Japanese wrestling legend-turned-politician Antonio Inoki, who famously took on Muhammad Ali in a much-ballyhooed bout, died of heart failure on Oct. 1. He was 79. The clash with Ali in 1976 was ...

He was also fascinated with pro wrestler Antonio Inoki, and felt that a “superhero ... At the age of 19, he applied to wrestle for New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co. but was rejected because of his ...

So in June 1976 he travels to Tokyo and takes on the gigantic Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki for a cool $6 million, contesting the title of “Toughest Man on the Planet” at a sold out Budokan.

Before mixed martial arts (MMA) grew into what it is today, former professional wrestler Antonio Inoki paved the way for the sport when he fought world champion boxer Muhammad Ali in 1976.

When he first debuted in New Japan Pro Wrestling on April 23 ... A former student of WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki and Karl Gotch, the 23-year-old had experienced modest success in Mexico ...