Ice “The Iceman” Young is a lifelong martial artist, fighter, instructor, and founder of American Kuhapte Kenpo Combatives, a reality-based combat system forged through decades of training, competition, real-world experience, and personal adversity. At 52 years old, Young represents a rare blend of traditional martial arts philosophy and tested fighting experience, carrying a professional and amateur fight record of 21 fights with 19 victories. Martial arts has been woven into Young’s life since childhood. His father was his first instructor and became the foundation of not only his martial arts journey, but the man he would become. Together, they immersed themselves in the martial arts world, attending demonstrations and seminars, studying magazines cover to cover, and spending countless nights watching martial arts films both at home and in theaters. What began as training evolved into a lifelong bond built through discipline, loyalty, and shared passion. Years later, life came full circle when Young’s father became his student. Even after dementia began stealing away memories and clarity, one thing never faded: martial arts. His father remembered every one of Young’s fights, instructors, and systems. In his final days, during a rare moment of clarity, he asked Young for two things: to take care of his mother and to take one final fight and give it everything he had. Young gave his word, and that promise became the driving force behind his return to competition. The road back was anything but easy. Young endured the loss of both parents, survived a motorcycle accident that left him walking with a cane, and later suffered injuries from a car crash. Still, quitting was never part of the equation. When he finally returned to the cage, he entered injured, battling a concussion and a severe thigh injury that prevented him from fighting at full capacity. The bout was stopped while he was still standing. For Young, however, that was never the ending. It was simply another chapter in a much larger story. Now preparing for his July 18th return under , Young approaches the fight with renewed purpose. For him, the comeback is not about ego, fame, or proving himself to the world. It is about honoring a promise, embracing perseverance, and walking back into the fire one more time. Beyond the cage, Young’s life reflects the same principles he teaches. A man of faith, he believes God carried him through every setback, delay, and hardship that could have ended his journey. His path eventually led him from serving as a pastor to becoming president of the Higher Calling Mission Motorcycle Club, an organization focused on brotherhood, charity, mentorship, and reaching people who might never walk into a church. Young also balances everyday responsibilities with his martial arts career, managing an Aaron’s store while continuing to train, teach, mentor, and build his system. He credits much of his journey to the unwavering support of his wife Julie, his daughter, and his granddaughter Ava, as well as his lifelong brother-in-arms Jeremy “Deacon” Oakes, whom Young describes as “not blood… but better.” American Kuhapte Kenpo Combatives was conceived by Shihan Ice Young with foundational collaboration from his father, forming the philosophical backbone of the system. The art was later refined through the contributions of Jeremy “Deacon” Oakes, helping evolve its application into a modern combat framework rooted in adaptability and realism. Young’s extensive background includes training in Kenpo, Kosho-Ryu Kempo, Goju-Ryu Karate, Combat Karate, Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Iaido, Hapkido, Aikido, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, Military Combatives, Eskrima, Kickboxing, Boxing, Muay Thai, Grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Kenpo Jujitsu. His experience extends beyond the dojo floor. Young’s methods have been shaped through real-world confrontations, security work, and practical application under pressure. The result is a combat system designed not for theory, but for reality. Built through family, refined through collaboration, and sharpened through experience, American Kuhapte Kenpo Combatives reflects the same philosophy Young lives by: adapt, endure, and never quit. For Ice Young, being a fighter has never been about trophies or records alone. It is about heart. It is about standing back up when life gives every reason to stay down. And above all, it is about keeping your word. “My dad never forgot my fights… so I’m not about to forget my promise.”