Summary

• Michael Jai White is a skilled martial artist with 26 Kyokushin Karate titles.
• White has trained with legends such as Bill Wallace and Joe Lewis.
• His expertise in martial arts translates into his filmography, showcasing his realistic fight choreography.

Michael Jai White has proven to be a diverse talent, making his mark as an actor, writer, and director. Though he has starred in many types of films, he is best known for his action and martial arts work, thanks to his impressive physique and knack for fight choreography. Not all action stars are skilled in martial arts, but Michael Jai White's ability to steal any scene with his flurry of kicks, punches, or throws has left many to wonder; "is Michael Jai White a real martial artist?"

Not only is Michael Jai White a real martial artist, but he is highly disciplined and decorated in several different styles. We will look at how his love of combat sports has led to a successful career in film and how he has carried his know-how to craft some of the best action films of the modern era.

Michael Jai White Is an Action Star

"Now Aunt Billy, how many times have I told you not to call here and interrupt my Kung Fu!" – Michael Jai White as Black Dynamite

Born on November 10, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, later moving to Bridgeport, Connecticut, as a teenager, Michael Jai White got his start in film and TV at a young age when he appeared in 1989's absurd horror comedy The Toxic Avenger Part II. White would go on to amass a large filmography, currently sitting at over 120 acting credits. Among these, White would become best known for his action roles, with his big break-out role coming from the role of Al Simmons in Spawn. This would also mark a cinematic first; Michael Jai White became the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, beating out Shaq in Steel by 15 days.

Michael Jai White would continue to land roles in various action films and would even go on to develop the cult-favorite character of Black Dynamite in the movie of the same name. This role, which is the quintessential performance to understand Michael Jai White's versatility and kick-a**ery, blended elements of comedy and action while showing that White was also a talented writer (he would further go to develop Black Dynamite for a TV series of the same name and make a spiritual successor to the movie with Outlaw Johnny Black). Other notable roles in action movies Michael Jai White has under his belt include Blood and Bone, Falcon Rising, Universal Soldier: The Return, and Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing, to name but a few.

Like many action greats before him, Michael Jai White's success in the genre comes from a deep love of martial arts. This has led him to join iconic actors like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Cynthia Rothrock as actors who have also become accomplished martial artists. Michael Jai White has certainly taken his various skills as a martial artist into his films.

Michael Jai White Is a Skilled Martial Artist

Michael Jai White first took up martial arts at the age of 4, starting with Jiujitsu before moving on to other styles; there is footage of him as early as 1986 as a teenager competing in martial arts tournaments. Of all the martial arts he has practiced, Michael Jai White's favorite and primary focus is on Kyokushin Karate. Here, he holds 26 titles, including wins at the U.S. Open, North American Open, and New England Grand Champion. Other than Kyokushin Karate, Michael Jai White has practiced several different disciplines, including Shōtōkan, Goju-Ryu, Taekwondo, Kobudō, Tang Soo Do, Wushu, Jujutsu, Kyokushin, and Boxing, with a black belt in several.

Michael Jai White has also trained with legends in various disciplines. As early as 17, he was given the opportunity to train with the likes of Bill "Super Foot" Wallace, an American karateka and kickboxing champion, Joe Lewis, a professional kickboxer/actor, and then UFC champion Maurice Smith. He would continue working with some of the greats, even training with arguably the greatest P4P MMA fighter in the world, Jon Jones. Jones, who was overly impressed with White and even said he was humbled by his abilities, had much praise for the man:

"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." Jon Jones via Vlad TV

Of course, this skill and knowledge has translated into Michael Jai White's filmography, with every movie where he is kicking a** bringing a lifetime of experience. One of the best showcases of his understanding of martial arts comes from the 2008 movie Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown and its follow-up Never Back Down: No Surrender, in which Michael Jai White directed and starred. The movie's emphasis on realistically capturing the world of MMA shows White's ability to tap into various martial arts with his own performance, as well as directing the fights of others with his understanding of the sport. In Never Back Down: No Surrender, Michael Jai White has a fight scene against former heavyweight UF champion and catch wrestling (catch-as-catch-can) veteran Josh Barnett, one of the best examples of working across from other experienced fighters.

Michael Jai White has worked with a who's-who of martial arts stars, and digging through his filmography, you can find him having worked with Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Segal, Scott Adkins, Danny Kwok-Kwan Chan, Kimbo Slice, Masashi Odate, Tony Jaa, Dolph Lundgren, Iko Uwais, Michael Bisping; to name but a fraction of the talented martial artists that Michael Jai White has worked with. Working with many talented actors in the action genre with real-life martial arts skills has certainly only helped Michael Jai White in his projects and roles.

Best Michael Jai White Action Films You Can Watch Now

There are many Michael Jai White Action films worth checking out. But these are some highlights for those wanting to see more from the skilled actor/martial artist:

• Tyson (1995) – Made-for-TV Movie for HBO that told the origin story and struggles of Mike Tyson with Michael Jai White playing Tyson; rent on Prime Video.
• Spawn (1997) – A dark superhero story based on the popular comic by Todd McFarlane; available to stream for free on Tubi.
• Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006) – Co-starring another action icon in Scott Adkins, Michael Jai White must win a fight to the death for his freedom from a Russian prison; available to stream on Tubi.
• Black Dynamite (2009) – The definitive Michael Jai White film, blending action and comedy; available to stream on Starz.
• Blood and Bone (2009) – Michael Jai White enters an underground martial arts tournament; available to stream on Netflix.
• Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011) – Michael Jai White plays a veteran MMA fighter training up the next generation of fighters; available to stream on Netflix.
• Falcon Rising (2014) – Michael Jai White plays an ex-marine who fights the Yakuza to avenge his sister's death; available to stream on Peacock or Tubi.
• Triple Threat (2019) – Packed with action stars from across the globe, Michael Jai White is part of a team of mercenaries protecting a millionaire's daughter; available to stream on Peacock or Tubi.
• Welcome to Sudden Death (2020) – A sequel to Jean-Claude Van Damme's Sudden Death sees Michael Jai White defending his family and others during a basketball game; available to rent on Prime Video.