Willie Williams (karateka)
Willie Williams (April 14, 1951 – June 8, 2019) was an American karateka and mixed martial artist.[1]
| Willie Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 April 1951 Washington, North Carolina, United States |
| Died | 8 June 2019 (aged 68) |
| Other names | Bear Killer |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb; 16.5 st) |
| Division | Super Heavyweight |
| Style | Kyokushin Karate |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 13 |
| Wins | 9 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 2 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 1 |
last updated on: April 1, 2012 | |
Career
In 1979, Willie Williams took part in the Karate World Championships. Around 160 fighters from all over the world were at the start of the open weight class. Williams was able to battle his way through the semifinals, where he was defeated by Keizo Mikabe. He made his second appearance at Karate World Championships in 1984. This time Willie Williams made it to the last 32.[2]
In 1980, Williams fought Japan's top pro-wrestling star Antonio Inoki for the World Heavyweight Martial Arts Championship in Tokyo. The bout ended in a draw after both competitors repeatedly fell out of the ring.[3] Although the match was worked, it is seen as a precursor to modern mixed martial art. 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.[4]
Titles
- 3rd World Open Karate Tournament 1984 (IKO) - Final 32
- 2nd World Open Karate Tournament 1979 (IKO) - 3rd Place
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 13 matches | 9 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 0 |
| By submission | 2 | 3 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown | 0 | 0 |
| Draws | 0 | |
| No contests | 0 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 9-4 |  |
TKO | RINGS - Mega Battle Tournament 1994: Second Round | October 22, 1994 | 1 | 6:41 | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Win | 8-4 |  |
TKO | RINGS - Rings 1994 in Ariake | June 18, 1994 | 1 | 10:54 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 7-4 | |
Submission | RINGS - Rings 1994 in Sendai | May 17, 1994 | 1 | 2:38 | Sendai, Japan | |
| Loss | 7-3 | |
Decision | RINGS - Mega Battle Tournament 1993: First Round | October 23, 1993 | 5 | 3:00 | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Win | 7-2 | |
Decision | RINGS - Battle Dimension: Toky Bay Area Circuit III | August 21, 1993 | 5 | 3:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 6-2 |  |
Submission | RINGS - Battle Dimension: Osaka Metropolitan Circuit II | July 13, 1993 | 3 | 1:35 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Loss | 5-2 |  |
Submission | RINGS - Battle Dimension: Tokyo Bay Area Circuit II | July 16, 1993 | 1 | 11:46 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5-1 | |
KO | RINGS - Mega Battle Tournament 1992: Second Round | November 13, 1992 | 2 | 1:33 | Hiroshima, Japan | |
| Loss | 4-1 | |
Submission | RINGS - Mega Battle VI: Hayate | July 16, 1992 | 3 | 2:03 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 4-0 | |
KO | RINGS - Mega Battle V: Shi Shi Ku | June 25, 1992 | 1 | 5:08 | Hiroshima, Japan | |
| Win | 3-0 | |
KO | RINGS - Mega Battle IV: Kohrin | May 16, 1992 | 3 | 2:07 | Hiroshima, Japan | |
| Win | 2-0 | |
KO | RINGS - Mega Battle III: Ikazuchi | April 3, 1992 | 2 | 1:13 | Hiroshima, Japan | |
| Win | 1-0 | |
TKO | RINGS - Mega Battle Tournament 1992: Second Round | November 13, 1992 | 1 | 2:50 | Yokohama, Japan | |
Karate record
| Karate record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Record |
| 1992-03-26 | | RINGS - Kakutogi Olympic | ||||||
| 1991-06-04 | Loss | | USA Oyama Karate vs. Karate Masamichi | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | |||
|
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
References
- "Legendary Karate fighter, film star Willie Williams conducts local seminar". The Daily Herald. 2014-05-27. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
- "World Open Tournaments Kyokushinkai". Kyokushin Canada. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
- Full bout available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0B1mugcGO4
- E, Ron (2019-06-09). "Karate legende Willie Williams overleden – Vechtsport Nieuws" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-06-10.