# Muhammed Ali vs Martial Artist **URL:** \ **Category:** Kung Fu Forum\ **Created:** [January 19, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666 "2003-01-19T17:19:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![truewrestler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/truewrestler/32/154_2.png) [@truewrestler](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/truewrestler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/21 "2003-12-30T19:11:42Z")
All I know is what I’ve heard and that site explains what I’ve heard over the years… along with the fact (right?) that the bout was initially supposed to be a work/prorasslin match I have seen some video online and it looked like Inoki gave some decent kicks. Rules from that site: “Note: kicks regularly used in pro-wrestling are prohibited. However, when the wrestler’s knees are on the ground or squatting down, he can use foot or legs to kick the opponent’s legs” > Originally posted by Ford Prefect > [B]Truewrestler, Not saying that what you posted is entirely incorrect, but please note that the site that little blurb is from is Japanese Pro-wrestling fan site where Inoki is a god. Inoki couldn’t lift and slam Ali but he could trip from the clinch. I’ve seen a lot of this fight (i didn’t see the whole thing because it was impossible to remain interesting since it was so very boring), and Inoki basically just lied on his back from start to finish. It was a sham. [/B] ---
**Author:** ![old\_jong](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/old_jong/32/86_2.png) [@old\_jong](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/old_jong)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/22 "2003-12-30T19:18:39Z")
I seen that Inoki/Ali “fight” It was a shame even if it was only an exibition match. Inoki was on his back all the times and Ali was surely wondering what it was about! Inoki is now Pride’s official clown!..The one all bow before.. He is very good in his role because he certainly believes in himself a lot!..Looks like his ego is as big as his jaw! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![truewrestler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/truewrestler/32/154_2.png) [@truewrestler](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/truewrestler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 7:24pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/23 "2003-12-30T19:24:54Z")
Ford Prefect, I don’t see anything in the rules limiting takedowns… except for maybe the grabbing ropes = ref break and start in middle ---
**Author:** ![Abstract](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/abstract/32/117_2.png) [@Abstract](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Abstract)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/24 "2003-12-30T19:50:21Z")
question i’ve heard of this fight but never saw it…i’m at work now so i can’t watch any mpegs, but in this instance, does ‘crab position’ = Fred Ettish ‘Fetal Fighting’ position?:eek: ---
**Author:** ![norther\_practitioner](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/norther_practitioner/32/214_2.png) [@norther\_practitioner](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/norther_practitioner)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/25 "2003-12-30T20:03:34Z")
There are some pics of it on that one link. ---
**Author:** ![truewrestler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/truewrestler/32/154_2.png) [@truewrestler](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/truewrestler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/26 "2003-12-30T20:21:21Z")
Re: question > Originally posted by Abstract > i’ve heard of this fight but never saw it…i’m at work now so i can’t watch any mpegs, but in this instance, does ‘crab position’ = Fred Ettish ‘Fetal Fighting’ position?:eek: > ummmm…no, it means crab position (sitting on butt with one or both hands supporting you from behind) ---
**Author:** ![Ford\_Prefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e8c25b/32.png) [@Ford\_Prefect](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Ford_Prefect)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/27 "2003-12-30T20:48:39Z")
Really? I could have sworn Inoki was barred from picking up Ali off the ground and slamming him. You are right. It was a work in it’s original inception. I think Gene Lebelle was the ref in that fight too. heh! ---
**Author:** ![CaptinPickAxe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@CaptinPickAxe](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/CaptinPickAxe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/28 "2003-12-30T21:05:08Z")
Splashing Hands has stepping simalar looking to Muhammed Ali’s stepping… just thought you’d like to know ---
**Author:** ![truewrestler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/truewrestler/32/154_2.png) [@truewrestler](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/truewrestler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 9:06pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/29 "2003-12-30T21:06:27Z")
I thought there were more rules too Ford Perfect. I have seen this website before but never actually read through the rules 🙂 Anyways… regardless, I think we can only come to one conclusion: under modern MMA rules Inoki would have won the fight easily ---
**Author:** ![norther\_practitioner](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/norther_practitioner/32/214_2.png) [@norther\_practitioner](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/norther_practitioner)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/30 "2003-12-30T21:25:05Z")
:rolleyes: > Anyways… regardless, I think we can only come to one conclusion: under modern MMA rules Inoki would have won the fight easily Think what you will, but a couple solid punches from Ali could change that quick. It is one of those things to kind of look at, shrug your shoulders, and realize it was all about publicity. ---
**Author:** ![truewrestler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/truewrestler/32/154_2.png) [@truewrestler](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/truewrestler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/31 "2003-12-30T21:37:46Z")
lol, you on crack? 😛 Even with the crazy rules Inoki got Ali to the ground and went for a leg/foot lock but Ali grabbed the ropes which forced the fight to be stood up in the center. Striker versus Grappler = Grappler wins 99% of the time Have the last 10 years taught you nothing? ---
**Author:** ![norther\_practitioner](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/norther_practitioner/32/214_2.png) [@norther\_practitioner](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/norther_practitioner)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/32 "2003-12-30T22:44:53Z")
:rolleyes: > Have the last 10 years taught you nothing? Yeah, that grappling isn’t the end all be all… 99%:rolleyes: Grappling is good to know, and needs to be addressed but it isn’t the “ultimate” thing ya know… Or have you not seen someone actually get ktfo from a strike in the last 10 years. ---
**Author:** ![truewrestler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/truewrestler/32/154_2.png) [@truewrestler](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/truewrestler)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/33 "2003-12-31T02:14:21Z")
Ok, I’ll lower the bar… would you favor Inoki to win under modern MMA rules? ---
**Author:** ![Dim\_Wit\_Mak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Dim\_Wit\_Mak](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Dim_Wit_Mak)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 2:28am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/34 "2003-12-31T02:28:38Z")
Just wanted to thank everyone for the great information. I really learned a lot. I guess God gave me two ears, two eyes, and one mouth so I could spend four times as much time taking things in rather than spouting them out. ---
**Author:** ![truewrestler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/truewrestler/32/154_2.png) [@truewrestler](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/truewrestler)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 4:49am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/35 "2003-12-31T04:49:51Z")
[10 fingers](http://www.google.com) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![GeneChing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/geneching/32/96_2.png) [@GeneChing](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/GeneChing)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2016, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/36 "2016-06-24T15:11:47Z")
Our latest sweepstakes. Enter and WIN! Enter to win [KungFuMagazine.com](http://KungFuMagazine.com)’s contest for ALI VS. INOKI: The Forgotten Fight that Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment by Josh Gross! Contest ends 5:30 p.m. PST on 7/7/2016 ---
**Author:** ![Jimbo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/jimbo/32/8_2.png) [@Jimbo](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/37 "2016-06-24T16:22:07Z")
Old thread I know, but someone said that Antonio Inoki is half-Brazilian. WRONG. He was originally from a well-off family in Yokohama that fell on hard times and emigrated to Brazil (as did many Japanese families) when he was young. What does “half-Brazilian” even mean, anyway? That’s like saying “half-American”. I would rate the 1963 Gene LeBell/Milo Savage fight much higher than the Ali/Inoki “fight” in terms of inspiring “mixed martial arts fights” (in the U.S.). I did hear that after the Inoki match, Ali suffered hematomas in his legs from getting kicked there. ---
**Author:** ![wiz\_cool\_c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9de053/32.png) [@wiz\_cool\_c](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/wiz_cool_c)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 9:27am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/38 "2016-06-28T09:27:46Z")
Antonio Inoki won that fight even without allowing grappling. don’t think that was a fixed fight, those kicks looked real and didn’t look choreographed [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5UdMnyms5E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5UdMnyms5E) ---
**Author:** ![SteveLau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@SteveLau](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/SteveLau)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 7:10am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/39 "2016-07-02T07:10:21Z")
Yep, I still remember having watched the video clip on local TV news. Unless there is proof shown, I will not say the fight was fixed. But it was a poor match. The rules of the fight largely dictated its outcome - boxer not allowed to use ground techniques, and the wrestler stays on the ground most of the times. Regards, KC Hong Kong ---
**Author:** ![mickey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mickey](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/mickey)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666/40 "2016-07-02T14:19:26Z")
Greetings, There was no victor declared. Inoki did not try to take the fight to Ali. If he had done so, things could have been much different. Karl Gotch was in Inoki’s corner and was pretty annoyed at Inoki’s tactics. It is my opinion that Karl Gotch could have fought both men that evening and ruled. THAT would have been worth seeing. mickey [Previous page](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/muhammed-ali-vs-martial-artist/24666.md?page=3)