Willie Williams

Willie Williams (April 14, 1951 – June 8, 2019) was an American karateka, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler.

In 1975, Willie Williams participated in Mas Oyama's 1st World Full-Contact Karate Open Championships tournament as part of the U.S. team coached by Tadashi Nakamura and Shigeru Oyama.

He lost to Howard Collins of the United Kingdom in the third round by decision.

Four years later, in 1979, he took part in the 2nd World Open Championships.

That year, around 160 fighters from all over the world entered this open weight class tournament.

Williams was able to battle his way through to the semifinals, where he was defeated by Keiji Sanpei.

In 1980, Williams fought Japan's top pro-wrestling star Antonio Inoki for the World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship in Tokyo.

The bout ended in a draw after both competitors repeatedly fell out of the ring.

Although the match was worked, it is seen as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts.

He made his third appearance at the 3rd World Open Championships in 1984, making it to the final 32.

Williams debuted in March 1992 in the combat sport promotion Fighting Network RINGS in Japan.

He worked with the organization until 1996.

On January 4, 1997, nearly 17 years after his first match against Antonio Inoki, the two would have a rematch with Inoki as the winner.

From 1999 to 2000, Williams worked for Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling.

He retired from professional wrestling in 2000.

William's fight against Inoki was voted as the top professional fighting match in Japan in the 20th century in 2003 by professional Japanese fight analysts.

Williams died on June 8, 2019, at the age of 68.