Just weeks after the passing of fellow UFC 1 competitor, Art Jimmerson, Honolulu native, Taylor Wily – who competed on the same event under the name of Teila Tuli, has died aged 56, according to reports this evening.
Wily, a former mixed martial arts fighter and professional wrestler for NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) also featured on both the big and small screens, appearing in roles including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Hawaii Five-0, and Magnum P.I.
A former sumo competitor, Wily competed under the name of Takamikuni Daikichi, before transitioning to mixed martial arts – competing at UFC 1 back in 1993 in Denver.