Before MMA, there was Dan Hodge

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/H/HO003.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Hodge


Hodge was a 3 time NCAA Division 1 National Champion, two time Olympian and Olympic Silver Medalist in wrestling. He was also 17-0 as an amateur boxer, winning the Chicago Golden gloves, National Golden Gloves and went 8-2 as a professional before deciding to wrestle full time. Also, he was a pro wrestler for a while when pro wrestlers were essentially catch wrestlers, sometimes performing at carnivals and taking on local tough guys. He was known as a hooker. A hooker was the carnival wrestler who was well versed in submissions and could hurt or choke out his opponent if the carnival director's front man couldnt handle a local tough guy. The Dan Hodge award is handed out after each college wrestling season and is wrestling's equivalent to the Heisman. Even to this day, he maintains his bizarre strength and power as an old man. Below is a video of him crushing an apple at 75 years old.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfKKb8AlQiw&feature=related


While I was at nationals last weekend, they had a booth about Dan Hodge at the fan festival. He is truly one of the most remarkable combat sport athletes of the 20th century. I can't even imagine how excited he would have been to compete in mma if it were around during his time in the US. When Dan Henderson was signing autographs, he was talking about Hodge with Wayne Boyd (1969 ncaa champ) and how Hodge was an original mma fighter, being a world class wrestler, a professional boxer, and an experienced catch wrestler. Any other old school mma fighters, before the time of mma, that you guys know of?

Only read a small fraction so far. Looks like some good shit. I'm bout to look it over better. Thanks Jimbo.

I know no one cares about this thread lol, but here is a video of Hodge showing how he broke the guard in grappling matches, as well as him showing a self defense tactic to a choke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qY7JPk0Zn4&feature=related

in the day in america after and during the great depression when wrestling and boxing were school SPORTS (in middle school, high school, and college) I imagine there was a shit load of "modern MMA fighters)

good article really neat to hear stories like this.

Birdofthad wrote:

in the day in america after and during the great depression when wrestling and boxing were school SPORTS (in middle school, high school, and college) I imagine there was a shit load of "modern MMA fighters)

True, but not to the extent of Hodge. National champion and olympic silver in wrestling and a Golden Gloves National Champion in boxing, while also doing catch wrestling exhibitions. Pretty nasty. He can still crush an apple!!!! haha the man is a legend. Don't try to minimize it Bird lol.

Would have been a beast. Good shit. Imagine Bruce Lee vs Dan Hodge back in the day. Hodge is 8 years older but it could still have been interesting. Hodge wrestled as small as 165lbs so the weight shouldn't be too far off. Would have been interesting.

Interesting that 2 MMAer before MMA came from the great state of Oklahoma. Dan Hodge and Chuck Norris.

Lee vs Hodge, who you got Jimbo?

OU wrote:

Lee vs Hodge, who you got Jimbo?

In an mma setting, I'd pick Hodge. I think that his wrestling and catch wrestling would be too much for Lee to deal with. Who would you have?

great article jimbo, really enjoyed it

jimbojones1950 wrote:

OU wrote:

Lee vs Hodge, who you got Jimbo?

In an mma setting, I'd pick Hodge. I think that his wrestling and catch wrestling would be too much for Lee to deal with. Who would you have?

I know Bruce was getting into BJJ, not sure how skilled he was though. A true martial artist though. Did some pro boxing himself I think. Would be fun to watch. But I think Hodge would have a great chance in the cage with Bruce.

Hodge is badass! He even looks like an old man Hendo.