Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of An American Sport
| Author | Bill Viola Jr.,[1] Dr. Fred Adams |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Mixed Martial Arts[1] |
| Published | 2014 |
| Publisher | Kumite Classic Entertainment[2] |
| Media type | Print, Kindle |
| Pages | 396 |
| ISBN | 978-0-9961633-0-9 Search this book on  . |
Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of An American Sport is non-fiction mixed martial arts book inspired by CV Productions Inc.[1] The book was written by Bill Viola Jr., and Dr. Fred Adams and published by Kumite Classic Entertainment in 2014.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Overview[edit]
In 1979, Bill Viola Sr. and Frank Caliguri established CV Productions with the intention of creating a new sport that combined martial arts, boxing, wrestling, jujutsu and various forms of combat sports.[15][16][17] The company's “anything goes” Tough Guy Contest[18] introduced regulated mixed martial arts competition to America and launched the first MMA league, later rebranded as “Super Fighters.”[19]
The book chronicles mixed martial arts a decade before the term became popular or the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was created.[20][21][22][23] It details the Toughman (boxing) vs Tough Guy (MMA) controversy and the Tough Guy Law which outlawed mixed martial arts in 1983.[24][25] Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of An American Sport documents the sports early history, and legal issues with the Pennsylvania State Legislature and Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission.[5][26][15]
The book details historical documentation and interviews about the establishment of CV Productions.[1][5][15]
History[edit]
Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of An American Sport highlights a number of mixed martial arts milestones including:
CV Productions as the first commercial mixed martial arts company, established in 1979.[1][23][27]
Bill Viola Sr.as the author of the first codified set of mixed martial arts rules in 1979.[28][29]
CV Productions as introducing open regulated mixed martial arts competitions to the United States March 20, 1980 in Pittsburgh, PA with the inaugural Tough Guy Contest.[16][30][31]
The “Tough Guys” later rebranded Super Fighters as establishing the first MMA league in the United States.[26][15]
Conclusion[edit]
The book concludes with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania banning mixed martial arts, outlawing the sport and CV Productions with the passage of Senate Bill 632.[25][32]
The Tough Guy Law (1983) drafted to outlaw mixed martial arts competition by prohibiting:
“ANY COMPETITION WHICH INVOLVES ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT BOUT BETWEEN TWO OR MORE INDIVIDUALS, WHO ATTEMPT TO KNOCK OUT THEIR OPPONENT BY EMPLOYING BOXING, WRESTLING, MARTIAL ARTS TACTICS OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF AND BY USING TECHNIQUES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PUNCHES, KICKS AND CHOKING.”[33]
In Popular Culture[edit]
- The Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, established a permanent exhibit to honor the Godfathers of MMA and recognize Pittsburgh as the birthplace of modern sport of MMA in the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.[34]
- Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of An American Sport is the basis for the documentary film Tough Guys (2016).[35][36]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bloom, Elizabeth. “From Pittsburghroots, MMA, UFC have grown to staggering heights”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Kumite Classic Expo, Pittsburgh PA Memorial Day Weekend".
- ↑ Pickels, Mary (February 8, 2015). “Martial arts are a family affair”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, p. B3.
- ↑ Zuchowski, Dave (February 12, 2015). “Karate kids: Viola family keeps kicking at World Games”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette p.EZ-4
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Latest, MMA. "A Review of Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of An American Sport". MMA Latest
- ↑ Roddy, Dennis. 40 Under 40: 2016. Pittsburgh Magazine (October 19, 2016)
- ↑ Guerry, Matthew. Godfathers of MMA. Whirl Magazine (August 24, 2016).
- ↑ Etheridge, Paige. Godfathers of MMA-The Birth of an American Sport (April, 14 2015).
- ↑ From The First Days in Pittsburgh, MMA Has Become Fastest Growing Sport. Pro MMA Now (February 24, 2016)
- ↑ Madden, Dave. [www.mmawreckage.com/2016/06/27/how-would-reebok-have-done-as-a-sponsor-of-mma-between-1979-1983/ How Would Reebok Have Done as A Sponsor for MMA between 1979-1983]. MMA Wreckage (June 27, 2016).
- ↑ Kowal, Eric. SFLC Podcast episode 89: Bill Viola Sr., Bill Viola Jr. & Serena DeJesus. MY MMA News (January 14, 2016).
- ↑ Jr, Bill Viola; Adams, Fred (5 November 2014). "Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of an American Sport". CV Productions – via Google Books.
- ↑ "Alumni Spotlight - University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Campus".
- ↑ "Class Notes - University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Campus".
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Nash, John S. (May 23, 2012 ). The Martial Chronicles: Before Fighting Was Ultimate It Was Super, SB Nation
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Steele, Jerin. "Before MMA, Tough Guys wowed fans in A-K Valley, throughout state"
- ↑ Butler, Ann. “Tough Guys: When they get into the Ring, Almost Anything Goes”. Pittsburgh Press. April 8, 1980. B-3
- ↑ Battle of the Brawlers." Evening Magazine, KDKA-TV: Apr 23, 1980
- ↑ Nash, John S. (May 23, 2012). The Martial Chronicles: Before Fighting Was Ultimate It Was Super, SB Nation
- ↑ "Amazon.com: Bill Viola Jr.: Books".
- ↑ Adams, Dr Fred; Jr, Bill Viola (18 May 2015). "Godfathers of MMA: The Birth of an American Sport". Kumite Classic Press – via Amazon.
- ↑ "Bill Viola Jr".
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Werner, Sam (June 24, 2011). “MMA roots were planted inNew Kensington”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- ↑ Benagh, Jim. "Toughman Boxing Brings Controversy: 52 Tourneys This Season." New York Times: May 18, 1981, C2.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Tough Guy Law 1983 Senate Bill Banning Mixed Martial Arts MMA". 28 July 2015.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Cartey, Richard (November 2012). “Tough guy Contest: The Real Beginnings of MMA in America”. [www.fightersonlymag.com Fighters Only]. 3: 72.
- ↑ Madarasz, Anne. “Tough Guys”. Western Pennsylvania History, Volume 94, Number 3, fall 2011.
- ↑ "Dana Doubleday - The Zuffa Myth MMA History". 21 March 2015.
- ↑ Rossen, Jake (24 August 2010). "The Zuffa myth and UFC auteur theory". ESPN.
- ↑ Werner, Sam (June 24, 2011). “MMA roots were planted inNew Kensington”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- ↑ Golden Gloves. Senator John Heinz History Center
- ↑ "Senate Bill 632 P.N. 1400".
- ↑ Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Bill Information (History) - Senate Bill 632; Regular Session 1983-1984".
- ↑ Madarasz, Anne. “New Sports Museum Display Explores Local Roots of Mixed Martial Arts”. Making History (The Newsletter of the Senator John Heinz History Center) Volume 20, No. 2, Fall 2011.
- ↑ "Tough Guys". 1 January 2000 – via IMDb.
- ↑ Little, Arron. Documentary to feature Milton's Mixed Martial Arts forefather. Santa Rosa Press Gazette. (May 6, 2016).
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