 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Bill Viola (founder & president) Frank Caliguri (founder) |
| Subsidiaries | Tough Guy Contest |
| Website | cvproductionsinc |
CV Productions, Inc., is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based mixed martial arts company, founded in 1979. It is considered the first MMA based company in the United States and responsible for creating the blueprint for modern mixed martial arts competition. The company promoted the first regulated league of mixed martial arts style competitions beginning in 1980 with the intention of creating a new mainstream sport.[1][2] The league events pitted combatants from all fighting disciplines including boxers, kick boxers, martial artists, wrestlers, grapplers, and all around “tough guys.”[3] Competitors could win by opponent’s submission, knockout or judges' decision (based on the 10 point “must” system). The competitions were promoted as “Anything Goes - striking, throwing, grappling, punching, kicking, ground fighting, and more.” The shows were immediately dubbed by the media as “Organized, Legalized, Street Fighting,” a phrase coined by KDKA TV's Dave Durian.[4][5]
- ^ "Battle of Tough Guys Finals Scheduled." News-Dispatch: Apr 12, 1980, 8.
- ^ Blinbury, Fran. "No Holds Barred as the Super Brawlers Take Over the Civic Center." Philadelphia Journal: Jun 13, 1980, 27.
- ^ Madarasz, Ann. "Tough Guys." Western Pennsylvania History: Fall 2011, 8-9.
- ^ ""Battle of the Brawlers." Evening Magazine, KDKA Television: Apr 23, 1980.
- ^ Werner, Sam. “Roots Were Planted in New Kensington”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: June 24, 2011. D-7.