This is a Definite Case of a Demo Gone Wrong… In this Video, a Fan is Brought Up on Stage For a Demo With Martial Arts Legend Jean-Claude Van Damme and Winds Up Kicking Him in the Head…
Jean-Claude Van Damme is one of the greatest action film stars of all time. While his heyday was in the 80s and 90s, in such films as Kickboxer, Bloodsport, Hard Target, and Double Impact, he’s still got an intensely loyal following and inspires respect and devotion from his fans.
‘The Muscles From Brussels’ began Shotokan Karate at the age of 10, and would earn his black belt at the age of 18. His style is very much a combination of kickboxing and karate, as his film appearances will reflect. He also famously took up ballet, citing it as a reason behind his dramatic flexibility and dexterity. He called it the ‘hardest sport’ he has ever done.
Van Damme also likes to teach seminars. It’s definitely a one-off experience to get to train with a martial arts legend, so you can bet people scramble for places in these classes. In the video below you can see when one went wrong – and Van Damme’s tough response.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opJ42Hv_jRs
Dream to Nightmare
What was a dream scenario quickly turned into a nightmare for one fan. He was invited onto the stage for a demonstration and was asked to direct a kick towards the Belgian actor’s head. Obviously he wasn’t meant to make contact, but of course, he did. He just about pulled the kick because if he didn’t, Van Damme was going to sleep.
Van Damme’s response was to give a tight smile, but he didn’t let it slide. Of course, he should have had his hands up, but that didn’t stop him from seeking revenge. He continued to use the fan for the demonstration and threw a little bit extra into every technique. If you watched the video you’ll see Van Damme let the fan know he shouldn’t have done that, with a nasty leg kick, and a bit of torque when he kicked the fan in the gut.
Ironic
It’s definitely ironic that this happened to Van Damme because he did practically the same thing to former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt. In the footage above, you can see the pair fooling about before Van Damme went a bit too hard and smacked ‘No-Love’ on the side of the head with a whipping foot. Garbrandt was not impressed and said:
“It was just a circus act, to be honest. I looked over at his buddy and his manager. I was like, you gotta get this guy out of my face.”
MMA Scene
Van Damme seems to be making his way around the MMA community. There’s footage of him training with the Diaz brothers – bizarrely in a parking lot, and he’s met a number of other fighters. Obviously, being a film star he has easy access to a lot of people.
You know what they say though, never meet your heroes. Van Damme has been on both sides of the coin. He might have let his ego get the better of him…
