MMA Pre-UFC?

[Aiseop]

Does anyone know the modern history of MMA pre-UFC 1? I'm not talking about ancient Greek pankration, but rather, prior to UFC 1, how often did people engage in vale tudo, or mixed fighting systems? I know pro-wrestlers did a lot of these exhibits and in Japan you'd have semi-real fights (Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki). Any references you can put up? Books you recommend? Thanks.

[Chris Herzog]

Gene LeBell vs Milo Savage

[Chris Herzog]

Early 90's I used to fight Full Contact Jujitsu (Can't remember the name of the organization something Sport Jujitsu), its was pre UFC. Kinda similar to Combat Sambo.

[Aiseop]

Thanks, Zog. I knew about Judo Gene but didn't know he had the "1st sanctioned" match in the US.
For those that didn't know like me:

[Joachim Hoff]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dkhPtPjqtM

[Scott Ray]

Another old fight was Ali fought a Japanese wrestler I forget his name, and gene labelle was the ref..

[Scott Ray]

Oh yes, that was already mentioned. Lol.

[Chris Herzog]

Scott it was Inoki I believe. He fucked up Ali's legs bad with kicks from buttscooting.

[Jack LaBarge]

[Chris Herzog]

Guess who the ref was?