Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki: A Bizarre Encounter in Japan

Boxer vs. Wrestler: The Precursor To MMA

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Why Muhammad Ali?

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Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki – The Fight that Inspired MMA

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Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki – The Fight that Inspired MMA

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“I wouldn’t take the sport of boxing and disgrace it,” proclaimed Ali. “I wouldn’t pull a fraud on the public. This is real. Everything is going to be real.”

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On June 26th, 1976, two decades before MMA came onto the scene, a bizarre encounter between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki became the talk of the sports world.

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[{"selector":"#anim-02f816e6-700e-4e38-8f8a-f1271f79e4e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c8bdcc9f-e3e9-4101-9794-d8815afcfada","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 296.79018%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Many questioned the boxer’s sanity over wanting to fight a wrestler. After 15 three-minute rounds, Inoki landed over a hundred kicks, mostly on Ali’s left leg. It almost jeopardized his career. Read More

Swipe up to read the full story

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STORIES

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[{"selector":"#anim-2a486845-80f8-4808-aa75-c6de01968216","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"direction":"normal","duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.47, 0, 0.745, 0.715)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ed5889d-a983-4146-8fbb-65b82fef64fd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"direction":"normal","duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-978402ab-1d70-4c78-b03c-1bc3661ebb89","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"direction":"normal","duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.47, 0, 0.745, 0.715)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86b7f795-ebaf-41d3-a3c5-d592be015aef","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 200%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"direction":"normal","duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1)","fill":"both"}] Muhammad Ali and Gene Kiniski: A Battle of Words! Antonio Inoki in Pakistan: His Controversial, Legendary Visits Great Antonio vs. Antonio Inoki See More See More See More

Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki: A Bizarre Encounter in Japan

Boxer vs. Wrestler: The Precursor To MMA

Why Muhammad Ali?

Some speculate that Ali’s constant search for wealth drove him to diversify.

Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki – The Fight that Inspired MMA

With a 53-2 record, Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki – The Fight that Inspired MMA

“I wouldn’t take the sport of boxing and disgrace it,” proclaimed Ali. “I wouldn’t pull a fraud on the public. This is real. Everything is going to be real.”

On June 26th, 1976, two decades before MMA came onto the scene, a bizarre encounter between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki became the talk of the sports world.

Swipe up to read the full story

STORIES

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