Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike

‘Judo’ Gene LeBell dead at 89; Ronda Rousey and MMA community react

Ronda Rousey MMA Roy Nelson Alan Jouban Shayna Baszler

Influential combat sports icon “Judo” Gene LeBell has died at 89.

LeBell, whom many credit for bringing judo into mixed martial arts, served as a mentor to former UFC champion Ronda Rousey throughout her MMA run, but his roots run much deeper.

In addition to spending extensive time in the world of acting and professional wrestling, LeBell also trained with legendary figures such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and Chuck Norris.

Reports of LeBell’s death surfaced on social media from close family friends early Wednesday.

Although his notoriety was partially racked out by his work as a trainer and motivator, LeBell had a decorated run as a top-tier amateur judoka in the 1950s.

LeBell even has an officially recorded MMA fight. He defeated boxer Milo Savage in a mixed-rules contest in December 1963 in what some consider to be the first legitimate MMA fight. He would later go on to serve as an MMA judge until 2018, as well.

The death of LeBell had a ripple effect through the fight world, and many athletes and personalities shared their condolences on social media.

Shayna Baszler

Bas Rutten

Alan Jouban

Roy Nelson

Michael Chiesa

John McCarthy

Cris Cyborg

Paul Lazenby

Alberto Crane

Marina Shafir

Triple H

Michael Chiesa

Stephen Quadros

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Lizzo reacts to new South Park joke about her in Ozempic special
‘I’m really that b*tch,’ the singer said
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Cyberflashing is a form of gendered sexual violence that must be taken seriously
Sexting — sending sexually suggestive or explicit messages and images — is now a widespread practice, and can be a healthy way to express and explore sexuality. However, there is a need to distinguish between consensual sexting and forms of sexual harassment like cyberflashing.
The Conversation
The Conversation
‘Shame and betrayal’: sexual abuse within the spiritual healing industry comes to light
Scandalous behavior that has dogged the Catholic church is becoming increasingly common in shamanic healing circles
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
From Baby Reindeer to Taylor Swift, how amateur sleuths ruined pop culture
In the social media age, artists are using their trauma to bolster their relatability, while dramas are often thinly veiled personal testimonies. The unvarnished truth may be irresistible, but is it bringing out the rubberneck in all of us?
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Is Snoop Dogg’s memorabilia auction a model for cash-hungry music stars?
The Dogfather has monetized his celebrity with an auction at a time when artists struggle to make the money they once did
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Ewok Line theory explains Star Wars hate
What if a "How I Met Your Mother" hypothesis also applies to our divided opinion about the "Star Wars" prequels?
Salon
Salon
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play