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