- Gracie challenge
The Gracie challenge refers to a challenge issued by some members of the
Gracie family to have anyone come and fight them in aVale Tudo style match.History
It was first issued by
Carlos Gracie in the 1920s to promote and develop the Gracie's style ofBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu , and as an attempt to show that it was superior to other styles ofmartial arts . The matches typically featured a smaller Gracie versus a larger and/or more athletic looking opponent, and became increasingly popular. Carlos and later his brotherHélio Gracie and both of these men's sons defeatedmartial art ists of many different styles such asboxing ,judo ,karate , andwrestling , while experiencing few losses. [Martial Arts Masters; Paman, Jose. [http://www.gracie.com/pubs/riostory2.html The Rio Story] . "www.gracie.com". URL last accessedOctober 9 2007 .] [ Walter, Donald. [http://www.grapplearts.com/Mixed-Martial-Arts-1.htm Mixed Martial Arts: Ultimate Sport, or Ultimately Illegal?] . "www.grapplearts.com". URL last accessedFebruary 25 2006 .]The Gracie challenge entered American martial arts
mythos whenRorion Gracie came to the United States to teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gracie upheld the family's tradition and regularly took challenge matches at his facility. A common myth was that Gracie backed-up his challenges with a $100,000 guarantee, that he would pay the winner $100,000 should he lose. The misconception stemmed from a proposed challenge match with Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, where both Gracie and Urquidez would bet $100,000 on the outcome of the match. However, that match never occurred. [Gentry, Clyde. "No Holds Barred: Ultimate Fighting and the Martial Arts Revolution". Milo Books, 2003. ISBN 1-903854-30-X.]ee also
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Mixed martial arts
*Ultimate Fighting Championship Footnotes
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