Collins, having previously declined an amateur Mixed Martial Arts match to the Kenpo instructor in Florida, showed up on 15 October, 2016 to the facility in Lexington, Kentucky where Roley was having his seminar. But Collins was not alone. He brought with him three goons from the Black Dragon Fighting Society, a notorious organization of frauds, fakes, and losers whose prominent members include the likes of Radford "Ashida Kim" Davis, Frank "Bloodsport Was Based on My Life" Dux, and a variety of other posers and fake martial artists.
Ron himself posted, on16 October, 2016, his own video of the encounter to his personal YouTube page. All quotes posted herein are taken directly from the video. As of this moment, the video is posted here on YouTube, but by the time you read this, he may have removed it.
The group comes into the school. One of the BDFS goons is filming over Ron's shoulder and is too stupid to hold his camera horizontally. Roley -- the fellow in the skull belt buckle -- confronts the group and tells them, "Oh, well, Black Dragons, of course I don't have any respect for you." He asks a couple of the goons if they have criminal records. You can see even now that Ron Collins (in the gray-green shirt) has his arms tightly crossed, a sure sign of anxiety or fear. One of the BDFS goons, not visible in this frame but standing to the left of Ron Collins, is speaking for the Black Dragon Fighting Society, claiming that Roley has disrespected their organization and they're not happy about it. We'll call him the spokesgoon.
"Okay," says a visibly amused Don Roley. "Well, you've got people like Frank Dux, who is a fraud--"
"He's not a fraud," interrupts the spokesgoon.
"He's lying... It an established fact that--"
"Okay, outside of Frank Dux," says the spokesgoon.
"Well," says Don, indicating Ron Collins, "you've got the pedophile right here--"
Ron mutters something in reaction and takes a couple of angry steps toward Roley. The grin on Roley's face is not a pleasant one; it is the expression a cat makes while staring at a mouse. Ron's goons dutifully "hold him back" to save him the embarrassment that is about to befall him.
Here we can see a shot of who Roley is actually talking to. The spokesgoon is apparently the guy in the hat. We'll call him Hat Guy. There's also Glasses Guy and, not visible in this frame, Black Guy. Ron Collins literally had to hide behind three different people while "confronting" Don Roley, only emerging from hiding when Roley called him a pedophile. There is also Camera Guy, the fellow who recorded this video, who is standing behind someone's smartphone (probably Ron's).
Spokesgoon asks Don what he calls himself. "I call myself Don," a bemused Roley responds.
"Badass Don, who wants to pick on the Dragons?" asks the spokesgoon indignantly.
"Oh I will give my opinion, and I've got the first amendment right to do so. Okay? Now if somebody in your organization that is named Soke actually has a link to Japan and was named a Soke, hey. But you've got people who've basically lied, criminal record [he indicates Ron], not the only person... I have no respect at all for the Black Dragon Fighting Society."
"What about me?" asks the spokesgoon. "You don't think I'm respecting you?"
"I don't care," says Roley flatly.
The spokesgoon, somewhat ironically, goes on to insist that he and his organization are a bunch of respectful guys, who don't appreciate people running their mouths on the Internet (the very epitome of what Ron Collins does on his blog).
The conversation goes back and forth for a while, with the spokesgoon seemingly trying to convince Don that he should fight spokesgoon or one of the other Black Dragons (because disrespect to one of their number is disrespect to their entire fraternal organization. Don, however, sticks to his guns: Ron Collins was the one making various fight challenges, and it is Ron Collins whom he has invited to fight him at the facility today. He will not permit Ron to duck the match through proxies.
The spokesgoon says, "I don't want to tear up this center. So we can go right out in the street." In trying to lure Roley out of the school, he is again trying both to A) protect Collins by proxy and B) change the rules of engagement from a one-on-one match, which Collins will surely lose against a much more skilled, much more experienced opponent. Taking the fight out into the street exposes all parties to the liability of disorderly conduct charges or worse -- while also making it possible for all four Black Dragon goons to dogpile Roley. Roley's not stupid; it's clear from the amused look on his face that he knows exactly what spokesgoon is trying to do.
"You disrespected me because I'm a member too," says the spokesgoon. "I'm trying to squash this shit about you, excuse my language, you talking about the Black Dragons, okay? There may be somebody you have beef with [he indicates Collins], but it's not all of us."
"Well," Roley shoots back, "when you let someone in that is a proven fraud and a proven criminal, then I have problems with an organization like that. The entire purpose of the Black Dragon Fighting Society is basically a circle jerk meant to legitimize each other. Irvine Soto [he indicates Black Guy, who is apparently Irving or Irvine Soto, another fellow notorious in martial arts circles for his relatively poor technique and dubious claims] basically makes false claims--"
At this point, Soto charges forward, saying, "What false claims?"
Roley, not intimidated at all, tells Soto that Soto's claims of having won the "Kumite," an underground fighting championship, are what Roley considers false. "I know that you've made claims about the Kumite, which never existed," insists Roley.
Note the position of Roley's hands here. This is a common posture used by those who want to be ready to defend themselves, but which looks non-threatening and even casual. He's standing with his posture relaxed and with one palm over the other in front of his body, covertly guarding his groin while preparing to throw a non-telegraphic strike with that top hand. This posture is taught to everyone from certain Kung Fu practitioners to security professionals. Roley is getting ready to strike Soto if Soto continues to be aggressive.
Soto mutters something inaudible and then says, very verbally aggressive, "...So you gotta respect that."
"No," says Roley. "I don't have to respect you." With Soto moving in, he switches to the classic "Jack Benny" stance. This is another classic Reality Based Self Defense posture. It puts your hand up where you can stroke your chin to distract the aggressor, while covering your upper body in a way that is deceptive but not visibly provocative. Don adopts this posture when Soto continues to move in; he's ready to hit the guy, yet continues telling Soto that he doesn't have to respect Soto's opinions or claims. It's at this point, on first viewing the video, that one starts to suspect Mr. Roley has brass balls.
"And I don't respect you," says Soto, finally backing off.
"Okay," says Roley. "I consider you an incompetent fraud and an egotistical asshole."
"Did I call you any type of names?" demands Soto.
Seeing that Soto didn't get the better of that exchange, spokesgoon decides to try again. Here you can see Roley stroking his chin. The Black Dragons are all using expansive hand gestures in an attempt to throw their hands into his personal space, perhaps to get him to flinch. Roley is gauging his distance to them the entire time, from the look of things.
"What is your beef with trying to pick on people that call themselves martial artists?" he asks plaintively.
"I have standards," says Roley simply. "You tell the truth, you do your honest best. You do not associate with criminals. You do not try to rape a 13-year-old girl."
"I did not-- ooof," mutters Ron Collins, again outraged at Roley's accusation. He starts to move in again. Again we see the almost predatory glee on Roley's face as Collins starts to lumber in his direction. (For the record, Ron Collins is five foot four.)
"You're making false accusations like that," Ron says, pointing angrily, "because you're lucky these guys came with me--"
"Step back! Step beck!" Roley commands. He's aware that the whole group of them are closing in on him, trying to surround him, under the guise of "holding Ron back" while he makes his empty threats and points his child-size index finger at Roley.
There is some overlapping dialogue, making much of what Ron says inaudible. He continues with " [inaudible] whip your goddamned ass. You're just a little faggot ask bitch hiding behind the fucking legal... hiding behind the law. So that's all it is. You ain't gonna fight. You ain't got the balls."
"Let's step on out!" says a delighted Don Roley. "Come on guys!" He claps his hands and gestures toward the mats. "Come on guys!" This is Roley calling Ron's bluff: Not only does Roley fully intend tp let Ron challenge him on those mats, he has no problem with it at all. You can see it in his body language and the glee with which he takes Ron's accusation, "You ain't got the balls," as his cue to invite Ron officially to challenge him if Ron really wants to have a go at it.
"Obviously this man is not completely right in his mind, m'kay?" drawls spokesgoon. "You are very disrespectful," he says. "I've never been trained one freaking minute on how to do martial arts, but I'll kick your ass right out here in the street and wax you, boy. You want some of that? You are a chickenshit coward mouthpiece, and that's about all I'm gonna say to you."
Now, it's worth mentioning that this member of the "Black Dragon Fighting Society" says he has no martial arts training whatsoever. This represents the membership standards of the organization. It's also very apparent at this point in the video that none of the Black Dragons want to step out onto Roley's mats. It's a lot like a quartet of flies yelling at a spider from a safe distance outside the web.
"I respect your ability to say that and I won't stop you from saying it," says Roley.
"You don't have a lot of choice, son," says spokesgoon petulantly.
"Exactly, First amendment rights," says Roley.
At this point, Roley has taken off his shoes and socks, in the Japanese tradition. He's ready to fight and he's hoping that Collins will take him up on his offer. The spokesgoon, however, perhaps sensing that Collins has made a fool of himself, is trying to step in and get Roley to fight him -- but only outside the training hall. Roley's thorough beclowning of the Black Dragon contingent has gotten the better of him, and spokesgoon is angry now.
"Get yourself together and collect yourself," sniffs spokesgoon. "Try to be the better citizen, alright?"
"I invited Ron Collins to step down and challenge me. Is he doing that?" asks Roley.
Spokesgoon is insistent: "[inaudible] Black Dragon Fighting Society and I'm here to represent them. If you want some, let's do it!"
"Again," says Roley, trying to be patient. "Not. First. In line. Ron, are you here to challenge me to a fight?"
Those words really sum up Roley's strategy here: The Black Dragons are trying to fight him by proxy, and change the rules of the engagement. Roley is having none of it, and he's pointing out that all three of them are next in line behind Ron Collins. Roley's refusal to let spokesgoon and his buddies step in for Ron frustrates them, probably because they realize Ron isn't going to defend the honor of their noble fraternal organization.
"No," says somebody off camera. It's not clear if that's Ron or someone answering for him. At this point in the video, some of the Black Dragons are muttering that it's time to leave. Glasses guy even salutes, thanks everyone for their time, and tries to arrange a graceful exit for the quartet.
"I don't want any distractions," says Roley, driving the point home. "So Ron's standing there behind all these people. He is not here to challenge me. He will not step on the mat, correct?"
"Ron's not standing behind me," drawls spokesgoon. "If you two guys, that's up to you, Ron, if you want to get at with him on the bat, baby [?]."
"What do your students think about this," says Glasses Guy, spreading his hands wide and trying to sound wise -- while apparently forgetting that it was him and three of his friends who rolled up to Roley's seminar and walked inside to challenge him.
There is some confused overlapping discussion as the Black Dragons apparently sort out whether Ron is or is not going to step up and go through with his own fight challenge, made earlier, to which Don Roley responded in inviting him to the venue where they now stand. Finally, Roley announces, his arms over his head while begging Ron to come out onto the mats, "Let me make this clear. Let me make this clear. This whole thing has come about because Ron Collins has been saying that I am afraid to face him personally. ...From what I understand he is not challenging me, he is getting other people, a group of people, to come in and [inaudible] make the case for him."
"Actually," Ron Collins puts in, "they're here because they didn't want me coming down here to fight. They didn't want me coming down here and jumping in the middle... and here's the thing about it [this is Ron's favorite phrase, incidentally]..."
"They were 'holding you back', Ron," Don (or someone in the crowd -- it's hard to tell) points out. He's pointing out that he's entirely aware of the BDFS' goons cooperation in making it look like they were stopping Ron from fighting, when in fact it was all a show for Don's benefit.
"Let me tell you something," Ron Collins blusters. "As much as I would like to kick your ass -- and believe me, I can do it -- here's the thing about it--"
"Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk," Roley interrupts."
"--I've been told not to," concludes Collins.
"People that believe his story, raise your hand," says Roley derisively.
"Don, I don't give a fuck who believes my story," says Ron Collins angrily. He advances on Roley's position. "I know this: You've lied. You've even sat here and lied right to my goddamned face."
"Like you're on Recon?" Roley shoots back. (Here Roley is referring to the fact that for years on Internet forums, Collins claimed to have been 'Force Recon" in the United States Marine Corps, which he was not.)
The Black Dragons try to step in. Ron continues to complain about his name being slandered. The Black Dragons surround him and try to get him to calm down. They ask him to wait outside while they talk to Roley.
"We're not trying to start any trouble," insists spokesgoon. "We're didn't come here to start a rumble. I am here to rumble if that's what you like. Because I'm about it, twenty-four-seven eight days a week. If you guys don't have no objections, and Ron wants to fight you, what about us? We okay with that? You want to mix it up with this man?"
At this point, the Black Dragons, apparently believing they've convinced Ron Collins to accept the match with Roley, walk out toward the mats. Roley, for his part, almost looks like he's stretching a little in anticipation.
Note that even as he's walking, Ron Collins' arms are tightly crossed over his chest, almost as if he's hugging himself. It's clear from his body language that he is very anxious about what's happening. Roley's body language, by contrast, is relaxed and ready. Honestly, he seems thrilled that this is all going down.
Delighted, Roley lays out the rules for the match. "Just him, just me, no weapons," he says. "When it gets too bad, if somebody's looking at, like, a hospital stay, everybody jumps in and stops it." (It's pretty clear from his tone that the somebody looking at a hospital stay is not going to be Don Roley, in Roley's opinion.)
Upon hearing this, the Black Dragons all stand frozen for a long moment, staring down the barrel of actually having to fight someone who knows what he's doing. They start asking, collectively, what the fight is for. What will Ron win if he fights? What is he doing here? It seems a bit late to be asking questions like that, but it's obvious the Black Dragon goons aren't quite sold on this fight happening now that it's about to go down. Ron starts leaning back, away from Roley, tightly hugging himself. Psychologically, it's pretty clear where he stands: He wants nothing to do with the match.
Roley points out that for years, Ron has been talking smack and challenging Roley and others. The group stands there for quite some time, talking about this and the match itself. Ron's arms never uncross. Don admits that he's looking forward to the joy of fighting Ron. The Black Dragons object to the fact that fighting Don is "no solution" to the conflict between the two of them.
"Basically Ron Collins is an incompetent martial artist," Roley points out. Glasses Guy tries to intervene, saying that there's no point in the fight happening.
"Do you guys understand where I'm coming from?" pleads Glasses Guy. "If this is not going to stop, why even start?"
"Well if it's not going to stop, why not?" asks someone from off camera.
"Because it's two guys who can hurt themselves," says Glasses Guy. "Can you live with that?"
"I can," says the off-camera voice. "They're acting in their own free will."
Glasses guy goes on for quite some time, making excuses for Ron,.
"So just go away," says Don Roley. "Just go away. ...If it's just going to be talk, fight, go away, that's it. Two choices." He points out that he's not challenging anybody, and that Ron and only Ron may fight him if Ron wishes. Again, Roley is sticking to his guns, refusing to let the Black Dragons step in by proxy. His goal is apparently to prove that Ron Collins won't fight even when given the opportunity, and he's proving himself correct. "I'm here," he goes on. "I've made it known that I'm here to be challenged by Ron Collins if he wants to do so."
At this point, the Black Dragons turn to Ron and tell him, "Ron, it's up to you."
"I don't see this going anywhere," announces Glasses Guy. Ron blusters some more.
"Here's your excuse to walk away," Roley tells him.
Ron talks to Roley for a bit, blustering again, but it's hard to understand what he's saying because he is facing away from the camera. Having made whatever pronouncement he was making, he quickly runs away, trash-talking while retreating swiftly from Roley's mats. Interestingly, he is even hugging himself while he is running away. Only when he gets some distance from Roley does he spread his arms to make a grand statement.
"Congratulations," he shouts. "You've won one fight, but there's another one coming."
"If there's another one coming," says a young lady off camera, "then why are you leaving? Why not just settle it now? Why drag this out?"
"I'm going to sue you and make you print a retraction and actually say that you lied on your precious little blog," Ron tells Roley, turning around to face him. Now that he has some distance between himself and Don, and the threat of actually having the match is past, he has regained some of his bravado. "Like all the other little lies you tell. And then-- [inaudible]."
"Just for the record, I'm ready to fight," spokesgoon puts in.
"I don't know anything about you," Roley says.
There is a little more cross-talk in the video. At some point, Glasses Guy says, "Imagine right now, my impression of you is not very high."
"Oh," says Roley, deadpan. "I'm crushed."
The Black Dragons continue to talk (all of them seem to have a black belt in talking). Roley points out that he allowed Ron to come challenge him, and that Ron showed up but failed to go through with his own challenge. "That is his legal right to decline to do so, so he can walk away. And he says that there's going to be a lawsuit--"
"But wasn't this thing originally his idea in the first place?" asks a voice off camera.
This sums up the entire altercation.
