The History of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu - Pt. 3

The Gracies face oppositionThe Gracie's were notvision. 'Kill him, kill him!' the devil in my mind
the only ones doing Jiu-Jitsu in the world duringscreamed. Adema wobbled, and stepped back,
the 1900's, and certainly not the only one's doingand tried to run with the ropes on his back. I
Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, they were just the most popular.chased him throwing kicks and open hand strikes.
Early members of the Gracie family in Brazil wereHe returned head butts and elbow strikes. But,
political figures and very involved in theneither of us was able to deliver a decisive strike.
community where they lived. Among Helio's firstMaybe we were both exhausted, or maybe the
students were Governor of Rio, Carlos Lacerda,blood in our eyes prevented us from aiming
and President, Joao Figueiredo. There were manyclearly at the target. After all, the 40 minutes ran
Japanese immigrants practicing Judo and Jiu-Jitsu inout, and the match ended in a draw. It was my
Brazil and a new form of "free fighting" was alsofirst Vale Tudo experience. That night, my face
developing in Brazil at this time. The Brazilianswas badly swollen. I had a number of cuts on my
developed a system of fighting called Luta Livreface. Every time I breathed, an excruciating pain
(Free Fight), and if you ask a Gracie, they mightran through my belly, and I could not sleep. I
tell you that Luta Livre is from Jiu-Jitsu, if you askreceived an injection from a doctor, and cooled
a Luta Livre practitioner, he might tell youmy belly with a cold towel all night. However, I
something different. There is a large rivalrylearned a very important lesson in this fight. That
between the two styles, but the truth of theis, one must never fear death. If I had not had
matter is that the styles are very similar. I heardthe iron will to fight despite the possibility of
from a few sources that Luta Livre wasgetting killed, his head butts would have torn my
developed from Wrestling and Judo in Brazil. Lutaintestine into pieces." - (From My Judo, by
Livre is practiced without the gi or kimono. While IMasahiko Kimura , 1985)Carlson Gracie Comments
was in Brazil, I passed down a street in Bahiaon his fights with Valdemar Santana:
(which is where Capoeira also comes from)"Valdemar was a student of the family for
named after one of the great Vale Tudotwelve or thirteen years. He fought more than 20
(meaning "anything goes") fighters of the midtimes for our academy. What happened was, he
1900's named Valdimar Santana, who washad a disagreement with Helio Gracie, and they
responsible for one of Helio Gracie's only defeats.decided to fight Vale-Tudo, and Valdemar won. In
I've heard some Brazilians call him a Luta Livrefact, I was a friend of his, and told him: "look
fighter, others say he was a Judoka, and theValdemar, we are friends, but now I can't let it
Gracies say he was a Jiu-Jitsu player. Duringpass, you beat Helio, now your going to have to
Valdimar's fight with Helio Gracie, after over anfight me. I have nothing against you, but in the
hour, Helio's corner was forced to throw in thering, I'm going to beat the shit out of you!" And I
towel. I've read that Valdimar Santana was onedid. I fought against him six times. I won four
of Helio's students, but have heard different astimes, and two were a draw. He was tough shit.
well. Carlson Gracie would later avenge Helio'sIf it were today, he would be one of the best
defeat by defeating Valdimar Santana in a Nofighters". (From O'Tatame magazine (Brazil)
Rules fight. The other famous victory over theTranslated by Tatiana Andres, 1997)Besides
Gracie family in the early part of the art'sHelio's defeats (where it is interesting to note that
development occurred in 1951. After defeating ahe did not actually submit to either opponent) the
famous Judo player named Kato, Helio issued aGracies remained undefeated for the most part in
challenge to another Japanese fighter namedVale Tudo (no holds bared) matches, until another
Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi was concerned aboutJapanese fighter would give them some trouble.
taking the fight because he felt Helio would beAfter the popularity of the Ultimate Fighting
hard to submit. A friend of Yamaguchi namedChampionship in the United States, Japan started
Masahiko Kimura (5'6" 185 Lbs.) stepped up toto host a series of Vale Tudo tournaments, one
face Helio in his place. The fight between Helio andfighter in particular started grabbing everyone's
Kimura resulted in a win for Kimura by TKO afterattention, and his name was Kazushi Sakuraba.
Helio's side threw in the towel. Kimura appliedSakuraba was not the biggest fighter on the
udegarami (a shoulder lock now called the Kimura),scene, but he was creative and experienced.
an arm lock to Helio's left arm, breaking it. HelioSakuraba represented the sport of Japanese
was commended for not giving up, but stillWrestling, which is very different from American
suffered a defeat, nonetheless.wrestling in many ways, the biggest difference
An interesting event occurred later in the 1950'sbeing that Japanese wrestlers have an outstanding
when Kimura ended up facing Valdimar Santana inknowledge of submission holds. The Wrestling
a No Holds Barred Match. He describes the namestyle that Sakuraba practiced looked almost
of the fighter as Adema, but I assume that this isexactly like Jiu-Jitsu, and during my research for
a spelling mistake made in the translation due tothis book, I've stumbled across more than one
the description being identical to Valdimar rightarticle that states Sakuraba had trained Jiu-Jitsu
down to the place he resided. Kimura describesquite extensively. Sakuraba had been winning no
the match in this excerpt taken from hisholds barred matches against some formidable
biography "My Judo". I debated for a while aboutopponents in Japan, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black
whether to include this, but it was so interesting,Belt Conan Silvera, whom he beat with a Juji
hard to find in print, and so historically significantGatame, or in Portuguese, Chave Braco, a
that I had to share it with you. This excerpt reallystandard move in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It wasn't long
gives a lot of insight as to what was happening inbefore Sakuraba and the Japanese press set their
Brazil during this time period, and gives an ideasights on the Gracie family. Sakuraba's first
about how far ahead of the U.S. and Japan thatvictory over a Gracie family member was over
Brazil was in Mixed Martial Arts fighting. The nextRoyler. Sakuraba outweighed Royler by at least
two and three-quarter pages are taken directlyforty pounds. The fight ended in a very
from Kimura's book, My Judo."My opponentcontroversial referee stoppage, over which Royler
Adema (Valdimar) Santana was a 25 year oldappeared to be very upset about. The second
black man, and was a boxing heavy weightwas to Royce; this fight lasted about an hour and
champion. He was 4th dan in judo, and a capoeirathirty minutes until Royce's corner threw in the
champion as well. He was 183cm had a welltowel. To Royce's credit, Sakuraba was not able
proportioned impressive physique. His weight wasto submit him and Royce fought very well. The
close to 100kg. Bahia, where the match tookthird was to Renzo Gracie. Renzo was fighting
place, is a port city where black slaves werevery well until Sakuraba applied the same lock he
unloaded. The slaves were forbidden to carry aused to defeat Royler; the lock was applied
weapon. As a result, many martial arts werestanding and when the two fell to the floor, the
developed by them, I heard. Vale Tudo is one offall broke Renzo's arm. Once again, the Gracie
such martial arts. In the south of Sao Paulo, profamily member did not submit, and the referee
wrestling is popular. But the farther one goes tostopped the fight. The fourth was to Ryan Gracie
the north, the more popular Vale Tudo becomes.who lost the fight after suffering an injury to his
Helio Gracie, whom I had previously fought, wasshoulder and after time expired by judge's
the champion in Vale Tudo. But Adema Santanadecision. I have researched a couple of sources
challenged him the previous year (Note: 1957), andthat claim a famed BJJ black belt named Sergio
after 2 hours and 10 minutes, Helio got kicked inPenha was actually training Sakuraba and that this
the abdomen, could not get up, and got knockedaided him in his victories.
out. Thus, Adema had become the new champion.To the Gracie family's credit, I have not seen
In Vale Tudo, no foul is allowed. 1 foul results in anmembers of the Gracie family 'lose' very often.
immediate disqualification. No shoes are allowed.There are incidences in sport Jiu-Jitsu where a
When the fighters are separated, they are notGracie family member will lose to another Brazilian
allowed to strike with a fist, and they have to useJiu-Jitsu player, but that is Jiu-Jitsu losing to
open hand strikes. But once they get in contactJiu-Jitsu. Dan Henderson's victory over Renzo
with each other, every type of strike is allowedGracie is one of the few I can recall where
but groin strikes. All types of throws and jointanyone outside of the sport of Jiu-Jitsu or the art
locks are legal. The winner is decided when one ofof Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu defeated a Gracie family
the fighters is KO'd or surrenders. Biting and hairmember.Jiu-Jitsu has now developed beyond the
pulling were illegal. Since bare-knuckle punches areGracie family and with all appropriate respect and
traded, taking direct 2 or 3 hits in the eye meansthanks to them, it moves forward and
the end of the fight. I was told there have beenprogresses through the teachings of instructors
many cases in which a fighter got hit in the eyefrom all parts of the world. It wasn't until this
with an elbow, and the eyeball popped out fromhappened that people from outside the art of
the socket by half, and got carried to the hospitalJiu-Jitsu started claiming victories over Gracie
by an ambulance. Therefore, there were always 2family members. By introducing the Brazilian style
ambulances at the entrance of the arena."I haveof Jiu-Jitsu to North America, the Gracie family
no choice. I will fight." I said. Then, the promoteropened the door to great financial rewards and
grinned, took out a form and told me to sign it.the problems that would come with
Yano translated the content, which said, "Even if Isuccess.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was introduced to the
die in this match, it is what I intended, and will notUnited States in the 1970's, but was not made
make anyone accountable for my death." Ipopular until 1993, when Royce Gracie defeated
nodded, and signed the form. On my way to theopponents from other martial arts in a contest
ring, someone raised his arm and waved at me. Itcalled the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This
was Helio Gracie, whom I had not seen fortype of fighting was known in Brazil as Vale Tudo
several years. Helio was at the radio broadcast(anything goes) and would later become known as
seat. He was the commentator of the match.NHB (No Holds Barred) here in the United States.
The gong rang. Adema and I circled the ring first.The effectiveness of the art form over so many
I lightly extended my fingers in a half-bodyothers made Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu known to the
posture, and prepared for his kicks. Adema, alsomartial arts community and the world. This was
in a half-body posture, had tucked his chin,America's first look at Mixed Martial Arts fighting.
tightened his underarms, as he would do in aUnlike many other martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
boxing match. Once in a while, he delivered highgained its reputation and popularity through
kicks to my face."I blocked the kicks with myeffective fighting, not Hollywood movies.In
hands, and returned a kick with my right leg.November of 1993, a large number of Americans
Adema started to deliver right and leftwould get their first look at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ... it
roundhouse kicks. I stepped back and dodgedwasn't pretty. For years in the United States, the
them, but suddenly, I received a fire-like impactMartial Arts community had been plagued by the
on my face. It was an open hand strike. I hadmystique and misconception created by
overlooked his hand motion, paying too muchHollywood. I can remember getting into street
attention to his kicks. When I got hit in thefights as a kid and having my opponent say "OK,
temple, and the core of my head became a blur,no Kung fu stuff!" thinking that if the other guy
left and right roundhouse kicks came. When Iknew Kung fu, something terribly deadly would
blocked his right kick with my left hand, ahappen. This couldn't be farther from the truth,
tremendous pain ran through from the tip of theand in 1993 we would all find that out. To make a
little finger to the back of the hand. I had jammedlong and over-told story short, Royce Grace, a
the finger. I traded kicks with him. The entirethin Brazilian, was pitted against champions of
audiences were standing with excitement. Even inKung Fu, Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling and
this situation, I was able to think clearly. While Ia variety of other Martial arts in a contest called
was thinking 'Adema is one level higher than Ithe Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unlike the
both in kicks and open hand strikes. In order toAmerican No Holes Barred contests of today,
win, I must take the fight to the ground,' anotherRoyce had to fight up to 4 times in each
fast kick flew at my abdomen."I struck the kicktournament. There were no weight classes and
down with left knife hand, and jumped in toRoyce was usually the lightest, sometimes being
deliver a head butt on his abdomen with aoutweighed by 80 lbs. or more. There were very
momentum that could penetrate through his body.few rules: no eye gouging, no biting, and no time
This must have had an effect on him. He coveredlimits. Although this would be The United State's
his abdomen, and stepped back while wobbling. Ifirst look at Brazilian Jiu-jitsu vs. other styles of
wanted to get close to him, throw him, get onMartial Arts, it was not the first time a ground
top of him, and use Newaza. If I succeed in this, Ifighting style would have the opportunity to show
could use elbow strikes and head butts. Ademathe superiority of Grappling vs. Striking alone.In
recovered from the damage, and delivered a kick1963, Gene Labell (a Judo player) faced a
to my face again. I ducked the kick, and jumpedchampion Boxer named Milo Savage, gaining a
in for a clinch. I got in a tight clinch to prevent himsolid victory for Grappling enthusiasts everywhere.
from using knee kicks or elbow strikes. WeThe Ultimate Fighting Championship was the
traversed along the rope. All of a sudden, Icatalyst for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the US, but after
received a head cracking impact. I experienced athe initial boom of popularity, there would be a
tremendous ear ringing, and got momentarilywhole new world of problems to face. The same
unconscious. I received a head butt on my leftentrepreneurial and capitalist ideals that made
temple. It was a head butt from a side. I hadAmerica great would be a hindrance to the
thought that all the head butts would come fromauthenticity and quality of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the
front. I never knew a side head butt. 'I cannotUnited States. Carley Gracie (Carlos' son, Carlson's
lose here. I must win even if I may die,' I thought.younger brother and Roll's older brother) was the
Driven by this will power, I tried to find a way tofirst to bring their Brazilian style of Jiu-Jitsu to the
fight back. The referee then came in between toU.S. The idea was born through his training of
separate us. We were already covered with blood.American Marines in Rio (in the early 1970's) and
The fight was brought back to the center of theby 1972, he was teaching Jiu-Jitsu in California.
ring again. Adema threw a right open hand strike.Rorion was the next to come, opening his
I caught the arm and attempted Ippon-seoi. Itacademy in California and trade marking the
seemed like I could score a clean throw.Gracie name. This action would lead to a huge
However, it was a miscalculation. We were bothproblem in the family; Rorian was not allowing any
heavily covered with sweat as if a large amountother members of the Gracie family to use the
of water had been poured onto our heads.name, and was also accused by family members
Moreover, he had no jacket on. There was noof distorting the truth about the history of the
way such a technique could have worked underart, since he had claimed his father (Helio) was
these conditions. His arm slipped through, and myresponsible for the birth of the art.I have found
body rotated in the air once forward, and landedthrough the research of this book that everyone
on my back. 'I screwed up!' I shouted in my mind,has his/her own story, so it was most logical to
but it was too late. Adema immediately jumpedgo with common denominators to find the truth.
at me. If he got on my chest, he could freelyCarley would later challenge Rorion to fight, as
strike my eyes, nose, and chest with his elbows."Ithey had done when they were younger (Carley
caught him in a body scissors. I squeezed hisclaims to have defeated Rorion previously a total
body with full force hoping to sever his intestine.of eight times), but Rorion preferred to battle it
Adema crumbled momentarily, but did notout in court. This was the second major split in
surrender. Since the body scissors did not finishthe Gracie family after the first split between
him, I realized that I was in a disadvantageousCarlson and Helio, but it would be the first of
position. When I lifted my head, hundreds of starsmany to happen in the United States. Rickson
flew out of my eyes. I took a straight punchcame to teach as well, along with the Machado
between my nose and my eyes. It was anBrothers (who are related to the Gracie family as
accurate intense punch. The back of my head gotcousins), both eventually separated from Rorion
slammed onto the mat."Moreover, an intensedue to some sort of business differences.
head butt attacked my abdomen. It felt like myActually, it was Rickson (considered by many to
organs would be torn into pieces. Once, twice, Ibe the champion of the family) who felt he should
hardened my abdominal muscles to withstand thebe the first Ultimate Fighting Champion, but Rorion
impact, and waited for the 3rd attack. At thewas in control of the early UFC's and decided it
moment the 3rd head butt came, my right fistwould be Royce who would make the point to
accurately caught Adema's face by counter. Itthe American public, and the rest is recent
landed between his nose and eyes. Bloodhistory.For More Information on this Subject, visit
splattered. I had also already been heavilySimco is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt and author
covered with blood. The blood interfered with myof several books on the subject.