Godfather’s Of MMA

“Who would win between Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, or Bruno Sammartino?”

“Who would win between Bruce Lee (martial artist), Muhammad Ali (boxer) or Bruno Sammartino (wrestler)”   the first organized league of MMA competitions in American history… years before the UFC or other groups who claim to be the first.

They were negotiating a national sponsorship deal for a $100,000 prize finale set for Las Vegas in 1981. (To put the magnitude of the prize money into perspective, the average salary for an NFL pro in 1980 was $78,657)  The median salary in the NFL in 2009 was roughly $770,000. In 2008 it was about $720,000.

So today, in 2012, the finale prize would be equivalent to $1 000 000.

NFL Football player, Len Pettigrew of Philadelphia Eagles, wins the
Heavyweight Title at the “Battle of the Superfighters” 1980.  
 

Len Pettigrew, a former NFL defensive end with the Philadelphia Eagles, who took
part in the heavyweight tournament and ripped through the competition. Although
technically an amateur with no martial arts training to speak of, he was too
fast, too strong, and too athletic for his opponents. It was now obvious that it
would be impossible to keep the tournament strictly for amateurs. Not only had
past contestants expressed interest in fighting again, but there was also a
desire to see the best in other sports – boxing, wrestling, judo, kickboxing –
try their hands in no holds barred competition. The only solution would be to
create a professional division.  (source)

Learn more about:
  

“Battle of the Superfighters” 1980 Heavyweight Champion Len Pettigrew 

Date of birth: Jun 06, 1949
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 230 lbs
College: Ashland University

1971 – 1972 Line Backer Philadelphia Eagles NFL Professional Football
Team

1973 – 1976 Defensive End Philadelphia World Football League and other
teams

Len Pettigrew was chosen as a National Football League player after years of
dedication, endurance, perseverance & excellence in the field of athletics.
He went on to play professional football for 5 years, including years spent in
the World Football League. Len was a 5x collegiate All American playing Football
and Wrestling Len was also a Professional Boxer training at Mohammed Ali’s
training camp in Pennsylvania. His career covered the US, Mexico and Jamaica.