Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki: When rules ruin fights

Televised Mixed Martial arts before the UFC has an strange history. From the all but forgotten “Tough Guy” fights of the 1980’s to today’s subject: a couple of fights featuring a boxer vs a grappler.

What was the deal with that really weird mixed rules exhibition fight between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976 in Tokyo Japan?

The rules weren’t clearly spelled out in this early televised attempt at a mixed martial arts bout, but a few things were clear: Inoki, the wrestler, was not allowed to use takedowns agains the boxing champion.

13 years earlier, Gene Lebell (who was the referee for the Ali vs Inoki fight) fought in an early televised MMA bout of his own against professional boxer Milo Savage. Lebell won the match via rear naked choke, strangling his opponent unconscious in the ring.

(And for the record, Inoki would have beaten Bruce Lee in a fight too)

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Ramsey Dewey is an MMA coach and fight commentator, and occasional musician based in Shanghai, China.

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