Main content

Muhammad Ali started MMA

The story of Muhammad Ali鈥檚 controversial fight against professional wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo in 1976. It's now considered by many as the origin of MMA mixed martial arts.

In June 1976, Muhammad Ali was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Ali travelled to Tokyo, Japan to face his next opponent, the professional wrestler Antonio Inoki.

In a first of its kind, the exhibition fight called 鈥淭he War of the Worlds鈥 was met with controversy because of the rules applied.

Ringside Photographer Claude Charlier tells Sean Allsop how the fight unfolded in a packed Budokan Hall and how many now consider this fight the origin of MMA Mixed Martial Arts.

(Photo: Muhammad Ali stands over Antonio Inoki, 1976. Credit: Claude Charlier)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Mon 24 Jun 2024 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 22 Jun 2024 04:50GMT
  • Sat 22 Jun 2024 13:50GMT
  • Sat 22 Jun 2024 17:50GMT
  • Sat 22 Jun 2024 18:50GMT
  • Sat 22 Jun 2024 23:50GMT
  • Sun 23 Jun 2024 03:50GMT
  • Sun 23 Jun 2024 23:50GMT
  • Mon 24 Jun 2024 02:50GMT

Olympic history

Olympic history

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

Sporting Witness Films

Sporting Witness Films

Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement

Podcast