John Danaher is a long time Renzo Gracie student and this time he shares a story with Renzo Gracie being challenged in his academy. As Danaher witnessed the challenge here is what exactly happened there with a guy thinking he’s “unchokeable”.

Reflections on my sensei: When my sensei, Renzo Gracie, first moved permanently to the United States, jiu jitsu was in its absolute infancy here. It’s only publicity had come from early MMA fighting. The Martial arts scene in general was very primitive with all kinds of crazy arts making wild claims of fighting prowess and occult abilities.

MMA proved to have a wonderful cleansing effect on the world of martial arts as it made all claims subject to empirical testing – but that took years to complete.

In those early days of the Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC challenge matches and doubters seeking proof of the effectiveness of jiu jitsu were a common occurrence.

One night when sensei was teaching (I was a fresh white belt and there were only a few blue belts and two purple belts), a man walked quietly in and began quietly observing the class. When class was finished we all typically hung about and asked Mr Gracie questions and talked about fighting and women. The quiet stranger stepped forward into the group and politely inquired of Mr Gracie if he could test his best stranglehold. Rather taken aback by this request, Mr Gracie asked what he meant. The man stood up confidently and said, “I practice an art that makes me literally invulnerable to choke holds. Your art is based on chokes and you are famous for them. I wish to test both you and myself”.

We were all rather surprised at this claim as every strangle we ever experienced felt extremely effective and impossible to resist. Mr Gracie asked, “Let me get this straight. You are saying that if I start with a fully locked in chokehold, it won’t work on you?” The stranger looked back at him with a poker face and replied in a voice that conveyed serene confidence and mild disdain for our primitive techniques, “Yes – that’s exactly what I am saying.”

There was a long silence. The sheer confidence of the man was so astounding that even Mr Gracie momentarily looked hesitant to try. The stranger sat down in front of Mr Gracie, his back to him, and said, “take your favorite hold and do your best.” We all looked at each other and then the scene in front of us. Mr Gracie got behind him and applied his strangle hold and asked the stranger if he was ready. He raised his chin to allow the stranglehold even better access and calmly replied, “yes – are you?” If I told you, my faithful readers, that we had no doubt in our beloved sensei and his strangle, I would be a liar. Such was the confidence of this man that we were all wondering- perhaps he really DOES have access to some unknown skill or ability to renders strangles ineffective. Such was his serenity that even dear sensei, a man who had spent his entire life practicing the art of strangulation and never experienced a single failure, looked to have a shadow of self doubt in his eyes.

We all fervently looked on as sensei closed the strangle upon the stranger who sat with the calmness of a Buddha before him. Mr Gracie squeezed and the strangers face immediately showed the reddened strain of a powerful strangle. He grasped Mr Gracie’s forearm and tried to apply what looked like pressure point technique to the forearm muscles. His fingers started slipping as the strangle rapidly took effect and the stranger tapped out. We all looked at each other in what can only be described as a very awkward silence. Mr Gracie laughed and said, “well, you tapped – what happened?” The stranger looked shocked and bewildered. He immediately stated that no one had ever successfully strangled him and that Mr Gracie must have some kind of special invulnerability to his secret technique.

Immediately Mr Gracie had all of us strangle the stranger in turn. By the end the poor fellow looked like he had run back to back NYC and Boston marathons while smoking a carton of cigarettes and drinking a shot of bourbon at every mile. It was clear that any properly applied strangle even from a white belt, was one hundred percent effective on him and the mysterious art of the stranger was one hundred percent INEFFECTIVE on strangles.

As silly as it all sounds now, it was a valuable early lesson to us on confidence. We must be very clear about the BASIS of our confidence. Confidence based upon empirically supported ideas and skills is one of the pillars of successful action, both in life and in combat. Confidence based upon conjecture, hearsay and unsupported claims that go against what we normally observe to be the case, is worse than useless – it is positively harmful – as it will give us the confidence to act, but not the proven technique to succeed.

https://www.facebook.com/john.danaher.96/posts/412480475834342

Renzo Gracie Collecting Garbage by Court Order

Renzo Gracie Arrested for Beating A bouncer in New York Nightclub (Video)

Renzo Gracie B**chslapped a guy who blew an air horn in His Ear

Mackenzie Dern is ready for her Invicta FC debut with an eye on staying unbeaten in her pro career.

Tomorrow on Dec. 8, Mackenzie Dern will face former title challenger Kaline Medeiros.

Former UFC, Price fighter and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Legend Renzo Gracie is currently collecting garbage on the streets of New York. It’s a 10 days community service he earned for a brawling in a night club back in 2014. You can check the video and details of Renzo Gracies arrest on THIS LINK.

Renzo wrote on his instagram and posted a video of him and “his driver”:

“Now this is how I collect the garbage on my beloved city doing community service on court’s order by the way, we just broke the record collecting 330bags in one morning shift from 7am to 10am After and ACL replacement I’m a Jiujitsu man before anything if I had to do it I will do it with all my heart and will and of course with a broad smile in my face and poetry in my heart. But the best part was after ten days doing this job, this amazing soul who is next to me in the vídeo came with a form saying that he could get me a job with them because they were needing people that work hard like me, he said it was 10 bucks an hour only but the benefits were great I couldn’t help but give my Trash man brother a big hug Every time I have a chance I drive by there to see them I always bring some ice cream with me I try to live Life as it has to be lived. Until today they don’t know who I am, nor what I do for a living they just accepted me as one of them. What I am really is Just one of them”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BacNwDVjRRO/

Renzo Gracie Arrested for Beating A bouncer in New York Nightclub (Video)

You can also check out how Renzo BitchSlapped a guy who blew an airhorn in his ear.

Renzo Gracie B**chslapped a guy who blew an air horn in His Ear

Back in 2014 Renzo Gracie together with his friends and cousins was arrested on Sunday May, 18. 2014. after a big brawl in a nightclub in New York.

Renzo Gracie and his cousin Igor Gracie were arrested together with 5 other people at 1:30 a.m. for beating down a bouncer, 35 yr old, Craig Molesphini.

Craig Molesphini suffered a fractured right arm together with bruises and cuts, source said. But, on monday, after the fight Molesphini said:  “I have a slightly fractured elbow”.

Renzo, Igor and the rest of the crew were charged with “gang assault” and it was 2nd degree charge.

Renzo and Igor were released on $10,000 bail.

Sherdog.com confirmed with the New York Police Department’s 10th Precinct that Renzo Gracie was arrested.

“Specific details regarding Gracie’s arrest and potential charges were unavailable at the time of this writing because the 47-year-old was going through the legal process, according to a representative from the NYPD.

Gracie then became involved in a confrontation with what the witness described as the doorman. Things escalated from there, as Gracie’s group allegedly squared off with a group of 1-Oak bouncers. According to the witness, Gracie at one point had the doorman in full mount, while another one of his group hit a different bouncer with a construction cone.

The fracas spilled into the street, with more punches being thrown. Eventually the police arrived and arrested everyone in Gracie’s party, while an ambulance came for the bouncer who had been mounted by Gracie, according to the witness. It was unclear as to why Gracie and his group were originally upset.”

Incident was recorded with a camera and you can check it in a video below:

At that time Renzo was not allowed to comment the incident but he sent the message to Ariel helwani saying:

“Everything is a misunderstanding,” Renzo wrote. “We always had a great relationship with that amazing club and all their employees.

“Soon everything will be clear.”

And it really is clear. Renzo is now a Garbage Man on the streets of New York and, as we can see, he’s having fun. He even broke a Record of collecting garbage as he collected 330bags in one morning shift from 7am to 10am.

Renzo Gracie B**chslapped a guy who blew an air horn in His Ear

I’m not ready for my blue belt promotion is something that BJJ practitioners often thinks. There are many reasons why they think so but, few of the most common are: I can’t tap blue belts or some white belts dominates me. Well, it’s not about the roll. It’s not about who taps who. There is much more involved in it.

Your instructor just promotes you in front of everyone into a blue belt but you have a feeling you don’t deserve it. Well in 99.9% that’s not the case. You deserve it if your instructor thinks so.

At the end of a day you should trust your instructors judgement and assessment of your skills. While there are many reasons why you’re promoted that you obviously don’t see or you don’t understand, you shouldn’t question your instructor.

Saulo Riberio wrote an article on this subject.

“If you worry about the time and speed of your promotions, you lose yourself. Remember, before you are a blue, purple, or brown belt, you want to feel like one. You must feel that your skills are there. You cannot fool yourself. Attaining a belt is just proof that your teacher is connected with you. You will know when you deserve it. My role as a instructor is to be there and say “Its time.” But you should already realize this on your own.”

“Jiu Jitsu Is not math, and promotion is not based on attendance or calendar dates. A regimented promotion schedule based on dates or attendance is the worst way to gauge development. Jiu Jitsu is more complex than this.”

“There is no sense in chasing a belt and getting it as fast as possible. Often, people do not see that black belt will be their longest belt. Remember, it doesn’t matter if you get it in four years or fifteen. Either way, you will have the rest of your life with a black belt around your waist. Building the belt is what matters.“

In this video below Prof. Jeremy Arel talks about feelings of inadequacy about belt rank.

“This is a common occurrence in our sport and one that is often discounted by instructors upon promotion but with little explanation of why it’s not an issue.”

“There was another 8 minutes before this portion of the video but I edited it down to what I believe was the most important content. Previous to this clip, I talk about my trip to Brazil being a powerful experience because it gave me perspective and a frame of reference, specifically with the black belt rank.”

“As I continue to grow technically ,my understanding of the rank structure changes regularly as well. This is my current thinkings and concepts about promotion as a whole.”

25 Reasons Why You Don’t Progress in Jiu-Jitsu As Fast As You Can

Shortcuts and Directions For The Fastest Progress in Jiu Jitsu

Back in 2000 in a middle of a turbulent time Gracie Family Carlson Gracie gave an interview for O Tatame in Brazil.

Interview Translated from Portuguese by Tatiana Santos

T: Who was the best in Jiu-Jitsu: Rolls or Rickson?

Carlson Gracie: Of course it was Rolls. He was a lot more technical, a phenomenon.

T: And in Vale-Tudo? Who is the best fighter that you’ve seen?

Carlson Gracie: Until now, it’s Vitor Belfort. There are a lot of good ones, but Vitor is the best.

T: Liborio has the fame of being the best Jiu-Jitsu fighter from your team. Everyone says that he’s a finisher. Do you think he would beat Rickson in a sport Jiu-Jitsu fight?

Carlson Gracie: For sure he would win. I have no doubt.

T: Why doesn’t he fight Vale-Tudo?

Carlson Gracie: Because he’s sponsored by Banco do Brasil (one of the largest Brazilian banks) and they don’t agree with Vale-Tudo, but it’s being discussed. In Vale-Tudo, he’s a phenomenon. I guarantee.

T: In your academy, there are fighters with a very high level of technique, for example: Murilo, Ze Mario, Crezio, Amaury, De La Riva, etc. Until not long ago, Wallid was the most well known. Was he really the best fighter from your team, or was his fame more of a self-promotion?

Carlson Gracie: Wallid is one of the good fighters that I have, but was never the best. There are a lot of people ahead of him.

T: Wasn’t there any jealousy from the fighters that were mentioned in the previous question towards Wallid?

Carlson Gracie: No. Even though he did a lot of self-promotion, there wasn’t any jealousy of that kind. In fact, the marketing of Wallid helped promote the other fighters from the academy also. Then it ended-up being good for everyone.

T: Do you think Amaury would’ve had a better performance in the UFC, had he been trained by you? What do you think of him as a Vale-Tudo fighter and how is the relationship between the two of you?

Carlson Gracie: Look, the relationship between us is great. I don’t know what happened with him in that Vale-Tudo in the U.S. He was dead, with no physical conditioning, with no technical conditioning. If I had been his trainer, the way he had been performing, I wouldn’t of let him fight. There he would lose to anyone. Even though I think he’s a great Vale-Tudo fighter.

T: What can you tell us about names like Marco Ruas & Hugo Duarte?

Carlson Gracie: They are good fighters, but are not among the top. Proof of that is that they don’t want to fight my fighters.

T: How is the relationship with your family? What do you think of the accusations that Reylson made against you?

Carlson Gracie: Reylson is mentally retarded, crazy, and should be in a mental hospital. I have no answers for a famigerado (asshole, troublemaker). About the rest of the family, everything is fine right now. Even though there’s little things that I don’t agree with. But in the ring, I don’t care. My Jiu-Jitsu is completely different from theirs, my technique has nothing to do with “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.” I AM CARLSON GRACIE and that’s the way it is in the ring. Who ever shows up on the way in, is going to have to fight against my fighters.

T: How was your beginning in the U.S.? How is your life there nowadays? Has it been worth it for you in all aspects, including financial?

Carlson Gracie: Look, in the beginning, it was a disaster. I was working with an asshole named Frederico La Penda. This guy was the biggest swindler in L.A. I don’t know how a man like that can promote Vale-Tudo events here in Brazil. So because of that, I was doing very badly in the beginning. Nowadays, even though I don’t have my own academy, my situation is very good. Now in November, I’m going to open a big academy. I’m expanding Jiu-Jitsu to the whole world. I have fighters in big events. For me it’s great.

T: How did you meet Al Stankie, and how did he start training Vitor for boxing?

Carlson Gracie: One day Vitor went to train at the L.A. Boxing club (one of the biggest in L.A.). Al Stankie saw the training and went to talk to him and told him that he had huge potential and would like to start training him. That was it.

T: What do you see in the future for Vitor?

Carlson Gracie: Well, in Vale-Tudo, he’s already at the top. In boxing, according to Al Stankie, he has a big future ahead.

T: What do you think of him leaving the Vale-Tudo and staying only with boxing?

Carlson Gracie: This doesn’t exist, it’s only gossip from the opposition. He’s going to fight in both.

T: You wouldn’t let him leave Vale-Tudo now?

Carlson Gracie: Who am I to tell him not to fight. I would be against it, but if he wanted to leave, what can I do? But I think not, he loves Vale-Tudo, it was Vale-Tudo that gave him the fame. I think that he can do both at the same time perfectly.

T: You always complained about the referees in Jiu-Jitsu competitions. How do you see this problem nowadays? Give some examples of doubted results for a clear explanation.

Carlson Gracie: I’ve seen the biggest, most absurd referees here in Brazil. There was a fight with Royler against Joao Roque in the National championship of ’94. It was incredible what they did with the boy. Have you seen a fighter win from a 5-0 deficit and lose from a 4-0 advantage because of the referee. Joao Roque had five points clearly on Royler, (I have the video of the fight to prove it) and the referee, Redley, didn’t give it to him. And the boy without going anywhere was incredibly punished with the loss of four points by Redley. Actually, in the same fight, even if there weren’t any points, Joao Roque would’ve won. The tape doesn’t let me lie. There is this guy named “Big Head”, he’s the biggest rat in refereeing, I don’t know how he can go home and look at his wife and kids. He’s a rat. There’s people that commit errors because they don’t know, but there’s also people that commit errors on purpose. Another example: Royler was a referee of a fight with one of my students in the Pan-American games, it was between Anderson and Claudio Moreno in the finals. (before another final in the same competition, Royler told me, “look Carlson, now I want to see your student against mine”) His student had finished five fights and was going to the finals against Daniel Christoph, then I said, “Is you student going to fight that blond guy there? Man that guy would even beat you. Stop talking shit, if your student doesn’t tap, it doesn’t count.” Then after two or three minutes, Daniel had dominated the fight and finished his opponent. Then I had my moment to laugh. Just after that Carlinhos called Royler to referee Anderson’s fight. What he did was too much; it was truly a crime. Anderson had seven points, and Claudio Moreno had only two. Royler raised Claudio’s hand. He knew he cheated. It was 7-2 for Anderson. I think that Royler was told to do so. I think Carlinhos told him, that if Anderson won that fight, my academy would have taken the title.

T: Speaking of that, how is your relationship with the Federation?

Carlson Gracie I don’t have a relationship with them. I was in the world competition as a protest and now my academy will not participate any more. Not only do you pay a lot for the registration, (basically equal to a month’s minimum wage salary) but also you get cheated. We are making our own federation now, were going to make better competitions where the athletes will basically pay nothing, because that’s the way it should be. It’s absurd; the fighter makes the show and still has to pay to be involved. All this money goes in the president of the Federations’ pocket.

T:T: Who is going to rule over the new Federation?

Carlson Gracie: Janualdo Damardil, a very good politician who’s going to get a lot of sponsorships and make a lot of good events.

T:T: What did you think of the fight between Marcio Feitosa and Leozinho in the finals of the World Championship?

Carlson Gracie: In the beginning, Marcio really had the advantage, but after, he got shy and the other guy attacked the whole time. He kept attacking him and Marcio was just balled up. For me, Marcio Feitosa should be dis-classified because he didn’t even try to compete. Leozinho kicked his ass and with out a doubt won the fight.

T: How many Vale-Tudo fights were you in? Was there ever any loss?

Carlson Gracie: I was in eighteen Vale-Tudo fights. There was one time in Bahia (North Brazil) against Euclides Pereira, and the referees decided to give him the victory. I don’t think I lost, for me that was not a loss.

T: What was your hardest fight?

Carlson Gracie: My hardest fight was against Ivan Gomes, he was a monster. Afterwards, he became my student and became world champion. That was a terrible fight, with three-ten minute rounds, and would only stop if one of us fell out of the ring. He had 98 Kg (215lbs), and I was 73Kg (160lbs). But I was in really good shape, if it wasn’t for that, I would have lost.

T: Was he a Jiu-Jitsu fighter?

Carlson Gracie: I think he learned with a student of my uncle, George in Recife (also North Brazil). He was a Jiu-Jitsu fighter and not only was he very strong, but he had a very hard guard.

T: What about Waldemar Santana 1 2 ?

Carlson Gracie: Waldemar was a student of the family for twelve or thirteen years. He fought more than 20 times for our academy. What happened was, he had a disagreement with Helio Gracie, and they decided to fight Vale-Tudo, and Waldemar won. In fact, I was a friend of his, and told him: “look Waldemar, we are friends, but now I can’t let it pass, you beat Helio, now your going to have to fight me. I have nothing against you, but in the ring, I’m going to beat the shit out of you!” And I did. I fought against him six times. I won four times, and two were a draw. He was tough shit. If it were today, he would be one of the best fighters.

T: What’s the reason for your disagreement with Helio Gracie?

Carlson Gracie: I have nothing against him, the only problem is that he’s going around telling lies, you know what I mean? He goes around saying that his sons are the biggest & best fighters in the world and that they discovered the invincibility. His students lose everything here in Brazil. OK, Royce did well in the U.S. He beat everyone there, but no one knew anything then. Here in Brazil, I’ve never seen Royce win ONE championship. He lost to everyone. He lost to De La Riva, who was so much smaller than him. He tapped out to Paschoal. He’s a good fighter, but never won anything here. He’s not this “phenomenon” that they talk about.

T: And Rorion? How is your relationship with him nowadays?

Carlson Gracie: The problem with him is that he trademarked the name “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu” in the U.S. but he’s not going to keep me from using “Carlson Gracie”. Like I said, I want nothing to do with “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu”. I am “Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu” . Nowadays, the “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu” is old. They say that strength doesn’t count, but it does. Maybe it wouldn’t make a difference if the opponent didn’t know anything. If the opponent knows something, then the strength starts to count. Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a combination. It’s endurance, technique, etc. I’m not going to have a student of mine who’s 90Kg (198Lbs) fight someone who weighs 130Kg (286Lbs) and is very good also. They’re lost, they’ve stopped in time and space. Along with my students, I’ve evolved the Jiu-Jitsu even further. They call themselves the best, but they don’t prove it. In the U.S., they don’t enter their students into any outside competitions. Let me tell you a little story about Rorion. Every day Rorion used to come to me and ask me if I knew how to speak English, and I would say no, I didn’t know how at all, and he would keep asking me and Rillion every day. Then he invited us to do a television interview with him. He was sitting in the middle, and Rillion & I were on either side. I couldn’t understand a thing. All I understood him saying was “Rillion Gracie and Carlson Gracie” once in a while, and pointing at us. OK, one month goes by, and I was here in Brazil when a friend of mine called me to say: “Carlson, I saw the interview with you, Rorion and Rillion in the U.S., he only told lies.” “You don’t know any English, do you?” “He only said bullshit, and you were practically agreeing with him.” “He would talk and turn to the sides saying that you and Rillion were there to confirm it.” Then I went to my friend’s house, for him to translate exactly what was said. Then I found out that Rorion said that he was a national champion for 20 years and had never lost and that he had invented the Gracie diet. He even said that my dad was just a fucking assistant of his and that it was Helio Gracie who brought Jiu-Jitsu to Brazil. Lies over lies! When I found out, I was so mad!

T: What do you think of the wrestling fighters?

Carlson Gracie: Wrestling is a hard fight. The guys are very strong and have excellent technique for takedowns, and they make it very hard to win. Of course in the same weight category, Jiu-Jitsu is better. You see, Fabio Gurgel fought a guy that weighed 30Kg (66lbs) more than him. Murilo, against a monster with 40Kg (88Lbs) more. This Tom Erickson is the most dangerous Vale-Tudo fighter out there. Not forgetting to mention that these guys train in everything: Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, etc. not only in wrestling. You can’t keep giving the advantage of weight to them.

T: Talk about the hype around the name “Vitor Gracie”.

Carlson Gracie: In the beginning, my family was against it. They kept saying no, because they thought he was going to lose. I decided to let it go, and Vitor started winning, and then the family recognized it. But it was too late, I didn’t want it anymore, and neither did Vitor.

T: Let’s talk about something else. What do you like outside of Jiu-Jitsu?

Carlson Gracie: I’m a music lover. Good music for me is everything. It could be any kind, if its good, I like it. I think I have good taste. I also like Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, etc. sports are very good.

T: What kind of music do you prefer?

Carlson Gracie: Romantic, Flamenca, the big orchestras. Now who I really like is Yma Sumac. To get an idea, she’s the only human being who can achieve a 1/8th octave in her voice. She’s now 91 years old. When I was seventeen years old, I was already a big fan. I have all of her music and couldn’t believe that I saw here in concert in the U.S. She’s incredible.

T: Is it true that you gave dance classes?

Carlson Gracie: Ah, I used to teach girls in the xa xa xa era. That was the kind of dance that lasted longer. There was rock, twist and lambada, but the xa xa xa stayed at the top of the charts for 4 or 5 years. I learned with Brigitte Bardot’s boyfriend. Back in the days there was a nightclub named the Black Horse, and they came to bring this dance here. I was very good and I used to teach the girls. The funny thing is that only girls would take the classes, the guys I would kick out. (laughs).

T: To finish this, talk about your sponsors for us?

Carlson Gracie: Look, I have my sponsor here by my side. Which is my friend, and I don’t trade him for anyone. He’s Julio from Arrebentacao. He’s a very good sponsor. There are a lot of other companies offering me a lot more, but (laughs) I won’t switch, no way.

Source: O TATAME

Rickson Gracie Explains What Blue Belt Really Means in Jiu-Jitsu

Roberto Godoi is running the biggest BJJ association in Brazil organized BJJ Belt promotion with 1200 promoted students.

Godoi was one of the top competitors of his generation and one of the biggest names from Sao Paulo. He’s also also a founder of one of the strongest associations in the region, “Godoi Jiu Jitsu”.

This ceremony was held in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Few days before Roberto Godoi promoted 75 guys to a fresh new Black Belts he wrote:

“75 new Black Bands, congratulations to all involved!
More than champions on the mats, a true Black Belt should know their “social responsibility” by wearing it on their waist! ???
75 new Black Belts, congratulations to all involved!
More than champions on the mats, true Black Belt should know their “social responsibility” by wearing it on their waist! ???”

https://www.facebook.com/RobertoGodoiOficial/photos/a.1628376620777283.1073741829.1628062227475389/2001572273457714/?type=3