Recently, Jean-Claude Van Damme visited a Gym of Cody Garbrandt, the former UFC Bantamweight Champion, to show him and his team mates few kicks. But Jean-Claude Van Damme accidentally kicked Cody in his Face and Cody went Crazy.
Here is a part of What Cody Garbrandt said in a Mike Swick’s Podcast about his meeting of Jean-Claude Van Damme.
“He started throwing kicks on Chris and threw this f*cking fast kick, like he came up and…I don’t know what it’s called. It’s the one he always does. He brings his foot up real quick then brings it down; a hook kind of. Chris is there like ‘Oh, shit! I better keep my guard up’ and I was like ‘Damn, he threw that at Chris’ head. Fast, without any warning.’ He saw that then he started messing with him, toe-stabbing him. He toe-stabbed Chris like two or three times where Chris was like, in pain and I’m shaking my head,” Garbrandt said.”
“There’s one of me in the video shaking my head like ‘Oh shit, I’m glad he’s not doing that to me.’ Finally he was like ‘I want to show you this kick.’ It was kind of a variation on the teep and you twist it at the end. So I do it like three or four times on him. I put it down and then got in this fight stance and I saw in his eyes like ‘You wanna go?’ And I was back against the cage. So he started playing with me, acting like he was going to throw some kicks, and he started throwing hands like slapping at me.”
“I was like ‘What the hell?’ Then he f*cking kicked me with that hook kick right in the teeth and I was like ‘motherf*cker.’ I was pissed, I was so mad. I looked over at Rob, then I looked over at Jean and I was like ‘Rob, keep this motherf*cker away from me.’ He kicked me in my teeth, dude. He kicked me in my teeth just playing around. Like how many times have we punched at each other and we can pull our punches? This dude just straight kicked me in my teeth. I’m not going to lie, he has some fast ass kicks, but I was demonstrating the kick he showed me to get it right. Then I put my foot down and he kicked me right in the teeth. I went black.”
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a contact sport. As with all other contact sports, especially martial arts, protection must be paramount in both training and competition. Even though BJJ is not a sport where strikes are exchanged regularly, accidents still happen. So, protecting our most vulnerable body parts like upper and lower teeth with mouthguards has to be a priority. You might not like it, but wearing a BJJ mouthguard simply must be a part of your everyday training.
Why Mouth Guards In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
The “trouble” with grappling martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that every part of our body falls under the “vulnerable” category. Well, maybe not vulnerable but susceptible at the very least.
In that sense, different supportive gear products are available for different body parts. However, the one thing each of us needs is a good, durable, and comfortable mouthpiece. Hence, we made it our task to go through all the available options and pinpoint the Best BJJ Mouthguard options that you can get in 2024!
Training BJJ regularly for more than a year results in two certain things. One is that you’ll see huge technical and tactical progress since your first class. the second is that you’ll need some piece of protective gear. It may be as subtle as finger tape or as crucial as an injury-specific knee or elbow brace. However, if there’s one piece of gear that everyone needs, it’s a mouthguard.
Protecting the teeth and gums is both very important and very easy, once you know what the best mouthguard for BJJ and grappling sports is. Unlike other pieces of supportive gear, mouthguards are there to prevent injuries instead of helping you get through them. This makes selecting a really good one a very important step, especially if you are a competitor.
As usual, before jumping into the business of outlining why certain products fit the best BJJ mouthguard standards, we first have to set some standards. And, to do that, we have to understand what it is we are looking for in a good mouthguard. It is pretty similar to BJJ in that sense.
The Anatomy Of A Reliable BJJ Mouth Guard
A mouthguard is a piece of protective gear that’s flexible and depending on the type, able for custom fitting. Its main area of protection is the teeth, but it also helps protect certain parts of the gums. There are two types of mouthguards related to the area of protection.
Upper teeth or gum protection mouth guards are ones we usually use and see in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu People prefer these because it’s much easier to breathe, and when you close your mouth your lower teeth are pretty well protected too
Double teeth protection mouth guards offer complete and extra protection of your teeth. The main problem with this type is that there’s usually some space missing for full breathing when you’re tired or exhausted.
Three Types Of Mouth Guards
There are three types of mouth guards for contact sports, and so for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Stock mouth guards are ready-made and performed, making them quick and easy to put on. Made of rubber and coming in just one shape, often very uncomfortable to wear. They’re reasonably priced and available at most sporting goods shops as well as department stores. However, little may be done to alter their fit, as they are large, make breathing and talking difficult, and provide minimal or no protection. They are not advised by dentists.
Boil and bite mouth guards, which may be found in sporting goods stores, might be a more comfortable fit than standard mouth guards. They’re made from a thermoplastic material (EVA) and need some molding in order to get a good fit. They’re quite easy to use though and offer solid protection. To soften it, it is immersed in boiling water. It’s then molded around the teeth with finger and tongue pressure for better adjustments.
Custom mouthguards are made in a dental practice or a laboratory that specializes in dentistry. The first step is to take an impression of your teeth and create a custom mouth guard from a unique material. Due to the unique material and additional time and labor, this bespoke mouthguard is more expensive than other types. But it provides the most comfort, and great impact protection, and is specifically designed to fit properly. If you’re looking for the best mouthguards, a custom-fitted mouthguard should be your first choice. Getting a dental warranty for this type of sports equipment is mandatory.
Finally, there’s the aspect of innovative materials for mouthguards. Today, there are BJJ mouthguards made from an acrylic material that also features gel filling for more protection.
What To Look For In A BJJ Mouthguard
In case you are wondering if you should wear a mouthguard during training and competition the answer is yes. It doesn’t matter if you feel uncomfortable with it, everyone needs to wear one. That said, in training, there’s no need to wear it constantly. Just put it while you’re rolling and you’ll be more than fine. In the case of braces or other orthodontic gear, you’ll have to have one a tall times, with no exceptions.
So, when you’re looking to get yourself a mouthguard, make sure you’re aware of the following characteristics. First of all, you need to be able to breathe and speak with it. This implies a certain level of comfort that’s absolutely necessary when you engage in a complicated contact sport like BJJ.
Next up, fitting. If your mouthguard doesn’t cover everything in a smooth and fixed manner, it’s not a good choice. It needs to stay in place even during the fastest movements. It also needs to last longer and be easy to maintain and clean. Of course, the material must not allow your mouthguard to deform or tear easily. Finally, it has to be tasteless and odor-resistant.
Below, you’ll see a selection of mouthguards that fill all these criteria as you’re searching for the best BJJ mouthguard for yourself.
The Best BJJ Mouthguard Options Of 2024
Without further ado, let’s go straight into our selection. We spent considerable time sifting through what’s good and have tried the products ourselves. Below is the list of mouthguards that are going to keep your teeth safely in place in 2024, whether you just like to roll or are a fierce competitor as well. As far as we’re concerned, all of these options fit the best criteria for it!
First up, one of my personal favorites. I am not a big fan of Venum’s Gi range, or shorts, for that matter, but this is a masterpiece. The Venum “Challenger” mouthguard is by far the best BJJ mouthguard you can get in 2024. It ticks all the boxes before you even check. One of the main caveats of this mouthguard is its size. This mouthguard is probably the smallest one you’ll see on offer. That, however, does not mean it is going to lack protection or fit unsatisfactory. On the contrary.
The modern design provides you with unrestricted airflow while offering maximum protection. Inside, it has a gel frame that ensures you can fit it to fit your jaw to perfection. Another great benefit is that it is incredibly comfortable.
In fact, this is the most comfortable mouthguard I’ve ever worn. It has double layers for increased protection, is very soft and flexible, and is one of the most durable mouthguard options out there.
The SISU 1.6 Aero Guard is considered by many to be the best mouthguard of all time. Or at least until SISU comes up with a better version. As far as dental protection goes, this is definitely one of the top options you can use in any sport, not just BJJ. In terms of size, this mouthguard might seem too thin to be effective.
This is not true. Although it is up to 50% thinner than your regular mouthguard, it actually offers more protection than most other related products. Because of this, it fits perfectly providing complete protection against all kinds of trauma.
This mouthguard’s main attraction is how it fits. You can custom fit it so well, that you’ll have no trouble talking and even drinking with the mouthpiece on. This means that you’re breathing is completely unaffected as well. Hygiene is a non-issue and it is going to last at least as long as all the other products on this list.
In the Shock Doctor category, there are actually two best BJJ mouthguard contenders. Shock Doctor’s products were the first I used when I started training BJJ. The first one is the Shock Doctor Pro, a mouthguard that’ll satisfy even the pickiest of grapplers. First of all, it works for both adults and children.
Another lightweight, double-layered mouthguard, offers complete protection of the oral cavity. Actually, this one even has additional features, like a bumper that absorbs force, and even pads for your jaw. This feature means your entire mouth is protected from all sides.
The Shock Doctor Gel Max mouthguard is another one of their products that we can’t skip over. As far as I know, they were among the first to feature gel technology. Their gel-fit system makes sure you’ll never have to bite down on your mouthguard. Instead, it clings to your teeth effortlessly once you custom-fit it.
An original feature is the so-called Exoskeletal frame, which is essentially a heavy-duty rubber frame for maximal protection. Plus, you can boil and bite them, and reshape them as many times as needed to achieve the perfect fit!
The Sanabul mouthguard is a bite-and-boil mouthguard that offers a lot of benefits for grapplers. One of its main characteristics is airflow technology. This mouthguard has one unfair advantage over all others – you can barely feel that it is there. One reason for that is that it allows you to trim away unnecessary parts after you boil and mold them.
The Sanabul is also one of the easiest mouthguards to clean and maintain. You won’t need any extra time or effort to keep it fresh and hand-ready for your next roll. On top of everything, it is the cheapest piece of protective gear on our best BJJ mouthguard list. While the material is not as thin as with some of the previous products on this list, not feeling its presence more than makes up for it.
If you thought Under Armor was only good for making rashguards, you’re mistaken. Their ArmourFit mouthguard happens to be one of the top pieces of protective dental gear you can find on the market. A lot of work has gone into making this mouthguard fit your jaw perfectly so that it doesn’t bother you when you train. The end result is a complete success – a dentist-like fit. Another cool feature of the ArmourFit is that it is a chew-resistant mouthguard.
Similar to the Venum and SASU mouthguards, the ArmorFit is incredibly thin yet durable, It is optimized to ensure airflow is uninterrupted even when you’re dead tired. It is a mouthguard that’s easy to mold and even stands for multiple remoldings if needed. It also comes in 10 different colors and a simple yet attractive design.
The ProDefenda mouthguard might not be something you’re as aware of as perhaps Venum or Under Armor. This is completely understandable as they’re not a big BJJ company. What they do, though, is make a mean mouthguard. It comes in a simple design and only two main colors – black and white. however, what it “lacks” in design it more than improves upon in effect. This is a fairly thick mouthguard, meaning protection is more than guaranteed.
What makes the ProDefenda the best BJJ mouthguard contender, in addition to incredible protection, is its airflow technology. It has a built-in airflow device at the back, allowing for air to circulate continuously and freely. This is one mouthguard you need to consider if you’re an active competitor as you’ll hardly get better protection than this. And yeah, it’ll do its job even if you’re into Combat Jiu-Jitsu.,
Last but not least, we have the Impact Custom Mouthguard. The impact is a mouthguard that, if nothing else, endured the test of time. And it did it with an impeccable record. One unique characteristic is that you can actually choose the thickness you want. So far, their range goes from 5 mm to 7 mm.
This mouthguard is made out of BPA-free plastic and is one of the tightest-fitting products in this category. It is also a boil-and-bite mouthguard, yet with a different flair. the first time you order an Impact Custom Mouthguard, you won’t receive one. All you’ll get is mold, that you need to use on your mouth and then return to the company. then, they’ll make a custom-fit mouthguard from scratch that’s only going to fit you.
Benefits Of Wearing A Mouthguard For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The most obvious reasons for including a BJJ mouthguard in your daily Jiu-Jitsu training are protection against chipped teeth, roots, and bone damage. What people usually fail to grasp is that a mouthguard also protects the soft tissues of your mouth, which include the lips, tongue, and cheeks. The protection here is against your own teeth, which are not going to be able to bump into soft tissues causing tears and wounds.
There’s also very serious protection against serious injuries, the likes of jaw fractures, concussions, potential neck injuries and even bleeding inside the brain. This is done via the prevention of direct violent contact between the upper and lower jaw. In that sense, it can be a lifesaver, which is a great reason why nothing but the very best BJJ mouthguard should be an option you’re considering.
There’s also a not-so-obvious reason why you need mouthguards when you train BJJ. Having something jammed inside your mouth means that you need to be able to breathe correctly. This ensures that you have sufficient conditioning and the calmness of nerves to keep your breathing patterns in line. A good tip is to wear your mouthguard while you’re training to condition so that you can get used to it.
Can I wear Mouth mouthguard if I wear braces?
Yes, indeed, because braces or other fixed appliances might be damaged by a facial injury. A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially vital for individuals who wear braces or have fixed bridgework.
Your dentist or orthodontist can recommend the best mouth guard to protect your specific type of dental treatment.
Another important note: do not use any dental retainers or other removable appliances while participating in contact sports or engaging in other activities that put your mouth at risk of harm. Although braces, Invisalign trays, and other similar devices are not recommended during sports, some people wear them in the meantime. If you’re wearing Invisalign trays while training BJJ, talk to your dentist about whether or not and how you should do so.
Taking Care Of Your Mouth Guard
Finally, once you actually invest in one of the best BJJ mouthguard options we put as the best, you’ll need to make sure it lasts. One main thing to focus on is hygiene and maintaining its quality in a few simple steps:
Rinse your mouth guard with either cold water, mouth rinse, or clean it with a mild soap
Put your mouthguard in a plastic container to store it
Always protect your mouth guard from high temperatures – hot water, direct sunlight, or any kind of hot surface to maintain its shape
Check your mouth guard from time to time to make sure there are no holes or tears so it doesn’t lose its shape or cause discomfort
You’ll need to clean your mouthguard on a regular basis, which means after each and every time you wear it. Washing it with water and soap in a sink straight after training is one great and easy option. You can then air dry it or use a towel. Remember to keep moisture away when you’re not actually using your mouthguard. If you want more thorough options you can also use a toothbrush to rinse and even dip it in hydrogen peroxide solution for a few minutes from time to time.
Molding Your Mouthguard
On the subject of boiling and molding a brand new mouth guard, most of them have clear directions included in the package. However, the main things to know are boiling water, a container of ice water, and some tongs to avoid burning yourself. Leave the mouthguard in there until it is pliable but not too soft. Use tongs to extract, but be gentle so that you do not leave impressions. After leaving the mouthguard to cool a bit (enough so that you can bite) you can place it in your mouth and mold it. Once you have everything you need, put it in the container with ice water so that it sets.
Most people train MMA like they train any other sport. They go to the gym, train hard for an hour or two, then leave. This is not how professional fighters train in any martial art! If you want to train in MMA like a pro fighter, you will need to dedicate your time and energy outside of the gym as well. In this post, we’ll discuss what it takes to be a professional mixed martial artist and some tips on training like one!
How do Professional MMA fighters train?
MMA fighters train differently than most other athletes in other combat sports. They typically train for about three to four hours per day, six days a week. However, this training is not just in the gym – it’s also outside of the gym! Fighters need to be extremely dedicated and disciplined when it comes to their training.
The reason for this is that MMA consists of many fighting styles. You need to learn grappling for ground fighting, boxing, and Muay Thai for your stand-up fighting and strikes, and wrestling for clinching, takedown defense, and offense.
To train like a professional fighter, you need to have a good understanding of the sport. You also need to be willing to put in the extra work outside of the gym. This includes things like cardio, power, and strength training, as well as practicing your techniques.
If you’re serious about training Mixed Martial Arts like a pro, here are some tips to help you get started:
Join a proper Mixed Martial Arts Gym
Finding a good martial arts gym is mandatory for future martial artists. Martial arts and especially MMA training can be very intense and dangerous, so you want to train in a controlled environment with experienced coaches. A good gym should have an emphasis on proper form, sparring partners that are at your level, strength conditioning equipment/exercises, weight room equipment/exercises for power building (don’t neglect this!), wrestling mats, or a grappling area, and a ring or cage.
Your MMA gym should also be equipped with all kinds of punching bags and a lot of free space for shadow boxing as you’ll spend a lot of time doing it while practicing your punches and elbow strikes.
Your new gym must have coaches for all sports that Mixed Martial Arts consists of. Muay Thai coach, grappling Coach, Boxing coach, and wrestling coach should be involved in your training to become a good all-around MMA athlete.
Also, if you’re serious about training MMA, your best bet is to find a martial arts gym in your area. You won’t lose time traveling to the gym tiring yourself up and you’ll be able to focus on your training. In the case your gym is near you you’ll be able to train more times a day because that’s what professionals do.
Find a good MMA Coach or Instructor to Guide you along the way
Finding a good MMA coach or instructor is also mandatory if you want to train like a professional fighter. A good coach will push you but also be able to guide you safely through the training sessions. They should have years of experience in martial arts and combat sports.
When you’re looking for a coach make sure to look at his previous coaching and students. If you see even one of his students that has big accomplishments in martial arts you know that coach is capable of making you a professional fighter.
A good coach is someone that you can learn a lot from, has your best interest at heart, and will help motivate you to achieve your goals.
Coaches can help with not just your physical development, but mental as well. They can guide you through the mental training and techniques that professional MMA fighters use to help them win their fights!
Choose your Core Combat Sport like Muay Thai, Wrestling, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Mixed martial arts consist of many sports combined into one and It’s hard to be a master of all of them. So, your mixed martial arts training should consist of many sports.
For example, if your goal is to fight as an MMA fighter then you should train in Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Wrestling. This will give you the best chance of success in Mixed Martial Arts.
When you train in MMA, you need to pick one “core” sport that you will focus on and become proficient in. This should be the sport that you train for the most and what you plan on doing in competition.
Taking a core sport will decide your fighting style and game plan. Wrestling can give you a good ground and pound foundation and the ability to choose whether will fight to stay on the feet or go to the ground. Boxing gives you powerful punches and combinations, Muay Thai teaches kicks, knees, and elbows, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will give you the best chance to submit and control someone on the ground.
Most professional athletes have the core sport they came from to MMA. So, if you’re new to Mixed Martial Arts, taking one sport like Wrestling, Muay Thai, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to train outside of your MMA gym and invest more hours in it is the key.
Start Slow and Build Up
Professional MMA fighters don’t just start training hard and sparring from day one. They start slow, with basic techniques and moves, and work their way up to more advanced training. This is something that you should do as well if you want to train MMA like a pro.
Start by learning the different positions, how to do a basic punch or kick, and how to defend yourself. Once you have those down, start adding in more advanced techniques and moves. And finally, when you feel comfortable with all of that, start sparring!
Sparring is one of the most important aspects of MMA training. It allows you to test your skills against someone who is fighting back which is the closest thing to a real fight. Sparring should help you improve your striking, takedowns, and grappling skills. It also helps train your endurance for prolonged fights in an actual MMA match!
When you first start training MMA like a professional fighter, sparring might be scary at first because it’s harder than just practicing techniques by yourself. But with time and practice, sparring will become easier and you’ll be able to hold your own against other fighters!
Eat like a professional MMA fighter
What you put in your body is just as important as how you train. If you want to train MMA like a professional fighter, you’ll need to eat like one.
MMA fighters need to be in top physical condition, and part of that is fueled by a healthy diet. Fighters train and train and they need their bodies to respond quickly.
After a training session, it’s important not just to refuel your body with protein but to also help your muscles recover. Consuming a protein shake with some fast-digesting carbs (like dextrose or maltodextrin) will get nutrients to your muscles quickly for optimal recovery.
Some professional fighters train twice a day and need all the energy they can find! They consume a lot of protein and carbs to fuel their training sessions. You need to train your body so it can perform at the same level as a professional MMA fighter.
Eating like a pro-MMA fighter will not only help your training but will also improve your overall health!
So, you must find a good nutritionist or spend a lot of time studying diet and nutrition.
Train Hard, Rest harder
You have to train hard but train smart. You can train as much as you want but if you don’t rest enough or eat the right foods your body won’t be able to recover and you’ll end up getting sick or injured.
MMA training is very demanding so you must get enough rest. Most professional MMA fighters train for three to five hours a day and then take the rest of their time off focusing on getting better.
You also need to make sure that you train your entire body. MMA is a demanding sport and if one or two muscle groups are lagging behind it could affect how well you perform in a fight.
A good way to train your entire body is by using circuit training. This type of training involves performing several exercises one after the other with little or no rest in between. This will help train your entire body and improve your endurance.
Do MMA Workout
MMA workouts should train your entire body and train different elements like strength, power, endurance, flexibility, and of course technique. Your whole body needs to be prepared for intense training sessions.
For a good MMA workout training hard is not enough you need to train smart too! You can’t expect results if you train for hours every day with no plan or guidance. A professional trainer will help develop an individualized routine tailored specifically for your goals, abilities, and needs.
Strength and conditioning training is an important part of MMA training. You train your body to become strong, powerful, and able to endure training sessions.
In MMA training, it is important to train your entire body and focus on developing a strong core. MMA fighters need their abs for stability during the fighting but also want an aesthetically pleasing midsection.
You can train using free weights or machines at the gym or use more unconventional techniques like TRX suspension training, calisthenics exercises (bodyweight workouts), plyometrics, weightlifting circuits, medicine ball drills, kettlebell routines, etc…
It’s all about keeping things interesting so you don’t get bored of going to the gym every day! Remember that having fun while working out is not only good for motivation but will help with changing up your routine from time to time.
Having fun while doing cardio will keep you coming back for more. Try out different activities like running, biking, hiking, playing sports, etc…
Just be sure to mix things up so you don’t get bored and your body doesn’t get used to the same routine. This is important for any athlete as it will help prevent plateaus in your training.
If you train like a pro MMA fighter, it is important to train all aspects of your body and work on developing a strong core.
Strength training for MMA
Strength training is another important part of MMA training. Fighters need to be strong to push their opponents around the ring or cage and have the power to land effective strikes.
To train for MMA, you don’t need to spend hours in the weight room. A few basic exercises can give you great results. With MMA, it is important to train your entire body and focus on developing a strong core as well as training for strength and power.
You train your core with exercises like planks, leg raises, bridges, and ab wheel rollouts; these are low impact but high-intensity exercises that will help train your core muscles.
Your chest, back, and shoulders are also important for training MMA so exercises like bench presses, chin-ups, lat pulldowns, and shoulder presses are a must.
To train your legs for MMA you need to incorporate exercises like squats, lunges, leg press, deadlifts, and step-ups to train your lower body.
Sometimes it is just as important to train for strength rather than power. A strong fighter is less likely to get injured during a fight.
Try incorporating some of these exercises into your routine and see how you progress.
Conditioning for MMA
Conditioning is another important part of MMA training. Fighters need to be in top condition so they can last the entire fight.
To condition for MMA, you need to do a variety of different exercises that will train your entire body. Activities like running, biking, hiking, playing sports, and doing cardio intervals are all great exercises to help you get in shape for a fight.
Just be sure to mix things up so you don’t get bored and your body doesn’t get used to the same routine. This is important for any athlete as it will help prevent plateaus in your training.
Supplementation for MMA fighters is Important
Supplementation is key for any athlete looking to increase performance. When it comes to being a successful MMA fighter, supplementation becomes even more important as fighters have specific needs when it comes to their sport.
Supplementation is a huge part of a professional MMA fighter’s training. If you train like a pro-MMA fighter, it is important to supplement your diet with vitamins and supplements.
Some of the most important supplements for MMA fighters include:
Creatine – This helps with muscle growth, strength, energy, and endurance.
Beta-Alanine – This is a nonessential amino acid that helps improve physical performance, like strength and endurance.
Whey Protein – This helps your body to recover after training and builds lean muscle mass.
Glutamine – Helps with protein synthesis, immune system health, and muscle recovery.
BCAAs – This is branched-chain amino acids that help with protein synthesis, energy, and muscle recovery.
Multivitamin – This is a vitamin and mineral supplement that helps with overall health and well-being.
There are other supplements that can be beneficial for an MMA fighter to train like a professional, including pre-workout supplementation and protein supplements. So, you should do good research to figure out what is best for you and your specific needs.
Just as important as strength and conditioning training, supplementation is key for any MMA fighter looking to increase performance.
Train a few times a day
Training in MMA is a very intense and full-body workout. To train like a professional fighter, you need to be willing to put in the time and effort required. This means training a few times each day.
If you’re short on time, try splitting your training into two or three sessions throughout the day. This will help you get the most out of your training and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Even if you’re an amateur fighter you’ll need to train twice a day at least sometimes because you need to fill in your strength and conditioning MMA workout
Remember, quality is more important than quantity. Make sure you’re focusing on proper technique and taking the time to rest and recover between sessions.
Train with a partner
Training with a partner can help improve your skills while also providing an intense workout. Not only will you be able to push each other to your limits, but you’ll also have someone there to help correct any mistakes.
Partner training can be done in a variety of ways, including sparring, drilling, and conditioning exercises. Be sure to mix things up so both you and your partner stay challenged.
Train Your Mind
Make sure you also train your mind. Part of being a successful MMA fighter is having the mental toughness to push through pain and fatigue.
Professional MMA fighters train their minds to be able to control pain and stress. They train until they reach that point of exhaustion, then rest just long enough to recover for their next training session.
You train your mind by pushing yourself through different scenarios and forcing your body not to quit. You train your mind to push through pain and fatigue.
You train your mind by putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, which will help you learn how to deal with different situations.
If you train your mind, it will help your body to perform at a high level and not give up when things get tough.
Schedule your MMA Training Like a Professional
Make a schedule for your training. This will help you stay on track and make sure you’re getting the most out of your training.
A professional MMA fighter’s schedule usually looks something like this:
Technical/Drilling and MMA Specific Cardiac Output
Thursday (High)
Session 1: Strength/Power Training
Session 2: Heavy Striking/Grappling
Friday (Low)
MMA specific cardiac output session
Technical/Drilling + 20 minutes MMA Specific Cardiac Output Session
Technical/Drilling/Flow Sparring (10-20 min warm-up “prehab/robustness” exercises)
Saturday (High)
Session 1: MMA Sparring or Positional Scenarios
Have your own equipment
A professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter will always have their own training equipment that suits them best. Boxing gloves, MMA gloves, shin pads, and other equipment needs to fit you perfectly. Even having your own jumping rope and other gear for cardio exercises may help you train at home
Final Words
Let’s be honest. You’re not going to become a professional MMA fighter overnight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t train like one!
Training like a professional MMA fighter requires dedication and an understanding of the lifestyle that comes with it. It’s not just about sparring, weight training, or cardio sessions at your gym every day. A true MMA fighter needs to train their mind as well – something you can do by reading books on self-improvement or watching motivational videos before bedtime to remind yourself why you’re working so hard in the first place.
If this sounds too stressful for you right now, try some gentle introspective exercises instead – meditating each morning while drinking coffee is one way many fighters start their days! The more time you spend thinking about how much work goes into being successful in life, the less likely it will be for obstacles along the way to seem insurmountable.
MMA is a demanding sport, but the discipline and hard work you put in now will pay off down the line. Follow the tips in this article, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a well-rounded fighter in no time!
Philadelphia hosted an interesting grappling event last night featuring a number of UFC fighters.
The end of the year is not classically full of MMA events, but martial arts fans had the opportunity to see a handful of interesting grappling last night. Namely, the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia hosted the FURY Pro Grappling 3 event, and the program was full of UFC fighters, but also top, renowned grapplers.
The event was led by Carla Esparza and Danielle Kelly. By the way, Kelly is an excellent ground floor master and owner of a black BJJ belt, while Carla Esparza has the reputation of a former UFC champion, but she is still at the very top of the straw category. Esparza jumped into this match as a replacement for Rose Namajunas, and lost the match with a break, due to a cut she received on the forehead while trying to “straw”. The referee stopped the match after four minutes and 26 seconds of fighting.
The undefeated @UFC welterweight @SeanBradyMMA earns the judges decision!
Still, the show was stolen by Sean Brady. The undefeated UFC welterweight (15-0, 5-0 UFC) had probably the most difficult task on paper. His opponent was Craig Jones, a master of grappling who belongs to the very top of the sport. The Australian has won a number of major tournaments and a series of medals at the most prestigious grappling championships. Gordon Ryan would often stop him on his way to gold, but every grappling connoisseur knows what Gordon Ryan’s name means in the sport. Jones according to the BJJ Heroes page has 51 wins and 16 losses and even celebrated 41 times with a break. It should be taken into account that these are matches mostly against elite competition. Heel hooks and similar interventions with which he attacks the opponent’s leg are his specials.
Despite everything, Sean Brady provided a big surprise and celebrated the referee’s decision. The UFC welterweight, with his strength and excellent wrestling, neutralized all the attacks of the opponent who spent most of the match in the lower position. Brady could not pass the guard of the great Jones, but maintaining the dominant upper position was enough to celebrate in this match.
” I’m a jiu-jitsu guy, but I’m an MMA guy too. I wanted to use my own pressure and tactics. However, not much happened because I could not pass his guard, ” said Sean Brady, just after the match.
The undefeated @UFC welterweight @SeanBradyMMA earns the judges decision!
Of the other results, the defeats of Neil Magny and Donald Cerrone are worth mentioning. Two renowned UFC fighters were also defeated by UFC fighters. Joe Solecki defeated Donald Cerrone by suffocation (RNC) after three minutes and 17 seconds of the match. Despite Solecki weighing almost 20 pounds (9.07 kg) on the scales, he controlled the fight brilliantly and won.
Neil Magny lost to Joaquim Silva, a “guillotine” after just under three minutes of fighting. The beginning of the fight was a test of strength, but Silva used the first opportunity to lock the “guillotine” and thus came to victory. After two knockout defeats under the auspices of the UFC, the Brazilian finally got to one celebration, though not in MMA.
It is worth noting that Kevin Holland also appeared at last night’s event. The UFC middleweight fighter is known for his preference for standing fights but decided to try his hand at a grappling match. As always, Kevin afforded the attraction and the audience enjoyed his acrobatics. However, that was not enough for him to win and he lost to Kody Hamrah by a judge’s decision.
Fighters like Clay Guide, Billy Quarantillo, Renato Moicano, etc. also performed at this event, and you can read the complete results below:
FURY Pro Grappling 3 – results:
Danielle Kelly def. Carla Esparza via interruption due to injury (cuts) – 4:26
Sean Brady def. Craig Jones via decision
Joe Solecki def. Donald Cerrone via submission (rear-naked choke) – 3:17
Clay Guida def. Billy Quarantillo via decision
Renato Moicano def. Chase Hooper via decision
Nicky Rod def. Steve Mowry via submission (RNC) – 5:30
Joaquim Silva def. Neil Magny via submission (guillotine) – 2:47
Jonathan Piersma def. Philip Rowe via decision
Alex Caceres def. Eddy Torres via submission (RNC) – 2:35
Cheats Hamrah def. Kevin Holland via decision
Andre Petroski def. Phil Hawes via decision
Gillian Robertson def. Chrissy Briggs via decision
Joe Rogan may not be a part of the UFC in recent years, but for Dana White, he remains an important member of UFC and the MMA community in general.
The UFC has significantly reduced the number of times Rogan commentates. The most recognized voice in the broadcast booth now only does U.S.-based pay-per-views – and not all events deserve his expertise
He’s still an incredible standup comedian, actor, and podcast host who’s also well known for being one half (with Dana White) behind “The Fight Game” on Fox Sports 1 with Dominion Television Group which specializes primarily or mixed martial arts promotion fights
Rogan, who only worked six UFC events over the past year has been criticized by many fans. However, Rogan addressed those critics, and even though White thinks he deserves respect for helping educate fans about combat sports in general; other than Gracie family members-White says there is no one else more instrumental to popularizing the ground game of MMA as much like it was back then
A lot of people have had issues with Dana White’s response on Jake Rogan being overweight but what they don’t seem to realize or know is how integral this man really did when it comes down to having knowledge within mixed martial arts alone!
“Another guy who deserves a ton of credit for helping build this sport during our era is Joe Rogan,” said White on THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas. “The reality is that when we got into this, everybody understood standup fighting no matter what happened.”
“I remember watching those early fights and thinking to myself: How are they going to understand these guys. The big thing for me was when it goes to the ground, how many people will really understand what’s happening”.
“I think it’s really cool that the main voice behind debates about jiu-jitsu is also a practitioner of this martial art. Joe Rogan was passionate about his sport, and he knew how to explain things so well.” – said Dana White
White, the UFC president and CEO of 7 years with a net worth over $500 million has also sought out Rogan’s help when he faced COVID-19. With monoclonal antibodies as part of his methodology to recovery from virus White said this is one time where you can’t put a price tag on saving your life or someone else’s.”
Rickson Gracie is a 9th-degree red belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist from Brazil. This legendary MMA fighter, and Jiu-jitsu practitioner was awarded Red Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Rorion Gracie on October 23rd, 1995. He was born on November 21, 1958, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as one of Helio Gracie’s 9 kids.
In this blog post, we will explore Rickson’s life story, as well as learn about some of his fights and most famous accomplishments.
Quick Facts About Rickson Gracie
Nickname: The Last Samurai
Birth: November 21, 1958 (age 63), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Birth Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 1.78 m
Blood Type: 0
Wife: Cassia Gracie
Children: Kron Gracie, Kauan Gracie, Kaulin Gracie, and Rockson Gracie who passed away.
Famous quote: “If we fight for money, I’ll stop hitting you when you ask me to. If we fight for honor, I’ll stop hitting you when I feel like it.”
Books: Rickson Gracie 21st century warrior’s spirit, The Breathe
Net Worth:Rickson Gracie’s net worth is approximately $1.5 Million.
Ethnicity, religion & political views: Unknown according to IMDB, Wikipedia, and other media sources
Rickson Gracie’s Early Age
Rickson Gracie grew up in Favelas of Rio De Janeiro as the third son of legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Co-founder Helio Gracie.
As Helio was spending the majority of his life on the mats together with his kids he saw the potential for fighting in Rickson since he was a kid so he trained and prepared him to take over as the family’s leading fighter.
Young Rickson Gracie with his father Helio
But it wasn’t easy at the start because Rickson was skipping Jiu-Jitsu classes regularly to spend time in Ipanema Favela. There, he befriended some older boys and almost took a bad path with guys who smoke marijuana and surf.
Fortunately, he decided to abandon his friends from Ipanema once they started to steal and consume drugs.
After that, he was regular on Jiu-Jitsu training and that’s where his serious training starts.
Rickson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Career
Jiu-Jitsu’s record of Rickson is impressive, to say the least. He has never been defeated in an official Jiu-Jitsu match. The record below only shows the most popular fights, but we need to take notice that he competed in Jiu-jitsu matches since he was 6 years old.
Rickson Gracie MMA Career
He holds a perfect 11-0 career record, with all of his victories coming via submissions. Rickson has never been knocked out or even taken to a decision in any of his bouts.
He’s retired as undefeated he’s considered as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time and is still being praised by many fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko, Bas Rutten, Matt Hughes, and others.
First Fight vs Rei Zulu
In 1980, Waldemar Santana, the man who had previously beaten Helio Gracie in a historic no-rules bout, reestablished friendship with Helio. One day Santana inquired if the Gracie family had anyone in their class capable of challenging Rei Zulu (Santana’s student).
Rei Zulu
Zulu was a great fighter with tremendous athletic ability, and he had never lost in his NHB career. In Brazil, no one wanted to fight him, so Waldemar, Zulu’s promoter, was having trouble finding fights for his fighter.
When Rickson was 18 years old and weighed roughly 20kg less than Zulu, his father decided to allow him to fight against Zulu. Although Rickson was not feeling 100% ready, he faced adversity when the battle took place in Brasilia at Rei Zulu’s home crowd. He had no prior experience as an amateur and didn’t know what to expect.
Carlos Gracie, a spiritualist and aura supporter, instructed Rickson not to compete because he didn’t believe it was his battle to win.
Remaining truthful to his father Rickson decided to fight what happened to be a good decision as he won the bout via Rear Naked Choke (RNC).
He later recalled feeling dizzy throughout the fight, which was attributed to the difference in air quality in Brasilia (which is considerably drier than Rio de Janeiro’s air he was used to).
Second Fight vs. Rei Zulu
Four years later Gracie faced Zulu for the second time. Again, he did not quarrel with “Zulu,” but when the man of Brasilia spoke severely to him, the fight was arranged for Maracanazinho Stadium, which could accommodate up to 40,000 spectators. The stadium was full for the fight, and no one was disappointed as it was a real battle in which Rickson won by choke again.
Rickson Gracie vs Rei Zulu
Luta Livre Challenges and Bouts
In 1988, promoters tried to organize a bout between Rickson and Luta Livre exponent Marco Ruas. However, Hélio Gracie refused, demanding that Rickson should be paid more money or that the fight take place within the Gracie Academy, both of which were rejected. As a result, the bout didn’t happen.
Ruas, meanwhile, had been criticized for not defending the honor of Luta Livre. Later, during a meeting with Luta Livre fighters at the Clube Boqueirão do Passeio, Rickson himself challenged Ruas. The cause for this second fight’s cancellation is a point of contention: Rickson said Ruas requested time to prepare; whereas Ruas claimed Helio shut down the proposal on the basis that he did not consider Ruas to be a genuine Luta Livre representative.
Denilson Maia Challenge
Later, Rickson was challenged by Lutador Denilson Maia. He accepted to fight, but Denilson had to pull out due to his father’s death, so he was replaced with Duarte.
Fights with Duarte
Despite Duarte’s only desire being to participate in a pay-per-view event, Gracie met him on the beach and smacked him in front of his pupils before demanding him to compete there, so Hugo stepped down and fought Rickson on the sand.
Rickson Gracie vs Hugo Duarte
After Duarte surrendered to punches to the face, Gracie won. Shortly after, Duarte showed up at Rickson’s gym demanding another bout, claiming that Rickson had kicked him and thrown sand in his eyes during the fight. Once again, Gracie prevailed, resulting in a riot that necessitated the involvement of the police.
Rickson Gracie vs Hugo Duarte 2
Following the bout Rickson departed Brazil for the United States, so the rivalry between Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Luta Livre continued without him.
Vale Tudo Japan
In 1994 Rickson was invited to Japan, where he saw a fantastic way to promote his family’s name outside of Brazil, and with a hefty prize on the table, he accepted. The 8-man tournament was called “Vale Tudo Japan 1995,” and Rickson Gracie prevailed, defeating all of his opponents in one night.
He continued to fight in Japan, winning several more fights (all by submission) and keeping his record perfect. This tremendous triumph for Rickson incurred the wrath of some Japanese fighters who regarded their nation and martial arts tradition as having been besmirched. The Japanese pro wrestler Nobuhiko Takada was one of those fighters who made a public challenge to Rickson, but Rickson refused to accept the challenge, fuelling Japanese fury even more.
Yoji Anjo Dojo Storm Challenge and Fight With Rickson
Yoji Anjo, a Japanese fighter who was trained by Takada, decided to go to California and reclaim his country’s pride, bringing with him a large media presence. He came to the Gracie family’s doorstep unannounced in order to confront Rickson who had to be contacted from his house. As soon as Rickson received a call he showed up and accepted the challenge.
Photo was taken when Yoji Anjo dojo stormed Rickson Gracie
Despite the fact that Anjo and his companions sought to entice Rickson to compete in a Japanese promotion, he refused and announced that the bout would take place there behind closed doors. As Yoji reluctantly agreed to the terms, Rickson said his most famous quote:
“If we fight for money, I’ll stop hitting you when you ask me to. If we fight for honor, I’ll stop hitting you when I feel like it.”
The fight was a one-sided beatdown, with Rickson having the option to submit Yoji quickly but opting for a statement instead. Just like he said before the fight he gave Anjo a real beating. The Gracie family kept the video of the bout as a memento and has never shown it
After their dojo storm challenge fight in 1989, Rickson declared that he was much better and Yoji had no chance to win.
PRIDE Career
In 1997, Gracie accepted a bout with Yoji Anjo’s superior Nobuhiko Takada in the Pride 1 event. In front of 47,860 fans at the Tokyo Dome, Rickson vanquished the inexperienced Takada by mounting him and locking an armlock after 4:47 minutes of the fight.
According to Gracie, he was offered to fight Mario Sperry at Pride 3, but the process was halted because of Carlson Gracie’s refusal. He was also asked to take Royce Gracie’s place in his postponed bout with Mark Kerr, but he refused, claiming that a one-month preparation time wasn’t enough.
Akira Maeda, a Japanese MMA fighter, also challenged Gracie and proposed a fight as his own retirement bout, but it was turned down. Rickson agreed to a rematch with Takada at Pride 4 only because it was the match for the title.
“I feel Takada is a warrior and deserves the chance to try and redeem himself.” – Rickson stated
In their second bout, Takada had improved and was able to wrestle Rickson to neutralize his groundwork advantage, but the Brazilian master utilized a failed leglock attempt to sweep him and mount him.
Nonetheless, Takada managed to fight his way out of Rickson’s mount and manages to dismount him. Soon after his mount escape, he threatened with a heel hook attempt and an armbar. Gracie was waiting until the end of the round to prevent Takada from capitalizing, so he applied an armbar and submitted him again.
Rickson Gracie vs Takada Pride 1
Colosseum Events
After Kazushi Sakuraba bested Royler Gracie in the Pride 8 event in May 2000, he took the microphone and challenged Rickson, who was sitting in the Gracies corner. But nothing ever happened out of it. At Colosseum, Rickson chose to face Masakatsu Funaki, who had retired from Pancrase.
The bout was nearly canceled when Rickson wanted special conditions that ban headbutts, elbow strikes, and ground blows, but an agreement was reached when the Pancrase management agreed to ban headbutts and elbows.
The bout, which was aired live to 30 million TV Tokyo viewers, at the Tokyo Dome, Gracie and Funaki began clinching in the corner. It appeared that Masakatsu had a guillotine choke applied, but Rickson was able to go to the floor because it was loose.
They traded kicks with no effect until some well-timed low kicks from Gracie blew out Funaki’s shattered knee. They clinched again but the Japanese’s injury prevented him from wrestling Rickson correctly, and he was taken down by the Brazilian grappler who took advantage of this situation and mounted him.
After the third round, Masakatsu was visibly shocked as Rickson battered his face with ground and pound and Gracie forced his way into a rear-naked choke. [19] “Gracie said that one of Funaki’s hammerfists caused him to go temporarily blind,” according to the post-fight interview.
Rickson Gracie vs Funaki Colosseum 2000
After the Colosseum event, Gracie expressed an interest in competing against judo bronze medalist Naoya Ogawa, who had been signed up for the next Colosseum bout. He also turned down Pride management, who suggested that he should fight Kazushi Sakuraba, who had previously defeated Royce Gracie. “He didn’t have the warrior’s spirit,” said Rickson for Sakuraba. Later he stated that he didn’t want to fight a guy who is so much smaller than him.
However, since Hashimoto had not yet fought in New Japan Pro-Wrestling at the time, he was invited to face Manabu Nakanishi, Kazuyuki Fujita, or even Shinya Hashimoto. They were refused, however. The bout with Ogawa was scheduled for the next year.
Scheduled Fight Against Kazushi Sakuraba That Never Took Place
Rickson Gracie’s last bout was supposed to be against Kazushi Sakuraba, the man who had defeated every member of the Gracie family he faced. He was nicknamed “The Gracie Hunter” because he beat every Gracie family fighter he faced and said he’ll beat any Gracie he’d face.
The words from Sakuraba were enough for Rickson to accept the fight with Sakuraba, but tragedy struck him when Rickson’s son Rockson Gracie tragically passed away.
He continued to claim he was open to fighting again throughout the next few months but nothing came out of it. When the bout with Sakuraba was mentioned again, Rickson stated that he was uninterested in it, although he acknowledged, “in my heart, I believe that Sakuraba deserves to be beaten.”
Kazushi Sakuraba defeats Royce Gracie in Pride
Rickson Gracie Loss to Ron Tripp in a Sambo Bout
Rickson Gracie faced World Sambo Champion Ron Tripp in the 1993 US Sambo Championships in Norman, Oklahoma. In 47 seconds, Tripp “absolutely” beat Gracie by using “Uchi Mata,” giving him absolute victory according to FIAS International Sambo rules.
When Ron Tripp defeated Rickson in a Sambo bout, he said that he had no idea about the rules.
Actually what Rickson said about rules makes sense because in Jiu-Jitsu when you go to the ground fight actually starts. That’s not the case with Sport Sambo which has a rule like Ippon in Judo that means immediate victory.
Rickson Gracie vs Ron Tripp
Rickson Gracie’s Retirement
After defeating Masakatsu Funaki in may, 2000. at the CK event, Rickson didn’t mean to retire, but after his son’s death, he wasn’t able to continue with fighting. He focused his energy on teaching and spending more time with his family.
Rickson Gracie as a Teacher of Gracie Jiu-jitsu
Rickson believes that he is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioner rather than an MMA fighter, and he took pleasure in the fact that he did not cross-train in other fighting arts in order to face the best fighters in the world at the time.
That’s exactly the reason why Rickson is probably the loudest representative of Gracie Jiu-jitsu and the way of training he represents.
He doesn’t accept Jiu-Jitsu training as a sport. Just like his father Helio he thinks that Jiu-Jitsu training should involve all aspects of fighting and self-defense. His mind is set on submitting opponents rather than winning on points.
His main accomplishment as a teacher came with his Son Kron Gracie whom he was teaching since he could walk.
The moment when Kron won the ADCC finals in 2013 Rickson considers as one of the best moments of his life.
Rickson Gracie’s 400:0 record
Rickson Gracie claims that he has a 400:0 fighting record.
Many people dispute Rickson Gracie’s 400-0 record. Even Helio Gracie, Rickson’s father, stated that the claim of his son was false.
“I can’t recall how many fights I had. I would say about 50, more or less. If you count all fights including Rickson who says he has 400 fights then I have a million. Because for the last 60 years I’ve been teaching Jiu Jitsu for 20-30 students a day. If you multiply that it could be more than a million. Rickson fought twice in Brazil and the rest of his fights were in Japan. Tournament matches and stuff where little kids play I don’t count as fights.” – said Helio Gracie in an interview
So it’s still in question what Rickson meant when he said 400:0. He was probably counting all the Jiu-Jitsu tournament matches under his fighting record.
Rickson Gracie Filmography
The Incredible Hulk 2008 – Aikido Instructor
Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within 2010 – (martial arts consultant)
Gracie 2021 (Documentary) (pre-production)
Watters’ World 2014 (TV Series) – Self
The Joe Rogan Experience 2008 (Podcast Series) – Self
UFC 1: The Beginning (TV Special) – Self (uncredited)
The Joe Rogan Experience 2010 (Podcast Series) – Self
The Gracies and the Birth of Vale Tudo Self (Documentary)
Rickson Gracie Choke Documentary
Rickson Gracie Accomplishments
Aside from his impressive martial arts record, Rickson Gracie is also well known for his many accomplishments outside of fighting. Rickson has been awarded several black belts in different disciplines including Judo, Aikido, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In 1995, Rickson was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as “the most influential fighter of the 20th century.”
In 2000, he was named one of the 25 greatest fighters of all time by ESPN.
Rickson also founded Rickson Gracie International, a Jiu-Jitsu association with schools in many countries including the United States, Japan, Mexico, and Australia.
Rickson also opened his own line of Jiu-Jitsu equipment called Koral Brazil.
Rickson is a founder of JJGF – Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation. He founded it to unify the competitive rules of different Jiu-Jitsu organizations and ensure that all tournaments are judged using the same criteria. Rickson’s goal is to have a fair and level playing field for all competitors regardless of affiliation.
The Rickson Gracie Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for children in Brazil.
Rickson Gracie is an inspiration to all who know him and his story is one that should be remembered by all!
Rickson Gracie Famous Quotes
If we fight for money I’ll stop hitting you when you ask me to. If we fight for honor, I’ll stop hitting you when I feel like it.
True strength is not always shown through victory. Stand up, try again, and display the strength of your heart.
In life, when faced with any situation, breathe, take your time, focus, and then decide what to do.
Our fears don’t stop death, they stop life.
Jiu-Jitsu puts you completely in the moment, where you must have a complete focus on finding a solution to the problem.
I’m a shark, the ground is my ocean, and most people can’t even swim
If size mattered the elephant would be the king of the jungle
Sometimes, you don’t have to win, you can’t win. But that has nothing to do with losing
The journey has to be based on passion. Put yourself in something you love to do. If you love what you do you’re able to dedicate yourself, overcome obstacles.
A brave man, a real fighter is not measured by how many times he falls, but how many times he stands up.
If you do not speak up when it matters, when would it matter? Even a dead fish can go with the flow.
The biggest gift I received as a Martial Artist is without a question the capacity to be in peace.
Born to fight, learn to win, live to help
If you’re ready to die, then you’re ready to live
What makes you tough is your mindset and I believe everyone can be tough.
The most important thing is not the victory. The most important thing is to not get defeated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rickson Gracie
What happened to Rickson Gracie’s son?
Rickson’s eldest son, Rockson Gracie, died of a drug overdose soon after arriving in New York to pursue a modeling career.
Rickson was supposed to fight Japanese MMA star Kazushi Sakuraba in a highly anticipated bout when The Sakuraba bout was called off due to reasons unknown, and he never fought professionally again.
Is Rickson Gracie the best
It’s hard to tell if he’s the best in Jiu-Jitsu or MMA even though he’s undefeated in both sports. However he is widely considered as the best fighter of the Gracie family, and many people think of him as the best Jiu-Jitsu practitioner of all times.
Is Rickson Gracie married?
Yes! He’s married to Cassia Gracie.
Who gave Rickson his Red Belt?
Rickson was given the red belt by his older brother Rorion Gracie. According to Renzo and Royler Gracie, in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Red Belt is reserved for those who achieve “influence and fame”. It’s worth noticing that he received his Red Belt several years before he could receive it officially.
Rickson Gracie is a 9th-degree red belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist from Brazil. This legendary MMA fighter, and Jiu-jitsu practitioner was awarded Red Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Rorion Gracie on October 23rd, 1995. He was born on November 21, 1958, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as one of Helio Gracie’s 9 kids.
In this blog post, we will explore Rickson’s life story, as well as learn about some of his fights and most famous accomplishments.
Quick Facts About Rickson Gracie
Nickname: The Last Samurai
Birth: November 21, 1958 (age 63), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Birth Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 1.78 m
Blood Type: 0
Wife: Cassia Gracie
Children: Kron Gracie, Kauan Gracie, Kaulin Gracie, and Rockson Gracie who passed away.
Famous quote: “If we fight for money, I’ll stop hitting you when you ask me to. If we fight for honor, I’ll stop hitting you when I feel like it.”
Books: Rickson Gracie 21st century warrior’s spirit, The Breathe
Net Worth:Rickson Gracie’s net worth is approximately $1.5 Million.
Ethnicity, religion & political views: Unknown according to IMDB, Wikipedia, and other media sources
Rickson Gracie’s Early Age
Rickson Gracie grew up in Favelas of Rio De Janeiro as the third son of legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Co-founder Helio Gracie.
As Helio was spending the majority of his life on the mats together with his kids he saw the potential for fighting in Rickson since he was a kid so he trained and prepared him to take over as the family’s leading fighter.
Young Rickson Gracie with his father Helio
But it wasn’t easy at the start because Rickson was skipping Jiu-Jitsu classes regularly to spend time in Ipanema Favela. There, he befriended some older boys and almost took a bad path with guys who smoke marijuana and surf.
Fortunately, he decided to abandon his friends from Ipanema once they started to steal and consume drugs.
After that, he was regular on Jiu-Jitsu training and that’s where his serious training starts.
Rickson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Career
Jiu-Jitsu’s record of Rickson is impressive, to say the least. He has never been defeated in an official Jiu-Jitsu match. The record below only shows the most popular fights, but we need to take notice that he competed in Jiu-jitsu matches since he was 6 years old.
Rickson Gracie MMA Career
He holds a perfect 11-0 career record, with all of his victories coming via submissions. Rickson has never been knocked out or even taken to a decision in any of his bouts.
He’s retired as undefeated he’s considered as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time and is still being praised by many fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko, Bas Rutten, Matt Hughes, and others.
First Fight vs Rei Zulu
In 1980, Waldemar Santana, the man who had previously beaten Helio Gracie in a historic no-rules bout, reestablished friendship with Helio. One day Santana inquired if the Gracie family had anyone in their class capable of challenging Rei Zulu (Santana’s student).
Rei Zulu
Zulu was a great fighter with tremendous athletic ability, and he had never lost in his NHB career. In Brazil, no one wanted to fight him, so Waldemar, Zulu’s promoter, was having trouble finding fights for his fighter.
When Rickson was 18 years old and weighed roughly 20kg less than Zulu, his father decided to allow him to fight against Zulu. Although Rickson was not feeling 100% ready, he faced adversity when the battle took place in Brasilia at Rei Zulu’s home crowd. He had no prior experience as an amateur and didn’t know what to expect.
Carlos Gracie, a spiritualist and aura supporter, instructed Rickson not to compete because he didn’t believe it was his battle to win.
Remaining truthful to his father Rickson decided to fight what happened to be a good decision as he won the bout via Rear Naked Choke (RNC).
He later recalled feeling dizzy throughout the fight, which was attributed to the difference in air quality in Brasilia (which is considerably drier than Rio de Janeiro’s air he was used to).
Second Fight vs. Rei Zulu
Four years later Gracie faced Zulu for the second time. Again, he did not quarrel with “Zulu,” but when the man of Brasilia spoke severely to him, the fight was arranged for Maracanazinho Stadium, which could accommodate up to 40,000 spectators. The stadium was full for the fight, and no one was disappointed as it was a real battle in which Rickson won by choke again.
Rickson Gracie vs Rei Zulu
Luta Livre Challenges and Bouts
In 1988, promoters tried to organize a bout between Rickson and Luta Livre exponent Marco Ruas. However, Hélio Gracie refused, demanding that Rickson should be paid more money or that the fight take place within the Gracie Academy, both of which were rejected. As a result, the bout didn’t happen.
Ruas, meanwhile, had been criticized for not defending the honor of Luta Livre. Later, during a meeting with Luta Livre fighters at the Clube Boqueirão do Passeio, Rickson himself challenged Ruas. The cause for this second fight’s cancellation is a point of contention: Rickson said Ruas requested time to prepare; whereas Ruas claimed Helio shut down the proposal on the basis that he did not consider Ruas to be a genuine Luta Livre representative.
Denilson Maia Challenge
Later, Rickson was challenged by Lutador Denilson Maia. He accepted to fight, but Denilson had to pull out due to his father’s death, so he was replaced with Duarte.
Fights with Duarte
Despite Duarte’s only desire being to participate in a pay-per-view event, Gracie met him on the beach and smacked him in front of his pupils before demanding him to compete there, so Hugo stepped down and fought Rickson on the sand.
Rickson Gracie vs Hugo Duarte
After Duarte surrendered to punches to the face, Gracie won. Shortly after, Duarte showed up at Rickson’s gym demanding another bout, claiming that Rickson had kicked him and thrown sand in his eyes during the fight. Once again, Gracie prevailed, resulting in a riot that necessitated the involvement of the police.
Rickson Gracie vs Hugo Duarte 2
Following the bout Rickson departed Brazil for the United States, so the rivalry between Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Luta Livre continued without him.
Vale Tudo Japan
In 1994 Rickson was invited to Japan, where he saw a fantastic way to promote his family’s name outside of Brazil, and with a hefty prize on the table, he accepted. The 8-man tournament was called “Vale Tudo Japan 1995,” and Rickson Gracie prevailed, defeating all of his opponents in one night.
He continued to fight in Japan, winning several more fights (all by submission) and keeping his record perfect. This tremendous triumph for Rickson incurred the wrath of some Japanese fighters who regarded their nation and martial arts tradition as having been besmirched. The Japanese pro wrestler Nobuhiko Takada was one of those fighters who made a public challenge to Rickson, but Rickson refused to accept the challenge, fuelling Japanese fury even more.
Yoji Anjo Dojo Storm Challenge and Fight With Rickson
Yoji Anjo, a Japanese fighter who was trained by Takada, decided to go to California and reclaim his country’s pride, bringing with him a large media presence. He came to the Gracie family’s doorstep unannounced in order to confront Rickson who had to be contacted from his house. As soon as Rickson received a call he showed up and accepted the challenge.
Photo was taken when Yoji Anjo dojo stormed Rickson Gracie
Despite the fact that Anjo and his companions sought to entice Rickson to compete in a Japanese promotion, he refused and announced that the bout would take place there behind closed doors. As Yoji reluctantly agreed to the terms, Rickson said his most famous quote:
“If we fight for money, I’ll stop hitting you when you ask me to. If we fight for honor, I’ll stop hitting you when I feel like it.”
The fight was a one-sided beatdown, with Rickson having the option to submit Yoji quickly but opting for a statement instead. Just like he said before the fight he gave Anjo a real beating. The Gracie family kept the video of the bout as a memento and has never shown it
After their dojo storm challenge fight in 1989, Rickson declared that he was much better and Yoji had no chance to win.
PRIDE Career
In 1997, Gracie accepted a bout with Yoji Anjo’s superior Nobuhiko Takada in the Pride 1 event. In front of 47,860 fans at the Tokyo Dome, Rickson vanquished the inexperienced Takada by mounting him and locking an armlock after 4:47 minutes of the fight.
According to Gracie, he was offered to fight Mario Sperry at Pride 3, but the process was halted because of Carlson Gracie’s refusal. He was also asked to take Royce Gracie’s place in his postponed bout with Mark Kerr, but he refused, claiming that a one-month preparation time wasn’t enough.
Akira Maeda, a Japanese MMA fighter, also challenged Gracie and proposed a fight as his own retirement bout, but it was turned down. Rickson agreed to a rematch with Takada at Pride 4 only because it was the match for the title.
“I feel Takada is a warrior and deserves the chance to try and redeem himself.” – Rickson stated
In their second bout, Takada had improved and was able to wrestle Rickson to neutralize his groundwork advantage, but the Brazilian master utilized a failed leglock attempt to sweep him and mount him.
Nonetheless, Takada managed to fight his way out of Rickson’s mount and manages to dismount him. Soon after his mount escape, he threatened with a heel hook attempt and an armbar. Gracie was waiting until the end of the round to prevent Takada from capitalizing, so he applied an armbar and submitted him again.
Rickson Gracie vs Takada Pride 1
Colosseum Events
After Kazushi Sakuraba bested Royler Gracie in the Pride 8 event in May 2000, he took the microphone and challenged Rickson, who was sitting in the Gracies corner. But nothing ever happened out of it. At Colosseum, Rickson chose to face Masakatsu Funaki, who had retired from Pancrase.
The bout was nearly canceled when Rickson wanted special conditions that ban headbutts, elbow strikes, and ground blows, but an agreement was reached when the Pancrase management agreed to ban headbutts and elbows.
The bout, which was aired live to 30 million TV Tokyo viewers, at the Tokyo Dome, Gracie and Funaki began clinching in the corner. It appeared that Masakatsu had a guillotine choke applied, but Rickson was able to go to the floor because it was loose.
They traded kicks with no effect until some well-timed low kicks from Gracie blew out Funaki’s shattered knee. They clinched again but the Japanese’s injury prevented him from wrestling Rickson correctly, and he was taken down by the Brazilian grappler who took advantage of this situation and mounted him.
After the third round, Masakatsu was visibly shocked as Rickson battered his face with ground and pound and Gracie forced his way into a rear-naked choke. [19] “Gracie said that one of Funaki’s hammerfists caused him to go temporarily blind,” according to the post-fight interview.
Rickson Gracie vs Funaki Colosseum 2000
After the Colosseum event, Gracie expressed an interest in competing against judo bronze medalist Naoya Ogawa, who had been signed up for the next Colosseum bout. He also turned down Pride management, who suggested that he should fight Kazushi Sakuraba, who had previously defeated Royce Gracie. “He didn’t have the warrior’s spirit,” said Rickson for Sakuraba. Later he stated that he didn’t want to fight a guy who is so much smaller than him.
However, since Hashimoto had not yet fought in New Japan Pro-Wrestling at the time, he was invited to face Manabu Nakanishi, Kazuyuki Fujita, or even Shinya Hashimoto. They were refused, however. The bout with Ogawa was scheduled for the next year.
Scheduled Fight Against Kazushi Sakuraba That Never Took Place
Rickson Gracie’s last bout was supposed to be against Kazushi Sakuraba, the man who had defeated every member of the Gracie family he faced. He was nicknamed “The Gracie Hunter” because he beat every Gracie family fighter he faced and said he’ll beat any Gracie he’d face.
The words from Sakuraba were enough for Rickson to accept the fight with Sakuraba, but tragedy struck him when Rickson’s son Rockson Gracie tragically passed away.
He continued to claim he was open to fighting again throughout the next few months but nothing came out of it. When the bout with Sakuraba was mentioned again, Rickson stated that he was uninterested in it, although he acknowledged, “in my heart, I believe that Sakuraba deserves to be beaten.”
Kazushi Sakuraba defeats Royce Gracie in Pride
Rickson Gracie Loss to Ron Tripp in a Sambo Bout
Rickson Gracie faced World Sambo Champion Ron Tripp in the 1993 US Sambo Championships in Norman, Oklahoma. In 47 seconds, Tripp “absolutely” beat Gracie by using “Uchi Mata,” giving him absolute victory according to FIAS International Sambo rules.
When Ron Tripp defeated Rickson in a Sambo bout, he said that he had no idea about the rules.
Actually what Rickson said about rules makes sense because in Jiu-Jitsu when you go to the ground fight actually starts. That’s not the case with Sport Sambo which has a rule like Ippon in Judo that means immediate victory.
Rickson Gracie vs Ron Tripp
Rickson Gracie’s Retirement
After defeating Masakatsu Funaki in may, 2000. at the CK event, Rickson didn’t mean to retire, but after his son’s death, he wasn’t able to continue with fighting. He focused his energy on teaching and spending more time with his family.
Rickson Gracie as a Teacher of Gracie Jiu-jitsu
Rickson believes that he is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioner rather than an MMA fighter, and he took pleasure in the fact that he did not cross-train in other fighting arts in order to face the best fighters in the world at the time.
That’s exactly the reason why Rickson is probably the loudest representative of Gracie Jiu-jitsu and the way of training he represents.
He doesn’t accept Jiu-Jitsu training as a sport. Just like his father Helio he thinks that Jiu-Jitsu training should involve all aspects of fighting and self-defense. His mind is set on submitting opponents rather than winning on points.
His main accomplishment as a teacher came with his Son Kron Gracie whom he was teaching since he could walk.
The moment when Kron won the ADCC finals in 2013 Rickson considers as one of the best moments of his life.
Rickson Gracie’s 400:0 record
Rickson Gracie claims that he has a 400:0 fighting record.
Many people dispute Rickson Gracie’s 400-0 record. Even Helio Gracie, Rickson’s father, stated that the claim of his son was false.
“I can’t recall how many fights I had. I would say about 50, more or less. If you count all fights including Rickson who says he has 400 fights then I have a million. Because for the last 60 years I’ve been teaching Jiu Jitsu for 20-30 students a day. If you multiply that it could be more than a million. Rickson fought twice in Brazil and the rest of his fights were in Japan. Tournament matches and stuff where little kids play I don’t count as fights.” – said Helio Gracie in an interview
So it’s still in question what Rickson meant when he said 400:0. He was probably counting all the Jiu-Jitsu tournament matches under his fighting record.
Rickson Gracie Filmography
The Incredible Hulk 2008 – Aikido Instructor
Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within 2010 – (martial arts consultant)
Gracie 2021 (Documentary) (pre-production)
Watters’ World 2014 (TV Series) – Self
The Joe Rogan Experience 2008 (Podcast Series) – Self
UFC 1: The Beginning (TV Special) – Self (uncredited)
The Joe Rogan Experience 2010 (Podcast Series) – Self
The Gracies and the Birth of Vale Tudo Self (Documentary)
Rickson Gracie Choke Documentary
Rickson Gracie Accomplishments
Aside from his impressive martial arts record, Rickson Gracie is also well known for his many accomplishments outside of fighting. Rickson has been awarded several black belts in different disciplines including Judo, Aikido, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In 1995, Rickson was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as “the most influential fighter of the 20th century.”
In 2000, he was named one of the 25 greatest fighters of all time by ESPN.
Rickson also founded Rickson Gracie International, a Jiu-Jitsu association with schools in many countries including the United States, Japan, Mexico, and Australia.
Rickson also opened his own line of Jiu-Jitsu equipment called Koral Brazil.
Rickson is a founder of JJGF – Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation. He founded it to unify the competitive rules of different Jiu-Jitsu organizations and ensure that all tournaments are judged using the same criteria. Rickson’s goal is to have a fair and level playing field for all competitors regardless of affiliation.
The Rickson Gracie Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for children in Brazil.
Rickson Gracie is an inspiration to all who know him and his story is one that should be remembered by all!
Rickson Gracie Famous Quotes
If we fight for money I’ll stop hitting you when you ask me to. If we fight for honor, I’ll stop hitting you when I feel like it.
True strength is not always shown through victory. Stand up, try again, and display the strength of your heart.
In life, when faced with any situation, breathe, take your time, focus, and then decide what to do.
Our fears don’t stop death, they stop life.
Jiu-Jitsu puts you completely in the moment, where you must have a complete focus on finding a solution to the problem.
I’m a shark, the ground is my ocean, and most people can’t even swim
If size mattered the elephant would be the king of the jungle
Sometimes, you don’t have to win, you can’t win. But that has nothing to do with losing
The journey has to be based on passion. Put yourself in something you love to do. If you love what you do you’re able to dedicate yourself, overcome obstacles.
A brave man, a real fighter is not measured by how many times he falls, but how many times he stands up.
If you do not speak up when it matters, when would it matter? Even a dead fish can go with the flow.
The biggest gift I received as a Martial Artist is without a question the capacity to be in peace.
Born to fight, learn to win, live to help
If you’re ready to die, then you’re ready to live
What makes you tough is your mindset and I believe everyone can be tough.
The most important thing is not the victory. The most important thing is to not get defeated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rickson Gracie
What happened to Rickson Gracie’s son?
Rickson’s eldest son, Rockson Gracie, died of a drug overdose soon after arriving in New York to pursue a modeling career.
Rickson was supposed to fight Japanese MMA star Kazushi Sakuraba in a highly anticipated bout when The Sakuraba bout was called off due to reasons unknown, and he never fought professionally again.
Is Rickson Gracie the best
It’s hard to tell if he’s the best in Jiu-Jitsu or MMA even though he’s undefeated in both sports. However he is widely considered as the best fighter of the Gracie family, and many people think of him as the best Jiu-Jitsu practitioner of all times.
Is Rickson Gracie married?
Yes! He’s married to Cassia Gracie.
Who gave Rickson his Red Belt?
Rickson was given the red belt by his older brother Rorion Gracie. According to Renzo and Royler Gracie, in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Red Belt is reserved for those who achieve “influence and fame”. It’s worth noticing that he received his Red Belt several years before he could receive it officially.
What do you get when you cross Jiu Jitsu and a Car? You guessed it, Car Jitsu! Till now, there are no schools or Jiu-jitsu classes to teach you this type of fighting. This new way of practicing Jiu-Jitsu is quickly gaining popularity and has been sweeping the people training in BJJ. If you’re competitive by nature, love cars, or just want an exciting hobby that will challenge both your mind and body then this way of fighting is for you!
Ever since Jiu Jitsu became popular in the early 2000’s, there have been new offshoots of the martial art. One such offshoot is Car Jitsu. Car Jitsu teaches people how to fight while inside a car. The training involves some drilling and sparring on mats with other students who are also learning Car Jiu-Jitsu, but it also includes some practical exercises that take place in cars!
Car Jitsu training
– Car Jitsu can be practiced in any type of car whether it’s a sedan, sports car, or even the family minivan. The only thing that matters is your skill level and how you use your vehicle to dominate your opponent!
– Some people might think that learning how to fight while inside a car is stupid and will make you look a bit offline, but actually, we’ve found quite the opposite. Once you get good at Car Jitsu, your reactions and skills become second nature to where not only are you able to fight like a pro but also you’re able to avoid any kind of danger and attack by instinctively knowing what move to use next!
But why Jiu-Jitsu In The Car?
Before you think about how stupid jiu-jitsu in the car is take a moment to think about some situation where you can find yourself being attacked with or without any particular reason.
Just think about how many situations are there where you can actually get in a fight while in the car or even driving? How many times someone is screaming at you because you forgot to turn on the turn signal, or you changed lanes without warning?
Maybe someone left his car to attack you and you’re hoping that he’ll go away at some point, but he’s not. He suddenly opens up your car doors and attacks you? How would you react? You would try to go out and get 10+ punches in the head while doing so?
What if you’re an angry driver and you provoke someone enough to run to your car just to hit you in the head?
Or imagine that you’re a taxi driver with so many drunk people on weekend nights? It’s really not hard to get into a fight when someone throws up in your car or destroys something in it because he’s drunk or on drugs?
What if you’re a girl and you get attacked in the car by some drunk and horny driver who wants to rape you?
Well, the chances are that you can get attacked in your car, so learning the skills of defending yourself in the car is not stupid as it seems at the first glance.
Unfortunately, a lot of people spend more time in the car nowadays than walking around so the chances you’ll be attacked in the car are pretty high.
I’ve tried Car Jitsu and it makes sense.
When I first saw the Car Jitsu tournament happening in Russia my first thought was I can’t believe someone can be this stupid to even try this.
After that, it took me 5 minutes to figure out it maybe makes sense so I called my friend and told him to come to my pace to fight me in my old car.
I can’t even explain that laugh I heard over my mobile phone and a voice telling me “man, are you drunk or crazy?”
“No I’m not” – was my serious answer
“OK, then you’re high” – my friend replied
“Just come and let’s fight in my car” – I said while being pretty angry cause I was full of ideas on how to dominate him in the car.
It took him about half an hour to come while I was thinking of good ways to submit him. Actually, it’s not hard to submit him cause he’s not training Jiu-Jitsu at all, but submissions in the car against someone with more than 50 lbs on me could be challenging. But it actually wasn’t.
Submitting someone who doesn’t train in Jiu-jitsu is probably a much easier thing than on the mats.
My car Jiu-Jitsu fights and scenarios
We had many scenarios while we were fighting in the car and I’ll mention some of them.
I’m in the driver’s seat and he opens up my door and tries to kick me with some kind of an upfront leg. As soon as he came to open up the doors of my car I was already in the driver’s seat. I can’t even explain how fast I applied a heel hook while he was hanging outside of the car while trying to run on his hands or something 🙂
In the second scenario, he opened up my doors with me again jumping on the driver’s seat. This time he entered with his head first just to be in the triangle choke in about 7-8 seconds since he first touch my doors.
The third situation is when he tried to choke me from the back seat. Ok, this was a bit rough but he couldn’t connect the RNC because of the headrest so it took me some time to go to the backseat and choke him with a guillotine.
The fourth scenario was with me in the backseat. It’s was the pretty quick one cause I’m pretty ok with pulling his head in the middle of the car and locking the RNC.
the fifth and sixth scenario was with me in the driver’s seat and he was in the passenger seat and vice versa. Both times I guillotine choked him in about 10 seconds.
the seventh and eighth scenario was the same but this time I would just face him with my legs and it was a pretty quick triangle and armbar submission on him.
We did a few more scenarios, but he was completely exhausted for some reason so there was no point in continuing the fighting.
What’s even more important is I couldn’t even feel that it would be any different if he would try to punch and kick me cause there’s really no space for anything but grappling.
With so little space around us, punches wouldn’t really do any harm to me because there would be no power in them.
Car Jitsu tournaments are a bit different cause they have some rules, but for self-defense in the car, Jiu-Jitsu is simply enough to not get beaten and dominate your opponent. Of course, if I practiced it with someone training in Jiu-Jitsu it would be much harder and messy, but then the one more experienced would win, right?
That actually means you have to train something if you want to be good at it and as I mentioned before there are several reasons why to be good at car jiu-jitsu.
Car Jiu-Jitsu Tournaments
This new type of Jiu-Jitsu tournament is quickly becoming popular.
“Car Jitsu” (jiu-jitsu in the car) is Russians’ latest invention. It is actually a very simple sport. Two fighters are inside the car doing a grappling / BJJ match.
It is a sport that is enjoying increasing popularity in Russia, especially because of the YouTube channel Vika Mikheeva, which regularly publishes recordings of matches, but also the best moments from the tournaments held.
Yes, you read well. “Car Jiu-Jitsu” even has its own tournaments, and from the attached summaries, it is clear that the female population is happy to participate in this sport. By the way, Vik Mikheev is a black belt in BJJ and Judo, and some of the videos on his channel have reached over 100,000 views.
Otherwise, there are certain rules for such matches. The fight lasts two rounds, and each of the fighters starts one round from the driver’s seat. Dominant positions and submissions are scored. The seat belt, steering wheel, mirrors, and all other things in the car may be used as aids during combat.
Make sure to check out the best moments from the first three tournaments in the video at the bottom of the text, and we recommend that you have fun with other videos shared by Vik Mikheev.
Final Words
If you’ve ever thought about getting in your car and using Jitsu to defeat an attacker, then Car Jitsu is for you! This branch of Jiu-Jitsu competition that is designed specifically for vehicles will teach you the skills necessary to defend yourself if you find yourself attacked in a vehicle. It also provides training on how to use a vehicle as a weapon against attackers.
If you’re looking for an exciting way to challenge your mind and body, give car Jitsu a try! You won’t regret it!
A quick tip for all of you who wants to try it is to disable the horn somehow because when I was fighting my friend I felt like the horn is on like 99% of the time, and it’s a bit annoying when you just think of choking someone in your car. 🙂
Who has the best guard in BJJ? The answer to this question changes every few years. It also depends a lot on the new guards that are sprouting all over, and on new innovative players that adopt and develop them. Still, throughout the history of our sport, some people will always remain known for having incredible guard games. The Mendes brothers rank very high on that list, and in particular, Gui Mendes, who now shares a different perspective on approaching the guard game for Jiu-Jitsu players in his “Understanding The Distance From Guard” DVD instructional.
Overview
Mendes brothers’ DVD instructionals have been scarce given how famous they are in the BJJ world. In fact, there are only two titles currently available, both by Gui Mendes. One of them is what we are reviewing here today.
The subject matter is understanding the distance from guard, an approach to BJJ guards that is not often talked about or utilized as much as it should be. Not all guards in Jiu-Jitsu work at all distances, which is a concept that is at the center of this DVD. He covers near distance, middle distance, and far distance dedicating a full volume of the instructional to each. the fourth volume covers sparring, which Gui Mendes narrates, breaking down the uses of all the concepts and techniques outlined in the first three volumes.
Gui covers several guard positions while trying to present his concept which is by no means restricted to only those guard positions.
Techniques List and Free Videos
Instructor Background
Guilherme Mendes is one half of the famous Mendes brothers duo with a legendary status in the BJJ community. Born in 1998 in Rio Claro, Brazil, Gui HE started training along with his brother Rafa in 2001 under Ramon Lemos and they both got their black belts in 2008. The brothers switched teams a lot, from Nova Uniao to Atos, eventually opening their now-famous AOJ academy.
Gui Mendes has 42 wins and 8 losses at black belt, claiming 4 World, 1 Pans, 2 European, and 1 Brazilian Nationals title in the process. He is best known for his incredible guard play, involving lots of inverting and unorthodox attacks. However, the Mendes brothers are also wizards from the top, which makes their understanding of how to play guard even more impressive and detailed.
Subject
The instructional covers X Guards, De la Riva, and Reverse De La Riva, as well as the collar and sleeve guard. Form each, Gui shares concepts of defense, attack, and maintenance, while also focusing on how you can change the guards as the distance between you and the opponent changes.
Apart from covering concepts on managing the three distances, Gui Mendes also offers narrated rolls. This help bring things into perspective for the viewer, especially those looking to use the entire system to improve their guard game
The main approach to everything is control, aka guard maintenance. Mendes starts by defining the distance, then the guard configuration, ensuring it is difficult to pass, and only then talking about attacks: sweeps, submissions, and transitions.
Complexity
The instructional will benefit grapplers of all levels, although those at purple belt and above are the ones that will get the most out of it. Gui Mendes is a great teacher, but Rafa is the better one at teaching when it comes to the Mendes brothers. That just means that people with more experience will have an easier time understanding the concepts offered in this DVD.
The techniques themselves do not go into Berimbolo territory and are simple by Mendes standards. Gui explains everything in detail and although he focuses on Gi moves, most of the concepts, especially those referring to distance are also applicable in No-Gi.
Technical Details
From a technical standpoint, the “Understanding The Distance From Guard” DVD instructional is good. The sound is clear, and Gui, although having a strong Brazilian accent speaks fluently and precisely.
The instructional is available both in DVD format and a digital download, with pristine video quality.
Each of the four volumes lasts roughly about an hour, bringing the total of this instructional at four hours.
Detailed Analysis Of “Understanding The Distance From Guard” by Gui Mendes
DVD #1
In the introductory portion of the first volume, Gui Mendes focuses on the concept of framing and gives his definition of distance from a guard player’s perspective. After a very interesting chapter on distance control, he goes straight into exploring near distance.
Gui opens up with offensive concepts that include braking posture, forcing posts, crossing the centerline, and more. Triangles and collar chokes are the submissions of choice from this distance, and there are great examples of how to chain attacks starting from the submissions themselves.
DVD #2
The medium distance is where most people spend most of their time in guards, especially in the Gi. Most people’s favorites De La Riva and X-guards (which also happen to be Mendes Brothers’ favorites) make appearances throughout this volume.
After explaining the concept of middle distance and a few tips on guard retention, Gui launches straight into attacks. He offers transitions between the De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva, and the X-guards while showing common guard pass counters.
Famous Mendes brothers’ finishes in the form of toe holds and kneebars dominate this volume, as well as some innovative concepts on using the transitions between middle distance guards in order to counter specific guard passes.
DVD Preview Video
DVD #3
The far distance guards, as defined by Gui Mendes, are the ones that have the most distance in between the guard payers and the top player’s hips. Despite many people associating far distance with the supine guard, Gui goes seated, choosing to play the collar and sleeve guard.
Even though this guard might seem vulnerable, it is actually extremely easy to hold and very offensive. Collar drags, are of course the start of the show, followed up by stuff like ankle picks, armbars, and Omoplatas.
DVD #4
The final volume gives us a glimpse into how the Mendes brothers think in terms of match analysis and strategy. In this one, Gui Mendes goes over 12 different sequences as they’re executed in live sparring situations. He narrates all of them but does not go extremely deep with the analysis.
The instructional wraps up with a couple of chapters on drilling and student corrections, which I personally found interesting.
How We Grade “Understanding The Distance From Guard” Gui Mendes DVD
Considering this Gui Mendes DVD’s technical aspects and quality of content, we come to an overall score for this instructional that I’ll deliberate in short below.
Technical Quality: 10/10
This being a BJJ Fanatics DVD, there’s not much to comment on from a technical standpoint. They know how to put their stuff together so nothing but ht highest grade here.
Quality of Content: 8/10
Content-wise, this DVD offers a lot of quality. It is just long enough to cover lots of aspects in regard to the subject matter, covering all of the three distances in-depth, but not going overboard. The precision of the content in terms of length is very important, as many instructional nowadays go astray the longer they are.
While complex, the material covered is still not difficult for everyone to grasp. Gui Mendes makes the necessary connections between the guards, distances, and all the general concepts. It does require previous knowledge of the guard positions, though, and more than just working knowledge. Also, most of the techniques in the instructional are Gi only, which is one of the reasons this is not a perfectly rated instructional.
The narrated roles are also a bit rushed, although the students’ corrections chapter is an interesting thing to put in a BJJ DVD.
Overall Score: 9/10
If you are a guard player, get this DVD. If you follow the Mendes brothers and like their style of guard work, definitely go for this instructional.
DVD video Preview
Wrap Up
I guess any Mendes brothers DVD is one worth checking out. This is a highly specialized instructional, though, and Gui Mendes c certainly delivers some guard magic, as promised in the title. You can hardly go wrong by getting this instructional, but do take into consideration that becoming proficient in each distance of guard will take quite a long time. Even with Mendes brothers guard BJJ DVD instructional.
A pretty weird situation happened at the Daisy Fresh gym after Jakob Spatchy Brooks runs the Gi Class.
He explains the whole situation and why he likes to settle down things with people fighting instead of talking.
“Fighting while growing up wasn’t a big deal for me. We would simply take a couple of fights a week. I’m not saying this to look like a tough guy or something like that. It’s just what would happen and how we would do it. It wasn’t a big deal because you would remain friends with a guy you fought, and you knew you would fight someone tomorrow too.”
“So, once I see that some guys in the gym have some problems going on I just tell them to fight. I tell them they need to fight to settle down the s**t. Because when you’re upset you talk a lot of s**t, so why would you talk when you can fight. It’s not a big deal.”
“The worst thing that can happen is to get your a** whooped” – Explained Jakob Spatchy Brooks
After you get the chance to vote for the UFC Knockout of the Year, in front of you is the choice of the best coercion to surrender or “submission” performed during 2021 in the Octagon.
The four nominees are Glover Teixeira, Brandon Moreno, Vicente Luque and Khamzat Chimaev.
Glover came to the nominations thanks to the end of the fight against Jan Blachowicz, that is, the suffocation by which he took away his title. With his suffocation, Moreno became the first Mexican to win the UFC title, while Luque escorted Tyron Woodley out of the UFC with his intervention. The last is Khazmat Chimaev who strangled Li Jingliang. With the addition of how he did it against a fighter without any “ground game.”
To us, this choice seems to be quite marketing-oriented, since this year the Octagon has seen a lot more moves that are quite difficult to perform. In short, four chokes were nominated, and no levers. But, obviously, the importance of the fight was looked at, as well as the additional building of the hype, we all already know well which fighter.
We will just say that this year two BJJ grandmasters, Jacare Souza of Andrea Muniz and Rodolfo Viera against Anthony Hernandez, suffered defeats with much more impressive techniques.
There’s also very serious protection against serious injuries, the likes of jaw fractures, concussions, potential neck injuries and even bleeding inside the brain. This is done via the prevention of direct violent contact between the upper and lower jaw. In that sense, it can be a lifesaver, which is a great reason why nothing but the very best BJJ mouthguard should be an option you’re considering.
