Bloodsport (1988) is packed with over-the-top martial arts action, but one of its most iconic moments is the Dim Mak scene—a moment that cements Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Frank Dux as a legitimate warrior.
In this scene, Dux is challenged to prove his skill before being allowed to compete in the underground Kumite tournament. The test? A Dim Mak (or “Death Touch”), a strike that supposedly channels energy to break an object beneath the surface. His skeptics, including the cocky Kumite official, choose the bottom brick of a stacked pile. With calm focus, Dux delivers a precise palm strike to the top, shattering only the bottom brick while the others remain untouched.
This moment is pure ‘80s martial arts magic—part mysticism, part flex. Van Damme sells it with his signature intense gaze and slow-motion mastery. The scene is also a crucial narrative beat, immediately setting Dux apart from the other fighters, including the menacing Chong Li (Bolo Yeung), who sneers in begrudging respect.
Whether you believe in Dim Mak or not, this scene is a defining moment in Bloodsport’s legacy, blending martial arts mythology with high-impact cinema in a way that has kept fans talking for decades.
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