| The Gracies face oppositionThe Gracie's were not the | | | | wobbled, and stepped back, and tried to run with the |
| only ones doing Jiu-Jitsu in the world during the 1900's, | | | | ropes on his back. I chased him throwing kicks and |
| and certainly not the only one's doing Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, | | | | open hand strikes. He returned head butts and elbow |
| they were just the most popular. Early members of | | | | strikes. But, neither of us was able to deliver a decisive |
| the Gracie family in Brazil were political figures and | | | | strike. Maybe we were both exhausted, or maybe the |
| very involved in the community where they lived. | | | | blood in our eyes prevented us from aiming clearly at |
| Among Helio's first students were Governor of Rio, | | | | the target. After all, the 40 minutes ran out, and the |
| Carlos Lacerda, and President, Joao Figueiredo. There | | | | match ended in a draw. It was my first Vale Tudo |
| were many Japanese immigrants practicing Judo and | | | | experience. That night, my face was badly swollen. I |
| Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil and a new form of "free fighting" was | | | | had a number of cuts on my face. Every time I |
| also developing in Brazil at this time. The Brazilians | | | | breathed, an excruciating pain ran through my belly, |
| developed a system of fighting called Luta Livre (Free | | | | and I could not sleep. I received an injection from a |
| Fight), and if you ask a Gracie, they might tell you that | | | | doctor, and cooled my belly with a cold towel all night. |
| Luta Livre is from Jiu-Jitsu, if you ask a Luta Livre | | | | However, I learned a very important lesson in this fight. |
| practitioner, he might tell you something different. There | | | | That is, one must never fear death. If I had not had the |
| is a large rivalry between the two styles, but the truth | | | | iron will to fight despite the possibility of getting killed, his |
| of the matter is that the styles are very similar. I heard | | | | head butts would have torn my intestine into pieces." - |
| from a few sources that Luta Livre was developed | | | | (From My Judo, by Masahiko Kimura , 1985)Carlson |
| from Wrestling and Judo in Brazil. Luta Livre is | | | | Gracie Comments on his fights with Valdemar |
| practiced without the gi or kimono. While I was in Brazil, | | | | Santana: |
| I passed down a street in Bahia (which is where | | | | "Valdemar was a student of the family for twelve or |
| Capoeira also comes from) named after one of the | | | | thirteen years. He fought more than 20 times for our |
| great Vale Tudo (meaning "anything goes") fighters of | | | | academy. What happened was, he had a |
| the mid 1900's named Valdimar Santana, who was | | | | disagreement with Helio Gracie, and they decided to |
| responsible for one of Helio Gracie's only defeats. I've | | | | fight Vale-Tudo, and Valdemar won. In fact, I was a |
| heard some Brazilians call him a Luta Livre fighter, | | | | friend of his, and told him: "look Valdemar, we are |
| others say he was a Judoka, and the Gracies say he | | | | friends, but now I can't let it pass, you beat Helio, now |
| was a Jiu-Jitsu player. During Valdimar's fight with Helio | | | | your going to have to fight me. I have nothing against |
| Gracie, after over an hour, Helio's corner was forced | | | | you, but in the ring, I'm going to beat the shit out of |
| to throw in the towel. I've read that Valdimar Santana | | | | you!" And I did. I fought against him six times. I won four |
| was one of Helio's students, but have heard different | | | | times, and two were a draw. He was tough shit. If it |
| as well. Carlson Gracie would later avenge Helio's | | | | were today, he would be one of the best fighters". |
| defeat by defeating Valdimar Santana in a No Rules | | | | (From O'Tatame magazine (Brazil) Translated by |
| fight. The other famous victory over the Gracie family | | | | Tatiana Andres, 1997)Besides Helio's defeats (where it |
| in the early part of the art's development occurred in | | | | is interesting to note that he did not actually submit to |
| 1951. After defeating a famous Judo player named | | | | either opponent) the Gracies remained undefeated for |
| Kato, Helio issued a challenge to another Japanese | | | | the most part in Vale Tudo (no holds bared) matches, |
| fighter named Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi was concerned | | | | until another Japanese fighter would give them some |
| about taking the fight because he felt Helio would be | | | | trouble. After the popularity of the Ultimate Fighting |
| hard to submit. A friend of Yamaguchi named | | | | Championship in the United States, Japan started to |
| Masahiko Kimura (5'6" 185 Lbs.) stepped up to face | | | | host a series of Vale Tudo tournaments, one fighter in |
| Helio in his place. The fight between Helio and Kimura | | | | particular started grabbing everyone's attention, and his |
| resulted in a win for Kimura by TKO after Helio's side | | | | name was Kazushi Sakuraba. Sakuraba was not the |
| threw in the towel. Kimura applied udegarami (a | | | | biggest fighter on the scene, but he was creative and |
| shoulder lock now called the Kimura), an arm lock to | | | | experienced. Sakuraba represented the sport of |
| Helio's left arm, breaking it. Helio was commended for | | | | Japanese Wrestling, which is very different from |
| not giving up, but still suffered a defeat, nonetheless. | | | | American wrestling in many ways, the biggest |
| An interesting event occurred later in the 1950's when | | | | difference being that Japanese wrestlers have an |
| Kimura ended up facing Valdimar Santana in a No | | | | outstanding knowledge of submission holds. The |
| Holds Barred Match. He describes the name of the | | | | Wrestling style that Sakuraba practiced looked almost |
| fighter as Adema, but I assume that this is a spelling | | | | exactly like Jiu-Jitsu, and during my research for this |
| mistake made in the translation due to the description | | | | book, I've stumbled across more than one article that |
| being identical to Valdimar right down to the place he | | | | states Sakuraba had trained Jiu-Jitsu quite extensively. |
| resided. Kimura describes the match in this excerpt | | | | Sakuraba had been winning no holds barred matches |
| taken from his biography "My Judo". I debated for a | | | | against some formidable opponents in Japan, including |
| while about whether to include this, but it was so | | | | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Conan Silvera, whom he |
| interesting, hard to find in print, and so historically | | | | beat with a Juji Gatame, or in Portuguese, Chave |
| significant that I had to share it with you. This excerpt | | | | Braco, a standard move in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It wasn't |
| really gives a lot of insight as to what was happening | | | | long before Sakuraba and the Japanese press set |
| in Brazil during this time period, and gives an idea about | | | | their sights on the Gracie family. Sakuraba's first |
| how far ahead of the U.S. and Japan that Brazil was in | | | | victory over a Gracie family member was over |
| Mixed Martial Arts fighting. The next two and | | | | Royler. Sakuraba outweighed Royler by at least forty |
| three-quarter pages are taken directly from Kimura's | | | | pounds. The fight ended in a very controversial |
| book, My Judo."My opponent Adema (Valdimar) | | | | referee stoppage, over which Royler appeared to be |
| Santana was a 25 year old black man, and was a | | | | very upset about. The second was to Royce; this fight |
| boxing heavy weight champion. He was 4th dan in | | | | lasted about an hour and thirty minutes until Royce's |
| judo, and a capoeira champion as well. He was 183cm | | | | corner threw in the towel. To Royce's credit, Sakuraba |
| had a well proportioned impressive physique. His | | | | was not able to submit him and Royce fought very |
| weight was close to 100kg. Bahia, where the match | | | | well. The third was to Renzo Gracie. Renzo was |
| took place, is a port city where black slaves were | | | | fighting very well until Sakuraba applied the same lock |
| unloaded. The slaves were forbidden to carry a | | | | he used to defeat Royler; the lock was applied |
| weapon. As a result, many martial arts were | | | | standing and when the two fell to the floor, the fall |
| developed by them, I heard. Vale Tudo is one of such | | | | broke Renzo's arm. Once again, the Gracie family |
| martial arts. In the south of Sao Paulo, pro wrestling is | | | | member did not submit, and the referee stopped the |
| popular. But the farther one goes to the north, the | | | | fight. The fourth was to Ryan Gracie who lost the fight |
| more popular Vale Tudo becomes. Helio Gracie, whom | | | | after suffering an injury to his shoulder and after time |
| I had previously fought, was the champion in Vale | | | | expired by judge's decision. I have researched a |
| Tudo. But Adema Santana challenged him the previous | | | | couple of sources that claim a famed BJJ black belt |
| year (Note: 1957), and after 2 hours and 10 minutes, | | | | named Sergio Penha was actually training Sakuraba |
| Helio got kicked in the abdomen, could not get up, and | | | | and that this aided him in his victories. |
| got knocked out. Thus, Adema had become the new | | | | To the Gracie family's credit, I have not seen |
| champion. In Vale Tudo, no foul is allowed. 1 foul results | | | | members of the Gracie family 'lose' very often. There |
| in an immediate disqualification. No shoes are allowed. | | | | are incidences in sport Jiu-Jitsu where a Gracie family |
| When the fighters are separated, they are not allowed | | | | member will lose to another Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player, |
| to strike with a fist, and they have to use open hand | | | | but that is Jiu-Jitsu losing to Jiu-Jitsu. Dan Henderson's |
| strikes. But once they get in contact with each other, | | | | victory over Renzo Gracie is one of the few I can |
| every type of strike is allowed but groin strikes. All | | | | recall where anyone outside of the sport of Jiu-Jitsu or |
| types of throws and joint locks are legal. The winner is | | | | the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu defeated a Gracie family |
| decided when one of the fighters is KO'd or | | | | member.Jiu-Jitsu has now developed beyond the |
| surrenders. Biting and hair pulling were illegal. Since | | | | Gracie family and with all appropriate respect and |
| bare-knuckle punches are traded, taking direct 2 or 3 | | | | thanks to them, it moves forward and progresses |
| hits in the eye means the end of the fight. I was told | | | | through the teachings of instructors from all parts of |
| there have been many cases in which a fighter got hit | | | | the world. It wasn't until this happened that people from |
| in the eye with an elbow, and the eyeball popped out | | | | outside the art of Jiu-Jitsu started claiming victories |
| from the socket by half, and got carried to the hospital | | | | over Gracie family members. By introducing the |
| by an ambulance. Therefore, there were always 2 | | | | Brazilian style of Jiu-Jitsu to North America, the Gracie |
| ambulances at the entrance of the arena."I have no | | | | family opened the door to great financial rewards and |
| choice. I will fight." I said. Then, the promoter grinned, | | | | the problems that would come with success.Brazilian |
| took out a form and told me to sign it. Yano translated | | | | Jiu-Jitsu was introduced to the United States in the |
| the content, which said, "Even if I die in this match, it is | | | | 1970's, but was not made popular until 1993, when |
| what I intended, and will not make anyone accountable | | | | Royce Gracie defeated opponents from other martial |
| for my death." I nodded, and signed the form. On my | | | | arts in a contest called the Ultimate Fighting |
| way to the ring, someone raised his arm and waved | | | | Championship. This type of fighting was known in Brazil |
| at me. It was Helio Gracie, whom I had not seen for | | | | as Vale Tudo (anything goes) and would later become |
| several years. Helio was at the radio broadcast seat. | | | | known as NHB (No Holds Barred) here in the United |
| He was the commentator of the match. The gong | | | | States. The effectiveness of the art form over so |
| rang. Adema and I circled the ring first. I lightly extended | | | | many others made Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu known to the |
| my fingers in a half-body posture, and prepared for his | | | | martial arts community and the world. This was |
| kicks. Adema, also in a half-body posture, had tucked | | | | America's first look at Mixed Martial Arts fighting. Unlike |
| his chin, tightened his underarms, as he would do in a | | | | many other martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gained its |
| boxing match. Once in a while, he delivered high kicks | | | | reputation and popularity through effective fighting, not |
| to my face."I blocked the kicks with my hands, and | | | | Hollywood movies.In November of 1993, a large |
| returned a kick with my right leg. Adema started to | | | | number of Americans would get their first look at |
| deliver right and left roundhouse kicks. I stepped back | | | | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ... it wasn't pretty. For years in the |
| and dodged them, but suddenly, I received a fire-like | | | | United States, the Martial Arts community had been |
| impact on my face. It was an open hand strike. I had | | | | plagued by the mystique and misconception created |
| overlooked his hand motion, paying too much attention | | | | by Hollywood. I can remember getting into street fights |
| to his kicks. When I got hit in the temple, and the core | | | | as a kid and having my opponent say "OK, no Kung fu |
| of my head became a blur, left and right roundhouse | | | | stuff!" thinking that if the other guy knew Kung fu, |
| kicks came. When I blocked his right kick with my left | | | | something terribly deadly would happen. This couldn't |
| hand, a tremendous pain ran through from the tip of | | | | be farther from the truth, and in 1993 we would all find |
| the little finger to the back of the hand. I had jammed | | | | that out. To make a long and over-told story short, |
| the finger. I traded kicks with him. The entire audiences | | | | Royce Grace, a thin Brazilian, was pitted against |
| were standing with excitement. Even in this situation, I | | | | champions of Kung Fu, Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing, |
| was able to think clearly. While I was thinking 'Adema is | | | | Wrestling and a variety of other Martial arts in a |
| one level higher than I both in kicks and open hand | | | | contest called the Ultimate Fighting Championship. |
| strikes. In order to win, I must take the fight to the | | | | Unlike the American No Holes Barred contests of |
| ground,' another fast kick flew at my abdomen."I struck | | | | today, Royce had to fight up to 4 times in each |
| the kick down with left knife hand, and jumped in to | | | | tournament. There were no weight classes and |
| deliver a head butt on his abdomen with a momentum | | | | Royce was usually the lightest, sometimes being |
| that could penetrate through his body. This must have | | | | outweighed by 80 lbs. or more. There were very few |
| had an effect on him. He covered his abdomen, and | | | | rules: no eye gouging, no biting, and no time limits. |
| stepped back while wobbling. I wanted to get close to | | | | Although this would be The United State's first look at |
| him, throw him, get on top of him, and use Newaza. If I | | | | Brazilian Jiu-jitsu vs. other styles of Martial Arts, it was |
| succeed in this, I could use elbow strikes and head | | | | not the first time a ground fighting style would have the |
| butts. Adema recovered from the damage, and | | | | opportunity to show the superiority of Grappling vs. |
| delivered a kick to my face again. I ducked the kick, | | | | Striking alone.In 1963, Gene Labell (a Judo player) faced |
| and jumped in for a clinch. I got in a tight clinch to | | | | a champion Boxer named Milo Savage, gaining a solid |
| prevent him from using knee kicks or elbow strikes. | | | | victory for Grappling enthusiasts everywhere. The |
| We traversed along the rope. All of a sudden, I | | | | Ultimate Fighting Championship was the catalyst for |
| received a head cracking impact. I experienced a | | | | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the US, but after the initial boom of |
| tremendous ear ringing, and got momentarily | | | | popularity, there would be a whole new world of |
| unconscious. I received a head butt on my left temple. | | | | problems to face. The same entrepreneurial and |
| It was a head butt from a side. I had thought that all | | | | capitalist ideals that made America great would be a |
| the head butts would come from front. I never knew a | | | | hindrance to the authenticity and quality of Brazilian |
| side head butt. 'I cannot lose here. I must win even if I | | | | Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. Carley Gracie (Carlos' |
| may die,' I thought. Driven by this will power, I tried to | | | | son, Carlson's younger brother and Roll's older brother) |
| find a way to fight back. The referee then came in | | | | was the first to bring their Brazilian style of Jiu-Jitsu to |
| between to separate us. We were already covered | | | | the U.S. The idea was born through his training of |
| with blood. The fight was brought back to the center | | | | American Marines in Rio (in the early 1970's) and by |
| of the ring again. Adema threw a right open hand | | | | 1972, he was teaching Jiu-Jitsu in California. Rorion was |
| strike. I caught the arm and attempted Ippon-seoi. It | | | | the next to come, opening his academy in California |
| seemed like I could score a clean throw. However, it | | | | and trade marking the Gracie name. This action would |
| was a miscalculation. We were both heavily covered | | | | lead to a huge problem in the family; Rorian was not |
| with sweat as if a large amount of water had been | | | | allowing any other members of the Gracie family to |
| poured onto our heads. Moreover, he had no jacket on. | | | | use the name, and was also accused by family |
| There was no way such a technique could have | | | | members of distorting the truth about the history of the |
| worked under these conditions. His arm slipped through, | | | | art, since he had claimed his father (Helio) was |
| and my body rotated in the air once forward, and | | | | responsible for the birth of the art.I have found through |
| landed on my back. 'I screwed up!' I shouted in my | | | | the research of this book that everyone has his/her |
| mind, but it was too late. Adema immediately jumped | | | | own story, so it was most logical to go with common |
| at me. If he got on my chest, he could freely strike my | | | | denominators to find the truth. Carley would later |
| eyes, nose, and chest with his elbows."I caught him in a | | | | challenge Rorion to fight, as they had done when they |
| body scissors. I squeezed his body with full force | | | | were younger (Carley claims to have defeated Rorion |
| hoping to sever his intestine. Adema crumbled | | | | previously a total of eight times), but Rorion preferred |
| momentarily, but did not surrender. Since the body | | | | to battle it out in court. This was the second major split |
| scissors did not finish him, I realized that I was in a | | | | in the Gracie family after the first split between |
| disadvantageous position. When I lifted my head, | | | | Carlson and Helio, but it would be the first of many to |
| hundreds of stars flew out of my eyes. I took a | | | | happen in the United States. Rickson came to teach |
| straight punch between my nose and my eyes. It was | | | | as well, along with the Machado Brothers (who are |
| an accurate intense punch. The back of my head got | | | | related to the Gracie family as cousins), both |
| slammed onto the mat."Moreover, an intense head butt | | | | eventually separated from Rorion due to some sort of |
| attacked my abdomen. It felt like my organs would be | | | | business differences. Actually, it was Rickson |
| torn into pieces. Once, twice, I hardened my abdominal | | | | (considered by many to be the champion of the |
| muscles to withstand the impact, and waited for the | | | | family) who felt he should be the first Ultimate Fighting |
| 3rd attack. At the moment the 3rd head butt came, | | | | Champion, but Rorion was in control of the early UFC's |
| my right fist accurately caught Adema's face by | | | | and decided it would be Royce who would make the |
| counter. It landed between his nose and eyes. Blood | | | | point to the American public, and the rest is recent |
| splattered. I had also already been heavily covered | | | | history.For More Information on this Subject, visit Simco |
| with blood. The blood interfered with my vision. 'Kill him, | | | | is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt and author of several |
| kill him!' the devil in my mind screamed. Adema | | | | books on the subject. |