Gene LeBell passes away at 89 years old

[Chris]

Judo Gene LeBell, best known for his catch wrestling technique that later became an influence in both pro wrestling and mixed martial arts, has passed away at 89 years old.

Bas Rutten wrote on Facebook that LeBell had passed away.

“My deepest condolences to his lovely wife Midge, his kids and all his other family members and friends,” he wrote. “You will be greatly missed Gene, I love you my friend, till we meet again!”

LeBell started catch wrestling at the age of 7, training under Ed “Strangler” Lewis and later trained in judo. He was also trained by the likes of Karl Gotch and Lou Thesz. In 1963, he accepted a challenge to fight boxer Milo Savage in an early mixed martial arts bout that saw LeBell score the win with a rear naked choke.

In pro wrestling, he ran NWA's Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, from 1968 through 1982. He also served as the referee for the Muhammad Ali/Antonio Inoki match that took place in 1976. He wrestled his final pro wrestling match in 1981, against Peter Maivia in NWA Hollywood Wrestling.

In recent years, he had accompanied Ronda Rousey to the ring during mixed martial arts matches. He also judged MMA fights through 2018.

Judo Gene LeBell passes away at 89 years old

LeBell's catch wrestling technique was influential in both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.

www.f4wonline.com

 

[Comrade Khan]

man made Seagal shit his pants. True legend. Rip.

 

[Chris]

 

[Chris]

 

[Alexa]

It's insane how well trained he was in grappling/submission. Got trained in Catch Wrestling by Ed Lewis, then later trained in Judo and Jujutsu.

 

[Chris]

 

[Deezy]

Gene Lebell should get his own chapter in the combat sports history books.

He had the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight, made Seagal shit his pants, trained and mentored so many stars and was the basis for the Brad Pitt character in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

The man was a true GOAT.

 

[Chris]

 

[Kairi HoHo]

man made Seagal shit his pants. True legend. Rip.

He did no such thing at least that is the account of Steven Lambert. I forgot Gene was in the first Rush Hour.

 

[Deezy]

He did no such thing at least that is the account of Steven Lambert. I forgot Gene was in the first Rush Hour.

Gene Lebell may have been a worker....but from every account I've heard about the man, he was no bullshitter.

 

[Chris]

He made Seagal shit himself I will be willfully ignoring any evidence to the contrary

 

[Swerve]

Prayers for his family!

 

[Wolverine]

True legend in mixed martial arts.

RIP Gene