Willie Williams (karateka)
Willie Williams (April 14, 1951 – June 8, 2019) was an American karateka and mixed martial artist. 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 November 1992 in the combat sport promotion Fighting Network RINGS. After having fought 13 matches for the Japan-based organization, Williams retired in October 1994. Williams died on June 8, 2019, at the age of 68.