My "Judo" Gene Lebell STORIES!

This video I want to honor the late great Gene Lebell by telling a couple stories of my experience with him. Enjoy! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please comment below. More videos to come! Please like, share, and subscribe!!
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[@randyhall4701]

I met Gene when he was 48 and trained with him for a few years. Yeah, he was no nonsense and the toughest man alive, but he was also the kindest most giving man I have ever met. We became good friends and were close to his end. I miss him almost daily. I'm glad you ended your video with respect for him because he truly deserves it. He shared many stories with me about the old days with people like Karl Gotch and Lou thesz. He was such an amazing man and like I said before, a kind man who always rooted for the underdog. People have no idea how many aspiring stuntmen or wrestlers or boxers or what ever, that he helped in life. Keep smiling.

[@RamonChiNangWong078]

RIP, Gene LeBell Those old-skool are pretty hardcore Also meaning those rumors of him making Steven Seagul pooping himself must be true

[@ghengiskhan9308]

There's a lot of conflicting account the only person who saw it and wasn't biast said that nothing happened gene put on a choke on Steven and they got into a little confrontation. Steven apparently waved his bodyguard down and thanked gene and they went on with their day.

[@antimediaman9354]

Gene is a liar and a creep for saying that about Seagal, even if it were true. He wouldn't say that about another fighter or even challenge one, because if he did, they could come after him or come to his school - just like how Rorion embarrassed him at his own school by defeating three of his top students back in the late 70s. Then Rorion asked Gene to roll, but Gene turned his back and refused after realizing he had barked up the wrong tree. So he resorted to attacking and humiliating actors who were more famous, like Bruce Lee. By claiming he could defeat them and spreading such stories, he gained fame, because otherwise, nobody would care about the man. He pulled off similar stunts on other movie sets as well. Before sparring with you, he made sure to assess your skills by sending his black belt to spar with you while he watched. He rudely challenged Rorion when they first met, and Rorion accepted by going to Gene's school. That's when Gene kept sending his students to lose one after another and then ignored Rorion and walked away! It's truly terrible what he said about Seagal because it's not true, and stunt guys have come out with their books, revealing what actually happened. He's a liar. Who cares if he choked someone out? Big deal, that's easy. They all let Gene do the most basic choke that anyone can do. He had a book of finishing hold and a tape of the most unrealistic crap thatno one could get anyone into. He never showed how well he can movie on any video and show how he can defeat someone cause he couldn't. He was a big time wrestler and that' where he came from.

[@Markt005]

Rorion’s story is total bull squat, just like Rickson being undefeated. Yes, after Gene and Bob Wall died, someone no one heard of has said it never happened. That too is bull squat. If nothing happened, why did Gene have to stop working as a stunt man because Seagull filed charges? Why did the national enquirer say they were investigating the story? Why was Gene allowed to go back to work as long as he never spoke of it ever again? Why did Bob Wall collect all the evidence about the choke out? Seagull claimed he could extend his ki power into his neck and not be choked out. It went from there. Some of us are old enough to remember and dealt with it ourselves. You talk about respect but piss all over a dead guy? Jerk!

[@thefiendboxing1639]

"he impacted so many people" oh ja he def impacted people in more than onee ways

[@MaxAbramson3]

"Better to be feared than loved if one cannot be both. But if you are to be feared, be careful not to be hated. For if you are, what was the purpose of being feared?"

[@AtomicApe13]

That’s Awesome I’m a HAYASTAN Black Belt 🥋 and have many stories about Gokor Chivichyan Gene Label and my master Harout Terzian rest in peace the godfather of grab lunch in Labelle 🍀 Great store you have there I have a lot myself my brother it’s sad we all have to go through it but it’s sad, At least we have our stories with him all the best. I also have a black belt from Nova Uniao Brazilian jujitsu under Andre and Pedro Narrows funny thing is my name is also Brian I like your channel bro all the best keep up the videos 🙏🏼

[@TeachMeGrappling]

🙏Thank you!! RIP Judo Gene!

[@counterkidnapping1737]

There will be no Karo Parisyan and Ronda Rousey without Gene Lebell. RIP

[@AtomicApe13]

@@counterkidnapping1737 Amen 🙏🏼

[@AtomicApe13]

@@TeachMeGrappling Amen 🙏🏼

[@perryBJJ]

Man, I know exactly what you're talking about, Brian! I went to Gene's less than a dozen times total, around 1996, actually, but each class made a big impact. My teacher, who was one of Gene's black belts, told me: DON'T ever let him demo on you! I always stayed in the back when "uncle Gene" was demoing. True legend. Not really fit for "2022" where everyone is more sensitive and teachers are generally very solicitous of students, but it was like a glimpse into a different era. He was different, very rough and a character, but the stuff he knew was just... endless. RIP.

[@victornice858]

Honestly, one of the greatest, of all time! Maybe, the Greatest!

[@USCgooseNYC]

Thanks for sharing these great stories. RIP Judo Gene. 🙏❤

[@ivanivan5511]

Coach, thanks for making this video of Gene, he's a legend!! Also awesome reflexion in the ending. Cheers!

[@CheezeTank]

Great Video. Great Tribute. Great Message. Thank You.

[@solagratia1600]

thanks for sharing Coach Brian, and yes old school teachers, pain and pain :)

[@jaymorris3468]

R.I.P. a real showman and good Judoka obviously, very nice memory story, thank you.🙏

[@RobertoSantos-oq6wz]

coach brian thanks for your videos

[@kingdomaztecabullies3784]

Enjoyed the story! R.i.p. Gene

[@wisdomuplifts8859]

Wow brother great story thank you for sharing, by the way I think your videos are great 👍

[@alvarocorral1576]

I always wondered what Gene Lebell did to you in class for you to be angry at him and now I know - thanks! Yea, I’d be pissed too..

[@bradalloway3232]

Well said coach. Get out there and do something with this short time we have been afforded. Gene was undeniably the man! May he rest in peace knowing the positive impact he made on our lives.

[@xkidmidnightx]

I use the gene lebell grip all the time. It works great for the Japanese neck tie. Really let’s you pop your wrist into their neck.

[@chkpnt-fq5rv]

Those old school guys were trying to make you tougher not bully you. To forge steel from iron you have to beat on it. My Granddad was the same way. He didn't beat me but he would rag on me and I didn't appreciate it until I was older and he had passed. I learned valuable lessons from that old man and I loved him.

[@dannyjohnclaude9983]

Tough love bro the streets are rough no rules bullying everywhere 😥

[@dannyjohnclaude9983]

He got me into judo r.i.p Gene lebell ❤😭

[@LH74]

He was a legend. RIP Judo Gene!!

[@stephanwatson7902]

I loved how Gene told stories, the guy was so funny and engaging. Gene was a mixed martial artist who had the first televised mixed fight in America, with Milo Savage AND Gene Labell taught my fav martial artist Bruce Lee, judo and wrestling and said Lee was a "good grappler"....the only man both Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee feared!

[@antimediaman9354]

"I loved how Gene told stories, the guy was so funny and engaging". and full of BS

[@stephanwatson7902]

@@antimediaman9354 Sure thing pal, the invincible all knowing demi-god Bruce Lee couldn't have POSSIBLY learned anything from a Champion wrestler and Judoka; one who had the first televised mixed fight in American history...Keyboard Warriors have zero proof Gene lied about anything and yet they all hold onto this claim and act like it's a fact. "Everything Bruce Lee spoke was the true essence of martial arts...and his philosophy about fighting was 100% correct." - Rickson Gracie, some people don't like what professional fighter say, so they just act like they're lying lol very sad

[@antimediaman9354]

@@stephanwatson7902 "Sure thing pal, the invincible all knowing demi-god Bruce Lee couldn't have POSSIBLY learned anything from a Champion wrestler and Judoka; one who had the first televised mixed fight in American history" "Yeah, sure thing, pal!" You have no evidence that shows Bruce Lee had any association, other than your pathetic belief system that he did. There are no pictures of them together, not even an appointment planner. That planner showed everything and everyone he was involved with. Gene said he had tapes of Bruce Lee training, but that lying idiot forgot that at that time they didn't have tapes, only film. And Bruce Lee wouldn't allow film cameras showing him training at Gene's, so that's a crock of shit right there, buddy! Also, where are the so-called tapes that Gene said he had in his house, huh? Now you can keep praising this moron Gene LeBell, who has lied his way to fame without really fighting anyone but claiming he beat up actors, or you can show us evidence that shows us that Bruce knew Gene aside from just knowing him as a stunt guy on Green Hornet. He was an employee on that set, and that is as far as Bruce went to know the guy. And you have nothing, not a shred of evidence that says otherwise than what came out of Gene's mouth. Zero, pal! Chuck Norris never mentioned it, Dan Inosanto never mentioned it, no friend of Bruce Lee ever said Gene and Bruce knew each other besides just working together on the set of Green Hornet. Gene lied but apparently convinced a weak person like you. Look at what Mathew Polly said when he put his book together about Gene Lebell. He interviewed Gene because Gene came to him to "set facts straight about his relations with Bruce"… See what Gene does? He inserts himself in the authors book because he knows that there are no notes, pictures, or friends that ever saw them together. He tried to do the same thing with Tom Bleecker and his books.

[@antimediaman9354]

@@stephanwatson7902 "Champion wrestler and Judoka; one who had the first televised mixed fight in American history.." Gene LeBell fought a pathetic fight against a washed-up, out-of-shape former boxer named Milo Savage. He was a fighter no one even remembers these days, which shows how mediocre he was. Additionally, the guy was lighter than Gene, and it still took Gene four rounds to win. This means his technique only worked when he got the guy tired and out of breath. Gene himself was exhausted; he wasn't exactly jumping up and down in victory like you see others do in the UFC. He was not that good, and that's why the boxer tired him out, and it took him four boring rounds to secure a victory. He even came close to getting knocked out himself in the very beginning of that match and leaned away which is a poor technique to use against punches and why the Gracies never do it when attempting a clinch. In contrast, look at what happens today against much better boxers like the legendary heavyweight and one of the greatest of all time, James Toney. He lost in just 14 seconds against Randy Couture. So there you have it-Randy is way better than Gene. This is clear proof that Gene wasn't that good.

[@antimediaman9354]

@@stephanwatson7902 "Bruce Lee couldn't have POSSIBLY learned anything from a Champion wrestler" Maybe because he wasn't a Wrestling Champion ! While Gene LeBell achieved a champions title in the field of judo and was a highly skilled judoka, he did not hold any championship titles in professional wrestling. so maybe you should be a "keyborad warrior" and learn historical facts so you don't come off as an idiot on this thread.

[@prettyboybrandonidle8936]

I had the honor of getting some Grappling and Judo lessons from Gene awhile back. RIP Gene.

[@kallepikku4991]

Fun fact: His famous nick name "Judo" Gene Lebell actually started as a gimmick in Pro wrestling circuits, back in the Catch wrestling era. It was more of a "The Rock" or "Stone Cold" Steve Austin type of nick name than an indicative of his style. His mom owned one of the biggest Catch wrestling stadiums in LA, so young Gene grew up idolizing those type of goofy ol' school wrestlers. I.e. the Judo in his name was suppose to be somehow funny or exotic for the American audience (like e.g. "Kungfu Alex" etc.).

[@wesallstar9273]

Rip to the Legend!!!!

[@ronin6158]

I dont let anyone demo on me anymore. Too many huge ego's looking for cheap jollies. I barely like to train w ppl I dont know and trust depending on the style. I think things maybe a bit more considerate these days, but Ive been on the wrong side of that coin a few times, and too old for that bs now.

[@johnm249]

I bought Judo Gene LeBell's Judo handbook from 1960 and in the "illegal holds" section I was looking at the Boston Crab. Well I came up with a badass Guard Pass that turned into a vicious Knee Twist Lock. Ur in Guard 1. Put ur hands under neck of enemy so he can't slip out or make space. 2. U stand up and put ur weight on bottom guy and have him trapped. 3. Right foot Step Over and place beside enemy Left Ear and inside Elbow Bend of Ur Left Arm U Got a Heel Hook. Now you will have a heel hook and Enemy Face on mat. Very effective move. I tried it on an MMA/Grappling teacher and hurt him. Not on purpose. I never did the move before and had no idea how effective it would be. Anyway I do not do the move anymore as I do not want to hurt anyone but it works great. Maybe I will practice it so I do not hurt anyone.

[@brassvulcher8207]

Ok, listen to me and listen to me now… Immediately start making skits of this 😂

[@blakmajk3512]

Crazy stories…

[@Huicho805]

First ☝️

[@MrCeo1978buddy]

Rip

[@chaos_omega]

You just made that up but I bet it would work... lol

[@Pfsif]

It's not old school, it's sadism.

[@deepsquat600]

Well these stories are interesting to listen to I've heard others from him and others have told about him and I can say this personally never would want some jerk like that to be my trainer even though he had a massive amount of knowledge hurting people because you get off on it is not the reason to be a martial artist and it's not a reason so that you can be an a******

[@PaulJohn283]

Only a couple weeks 😆

[@RobertoSantos-oq6wz]

rip

[@snakeeagle6930]

Oh man no way rip

[@ropongi1008]

I have always known that Judo Gene was not a nice guy to train with (RIP Gene). If I ever had the chance to do a seminar with Judo Gene, I would not have him demo on me (like that poor bastard that almost got his ear bitten off), I would probably just observe and record the seminar (Because who honestly wants to be anyone's punching bag or grappling dummy). It sounds like you totally had to go into Genes class with the mentality of "I'm not going to be his victim today", it sounds like Gene was almost like a gym bully who liked to hurt people, and who you would probably try to avoid. But I have always suspected that Gene was probably not a pleasent guy to train with, and I feel like your story just confirmed that. If Gene really did train and exchange techniques with Bruce Lee, then I wonder if Gene was "nice" to Bruce, or was he rough with him, I just wonder how that might of gone down. BTW, that's quite a story, were you injured.

[@antimediaman9354]

"It sounds like Gene was almost like a gym bully who liked to hurt people, and who you would probably try to avoid." Yes, he was. And what do we know about bullies? They only bully those they size up, those they know they can get away with it. Gene messed with the wrong guy when he challenged Rorion at his own school. Rorion Gracie called Gene to the mat at his own school, and Gene ran away, saying, "Not today." This happened when Rorion was just a 20-year-old back in the late '70s. They met on the set of a TV show, and Gene rudely told Rorion that he would have his way with him at his school and told him to show up. Of course, that's Rorion's game, so he went there for sure. Gene kept sending his students, and Rorion fought and easily defeated three of Gene's top guys before pointing at Gene to come to the mat. However, Gene walked away and said, "Not today." If he thought you were confident, from that point on, he made sure he watched you spar with his assistant before he would mess with you himself. And then he would torture and bully you. The guy was an asshole.

[@antimediaman9354]

No, he was afraid of Bruce, just like everyone else was back then. People started talking after Bruce's death, and Gene spread his lies all around the world. If Gene was truly brave, he would have challenged Bruce, but we know that never happened. Bruce didn't know Gene beyond their work on the Green Hornet. Bruce didn't even mention him or take pictures with him. Gene was just a stuntman to Bruce. Bruce never trained Judo at Gene's school for a year. He never allowed it to be filmed, and yet Gene claims he has tapes of it at his house. Back then, they didn't have tapes, only film, so he's clearly lying about that. And why weren't those tapes recovered after Gene's death? Bruce meticulously noted everyone he associated with in his planner, and Gene's name was nowhere to be found. Gene lied about both Bruce and Seagal.

[@ropongi1008]

@antimediaman9354 I already said this, I don't how much of this is fabricated, maybe some, maybe all, but I don't know. I wasnt there, and neither were you. You can beleive whatever you want, and maybe your right, but you don't know anymore than next person, and I'm not trying to defend Gene either, he probably was an asshole fromwhatI haveheard, but I can't say/know that for sure, and neither can you. Plus, I don't like to badmouuth people after they pass, I just don't feel good about it. As far as the Roian story goes, for me, I beleive Rorian (even though I wasn't actualy there), but I sure wish Gene would have responded to that story before he passed. But I still say this, to be fair to Gene, I say it would have been a much more interesting and competitive match had they met and sparred when Roian was 15 Gene was 35. Again, unfortunately this never happened, but to me it's just a fun fantasy match. And really, (this is a little off topic) how old was Gene when he retired from Judo competitions, how old was Gene when he was really in his prime?

[@antimediaman9354]

@@ropongi1008 "Plus, I don't like to badmouuth people after they pass, I just don't feel good about it." Lots of people have died way more than any are alive and historical figures have been bad mouthed by Gene Lebel as well as others.Lebel attacked Helio Gracie's name after death.. Some people try and capitalize off the dead person and actually claim the were good buddy's like Gene did with Bruce Lee and many others did with Elvis Presley.

[@antimediaman9354]

@@ropongi1008 I also met Gene at a book signing a long time ago, and I was very direct with him about wanting to feel his strong grip. I had heard countless people claim that his grip was like a vice and that he could break your hand. Even Joe Rogan has mentioned it, so I challenged Gene to try his grip against mine. As an amateur armwrestling competitor, I have a good sense of exceptional grip strength, but honestly, I didn't feel like he had much to offer. This made me wonder how this reputation of his grip power spread so widely. How did it become such a prevalent rumor passed down from person to person, as if to prove they were cool and knew Gene? It's quite a phenomenon. Gene was in his 50's so he should have been stronger. There was no way that guy could ever beat me in armwrestling, but that's beside the point.

[@inmylifetime6080]

Wow that's nasty

[@frankbarron9022]

Yikes..I heard stories about his open mat ..

[@SirPraiseSun]

Yikes... Literally no need for any training like that idc how famous or legendary anyone is

[@cunn1n6ham]

Legend yes, but worth the lifetime of potential neck injury for him to make “a point,” no fricken thanks

[@antimediaman9354]

Bruce Lee didn't really know him. He just worked as a stuntman on the Green Hornet, and that's it. He never taught Bruce Lee for a year at his school. Bruce Lee wouldn't engage in that and agree to be filmed like he said. He lied that he has tapes of it in his house. Where are they now, huh? They didn't exist, and they didn't have tapes back then, so that story doesn't align right. Bruce had a planner that showed everything he did and who he trained with, and Gene was never one of them. Lee learned judo from a student of his named Jesse Glover.

[@benryk9643]

Dzien dobry

[@outofthebox7]

My like is for you, not Lebell.

[@snakeeagle6930]

Oh man no way rip

[@snakeeagle6930]

Oh man no way rip