1. Overview
Harold Clarence Howard, born in 1958, is a Canadian retired martial artist best known for his accomplishments in Jujutsu and Karate, and for his participation in mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions, particularly the UFC. He holds black belts in Jujutsu under Steve Reynolds and in Gōjū-Ryū Karate under Yogi Israel. Howard was the first World Sport Jujutsu Heavyweight Champion in 1984 and achieved significant success in various Canadian Karate championships. His MMA career saw him reach the final of the UFC 3 tournament, where he gained notoriety for his unique scissor-flip kick against Steve Jennum. Beyond his athletic career, Howard faced substantial legal issues, including charges of attempted murder and property damage, which led to his imprisonment. This article details his journey from a promising martial artist to his later legal troubles, offering a comprehensive look at his career and personal challenges.
2. Early Life and Martial Arts Development
Harold Howard's martial arts journey began in his youth, leading him to establish his own unique fighting style and school.
2.1. Childhood and Early Training
Harold Howard grew up in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He began his martial arts training at the age of 17, focusing on Jujutsu under the tutelage of Steve Reynolds within the Jiu-Jitsu Kai system.
2.2. Establishment of Martial Arts School and Unique Style
In 1983, Howard relocated to Niagara Falls, Ontario. There, he began teaching Karate and Jujutsu at James Morden School and the local YMCA. The following year, in 1984, he founded his own martial arts center, initially named Action Karate and Jiu Jitsu Centre, and later known as Niagara Fighting Griffin Fitness and Martial Arts. Throughout his career, Howard distinguished himself not only as a competitor but also as a trainer and coach, guiding several students to become top-level Sport Karate and Sport Jiu-Jitsu competitors globally.
Howard achieved significant rank across various martial arts disciplines. He earned a 3rd-degree black belt in Jujutsu under Steve Reynolds and a 3rd-degree black belt in Gōjū-Ryū under Yogi Israel. Additionally, he held a 2nd-degree black belt in Chito-Ryu under Monty Guest. Howard is recognized as the founder of his own martial arts style, Katsudo-te-Jitsu, in which he holds a 6th-degree black belt, placing him two grades above his highest-ranking students.
3. Combat Sports Career
Harold Howard had a decorated career across multiple combat sports disciplines, excelling in both traditional martial arts and the nascent sport of mixed martial arts.
3.1. Jujutsu Achievements
In 1984, Harold Howard achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Canadian Heavyweight Sport Ju-Jutsu Champion. In the same year, he represented Canada at the inaugural World Ju-Jutsu Championships, which were sanctioned by the World Council of Ju-Jutsu Organizations (WCJO). At these championships, Howard secured a gold medal as a member of the heavyweight Canadian team in the team competition. He also distinguished himself by winning the individual World Heavyweight Jiu-Jitsu Championship, earning a gold medal in the men's heavyweight fighting division.
3.2. Karate Achievements
Howard also found considerable success in Karate. He won the Canadian Heavyweight Karate Championship three consecutive times in 1982, 1983, and 1984. His prowess in the sport led to him being a member of the Canadian National Karate team in both 1986 and 1987. During this period, he was considered the top-rated sport karate fighter in Canada.
His career faced a setback in 1988 when he underwent back surgery, an injury that was potentially career-ending. However, Howard made a resilient return to competition in 1992 at the age of 34. In his comeback, he earned a silver medal at the National Blackbelt League (NBL) World Championships in Sport Karate. He remained undefeated through the preliminary rounds and entered the finals, but was forced to withdraw from the final two matches due to injury.
3.3. Mixed Martial Arts Career
Harold Howard also ventured into the world of no-holds-barred (NHB) fighting, which later evolved into mixed martial arts (MMA). He compiled a professional record of 1 win and 3 losses in NHB/MMA. Within the UFC, his record stood at 1 win and 2 losses.
Howard's most notable appearances in MMA were at UFC 3, held on September 9, 1994, in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. In his debut UFC fight, he secured a victory over Roland Payne by knockout (punch) in the first round, at 0:46. This win propelled him into the final of the tournament. In the championship bout, he faced Steve Jennum, where he was defeated by TKO (submission to punches) at 1:27 of the first round. During this fight, Howard became well-known for executing a distinctive scissor-flip kick, a move that became a highlight of his UFC career. His final UFC appearance was at UFC 7 on September 8, 1995, in Buffalo, New York, United States, where he lost to Mark Hall by TKO (submission to punches) in the first round at 1:41. His last professional MMA fight took place at UVF 3 - Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 3 on August 14, 1996, in Tokyo, Japan, where he lost to Hugo Duarte by TKO (submission to punches) at 0:29 of the first round.
4. Personal Life and Legal Issues
Beyond his athletic endeavors, Harold Howard's personal life included family commitments and significant legal challenges that overshadowed his later years.
4.1. Family and Post-Athletic Career
Harold Howard is married and has three children: a daughter and two sons. After his main fighting career concluded, Howard pursued various occupations. Up until 2009, he worked in roofing. Concurrently, he continued to operate a small self-defense school named Howard's Self-Defense Systems, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
4.2. Legal Troubles and Conviction
On December 22, 2009, Harold Howard was arrested and subsequently charged with a series of serious offenses. These charges included two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a weapon, attempted breaking and entering, failure to remain at the scene of an accident, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, mischief, and two counts of breach of recognizance.
The events leading to his arrest were widely reported. Howard was accused of attacking his sister and nephew with a hammer. Following this, he allegedly attempted to force his way into his estranged wife's home. The incident culminated with him crashing his car into the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. For these crimes, Harold Howard was sentenced to a prison term of just under five years.
5. Mixed Martial Arts Record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1-3 | Hugo Duarte | TKO (submission to punches) | UVF 3 - Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 3 | August 14, 1996 | 1 | 0:29 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 1-2 | Mark Hall | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC 7 | September 8, 1995 | 1 | 1:41 | Buffalo, New York, United States | |
| Loss | 1-1 | Steve Jennum | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC 3 | September 9, 1994 | 1 | 1:27 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 1-0 | Roland Payne | KO (punch) | UFC 3 | September 9, 1994 | 1 | 0:46 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
6. Assessment and Controversy
Harold Howard's career presents a complex legacy, marked by both significant athletic achievements and severe personal controversies.
6.1. Public Perception and Legacy
Harold Howard's public image is largely defined by the stark contrast between his formidable presence in the martial arts world and the serious legal issues that emerged later in his life. As a martial artist, he was a trailblazer, particularly in Canadian Jujutsu and Karate, achieving national championships and world medals. His unique style and memorable moments in the early days of the UFC, such as the scissor-flip kick, cemented his place in combat sports history and endeared him to fans who appreciated his distinct approach. He was seen as a pioneering figure in the sport, representing a raw, unfiltered era of fighting.
However, his legacy is significantly tarnished by his conviction for violent crimes, including attempted murder and assault. These actions stand in sharp opposition to the discipline and personal control often associated with martial arts. The legal troubles profoundly altered public perception, shifting focus from his athletic prowess to the darker aspects of his criminal behavior. This creates a challenging assessment of his overall impact, where his contributions to martial arts are viewed through the lens of his subsequent criminal behavior. His story serves as a reminder that athletic achievement, no matter how significant, does not insulate individuals from the consequences of their actions in other spheres of life.