Mixed martial arts in Japan

Mixed martial arts has been legal in Japan since at least the 1980s, Pancrase began to be held.[2]

Mixed martial arts in Japan
A Pride Fighting Championships bout in 2006
Audience records
Single match91,107[1]

History

Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki took place in Japan between American boxer Muhammad Ali and Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki in 1976.[3] The classic match-up between professional boxer and professional wrestler turned sour as each fighter refused to engage in the other's style of fighting style, and after 15 round stalemate it was declared a draw.[4] This was the earliest example of mixed martial arts in Japan. [5]

Pride FC for much of early 21st century in the 2000s was one of the preeminent Mixed martial arts organizations until it was discovered it was being run by the Yakuza.[6][7][8]

Domestic organizations

The major MMA organizations in Japan are Rizin Fighting Federation, Pancrase, Shooto and ZST.

References
  1. Sherdog.com. "Sherdog's Top 10: Largest Crowds in MMA History - No. 1". Sherdog. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. "MMA Origins: Birth of Japanese MMA". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  3. "The forgotten story of ... Muhammad Ali v Antonio Inoki | Andy Bull". the Guardian. November 11, 2009.
  4. McKirdy, Andrew (June 7, 2016). "Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki: How a bizarre 'bout of the century' between led to friendship". The Japan Times.
  5. EDT, Josh Gross On 06/25/16 at 12:10 PM (June 25, 2016). "Why Muhammad Ali's forgotten fight was also one of his most influential". Newsweek.
  6. "On PRIDE FC, 7 years after its close". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  7. Snowden, Jonathan. "Sex, Drugs, Gangsters and MMA: Remembering Pride, UFC's Wild Predecessor". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  8. "PRIDE Brought Wrestling's Pageantry to MMA". Vice. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.


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