Muhammad Ali Best Quotes Of The Day "I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalised a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick" Muhammad Ali "The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights" Muhammad Ali "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion" Muhammad Ali "Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything" Muhammad Ali "Life is a gamble. You can get hurt, but people die in plane crashes, lose their arms and legs in car accidents; people die every day. Same with fighters: some die, some get hurt, some go on. You just don't let yourself believe it will happen to you" Muhammad Ali News Flashback "War of the Worlds" Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki June 26, 1976 The June 26, 1976, "War of the Worlds" match between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo ended in a controversial 15-round draw. It was a bizarre, early precursor to mixed martial arts where Inoki spent most of the fight on his back kicking Ali’s legs, resulting in significant damage to Ali and a lack of action. Key Details of the Match: Context: Held at the Nippon Budokan, this was a $6 million spectacle (approx. $40 million today) pitting the world's best boxer against a Japanese wrestling icon. Rules: The rules were heavily restricted, causing frustration. Inoki was limited in his ability to use grappling, while Ali was limited to boxing. This allowed Inoki to stay on the ground and relentlessly kick Ali's legs. Outcome: The match was a 15-round draw, with many fans at the time finding it boring, though it is now viewed as an early, significant step toward modern MMA. Aftermath: Ali sustained significant injuries to his legs from the kicks, which some reports suggested nearly led to amputation and affected his movement in later fights. Legacy: Known as a "bizarre spectacle," it nevertheless paved the way for future interdisciplinary fights. The Match Outcome Result: The 15-round bout ended in a draw. Scoring: One judge scored for Ali, one for Inoki, and the referee (Gene LeBell) scored it a tie (71–71). Stats: Ali threw only six punches during the entire fight, while Inoki landed over 100 kicks to Ali's legs. Special Rules & Strategy The fight was defined by highly restrictive, last-minute rule changes intended to protect Ali from being grappled or thrown. Restricted Grappling: Inoki was forbidden from throwing, tackling, or grappling with Ali. Kicking Limit: Inoki could only kick Ali if he had one knee on the mat. Inoki’s "Crab" Tactic: To comply with the rules while remaining offensive, Inoki spent most of the fight sliding on his back, launching low kicks at Ali’s shins and thighs. Impact and Legacy Injuries: Ali suffered severe leg bruising and two blood clots, which nearly led to an amputation and permanently affected his mobility in later boxing matches. Public Reception: Fans were initially disappointed, with some throwing garbage into the ring and demanding refunds due to the lack of action. MMA Foundation: Despite the negative immediate reaction, the event proved that different combat styles could be matched under a unified ruleset, directly inspiring the founders of early MMA organisations like Pancrase and PRIDE. Friendship: Following the bout, Ali and Inoki became lifelong friends; Inoki even adopted Ali's theme music ("Ali Bom-Ba-Ye") as his own entrance theme. Video Rare footage of Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki. Icons of Wrestling. (Cargo Film & Releasing YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=_rPFOgn2… Ric Flair on Antonio Inoki vs Muhammad Ali (Ric Flair Official YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=EzpqVWAi… Jim Cornette on Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali (Jim Cornette Official YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=Qb2gJ0Ul… Media Man Combat Sports mediaman.com.au/combat_sport… MMA News mediaman.com.au/mma_news.htm… MMA Legends (in progress) mediaman.com.au/mma_legends.… Wrestling News (in progress) mediaman.com.au/wrestling_ne… Boxing News (in progress) mediaman.com.au/boxing_news.… Sports News (in progress) mediaman.com.au/articles2.ht… Dream Matches (in progress) mediaman.com.au/dream_matche… #MuhammadAli #AntonioInoki #Ali #AliInoki #WarOfTheWorlds #CombatSports #MMA #MixedMartialArts #Fight #Fighting #Boxing #Wrestling #DreamMatch #DreamMatches #VinceMcMahon #FightWeek #Sports #PopCulture #Legend #Legends #Goat #Goats #media #mediaman #XWrestling #XSports

Muhammad Ali Best Quotes Of The Day "I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalised a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick" Muhammad Ali "The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights" Muhammad Ali "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion" Muhammad Ali "Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything" Muhammad Ali "Life is a gamble. You can get hurt, but people die in plane crashes, lose their arms and legs in car accidents; people die every day. Same with fighters: some die, some get hurt, some go on. You just don't let yourself believe it will happen to you" Muhammad Ali News Flashback "War of the Worlds" Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki June 26, 1976 The June 26, 1976, "War of the Worlds" match between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo ended in a controversial 15-round draw. It was a bizarre, early precursor to mixed martial arts where Inoki spent most of the fight on his back kicking Ali’s legs, resulting in significant damage to Ali and a lack of action. Key Details of the Match: Context: Held at the Nippon Budokan, this was a $6 million spectacle (approx. $40 million today) pitting the world's best boxer against a Japanese wrestling icon. Rules: The rules were heavily restricted, causing frustration. Inoki was limited in his ability to use grappling, while Ali was limited to boxing. This allowed Inoki to stay on the ground and relentlessly kick Ali's legs. Outcome: The match was a 15-round draw, with many fans at the time finding it boring, though it is now viewed as an early, significant step toward modern MMA. Aftermath: Ali sustained significant injuries to his legs from the kicks, which some reports suggested nearly led to amputation and affected his movement in later fights. Legacy: Known as a "bizarre spectacle," it nevertheless paved the way for future interdisciplinary fights. The Match Outcome Result: The 15-round bout ended in a draw. Scoring: One judge scored for Ali, one for Inoki, and the referee (Gene LeBell) scored it a tie (71–71). Stats: Ali threw only six punches during the entire fight, while Inoki landed over 100 kicks to Ali's legs. Special Rules & Strategy The fight was defined by highly restrictive, last-minute rule changes intended to protect Ali from being grappled or thrown. Restricted Grappling: Inoki was forbidden from throwing, tackling, or grappling with Ali. Kicking Limit: Inoki could only kick Ali if he had one knee on the mat. Inoki’s "Crab" Tactic: To comply with the rules while remaining offensive, Inoki spent most of the fight sliding on his back, launching low kicks at Ali’s shins and thighs. Impact and Legacy Injuries: Ali suffered severe leg bruising and two blood clots, which nearly led to an amputation and permanently affected his mobility in later boxing matches. Public Reception: Fans were initially disappointed, with some throwing garbage into the ring and demanding refunds due to the lack of action. MMA Foundation: Despite the negative immediate reaction, the event proved that different combat styles could be matched under a unified ruleset, directly inspiring the founders of early MMA organisations like Pancrase and PRIDE. Friendship: Following the bout, Ali and Inoki became lifelong friends; Inoki even adopted Ali's theme music ("Ali Bom-Ba-Ye") as his own entrance theme. Video Rare footage of Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki. Icons of Wrestling. (Cargo Film & Releasing YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=_rPFOgn2… Ric Flair on Antonio Inoki vs Muhammad Ali (Ric Flair Official YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=EzpqVWAi… Jim Cornette on Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali (Jim Cornette Official YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=Qb2gJ0Ul… Media Man Int Combat Sports mediamanint.com/combat_sport… MMA News mediamanint.com/mma_news.htm… MMA Legends (in progress) mediamanint.com/mma_legends.… Wrestling News (in progress) mediamanint.com/wrestling_ne… Boxing News (in progress) mediamanint.com/boxing_news.… Sports News (in progress) mediamanint.com/articles2.ht… Dream Matches (in progress) mediamanint.com/dream_matche… #MuhammadAli #AntonioInoki #Ali #AliInoki #WarOfTheWorlds #CombatSports #MMA #MixedMartialArts #Fight #Fighting #Boxing #Wrestling #DreamMatch #DreamMatches #VinceMcMahon #FightWeek #Sports #PopCulture #Legend #Legends #Goat #Goats #media #mediaman #XWrestling #XSports

"War of the Worlds" Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki June 26, 1976 The June 26, 1976, "War of the Worlds" match between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo ended in a controversial 15-round draw. It was a bizarre, early precursor to mixed martial arts where Inoki spent most of the fight on his back kicking Ali’s legs, resulting in significant damage to Ali and a lack of action. Key Details of the Match: Context: Held at the Nippon Budokan, this was a $6 million spectacle (approx. $40 million today) pitting the world's best boxer against a Japanese wrestling icon. Rules: The rules were heavily restricted, causing frustration. Inoki was limited in his ability to use grappling, while Ali was limited to boxing. This allowed Inoki to stay on the ground and relentlessly kick Ali's legs. Outcome: The match was a 15-round draw, with many fans at the time finding it boring, though it is now viewed as an early, significant step toward modern MMA. Aftermath: Ali sustained significant injuries to his legs from the kicks, which some reports suggested nearly led to amputation and affected his movement in later fights. Legacy: Known as a "bizarre spectacle," it nevertheless paved the way for future interdisciplinary fights. The Match Outcome Result: The 15-round bout ended in a draw. Scoring: One judge scored for Ali, one for Inoki, and the referee (Gene LeBell) scored it a tie (71–71). Stats: Ali threw only six punches during the entire fight, while Inoki landed over 100 kicks to Ali's legs. Special Rules & Strategy The fight was defined by highly restrictive, last-minute rule changes intended to protect Ali from being grappled or thrown. Restricted Grappling: Inoki was forbidden from throwing, tackling, or grappling with Ali. Kicking Limit: Inoki could only kick Ali if he had one knee on the mat. Inoki’s "Crab" Tactic: To comply with the rules while remaining offensive, Inoki spent most of the fight sliding on his back, launching low kicks at Ali’s shins and thighs. Impact and Legacy Injuries: Ali suffered severe leg bruising and two blood clots, which nearly led to an amputation and permanently affected his mobility in later boxing matches. Public Reception: Fans were initially disappointed, with some throwing garbage into the ring and demanding refunds due to the lack of action. MMA Foundation: Despite the negative immediate reaction, the event proved that different combat styles could be matched under a unified ruleset, directly inspiring the founders of early MMA organisations like Pancrase and PRIDE. Friendship: Following the bout, Ali and Inoki became lifelong friends; Inoki even adopted Ali's theme music ("Ali Bom-Ba-Ye") as his own entrance theme. Video Rare footage of Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki. Icons of Wrestling. (Cargo Film & Releasing YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=_rPFOgn2… Ric Flair on Antonio Inoki vs Muhammad Ali (Ric Flair Official YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=EzpqVWAi… Jim Cornette on Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali (Jim Cornette Official YouTube) youtube.com/watch?v=Qb2gJ0Ul… Media Man Int Combat Sports mediamanint.com/combat_sport… MMA News mediamanint.com/mma_news.htm… MMA Legends (in progress) mediamanint.com/mma_legends.… Wrestling News (in progress) mediamanint.com/wrestling_ne… Boxing News (in progress) mediamanint.com/boxing_news.… Sports News (in progress) mediamanint.com/articles2.ht… Dream Matches (in progress) mediamanint.com/dream_matche… #MuhammadAli #AntonioInoki #Ali #AliInoki #WarOfTheWorlds #CombatSports #MMA #MixedMartialArts #Fight #Fighting #Boxing #Wrestling #DreamMatch #DreamMatches #VinceMcMahon #FightWeek #Sports #PopCulture #Legend #Legends #Goat #Goats #media #mediaman #XWrestling #XSports

My copy of the #AWA #Wrestling program from 46 Years Ago Last Night, when #MuhammadAli took on #AntonioInoki as arguably #MMA was born or prototyped. #AliInoki #MartialArts

Before #MayweatherMcGregor, there was #AliInoki. How #MuhammadAli paved the way for today's multi-discipline fights ow.ly/2InP30eGc0m

.@yay_yee says #AliInoki still has lots of mystery around it. Check out his book as we celebrate the anniversary: amazon.com/Ali-vs-Inoki-Forg…

.@yay_yee on #AliInoki: It wasn't great but it very well might be the origins of modern-day #MMA soundcloud.com/siriusxmrush/…

@steveucnlive on #AliInoki remember book piece of @yay_yee | via @UCNlive #MuhammadAli #GOAT #TheGreatest #Boxing x.com/UCNlive/status/7454946…

Btw, your book is coming out just in times! Maybe these people will learn something! #AliInoki