Willie Williams

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

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

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. 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 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.

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

Titles 3rd World Open Karate Tournament 1984 (IKO) - Final 32 2nd World Open Karate Tournament 1979 (IKO) - 3rd Place

Mixed martial arts record Win

Pieter Oele TKO RINGS - Mega Battle Tournament 1994: Second Round

Fukuoka, Japan Win

Masayuki Naruse TKO RINGS - Rings 1994 in Ariake

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Akira Maeda Submission RINGS - Rings 1994 in Sendai

Sendai, Japan Loss

Dick Vrij Decision RINGS - Mega Battle Tournament 1993: First Round

Fukuoka, Japan Win

Dick Vrij Decision RINGS - Battle Dimension: Toky Bay Area Circuit III

Yokohama, Japan Win

Bitsadze Tariel Submission RINGS - Battle Dimension: Osaka Metropolitan Circuit II

Osaka, Japan Loss

Volk Han Submission RINGS - Battle Dimension: Tokyo Bay Area Circuit II

Tokyo, Japan Win

Yukihiro Takenami KO RINGS - Mega Battle Tournament 1992: Second Round

Hiroshima, Japan Loss

Akira Maeda Submission RINGS - Mega Battle VI: Hayate

Osaka, Japan Win

Ton van Maurik KO RINGS - Mega Battle V: Shi Shi Ku

Hiroshima, Japan Win

Bitsadze Ameran KO RINGS - Mega Battle IV: Kohrin

Hiroshima, Japan Win

Mitsuya Nagai KO RINGS - Mega Battle III: Ikazuchi

Hiroshima, Japan Win

Peter Smit TKO RINGS - Mega Battle Tournament 1992: Second Round

Yokohama, Japan Karate record Karate record Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 1992-03-26 Nobuaki Kakuda RINGS - Kakutogi Olympic 1991-06-04 Loss Masaaki Satake USA Oyama Karate vs. Karate Masamichi Decision (Unanimous) 3 Legend: