Rickson Gracie

MMAstatsbox|name=Rickson Gracie
nick=
height=height|ft=5|in=10
weight=convert|185|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
birthdate=birth date and age|year=1958|month=11|day=20
fightingfrom=Brazil
hometown=Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
fightstyle=Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
wins=11cite web
url=http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=292
title=Fight Finder: Rickson Gracie
year=2007
accessdate=2007-07-02
publisher=Sherdog]
losses=0
submissions=11|

Rickson Gracie (pronounced "Hickson", IPA2|hɪksn ɡɹeɪsi; born November 20, 1958) is a Brazilian martial artist and professional mixed martial artist who holds a 8th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. [ [http://www.rickson.com/history/rickson.htm Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu ] ] He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion Gracie and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Royce and Royler Gracie. [cite web
url=http://www.550media.com/igjjf/familytree.html
title=Gracie Family Tree
publisher=International Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Federation Family Tree
accessdate=2006-04-08] He was the winner of the Vale Tudo Japan tournament in 1994 and 1995. [cite web
url=http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&eventid=73
title=Fight Finder: Vale Tudo Japan 1994
year=2007
accessdate=2006-04-08
publisher=Sherdog] [cite web
url=http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&eventid=71
title=Fight Finder: Vale Tudo Japan 1995
year=2007
accessdate=2006-04-08
publisher=Sherdog]

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Paulo Filho, former PRIDE middleweight fighter and current 185 lb World Extreme Cagefighting champion, [cite web
url=http://www.lvrj.com/sports/8930432.html
title= WORLD EXTREME CAGEFIGHTING: Brazilian pounds out win Middleweight Filho earns title
year=2007
accessdate=2007-08-06
publisher=Review Journal] states that Rickson's skills at Jiu-Jitsu are unparalleled. In Gracie Magazine, Filho says "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 these last days.” [cite web
url=http://www.graciemag.com/?c=145&a=4184
title= Rickson Awes Paulo Filho
year=2006
accessdate=2007-08-06
publisher=Gracie Mag]

2008 return

In an exclusive interview with Sherdog's Denis Martins, Rickson Gracie confirmed he was looking to return to the ring. "Possibly something in the beginning of next year, I hope," said Gracie, "if the price is right, I go for the competition." Rickson Gracie has not commented on a return to fighting since the aforementioned interview, but has been active in the competition of his son, Kron Gracie. [cite web
url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=9850
title= Rickson Gracie "Hopes" for 2008 Return
year=2008
accessdate=2007-11-08
publisher=Sherdog]

Fighting record

In addition to Rickson Gracie's record in professional mixed martial arts of 11-0, his [http://www.gracieacademy.com/rickson_gracie.html Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy website profile] claims that:
*He is nearly undefeated with a combined record of over 400 victories in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and freestyle wrestling, Sambo, and no holds barred challenge matches.
*He is a two-time Brazilian Champion in freestyle wrestling.
*He is a Gold Medal Winner in Sambo.
*He trained his younger brother, Royce Gracie, for his first four fights in the UFC.
*He has been the middle-heavyweight and open weight division World Jiu-Jitsu Champion for almost two decades. [cite web
url=http://www.gracieacademy.com/rickson_gracie.html
title=About Rickson Gracie
publisher=Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
accessdate=2006-04-08]

Rickson has at least one loss — from the 1993 U.S. Sambo Championships in Norman, Oklahoma, where he was defeated by American Ron Tripp by Total Victory via uchi-mata in 45 seconds. Rickson disputed this loss, claiming he was misinformed of the rules of the event. [cite web
url=http://www.onthemat.com/articles/Rickson_Gracie_Freefight_interview_10_13_2005.html
title=Rickson Gracie interview: part one
format=Reprint
publisher=FreeFight magazine
date=December 12, 2005
accessdate=2007-07-02] [cite web
title=Rickson Gracie interview: part two
url=http://www.onthemat.com/articles/Rickson_Gracie_interview_2_10_13_2005.html
format=Reprint
publisher=FreeFight magazine
date=December 12, 2005
accessdate=2007-07-02]

Controversy

Rickson has raised the ire of some in the MMA community by criticizing the abilities of current top fighters, claiming that he could still beat them easily today. In a recent interview with "Tokyo Sports", Rickson argued that Fedor Emelianenko is a great athlete, but possesses "so-so" technical ability, and that he (Rickson) is "100% sure" that he would defeat him. [
Wrestling Observer Newsletter,May 12, 2008] Previous comments of this sort that Rickson made about Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira prompted Wanderlei Silva to say that Rickson is "living in a fantasy world." [cite web
url=http://www.onzuka.com/news_2005Aug2.html
title=Vanderlei Speaks
format=Reprint
publisher=Fight Sport
date=August 2, 2005
accessdate=2008-05-12]

Mixed martial arts record

MMArecordbox
wins=11
sub-wins=11

Film Roles

Released by Manga Entertainment in 1999, [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251637/ Choke] , a 98 minute documentary by filmmaker [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0329218/ Robert Goodman] follows Rickson Gracie and 2 other fighters as they prepare and fight in Tokyo's Vale Tudo 1995, an early MMA event. "Choke" has been distributed in 23 countries.

Rickson Gracie also has a small role in "The Incredible Hulk" as Bruce Banner's martial arts instructor. He teaches Banner certain throws as well as breathing techniques designed to calm his anger. Curiously, his character is credited as an Aikido instructor, despite his Jiu-Jitsu background.

References

External links

* [http://www.rickson.com Official website]
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