Hollywood Honors Martial Arts Legend Benny Urquidez at Museum Gala

The Martial Arts History Museum hosted a star-studded gala to celebrate legendary kickboxing pioneer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, officially unveiling the Urquidez Wall Exhibit as a permanent tribute. The event brought together an extraordinary gathering of A-list icons from Hollywood and the martial arts world, demonstrating Urquidez's profound impact on the entertainment industry over several decades. Notable attendees included Keanu Reeves, Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei, legendary rock star Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses, action veteran Danny Trejo, UFC champion Bas Rutten, Tiger Chan, and Shannon Lee, daughter of the late Bruce Lee.

Urquidez's deep connections to these stars stem from decades of work as both a teacher and fight choreographer for many of cinema's biggest names. Beyond his behind-the-scenes contributions, he has performed in some of the most famous martial arts sequences in film history, famously trading blows with stars such as John Cusack and Jackie Chan. The festivities included an intimate VIP unveiling of the new exhibit presented by Museum President Michael Matsuda, followed by a poignant presentation in the museum theater featuring speeches from Duff McKagan and Shannon Lee. A standout moment was a special congratulatory message sent from overseas by Jackie Chan, who honored his longtime friend and former screen rival.

Matsuda described the evening as monumental, noting it honored one of martial arts' greatest pioneers while raising vital awareness for the museum's mission. Benny "The Jet" Urquidez remains the most dominant figure in American kickboxing history, maintaining a staggering professional record of over 60 undefeated fights with 57 knockouts during his rise to prominence in the 1970s. Known for his immense integrity, Urquidez famously refused to be called a world champion until he had traveled the globe to defeat the greatest competitors in their home countries—a feat he successfully achieved throughout his career.

His storied journey in the ring spanned three decades, culminating at age 42 when he defeated Japanese champion Yoshihisa Tagami for the WKA Super Welterweight world title. Today, Urquidez stands as the foremost advocate for the arts and has been officially inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame, the only officially recognized hall of fame for martial arts worldwide. For more information about the Martial Arts History Museum, visit their site at https://MAmuseum.com.