Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art?

Urhobo Blow (UB): A True Martial Art?

Enter Urhobo Blow (UB), Ubi edje [service of punches] or Ohonre r’ubi [battle of punches]. It is an ancient traditional martial art developed by the Urhobos for military action. But in recent times, it became a contest of strength by young males at annual or seasonal festivals. UB has its similarities with mainstream boxing, but the differences are steep. Many ethnic groups in Africa have their own boxing and wrestling arts. Still, the distinct feature of UB is that fighters place their knock-out punch hand on their backs just above the buttocks during fights.

UB over the years is becoming extinct due to lack of interest, exposure and promotion. But it has the potential to make a big comeback as a mixed martial art of international status given the right support. UB was once a source of great community pride and made heroes. So, what makes UB worthy of attention?

The art of UB in it’s original form can be lethal or crippling to its victims. Its danger comes from its intended use in inter-community and inter-ethnic wars. Oral tradition holds that Urhobo warriors were fearsome fighters, skilled in using weapons and wrestling. However, experience taught our elders that wrestling is most useful for one-to-one fighting only. UB’s evolution was thus to increase the number of men a warrior could fight with the same amount of strength spent in a single wrestling fight. Furthermore, it was less efficient to fight on the ground.

The warrior version of UB included a lot of dirty tricks that could incapacitate enemies fast. Jaw-smashing, eye blinding, Adam’s Apple busting, nose splitting, testicle flattening, and bowel movement enforcement were some objects of the art. UB appeared to be most effective against enemies who knew nothing about it.

The ceremonial form of UB is non-lethal, much tamer and suitable for social events. A genuine and fantastic sport, long-time observers regard it as more a test of speed, mental alertness, and athletic skill than sheer strength. Oma sasa oye ohonre [Agility is the fight]. Unlikely opponents have embarrassed many strong and good fighters in a UB arena, men who could defeat them with ease in street-fights. UB has its own clear rules and features, and produces champions of those who master the art.

One must be a competent traditional wrestler and dancer. Then he can join a guild of UB fighters, that are now rare and obscure.

The first key feature of UB is its object; defeating the opponent by inflicting punches on him. Knock-out or submission wins a fight [because of injuries or referee stoppages]. Around two-thirds of the contests end in draws. The range of punches is very limited. The jabbing hand is the weaker or minor one, Obor r’ive, [meaning: the second hand], and fighters use it to deliver lead punches and create opportunities for the stronger hand, as combinations. Some fighters can use the weaker hand to deliver knock-out punches, the strong-hand placed on their backs.

Committed UB fighters (there are no professionals) train their arms to be equally able but few fighter can use either of two hands as obo r’ode. The stronger dominant arm, Obo r’Ode [big hand] or Obo r’Ozighe [the hand of terror], fighters use it mostly as a roundhouse punch, Kperivwi [Go to the Land of the Ancestors]. The punch swings from the fighter’s back at opponents.

If the kperivwi punch thrown connects the opponent’s jaw, it will need instant resetting by a traditional doctor and a splint. A few fighters use unknown tactics to surprise opponents. Ubituevu [meaning: the diarrhoea punch] is a roundhouse punch or hook to body which when landed on the stomach causes the recipient to poop his pants instantly!

The second key feature is the fighter’s stance, which gives him the most upright support. Unlike boxing, where the fighter’s legs are usually close together, the UB fighter keeps his feet as far apart as is useful. That gives fighters much stability and aids derieoma, the moving of the upper body away from the path of a Kperivwi blow and other punches. UB fighters had been doing this routinely for centuries before American boxer Muhammad Ali made it famous. If the left hand is the stronger, the left leg would be behind and vice versa.

The deft footwork of the fighter used in maintaining and regaining balance, deceiving, avoiding and teasing the opponent. And for crucial offensive and defensive movements which often are the most technical part of a contest. Thus, much stamina is a contest requirement, and it needs sustaining and renewal.

The third key feature of UB is that the wide spacing between the feet makes the front leg vulnerable to Ofrowor [leg snatching], which allows a fighter to catch the ankle of an opponent and drag or fell him; it is a legitimate move. The rules forbid fighters to touch an opponent felled by tripping, slipping, leg-pulling or punches. Leg snatching is a usually tricky ploy to weaken the opponent’s confidence. Its intention is to generate much humour and sometimes ridicule from spectators.

That said, leg snatching is a risky move. Fighters only resort to it when they calculate it’s safe to do so. Over a quarter of all knock-outs arise from errors for leg snatching; it exposes the fighter and prevents him at that moment from using either hand for effective defence.

There are no active referees during a UB contest. However, there are passive referees on the lines, Iseri [witnesses], that would intervene or end a fight if one or both fighters’ resort to any form of foul play or an injury occurs. Dirty fighters are rare in the sport. You always have assured of a fair fight. UB fighters also have their trainers on the lines to enforce the rules. There are no time-outs or breaks during a match. Once a fighting match starts, it is only stopped after knock-outs, submissions, the expiry of the fight time-limit [5 to 20 mins] or an intervention by the iseri. It was and still is a proud and clean sport, not without the risk of serious injury like in any other martial art.

From the crowd you can hear the following phrases shouted out,

Ghwie hwe [Hit him to death]

Fa she [Knock him down]

Nabor honre [Fight well] yelled at overly cautious contestants.

Beriwe roye [Split his nose]

Frowo roye [Catch his leg]

Oshare wo rue [You are the man]

Omo goma-a [That boy is so strong]

Ona nebo [This is voodoo]

Fue ehnwe roye [Knock him out]

Fight victory brings pride and honour to the winner, but loss brings lesser pride and just as much honour to the vanquished. The ethos of the sport is competing. Winning is not everything, but it’s always better than losing. Long reigning undefeated champions are rare in the competition, but the pride of winning and contesting remains years after. Moreover, the winner’s community shares in the satisfaction like they do in most sports.

The reader can judge for themselves if UB is a viable and worthy martial art cum sport from the description given above and worth reviving. If necessary a more graphic description or enactment can be provided.

I would sincerely like to know your opinion of the sport. Thank you.

Grimot Nane