Issue 043

November 2009

Synonymous with Brazilian jiu jitsu, the Gracie name boasts an almost mythical, god-like legend in grappling. Many members of the family have become champions and all are highly regarded, but if there were one 

Gracie to fear above all it would be Rickson.  

Rickson Gracie holds a rumoured 400 wins across grappling matches, vale tudo and MMA. He has held the World Jiu Jitsu Championship at middle-heavyweight and absolute (no weight class). He is a 7th degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He won the main event of the first Pride in front of nearly 50,000 spectators, and is the son of one of the men credited with creating Brazilian jiu jitsu, Helio Gracie. Respected grappler Roy Harris once likened rolling with Rickson to fighting a 400lb mind-reading anaconda.

Born in 1958, Rickson began training in the family trade aged just six years old. In 1980 at only 22, in his first competitive fight he defeated Rei Zulu with a rear naked choke. “It was [my] toughest [fight] because I was fighting not only my opponent, but my own limits as well,” confessed Rickson. “I doubted my own skills.” The 1984 rematch ended the same way.  

Ten years later Rickson fought in Vale Tudo Japan ‘94 and won the competition with ease. After his victory the then-owners of the UFC were keen to replace Royce with Rickson as the Gracie representative in their successful string of tournaments. A dispute over pay meant that never occurred.  

Before Rickson won the Japan Vale Tudo event again in 1995 (as documented in the cult film Choke), Yoji Anjoh - a Japanese wrestler in Nobuhiko Takada’s UWFI [Union of Wrestling Forces International] pro wrestling organisation, keen to make a name for himself - flew to Rickson’s Los Angeles gym and challenged Rickson to a fight with Japanese press waiting outside. “I hit him with many punches,” recounted Rickson. “I broke his nose and he really began to bleed. After that I put him to sleep. When he was sleeping I let the press in. Five days after, he came back with a gift for me. It was a samurai helmet.”

Japanese wrestling fans expected Takada, a huge star in Japan, to reclaim wrestling’s honour by fighting Rickson. He seemed unwilling and lost the respect of UWFI followers. Eventually the fight did take place at the first Pride event in 1997. Rickson emerged the victor by armbar at 4:47 of the first round. The rematch at Pride 4 in 1998 lasted five minutes longer but ended the same. He toyed with the pro wrestler both times. 

In the recent past Rickson has been critical of some of today’s MMA fighters, stating the evolution of the sport has made physical prowess more important than skill. Some see the remarks as fair comment considering Rickson’s domination in the ring. Paulo Filho, WEC Middleweight Champion, has said of Rickson, “I have trained with the toughest guys formed by Carlson Gracie. They were all great, and I for sure don’t want to diminish anybody, but I have to say that no one ever did to me what Rickson Gracie has done during training.”

Today he lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but still has his gym in Los Angeles where his family art is taught to the public and some of LA’s high flyers. Among them Guy Ritchie and Maynard Keenan (singer of the band Tool). Rickson has had two sons, Kron (a very promising 

jiu-jitsu fighter who earned his black belt last year), and the late Rockson. 

As he nears 50, the effect Rickson has had on the MMA landscape is vast and highly evident. As always, fans are keen to see this legendary fighter back in the ring one day. Especially in Japan where he is acknowledged as having ‘samurai spirit’. Rickson has stated, “I see the possibility of me fighting still exists, though it’s not certain, and I still believe one more bout would be the finale I would like to give my career. If the price is right, I go for the competition.”  

Rickson explained why he chooses to compete in the film Choke. “I’m not a fighter. I believe in jiu-jitsu. I believe jiu-jitsu is a self-defence art. To keep believing in what I teach, what I share with my students, to trust in my own words, I must make myself available for any kind of competition.”

The reason for Rickson’s heroic stature in the MMA world is in part due to his sparse in-ring career. He is recognised as a highly skilled fighter, but due to his few fights under MMA rules, and because all of them took place before the MMA boom, many people only know about Rickson from stories passed between training partners and fellow fans and, as such, mystique surrounds his abilities. Few of the millions that are now fans of the sport have seen his fights. However his reputation is, and will always be, known to many.

Career Highlights

1964

Rickson starts his training in jiu-jitsu at age six.

1976

Rickson receives his black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu.  

1995

Wins historic ‘Vale Tudo Japan’ tournament, beating three opponents in one night in a total of 12 minutes and 18 seconds.  

1997

He beats Nobuhiko Takada by armbar in the historic first ever Pride event in Japan.

2000

His final fight to date, where he choked Masakatsu Funaki unconscious.