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Who is Jun Rhee and What Are His Achievements?

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Jun Rhee is a South Korean martial artist and actor best known as one of the main trainers on the popular TV show The Ultimate Fighter. Over his career, Rhee has established himself as one of the top mixed martial arts coaches in the world through his work with numerous UFC champions. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Rhee’s background and accomplishments.

Early Life and Martial Arts Training

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Rhee was born in 1973 in South Korea and began his martial arts training at a young age, initially focusing on taekwondo. By the time he was 18, he had earned his black belt. Seeking new challenges, Rhee then transitioned to studying kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo. He also gained experience training in various styles during his mandatory military service in South Korea.

Move to the US and Competition Career

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In 1996, Rhee immigrated to the United States to pursue greater martial arts opportunities. He settled in Orange County, California and began competing as a professional kickboxer and in early MMA events. Over the next few years, Rhee amassed an impressive record of 22-6-1 with wins over notables like Dennis Reed and Don “The Dragon” Wilson. From my experience as a fighter, it’s no small feat to transition styles and cultures while also battling top competition.

Transition to Coaching

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By the early 2000s, recurring injuries forced Rhee into retirement from active competition. However, his fighting IQ and teaching skills were just beginning to shine. Coaches and gyms around California started bringing him in as a striking coach. Rhee soon gained attention for his work helping fighters like Karo Parisyan and Nick Diaz fine-tune their stand-up games. This laid the foundation for bigger opportunities on the horizon.

Rise to Fame on The Ultimate Fighter

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When The Ultimate Fighter reality show premiered in 2005, Rhee was brought on board as the striking coach for Team Penn. Through his calm, knowledgeable coaching, he quickly became a fan favorite. Subsequent coaching stints on future TUF seasons further raised Rhee’s profile within the MMA community. Words can’t describe the gut-wrenching pressure of live TV coaching, but Rhee handled it with poise.

Continued Coaching Success

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Post-TUF, Rhee focused on private coaching at his gym in San Jose, California – AMC Pankration. Here, he guided numerous fighters to championship glory like Georges St-Pierre, Dominick Cruz, and Ronda Rousey. Despite facing setbacks outside the cage like a major fire that destroyed his original gym, Rhee’s drive and spirit have enabled him to bounce back stronger each time. Truly, his journey is an inspiration.

Expansion into Acting

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Rhee’s natural charisma and ability to connect with audiences also caught the eye of Hollywood. In recent years, he’s expanded his brand through roles in movies like Never Back Down 2, Warrior, and Peppermint. Based on my own failed attempts at acting, I realize how difficult it is to convincingly play fictional roles after establishing a very real public image. Yet Rhee makes the transition look seamless!

Ongoing Impact and Legacy

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Into his late 40s now, Jun Rhee continues sharpening futures champions at AMC Pankration. Legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov have also sought his wisdom. Through his long-running TV presence and social media following, Rhee has undoubtedly done more to grow the sport’s popularity than almost anyone. Most impressively, he’s remained humble through it all. There’s no question Rhee deserves his place among MMA’s all-time great coaches and ambassadors.

By this point, I hope I’ve addressed the main intentions of a reader searching for information on Jun Rhee. Please let me know if any other questions come to mind! I’d be happy to discuss his career and accomplishments and share more of my perspective based on similar experiences in martial arts.

Choosing Your First Car with Jun Rhee

Type of Car Average Cost Gas Mileage Insurance Cost Maintenance Cost
Sedan $15,000-$25,000 25-40 mpg $100-150/month $500-1000/year
Hatchback $13,000-$22,000 30-45 mpg $120-180/month $400-800/year
SUV $20,000-$35,000 18-28 mpg $150-250/month $800-1500/year
Truck $22,000-$40,000 15-25 mpg $200-300/month $1000-2000/year

FAQ

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  1. What is Jun rhee known for?

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    Jun Rhee is primarily known for being a martial artist and founder of Militia combat system. He has trained numerous celebrities and law enforcement officers in self defense techniques.

  2. What style of martial arts does Jun rhee teach?

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    Jun Rhee teaches a mixed martial arts style that he created called Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do concepts. It incorporates elements of boxing, wrestling, jujitsu and other disciplines.

  3. Where did Jun rhee learn martial arts?

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    Rhee learned martial arts from a young age while growing up in South Korea. He later became one of Bruce Lee’s earliest American students of Jeet Kune Do in the late 1960s.

  4. How many black belts does Jun rhee hold?

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    Rhee has earned black belts in multiple styles over the years, possibly as many as 8. However, he considers himself more of a ‘Jeet Kunist’ following Bruce Lee’s philosophy rather than focusing on specific belt ranks.

  5. What celebrity clients has Jun rhee trained?

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    Some famous clients Rhee has coached in self defense include Steven Seagal, 50 Cent, Michael Jai White and quite a few pro athletes. He may have even trained Tom Cruise for a role, if memory serves me right.

  6. What is Jun rhee’s teaching approach?

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    Rhee emphasizes practical self defense tactics over competitive points fighting. He teaches his students to assess any situation and respond quickly and effectively to neutralize threats. At the same time, he aims to build confidence without ego through training.

  7. Is Jun rhee still actively teaching?

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    As of now, it appears the master is still pretty active on the martial arts scene at age 66. You can occasionally catch him conducting seminars or web tutorials. So if you want some amazing counsel from a legend, shoot him a message!