Muhammad Ali started MMA

In June 1976, Muhammad Ali was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Ali travelled to Tokyo, Japan to face his next opponent, the professional wrestler Antonio Inoki.

In a first of its kind, the exhibition fight called “The War of the Worlds” was met with controversy because of the rules applied.

Ringside Photographer Claude Charlier tells Sean Allsop how the fight unfolded in a packed Budokan Hall and how many now consider this fight the origin of MMA Mixed Martial Arts.

(Photo: Muhammad Ali stands over Antonio Inoki, 1976. Credit: Claude Charlier)