Bill Viola (martial artist)

William Viola II
Born (1947-11-05) November 5, 1947 (age 77)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)President, CV Productions, Inc.[1]
President, Allegheny Shotokan Karate Inc.[2]
Known forPioneering mixed martial arts in the United States, Showtime Film Tough Guys[3][4]
ChildrenBill Viola Jr

William Viola II (born November 5, 1947) is an entrepreneur, martial arts instructor, and mixed martial arts pioneer credited by some as the co-creator of the sport of MMA.[1][5][6] In 1979, he co-founded CV Productions, Inc., the first mixed martial arts company in America and the Tough Guy Contest. His life is the subject of the book Godfathers of MMA and the film Tough Guys.[7]

  1. ^ a b Santa, John. “Viola honored as Mixed Martial Arts innovator”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 4 July 2011
  2. ^ Harvath, Les. “Norwin junior seeks karate championship”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: 18 December 2008
  3. ^ "Showtime's 'Tough Guys' documentary explores MMA's early roots in 1980s Pittsburgh". 13 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Watch Tough Guys | Prime Video". Amazon.
  5. ^ Nash, John. “The Martial Chronicles: Before Fighting Was Ultimate It Was Super”. SB Nation Bloody Elbow: 23 May 2012.
  6. ^ Kogut, Paul. “Caliguri's MMA history honored at Heinz”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: 23 June 2011.
  7. ^ Panian, A.J. “Mt. Pleasant Author helps examine mixed martial arts”. Mount Pleasant Journal: 23 January 2014, p. 1.