told me he knew Bad Brad in Rockford and had trained with him in his brother's (Ken Knudsen) studios b4 Brad became champ a few years prior to that. Small world.

[@jackbauer4186]

2:41 is an asbloute work of art. It's Combat poetry in motion. Simply incredible.

[@jvliv435]

In my opinion, the best heavyweight kickboxer of his era. He was a deadly work of art fighting. Many welterweights couldn't move as good as he did.

[@ejd7881]

well did you ever hear about Ernesto Hoost

[@jvliv435]

@@ejd7881 Yes, but I expressed my opinion , yours is different, cheers!

[@jasonvoorhees6416]

Dennis Alexio was the best full contact rules heavyweight

[@CarlosRodriguezCirre]

This Guy was powerful and technique. Amazing style!!!

[@rrussell8403]

I agree 🙏

[@itsyaboyarchie1182]

Not gunna lie..I teared up a bit..this man was and still is a phenom

[@GermanPeixeira]

Absolutely

[@Brody-cx5vl]

Unreal mobility for a 6-3 heavyweight.

[@itsyaboyarchie1182]

I watch this daily for motivation...gives me the chills in a good way

[@wilp9255]

are you still watching this daily? just seen this for first time and thinking about doing same thing...this is really good

[@Fluoride_Jones]

@@wilp9255 How about you? Seems like there are two-year intervals here! 😁

[@wilp9255]

@@Fluoride_Jones EVERY FUKIN DAY!!!

[@Fluoride_Jones]

@@wilp9255 NICE!! 😎💪 "I'm going to knock you so low that you're going to play handball against a curb." 😁

[@loganriki2625]

For a big man to move like that, amazing!

[@SnakePlissken-gk7ix]

Talk about unreal athleticism. Not just for a big dude but anyone period.

[@theredninja2817]

Man I was just about ready to say that

[@loganriki2625]

@@theredninja2817 Yeah man, he would of done well in the UFC as long as he had some grappling training. Heads would of been cracked.

[@loganriki2625]

@@theredninja2817 That would definitely help his ground game.

[@SchizmKing]

Damn he had a gaze that would make Mike Tyson proud.

[@garyknowles8378]

Love this guy. Beautiful

[@CVM222VOLT]

I remember discovering PKA on ESPN 2 back in the day long before UFC. Bad Brad was a name you could not forget.

[@robertswift6101]

this guy is a legend and 100% totally legit in his day......simply awesome

[@dannysalisbury7230]

i agree

[@AlmostReady504]

When he was on a roll there was no one like him. BAD BRAD HEFTON Thanks for the Memories

[@davokelly7876]

Bad brad is bad ..... Says it just like ole Clint Eastwood "Ima knock you so low you'll be playing handball against the kirb" Quality...

[@johnyguitar258]

it was like straight out of a karate mouvie

[@marcinmlak1569]

😊🙂😚🤦‍♂️Z za wWa9999Z🛄🛅@@johnyguitar258

[@josephheikes1459]

One of the most thrilling fighters in kick boxing of all time. His spinning techniques were the best of the best.

[@mikegreco4122]

Those spinning back fists were sick. Had a ton of reach with them too.

[@marcusaurelius5149]

The speed and agility for a hw is just insane. He's blazing fast with his combinations.

[@Nenad-ICXC-Shuput-GFAMMA]

He wasn't heavy i don't think, i know that's what they say, but he looks thin, maybe 200lbs.

[@elvedincatak9557]

@@Nenad-ICXC-Shuput-GFAMMA thats still a hw

[@Nenad-ICXC-Shuput-GFAMMA]

@@elvedincatak9557 no that's barely light heavyweight

[@elvedincatak9557]

@@Nenad-ICXC-Shuput-GFAMMA tamo gde zivim su to teškaši

[@Nenad-ICXC-Shuput-GFAMMA]

@@elvedincatak9557 u Albaniji?

[@daxbradley4346]

He had beautiful combinations, mixing both hands and feet, which for the time was rare.

[@vernonhurley1300]

What a guy! I get so mad reading comments about how awesome Bruce Lee was when he never stepped foot in a ring. Guys like Brad deserve our respect!

[@ronniep9272]

Exactly, Bruce Lee was an actor and pseudo philosopher.

[@onyangojoel7220]

Glad someone said it. He was an excellent actor

[@bigboaby555]

Shut up and stop moaning 😴

[@user-ib2pn6fb5w]

брюс ли никогда в реальных боях не участвовал, он был актер для детей

[@DouglasGomesBueno-jw9lh]

​@@ronniep9272Bruce ring it's real Life he has a Pro Street Fighter in China.

[@stacknme1]

I got to officially meet him today. What a bad ass and the nicest guy I've ever met.

[@vikings_zero2730]

Whoever created this is amazing! I trained with bad Brad and mean Mike growing up and they have always been on another level. My dad was a heavy weight kickboxer and he would always tell me "if you want to throw kicks Brad's the man to watch "

[@Princeoftolo1]

Everytime I'm in the gym , I play that clip . He is a motivation this guy .

[@ryanmanley389]

Dude that straight left cross at 0:53 was sick af

[@johnfalcetta5431]

Used to watch him fight on ESPN. So glad a new generation can see how great he was. Does anyone his final Record?

[@BURGAWMMA]

I'm only aware of him losing two fights... Anthony Elmore and Jerry Rhone

[@Chrissss205]

I think it's 63 wins 4 loses if you read the interview youll see it

[@BURGAWMMA]

@@Chrissss205 sometimes he was outboxed...Jerry Rome and Anthony Elmore beat him

[@chrish9618]

My Father sent me this link, I've always enjoyed combat sports, but this was.. just wow. Different kind of men then... Think I'll steal a quote here, pertains to ships way back in the day but applies in a sense, "when ships were made of wood, an men were made of steel"

[@Mdp52]

He had a menacing look when he wanted at the dojo too. An honor to have been there.

[@kickboxing7857]

Good old full contact. Perfect.

[@afvet5075]

Brad was one of the main reasons I watched ESPN bsck in the 80's. Great fighter and those kicks were nasty.

[@Desh681]

The little clips with Anthony Elmore (red Coors pants) make this so incredibly enjoyable. Elmores 80s mustache and boasting makes him look almost like some sort of Kickboxing Apollo Creed and, paired with the cliched Blue pants vs Red pants, really makes this look like a final fight after a hour of training montage. 1:07 and 1:49 are movie-like shots. And then 2:40 wtf, thats such a cinematic fall lol. They even got 80s cheesy dialogue in 2:25 Fantastic work. You're combining my favorite music with fights i didn't even know existed, mixed with my favorite era since Bloodsport, all with brilliant editing

[@wilp9255]

must agree..this is magic to my heart

[@STEELERBUM]

I run Bad Brad facebook page, the Champ lives down the street from me... and he still looks amazing!! Could go 12 rounds today!! Dont tell him I said that.... lol

[@STEELERBUM]

@@JoseGonzalez-gg6rs yes, Ricky is still around as well, mean mike labree is here too...

[@donnydomingo9962]

I remember watching him on TV back in the day. I always appreciated his fluidity with stringing together those amazing combos - a true martial artist.

[@twofour102]

He’s a little limby lol I saw him a few years ago

[@jasonvoorhees6416]

I miss full contact karate . Lots of brutal strikes and late ones. Hefton/Alexio/rofus always laying them extra shots in. I love it

[@thammons80]

Mr. John Monczak, the best martial arts teacher i've met. he used to super hype brad like he pressed an on switch...i was a student of Monczaks from when i was a kid to my late teens.. got to train with brads tutilage quite a few times as well, these guys were my real life role models tbh still are today ! Brad was gentle giant but you for sure didn't want those hands or feet coming your direction, i remember watching him hit the heavy bag and fold it practically in half with the power of his kicks , absolute beast strength and technique with a heap of speed thrown on to boot. Monczak if i'm correct is now 8th dan blackbelt in Sho-rei ryu karate . In my teenage years (im 41 now) he was 5-6th dan , and Hefton i believe was 3rd dan around the time. The school closed if i remember right in the late 1999 ish? hard to recall exactly, but from what i've read in the paper a few years back they got put in the black belt hall of fame. I can say i trained at other schools after Black Belt Karate Studio closed its doors but i have never found another school or teacher that i feel measured up to the lessons i got from them. John or Brad if you happen to read this i hope you're doing well! :)

[@mikeroullier6875]

Never heard of this guy until now.... one badass dude!!! Excellent kicking!!! Great boxing!!! Wow! ... if this guy were here a and still going at it,... alot of today's guys (mma etc... would be in trouble!

[@claudedalton8970]

THOSE WERE THE DAYS OF THE 80'S WITH BAD BRAD KICKING BUTT AND ESPN'S TUESDAY NITE FIGHTS! NO POLITICS AT ESPN THEN AS I DON'T WATCH THEM ANYMORE! I HAVE TO ADMIT, BAD BRAD WAS MY FAVORITE CHAMP OF ALL TIME! LOVE YOU BRAD AND THANKS FOR THE VID!

[@marcricciardi7914]

You can have Chuck Norris and I'll take Bad Brad! Heavyweight with the speed and agility of a lightweight! One dangerous dude!

[@vivec-ri2ov]

he'd b Unstoppable in ufc today

[@mme9646]

@@vivec-ri2ov maybe not so against grapplers

[@derek4986]

@@mme9646 no doubt honestly but I'd rather watch old full contact and muay thai over mma or bjj matches lol I'm not doubting those disciplines but theres nothing like kicking someone in the head and punching their lights out

[@johnyguitar258]

@@mme9646 like he whouldnt learn to defend like lots of othersr strikers like izzy or conor or tons of others

[@theredninja2817]

@@mme9646 Well you never know what he knows outside of those competition rules you could have a black belt in judo or jujitsu or something

[@trebienparker5349]

Awesome fighter a true warrior who was unfazed.

[@ME-xq8bg]

Hand ball against the curb, love it!❤️🇨🇦

[@douglasharley2440]

amazing speed and accuracy for a big dude..."bad" brad hefton indeed!

[@chetellis7413]

Back in the eighties, when ESPN was interested in sports, they showed PKA fights. When friends would drop by to watch, I would always bet on Bad Brad Hefton. I don't recall ever seeing him lose. Strong, and fast for a big guy. Absolutely brutal. Only other consistent winner I remember, was a fighter called Tornado Tommy Williams. Great fights and incredible action. Sure miss those days.

[@user-rt7sy2ut1k]

He is a great professional Karate man.

[@donniedowner1686]

He was my inspiration to get into kickboxing.

[@TheBudoAcademy]

He was the reason I joined TKD when I was young

[@urielpelaez8199]

“Imma Knock you do low you’re gonna play handball against the curb”..... brooooooo!!!that shit was cold!!!! Haha

[@lucyv]

I am in love with this edit, with Bad Brad, and this music!

[@sevenman9672]

Your tribute videos keep getting better and better!

[@markmcallan973]

I grew up fighting Muay Thai! But this guy is awesome!🤟

[@TheBudoAcademy]

Great video thanks. Brad was my kickboxing hero when i was a kid

[@Christopher-nz8ir]

Bad Brad HEFTON Was A BADASS In The Day ! He Had Class As Well ! Awesome Video Brings Back GREAT MEMORIES ! Thanks 🙏 For Sharing This Classic Footage !

[@johnjordan6032]

Kickboxing IS Bad Brad Hefton and Bad Brad Hefton IS the sport of the future🙌🏼

[@donshipman8441]

That man struck like he was trying to kill them! Great footage!

[@stlrockn]

A hell of a fighter. I saw him many times on ESPN but the only time I ever saw him live he got KTFO by Jerry Rhome in Atlanta in 1986. He was never the same again. I don't know where his career went after that.

[@willandrews9741]

Didn’t I read an interview where his coach told him he had no killer instinct? Geez what a beast

[@rudavalek]

Incredible fast and sharp kicks and punches

[@peterschwarz8835]

One of the best Heavyweight Kickboxer Brad Hefton 👊🥇🏆

[@wilp9255]

this is an amazing compilation video! very motivating from starting walking to end

[@itsyaboyarchie1182]

I watch this video in mornings to get amped for the day..my favorite video on KZbin

[@daviddudebrolittle5503]

Excellent Striker! One of the very best to do it, as well as my favorite!

[@bobjohnson1562]

I grew up in Rockford, Illinois just down the road from Brad. He was definitely the talk of the town. He had a badass early 70s buick skylark parked in the driveway. Kick ass fighter and car as well lol

[@RobloxLife-cy6lb]

He is still there and still drives a Buick!

[@bobjohnson1562]

@@RobloxLife-cy6lb Very cool. : )

[@Orpheno_79]

A legend of full contact (american kickboxing)

[@GH51505150]

Wow!! That brought back some memories. I remember watching him way back when.

[@NeonBlade]

Awesome compilation. Amazing kicking ability! So much power in his hits!

[@tbost11]

Awesome growing up bad Brad was a idol of mine thanks for this

[@ProspectorTripp]

Bad Brad Hefton was my favorite fighter! Spin Master

[@brianrenonshabazz6453]

Good fighter! Met him in person once. I shook his hand and I was like OMG! Strong! :-)

[@Jwkennedy1124]

These videos are so hype. They get me all cooked up every time.

[@stu3775]

Hefton and Alexio were my favorites back when I was younger.

[@belingonza318]

I always watched him fight loved his fights!

[@housephone5292]

He was a Bad, Bad man! World Class, the true meaning of "Beast Mode" Stone Cold Killer!!

[@mendoza7221]

Another good video. Thanks.

[@jamescampbell2521]

Used to watch Bad Brad back in the days of the PKA. Amazing fighter. Did no relaize he used spinning kicks so much.

[@Lith333]

Awesome highlight reel!

[@Beorn567]

This channel is how I start the day

[@Christopher-nz8ir]

I Absolutely Love The Old School PKA Karate 🥋 From The Past ! AWESOME 👏 🥋👏

[@glennkross9298]

That’s my brother from way back Way badder than me much respect brother

[@user-bf6uy9or9j]

One of the best channel in this place

[@waltersalcedo2430]

No lo conocía , ahora si , muy bueno felicitaciones!!!

[@genshin5288]

I love the spinning Taekwondo kicks🤩.

[@davidmartialartskicker8237]

i love american kickboxing style aka full contact more than thai boxing and k1 dont know why? maybe because they fight with long pants and do more flashy kicks . raymond daniels is one of my favorite showman fighter

[@kothet6961]

Beautiful style

[@SalterSquat90]

It's just because you are a boomer 😋😋

[@DanT288]

My mate calls it shiny pants kickboxing i won a couple of ameture titles back in my younger days i love full contact its the best

[@samuelbuenosairesxd1387]

I love this channel

[@kothet6961]

So beautiful. Lots of kicks and punches. I prefer old-school kickboxing to modern-day's UFC.

[@jewelcitizen2567]

That’s one truly *_E P I C_* tribute video… 🔥

[@OldSchoolCombat]

Машина.

[@alexlagunovskiy5165]

Мне страшно представить ощущения когда такой огромный тяж крутит вертухи да еще и с такой скоростью

[@User37566]

Про него выпуск сделать бы, рассказать о его карьере. Было бы очень интересно.

[@ricoqwertz123]

Never Heard of him before! Thx for the Video

[@josemiguelortizmartinez6531]

The background music is amazing you're a genius man

[@SASTORM]

Watched this guy years ago in Pka fights, love the fancy kicks also Paul Vizzio was a fan favorite

[@JPRibner]

Those kicks were straight up guardbreakers!

[@kurininjamma4619]

Nicely done. What a beast 😳

[@peterbach1126]

Oh my god those kicks are INSANE, especially for his size!

[@djpygme]

I love this channel

[@jeanvaljean126]

Very very impressive !!!

[@mattweaver3677]

Best kicker / striker of the 80s hands down!

[@jeffreynapisa122]

Man things that go bye as time goes bye....thank goodness for films of days gone bye....I remember bad Brad hefton....one of the greats of kickboxing.....up there with Bill "superfoot"Wallace and Dennis Alexio .

[@chuckcassidymusic]

Why isn't this guy in the "conversation?" I don't think I've seen anyone punch with more accuracy + power. His knockouts look like they're from Bruce Lee movies.

[@unagrandeylibreporespana8282]

AWSOME

[@Potatodrumcrow]

Video gave me chills

[@MochitoMaker]

1:58 Face of a Mean-Machine.

[@toddsmith752]

Lolol @ handball against the curb love it love it

[@hobocat33]

Never heard of him… his accuracy and power for his size especially, is vastly impressive, wow👍

[@anonimocr9907]

Chega da gosto de ver o karatê / kickboxing dessa época 👏👏👏 bem no estilo dos filmes de luta dos anos 80

[@pamela1338]

KILLER in the Ring! Sweetest, Kindest Guy Outside the Ring 💕