UFC 1 – Bill Wallace Superfoot put Foot in Mouth

The presence of writer-director John Milius provided some “star power” for the Ultimate Fighting Championship with investors and within some elements of the entertainment industry, but Milius was not a name that was going to add much in the way of cachet with the general public or the martial arts community. When it came to dressing up its first event, Art Davie, SEG and the UFC went after someone with a lot of crossover glamour.

It is safe to say that Bill “Superfoot” Wallace was one of the biggest names in the world of martial arts in the 1970’s and 80’s. Wallace was an outstanding competitor, for sure, winning plenty of national titles in point karate, including three USKA Grand Nationals. He also gained some additional mystique as one of Elvis Presley’s karate instructors, as the King was an ardent fan, even once flying in an acupuncturist to treat Wallace at Graceland following an injury to his leg. And it was reported that Wallace, serving as a bodyguard, was the person who discovered John Belushi’s body after the “Saturday Night Live” star’s overdose.

In the world of kick boxing, Wallace was one of the early stars, along with people like Joe Lewis and Benny “The Jet” Urquidez. Turning professional in 1972, he won 23 straight fights without a loss. Wallace was the middleweight champion of the PKA (Professional Karate Association) before retiring from competition in 1980, just before the sport found its biggest level of popularity.

But Wallace’s legend persisted, as he was in demand for exhibitions, seminars and film work around the world. He appeared in movies like “A Force of One” with Chuck Norris, “The Protector” with Jackie Chan and “Fight To Win” with Cynthia Rothrock. Intelligent and articulate, Wallace had a master’s degree in kinesiology from Memphis State University and was one of the more successful entrepreneurs in the martial arts community. He was such a signature figure that whenever the age-old subject was brought up about how a karate expert would do against a boxer, the name of “Superfoot” would invariably be brought up. In fact, one of those encounters was once supposed to take place in Miami Beach against the legendary boxer Thomas Hearns, but at the last minute promoters failed to come up with sufficient funds.

By the time of the first Ultimate Fighting Championship, Wallace was well into his forties, so, having retired 13 years earlier, he was not going to be of value as a competitor. But Davie and SEG decided to use him as one of three announcers for the pay-per-view telecast, along with football legend Jim Brown and another noted kick boxer, Kathy Long. Never mind that none of them were polished sportscasters or had ever handled play-by-play. Name association was important for the UFC at this point in time.

Wallace supplied what was probably the first embarrassing on-air moment for the UFC when he came on the air and introduced the event as the “Ultimate Fighting Challenge.” He also assumed the lead role on the mike and made numerous errors, which, needless to say, sent the UFC looking for someone else to do the play-by-play for the next show, which was scheduled for March 1994.

527 Comments

  1. … [Trackback]

    […] There you can find 56948 more Information on that Topic: boxinginsider.com/mma/ufc-1-bill-wallace-superfoot-put-foot-in-mouth/ […]

  2. … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Information here to that Topic: boxinginsider.com/mma/ufc-1-bill-wallace-superfoot-put-foot-in-mouth/ […]

  3. … [Trackback]

    […] Find More here on that Topic: boxinginsider.com/mma/ufc-1-bill-wallace-superfoot-put-foot-in-mouth/ […]

  4. Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve added you guys to my personal blogroll.

  5. … [Trackback]

    […] Find More on that Topic: boxinginsider.com/mma/ufc-1-bill-wallace-superfoot-put-foot-in-mouth/ […]

  6. … [Trackback]

    […] Read More on on that Topic: boxinginsider.com/mma/ufc-1-bill-wallace-superfoot-put-foot-in-mouth/ […]

  7. DerekDrurl

    Apotheek online bestellen: ApotheekMax – Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept

  8. Chesternig

    real canadian pharmacy: GoCanadaPharm – canadian pharmacy online ship to usa

  9. Briancof

    no prescription prednisone canadian pharmacy Pred Pharm Net prednisone 12 tablets price

  10. Garretttoomi

    yurt dД±ЕџД± bahis sitesi casibom casino bet gГјncel giriЕџ casibom1st.shop

  11. WeldonCob

    tГјrkiye yasal bahis siteleri: casibom giris – en yeni deneme bonusu veren siteler 2025 casibom1st.com

  12. WeldonCob

    100 tl bonus veren bahis siteleri: casibom 1st – vidobet giriЕџ 2025 casibom1st.com

  13. Robertglarp

    canlД± casino deneme bonusu veren siteler: casibom resmi – deneme bonusu veren gГјvenilir siteler casibom1st.com

  14. Robertglarp

    yeni Гјyelik bonusu veren siteler: casibom 1st – deneme bonusu bahis siteleri casibom1st.com

  15. BradyAduck

    yeni aГ§Д±lan bahis siteleri: casibom – gГјvenilir casino casibom1st.com

  16. Gregoryrooks

    olympe casino cresus: olympe – olympe casino cresus

  17. VictorDeers

    olympe casino en ligne: olympe – casino olympe

  18. PeterQuogy

    Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe Livraison rapide pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique pharmafst.shop

  19. BillieRef

    Tadalafil sans ordonnance en ligne: Acheter Cialis – Cialis sans ordonnance pas cher tadalmed.shop

  20. Brianthigo

    pin up вход: pin up вход – пин ап казино официальный сайт

  21. ElmerDaw

    вавада казино: вавада – вавада официальный сайт

  22. ElmerDaw

    pin-up casino giris: pin up – pin up azerbaycan

  23. RichardSmatt

    vavada vavada вавада официальный сайт

  24. RussellEdups

    can you buy cheap clomid without prescription: order clomid – can you get clomid without insurance

  25. Oscardaf

    can i get generic clomid pills: cheap clomid – where can i get clomid without rx

  26. RussellEdups

    where can i buy amoxicillin without prec: Amo Health Care – buy amoxicillin 500mg uk

  27. Oscardaf

    prednisone 5mg cost: PredniHealth – can you buy prednisone over the counter

  28. MatthewHacle

    where to buy clomid without dr prescription Clom Health where to get clomid

  29. ScottCug

    cialis super active real online store: TadalAccess – overnight cialis delivery usa

  30. ScottCug

    cialis 10mg price: TadalAccess – generic cialis tadalafil 20mg reviews

  31. JosephLaf

    buying cialis without prescription Tadal Access sunrise pharmaceutical tadalafil

  32. JosephLaf

    is there a generic cialis available? TadalAccess no prescription cialis

  33. JosephLaf

    cialis online overnight shipping [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]cialis package insert[/url] purchase cialis on line

  34. Jerrysoype

    At pre-eminent, I was skeptical about https://joyorganics.com/products/organic-cbd-gummies , but now I keep them in my nightstand. They’ve evolve into neighbourhood of my evening habitual—sole gummy, a cup of tea, and I’m good to go. I don’t perceive strident or freakish, due serene and genial to wind down. The flavor’s in truth in actuality well-behaved too, which surprised me. No eerie aftertaste like some others I’ve tried. If your perception runs a mile a pint-sized at continually or you’re just trying to slacken after manipulate, these are indubitably significance checking out.

  35. ScottCug

    how many mg of cialis should i take: cialis sell – walgreen cialis price

  36. LorenBonee

    is tadalafil available in generic form: TadalAccess – cialis black 800 to buy in the uk one pill

  37. LorenBonee

    cialis free trial voucher 2018: Tadal Access – how long for cialis to take effect

  38. JosephLaf

    cialis for ed [url=https://tadalaccess.com/#]TadalAccess[/url] tadalafil medication

  39. JosephLaf

    cialis insurance coverage TadalAccess cialis tadalafil cheapest online

  40. Curtisfline

    Discount pharmacy Australia: PharmAu24 – Discount pharmacy Australia

  41. RodneyLog

    over the counter antibiotics BiotPharm Over the counter antibiotics pills

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *