Bill Viola (martial artist)
William Viola II | |
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Born | November 5, 1947 |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | President, CV Productions, Inc.[1] President, Allegheny Shotokan Karate Inc.[2] |
Known for | Pioneering mixed martial arts in the United States, Showtime Film Tough Guys[3][4] |
Children | Bill Viola Jr |
William Viola II (born November 5, 1947) is an
Early life
Viola was born in
Mixed martial arts career
In 1979 Viola co-founded CV Productions, Inc. with his partner Frank Caliguri.[1][8] In 1980, the company introduced a new sport, the first regulated mixed martial arts competitions in the United States.[6] Viola helped write the first codified set of mixed martial arts rules for mainstream competition[5][8] and in 1980 created and promoted organized mixed martial arts competition over a decade before the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[9][10]
Viola’s MMA promotions were outlawed by the
Honors
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Viola_Family.jpg/300px-Viola_Family.jpg)
In 2003, the USA Karate Federation inducted Viola into the Hall of Fame, honoring him with a lifetime achievement award and naming him Man of the Year.[12]
CV Productions Inc.’s mixed martial arts league was honored by the
He was the star/subject of the Showtime documentary Tough Guys.[15][16]
The City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania named September 23rd 2019 as "Sensei Viola Day" in region to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Allegheny Shotokan Karate.[17][18]
Bill Viola Sr. was recognized with the Illustrious Californian Award (2020) by California University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association.[19][20]
Personal life
Viola has instructed all five of his children to the rank of black belt: Bill Viola Jr., Addie Viola, Jacque Viola, Ali Viola, and Joce Viola.[21] In 1999, his son, Bill Viola, Jr., established the Kumite Classic.[22]
References
- ^ a b c d e Santa, John. “Viola honored as Mixed Martial Arts innovator”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 4 July 2011
- ^ a b Harvath, Les. “Norwin junior seeks karate championship”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: 18 December 2008
- ^ "Showtime's 'Tough Guys' documentary explores MMA's early roots in 1980s Pittsburgh". 13 September 2017.
- ^ "Watch Tough Guys | Prime Video". Amazon.
- ^ a b Nash, John. “The Martial Chronicles: Before Fighting Was Ultimate It Was Super”. SB Nation Bloody Elbow: 23 May 2012.
- ^ a b c Kogut, Paul. “Caliguri's MMA history honored at Heinz”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: 23 June 2011.
- ^ Panian, A.J. “Mt. Pleasant Author helps examine mixed martial arts”. Mount Pleasant Journal: 23 January 2014, p. 1.
- ^ a b c d Cartey, Richard. “Tough guy Contest: The Real Beginnings of MMA in America”. Fighters Only. 3 (November 2012): 72.
- ^ Rossen, Jake (24 August 2010). "The Zuffa myth and UFC auteur theory". ESPN. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ a b Werner, Sam. “MMA roots were planted in New Kensington”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: 24 June 2011.
- ^ "Senate Bill 632; Regular Session 1983-1984". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ "USA Karate Hall of Fame". USA Karate Federation. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ "Golden Gloves". Senator John Heinz History Center. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ a b Madarasz, Anne (Fall 2011). "New Sports Museum Display Explores Local Roots of Mixed Martial Arts" (PDF). Making History. 20 (2). Senator John Heinz History Center: 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-06-27. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
- ^ "Morgan Spurlock to Exec Produce MMA Origins Documentary 'Tough Guys' (EXCLUSIVE)". 13 June 2017.
- ^ "Showtime documentary proves Pittsburgh-area early mixed martial arts fighters were 'Tough Guys'".
- ^ "Allegheny County recognizes 'Sensei' Viola for devotion to karate".
- ^ "Governments, students honor North Huntingdon karate instructor Bill Viola". 22 September 2019.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: 2020 Cal U Alumni Award Retrospective. YouTube.
- ^ Barnhart, Ryan. Vulcan Nation Alumni Awards Special Edition. The Vulcan Nation. October 6, 2020.
- ^ Zuchowski, Dave (12 February 2015). "Karate kids: Viola family keeps kicking at World Games". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ Schrecongost, Dave (May 22, 2013). “Kumite Classic event is back in Monroeville”. Tribune-Review: 22 May 2013.