Rickson Gracie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rickson Gracie
Born	(1959-11-21) November 21, 1959 (age 65) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Division	Middleweight
Teacher(s)	Helio Gracie, Rolls Gracie
Rank	9th deg. BJJ red belt under Rorion Gracie
Years active	1980, 1984, 1994-2000 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total	11
Wins	11
By knockout	2
By submission	9
Losses	0
Notable relatives	Kron Gracie, son

Rickson Gracie (born November 21, 1959) is a retired mixed martial artist from Brazil. He is part of the famous Gracie family, known for developing Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Rickson is the third oldest son of Hélio Gracie, who was a very important figure in martial arts.

In the 1980s and 1990s, many people thought Rickson was the best fighter in the Gracie family. He was also considered one of the toughest fighters in the world. In July 2017, he earned the ninth-degree red belt. This is the second-highest rank in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Rickson Gracie is seen as a key person in the history of both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts (MMA). He competed in several vale tudo fights in Brazil during the 1980s. In the 1990s, he became very famous in Japan. He won the Vale Tudo Japan tournaments in 1994 and 1995. He also fought in major events like Pride 1 and Pride 4. These fights helped make MMA very popular in Japan. Rickson retired from MMA with a perfect record of 11 wins and no losses. All of his wins were by submission, meaning he made his opponents give up.

Rickson Gracie's Early Life and Training

Rickson Gracie, the son of Helio Gracie, started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from a young age. He earned his black belt in 1977 when he was 18 years old. This was a big achievement for him.

Facing Rei Zulu in Brazil

When Rickson was 20, he had a big fight in Brasília against a famous Brazilian fighter named Casemiro "Rei Zulu" Nascimento Martins. Rei Zulu was a very large man, weighing about 230 pounds (104 kg). He was known for his experience in vale tudo fights. Even though Zulu was much bigger, Rickson won the match in the third round. He used a rear naked choke to make Zulu give up. This win made Rickson famous across Brazil.

In 1984, Rei Zulu asked for a rematch in Rio de Janeiro. This fight was held in the Maracanazinho stadium, with 20,000 people watching. Rickson won again by using another choke in the second round.

Challenges from Luta Livre Fighters

In the late 1980s, there was a rivalry between Brazilian jiu-jitsu and another martial art called luta livre. Rickson Gracie was challenged by several luta livre fighters. One notable challenge was from Marco Ruas, but the fight did not happen.

Later, Rickson was challenged by Hugo Duarte. Rickson encountered Duarte on the beach and they had an unplanned fight. Rickson won by making Duarte give up. Soon after, Duarte came to Rickson's gym for a rematch. Rickson won again. After these events, Rickson left Brazil for the United States.

Winning in Vale Tudo Japan Tournaments

In 1994, Rickson Gracie was invited to compete in a tournament called Vale Tudo Japan. He traveled to Japan and showed his skills. His first opponent was Yoshinori Nishi. Rickson took him to the ground and won with a rear naked choke. Next, he faced Dave Levicki, a much larger opponent. Rickson quickly took him down and won by TKO (technical knockout) after landing many punches. In the finals, Rickson fought kickboxer Bud Smith and won in a similar way, becoming the tournament champion.

The same year, a professional wrestler named Yoji Anjo came to challenge Rickson at his gym. Rickson was better in the fight, using ground and pound techniques. Anjo did not give up, so Rickson choked him until he became unconscious.

A year later, Rickson returned for the next Vale Tudo Japan tournament in 1995. He faced Yoshihisa Yamamoto and won by choke. He then quickly defeated Koichiro Kimura. In the finals, he met Yuki Nakai. Nakai put up a strong fight, but Rickson managed to take his back and choke him, winning the tournament again.

Fighting in Pride Fighting Championships

In 1997, Rickson Gracie agreed to fight Nobuhiko Takada at the Pride 1 event. This event took place in the Tokyo Dome with nearly 48,000 spectators. Rickson defeated Takada by getting into a mounted position and then applying an armbar, making Takada give up.

Rickson became very popular in Japan. He later agreed to a rematch against Takada at Pride 4. Takada had improved, but Rickson still managed to take him down. Rickson applied another armbar and won the fight again.

In May 2000, Rickson fought Masakatsu Funaki at the Colosseum event. This fight was held at the Tokyo Dome and was watched by millions on TV. Rickson won the fight by using a rear naked choke.

Rickson was later offered fights against other famous martial artists like Naoya Ogawa and Kazushi Sakuraba. However, a sad event happened in January 2001 when Rickson's son, Rockson, passed away. This loss deeply affected Rickson, and he decided to retire from professional fighting.

Rickson Gracie in Media and Recognition

Rickson Gracie has been featured in various media. He was the main subject of a 1995 documentary called Choke. This film followed Rickson and two other fighters as they prepared for and competed in the Vale Tudo Japan 1995 tournament.

He also had a small role in the movie The Incredible Hulk as an aikido instructor. Rickson appeared on the National Geographic show Fight Science.

In 1998, Rickson Gracie was featured on the cover of Karaté Bushido, a well-known martial arts magazine in Europe. In November 2014, he was inducted into the Legends of MMA Hall of Fame.

In May 2020, news came out about a Netflix film being made about Rickson Gracie. The film is directed by José Padilha, and Rickson's role is played by Cauã Reymond.

Rickson Gracie's Family Life

Rickson Gracie has four children: Rockson Gracie (who passed away), Kauan, Kaulin, and Kron Gracie. His son Rockson passed away in December 2000. This sad event led to Rickson's retirement from professional fighting.

In June 2023, Rickson shared in an interview that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021.

Rickson Gracie's Mixed Martial Arts Record

Rickson Gracie's Jiu-Jitsu Record

Result	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Notes
Win	Joe Moreira	Submission (Choke)	V Copa Company - Absolute	1988
Win	Joe Moreira	Submission (Choke)	V Copa Company - Light Heavyweight	1988
Win	Rigan Machado	Submission (Rear-naked choke)	Independent promotion	1986
Win	Murilo Sa	Submission (Armbar)	Copa Cantao	1986
Win	Rigan Machado	Submission (Exhaustion)	III Copa Company	1986
Win	Otavio Peixotinho	Submission (Armbar)	LINJJI	1984
Win	Sergio Penha	Submission (Choke)	AABB	1981
Win	Sergio Penha	Submission (Armbar)	AABB	1981

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See also

In Spanish: Rickson Gracie para niños

• List of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners
• List of undefeated mixed martial artists