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Welcome to MMA History
Who really invented Modern MMA?
The first organized, legalized MMA league in the United States was created a decade before the UFC.
Welcome to MMA History
Who really invented Modern MMA?
The first organized, legalized MMA league in the United States was created a decade before the UFC.
MMA History and Evolution
The history of mixed martial arts
“It is difficult to understand the universe if you only study one planet”
-Miyamoto Musashi, Book of Five Rings
Hand to hand combat has roots in prehistoric times, influencing every culture since the dawn of mankind. Ancient inscriptions reveal that some type of fighting has always existed, seemingly embedded in our DNA. Be it a “fight” or “flight” response from the threat of imminent danger, aggression and survival are basic instincts. Building a better warrior was and continues to be a natural progression (self-defense against oppression and/or predatory warfare).
Tough Guys
The UFC did not create the first MMA league in America. It was created in Pittsburgh, PA a decade before the Octagon was in vogue. Meet the original Tough Guys and mixed martial arts pioneers.
CV Productions Inc
Who really invented the sport of MMA in America? It wasn’t the UFC, learn about the first mixed martial arts league in history! Meet the Tough Guys CV Productions (Caliguri and Viola) Godfathers of MMA is the best kept secret in MMA.
Godfathers of MMA
Godfathers of MMA documents the history of the first regulated mixed martial arts league established 1979 by CV (Caliguri & Viola) Productions Pittsburgh, PA. Meet the men who created a new sport decades before the UFC would become a household name.
MMA STORIES
Bill Viola Jr.’s Perspective
I have studied a full spectrum of martial arts, most notably Shotokan Karate, since birth. As the son of a karate master, no memories seem to exist before the dojo. I guess you could say it was preordained that I would become a black belt. My father instilled the importance of cross-training from an early age: kickboxing—jujutsu—practical self-defense.
History Of MMA
THE MARTIAL “STATE” OF AMERICA:
Indigenous forms of martial arts were prevalent in pre-colonial times among Native American tribes, while later immigrants indirectly spread fighting arts unique to their respective cultures. Since the establishment of the New World, our forefathers have experimented with various forms of grappling, a favorite pastime that even included President George Washington (a student of collar-and-elbow wrestling).
Who Invented MMA
Mixed Martial Arts
Timeline
2016+ ENDEAVOR ERA
WME-IMG buys UFC for $4 Billion
McGregor vs Mayweather spectacle
MAINSTREAM 2005+
Ultimate Fighter (2005) Saves UFC
1997 – Pride
1995-UFC-SEG ERA
Bob Meyrowitz takes the reigns
Criticized by Senator John McCain
Refined the sport by working with State
Athletic Commissions.
2001-ZUFFA ERA
Monetized MMA
Monopolizes market
(buys Pride, Strikeforce
merge WEC)
Fox Partnership (2010).
1993 UFC-WOW ERA
Global introduction of MMA: PPV
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu explosion
Key Players Art Davie, John Milius,
and Rorion Gracie
1979 – TOUGH GUYS
Bill Viola writes the first codified set of rules
Birth of American MMA sport/league-1980
Introduction of organized/regulated MMA
1986-SHOOTO SAYAMA SATORU
Shoot wrestling hybrid
EARLY 1970’S BRUCE LEE
Enter The Dragon boom
1976-ALI VS INOKI
Boxer vs Wrestler contest
1920’S-VALE TUDO
NHB Mixed-fights “sideshows” popular
contests around the world including
catch wrestling.
1963-GENE LEBELL VS MILO SAVAGE
First televised mixed-fight contest
648 BC
PANKRATION
1914-MITSUYO MAEDA
Prize-fighting Judoka settles in Brazil.
Teaches the Gracies Judo who in turn
morph the art into “BrazilianJiu-Jitsu.
1992 Pancrase
Hybrid of pro wrestling and MMA
1983 – MMA OUTLAWED
Tough Guy Law” PA Senate Bill 632
bans the sport. Major setback.
First legal precedent in history.
TURN OF THE CENTURY KARATE JUDO SPREADS
Influenced by ancient Chinese and Indian
martial arts.