MMA History
For those interested in the history of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) here is a great article written by Sensei Bill Viola Jr. http://mmahistory.org/history-of-mma/
Sensei Viola has also written the award winning “Godfathers of MMA” available for Kindle on Amazon.
Bill Viola Sr.’s Role in the Birth of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
Bill Viola Sr. is widely regarded as a pioneer of modern mixed martial arts in America, credited with organizing the first regulated MMA league in the United States—long before the UFC.
The Birth of MMA in Pittsburgh:
In the late 1970s, Viola Sr., a karate champion and promoter, teamed up with martial arts historian Frank Caliguri to create a new style of competition that tested all martial arts under one set of rules. The result was:
️ “Tough Guy Contest”
Debuted in 1980 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Legally sanctioned under the name CV Productions Inc.
These events combined elements of karate, boxing, wrestling, judo, and jiu-jitsu—essentially an early prototype of modern MMA.
️ Creation of the First MMA League:
-
CV Productions was the first to establish a regulated, documented league of mixed-style fights.
-
Viola wrote the original MMA rulebook, including weight classes, safety gear, medical oversight, and fight structure.
-
These contests ran for two years before being banned by the Pennsylvania legislature under the “Tough Guy Law” in 1983—the first law in the U.S. aimed at stopping MMA-style events.
Legacy & Recognition:
-
Viola Sr. is recognized as the “Godfather of MMA” in various martial arts publications and historical documentaries.
-
His efforts are chronicled in the book “Godfathers of MMA” by his son, Bill Viola Jr.
-
In 2011, the Heinz History Center (Smithsonian affiliate) featured the Viola story in a permanent exhibit on MMA’s origins.
Media Features:
-
Featured in Showtime’s “Tough Guys” documentary (2017)
-
Covered by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and The Martial Arts History Museum
⚖️ Impact:
Viola’s early MMA vision laid the groundwork for what would later become the UFC. While the UFC popularized the sport globally, Bill Viola Sr. and his team created the rulebook and regulatory model that proved MMA could be safe, fair, and organized.
In short: Bill Viola Sr. didn’t just help shape MMA—he helped invent it.
