Morris’ training over several decades recently resulted in achieving the rank of Kudan or ninth-degree black belt, in the Goshin Jutsu system of karate.
CLEARFIELD – Remember professional wrestling’s “Attitude Era” Undertaker of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s? In the chronicles of WWF and WWE, Undertaker was undoubtedly a legend, and rightfully so.
And, I’ve found another just like him right here in Clearfield County. Hear me out.
Clearfield native, Joseph Michael “Mike” Morris, is one tough dude.
It takes one strong son-of-a-gun to fight for our country; spend over two decades as a police officer; and then work as a county coroner.
Oh, and he’s also one of the most-decorated martial artists that Pennsylvania has ever seen after beginning a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) career in his 40’s.
Sure, martial arts did not start here in the United States; however, there’s no denying it: you have to be pretty darn tough—mentally and physically—to succeed in these sports.
Morris is certainly that.
Growing up, like most young men in the 1960’s and 1970’s, Morris was interested in football and wrestling.
And, who could blame him? Clearfield’s Bison football and wrestling programs were and continue to be historically successful.
By chance one day, Morris discovered karate and martial arts as a young teen at the Clearfield YMCA. It changed his life for the better. Not only has he continued training in martial arts since the 1970’s, but he’s also been instructing others to help them find the same passion he has for the sport. His journey has even come full-circle in that he’s now an instructor at the Clearfield YMCA where this journey began in 1968.
But, in 1972, a massive event happened. He met and began studying under grand-master Robert Bohac—a mentor and friend to this day.
“He’s responsible for guiding me all the way and ensuring that I not only received great instruction from him, but also many impressive mentors and instructors. Helping others the same way he’s helped me is the way I repay him for helping me in my journey.”
After some years of practicing judo and jukado as a teen, Morris eventually found himself having to make a decision about his future.
It was 1973 and the Vietnam War was still a major conflict for our world. Morris became a marine who served in the latter years of this conflict from 1973 to 1977.
What some may not know about Morris is his life could have been much different if it wasn’t for a major knee injury he suffered around the time he was deciding whether to reenlist in the military. A blown-out knee was something that experts in medicine had not figured out yet. The surgery Morris had is one that is no longer performed on patients.
Because of this injury, Morris could not continue his military career and returned home after spending time abroad in northern Africa during the war and on the east coast for training and service at a collection of military bases. Returning home unquestionably had to be tough, but it did not take Morris long to rebound and figure out his next steps in life.
He got back into martial arts. On top of this, he used his military background and training to help civilians.
He became a police officer for many years in Clearfield and progressed to take on special task force assignments with SWAT teams and narcotics units.
His police career continued into the 2000’s before his decision to retire and shift to running for coroner and later magisterial district judge. Today, he continues to serve as the Clearfield magistrate.
Unquestionably, his career in criminal justice has been an impressive one, filled with many important positions.
But over the years, his time as a martial arts student and instructor has continued to be another constant. Even to this day, his dedication to these sports continues. Weekly multiple days are spent training and assisting others in their own progression.
His training over several decades recently resulted in achieving the rank of Kudan or ninth-degree black belt, in the Goshin Jutsu system of karate.
This milestone was achieved in the early months of 2024, and was officially recognized at a simulation seminar event called the Grand Master Gerald Durant Memorial Bar Clinic. This event walks participants through how to react and what steps to take if you’re in public and a physical, unwanted contact is made towards you or someone you care about from the perspective of a martial artist. After the event, Morris was recognized by his peers officially with a dinner to celebrate this milestone.
The ninth-degree black belt in this sector of karate is, in all likelihood, the final chapter to move in rank for Morris in Goshin Jutsu karate. There are only around a dozen 10th-degree black belts in the entire United States presently.
Besides this ranking in karate, Morris is also a sixth-degree black belt in sword fighting and continues to teach this discipline.
In addition to these accomplishments, perhaps one of the best years in his time in martial arts was 2002.
It was the year in which he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the International Martial Arts Council’s Hall of Fame. Those who nominated him for the Pennsylvania Martial Arts Hall of Fame pushed for his selection into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame a few months later.
Morris attended the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame induction and even served as an instructor at the international convention held in Nashville, Tenn., that year. This honor remains one of many satisfying moments in his athletic career, and one that allowed him to meet impressive peers who live all around the world and share his enthusiasm for martial arts.
One way that much of his training in various martial arts disciplines, boxing training in the marines and even some wrestling knowledge growing up culminated was in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). During the time, Morris was competing in the sport, it was gaining popularity around the world. However, it surely was not the multi-billion dollar and international powerhouse of a sport it is today.
Still, Morris entered the sport in his mid-40’s and turned professional after just one bout. His 10-6-1 record is impressive for anyone, but especially considering someone at his stage of life and the caliber of opponent he faced in some of his bouts.
Morris fought much younger and even experienced MMA fighters, including a world karate champion in Kristof Midoux. Midoux was not even slated to be Morris’ opponent, but because of Morris’ original opponent deciding to take a different contract, Morris accepted a bout against Midoux on just a few minutes’ notice.
Though it was not exactly a favorable outcome, Morris stepping up to the plate for this lofty challenge proves once again that he is one tough dude.
As Morris’ time continues in martial arts, there are truly no accolades, belts, plaques or trophies that motivate him. He’s certainly not content in his learning or his teachings, but what he’s most excited about is sharing his experiences and knowledge with many students who are closing in on milestones of their own. The community in martial arts and related disciplines is rather close and truly has become family to Morris through this entire journey. To him, the remaining time in the sport is about helping to push his students to become the best athletes and people that they can be.
Morris is undoubtedly a local legend who has accumulated much influence in his athletic journey from all over the world.
