Exclusive: Jiu Jitsu Prince Renzo Gracie Tells 30 Ninjas About Demolishing Lies in the Octagon, an Epic Fight in Japan, and What Made Him a Better Man
30 Ninjas caught up with Renzo Gracie at the three-ring circus known as Big Apple Comic Con amid the vividly decked-out cosplayers and comic-book vendors. Renzo, as you may know, is a world-renowned practitioner of Brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts, and a member of the famous Gracie family of jiu jitsu teachers and fighters, who are credited with founding Brazilian jiu jitsu and bringing it to America. Renzo, in spite of his obvious self-confidence and charisma, seemed a little out of place at the con. This is a guy who doesn’t dress up for glory; he strips down to his shorts and takes pride and pleasure at showing the world, and himself, exactly what he’s made of.
30 NINJAS: How has Brazilian jiu jitsu evolved since the early days of the UFC in this country, and have your teaching methods changed based on lessons learned in the octagon?
RENZO GRACIE: Definitely. I think the MMA always brings in new stuff. It’s like the MMA is a proving ground. Like in racing tracks, how the new devices for the brand-new cars, all the safety devices that you have in a car that drives on the street, were actually tested on the track. So this is the same thing here: We test in the MMA, and we add to Brazilian jiu jitsu. So we keep what works and what doesn’t work we throw out of the window.
30 NINJAS: As the fighting sports develop and grow in popularity, do you think martial arts will be able to survive with their traditions, or do you think sport fighting techniques will come to dominate training?
RG: I do think everything’s an evolution. Even the martial arts aspect will have to evolve and to adapt to new times. You know, when I moved to America, I remember saying during an interview that the karate school that didn’t know how to teach grappling would be out of business. And that was true, now every karate school teaches grappling and so this is the evolution, and I said that 15 years ago.
30 NINJAS: Do you think martial arts culture has changed with the rise in popularity of mixed martial arts?
RG: Definitely, because before they would claim that they could kill you with a touch. So now you go do that touch inside the ring, and you show the reality, so you see who’s who. There’s no lies. The moment that cage locks, you can see who’s the best fighter.
30 NINJAS: Are you saying the mystery’s gone from that then?
RG: No, the lies. The truth comes out. I’ve lived my whole life fighting under the truth side. You know, people said they could split my head with a little chop. Things like that. Now you can see it in there. If you can do it, do it in there. I’m not a brick who you can just hit and break it, or a piece of wood or a block of ice. I’m normally moving and trying to find my way to beat you too at the same time. We are the bags that hit back.
30 NINJAS: Which mixed martial arts fighters have you most enjoyed teaching, and why?
RG: There’s a lot of people. I had a great time teaching Matt Serra, Ricardo Almeida, the “Big Dog”, Georges St. Pierre. So many of my cousins, Igor, Rolles, and Gregor, Rodrigo — everyone that was under me learning was always a great pleasure to teach.
30 NINJAS: What are some of your proudest memories as a fighter and as a teacher?
RG: One of my proudest moments was when I had my arm broken during a fight in Japan, and that was a real test. I wanted to see if my mind could overcome the pain in my mind. So I didn’t give up. Even with the elbow out of place, I just smiled. The ref stopped the fight, saying that I couldn’t continue; the guy had the victory, but I had the pleasure to see my limits. It made me a better man and a better fighter.
My name is Renzo Gracie and it’s a pleasure to be with you guys here.
Watch Renzo Fight!
Renzo Gracie vs. Phil Benedict
Renzo Gracie vs. Oleg “The Russian Bear” Taktarov
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu vs. Judo – Renzo Gracie vs. Ben Spijkers (1 of 2)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu vs. Judo – Renzo Gracie vs. Ben Spijkers (2 of 2)
(25 votes, average: 2.80 out of 4)
Post a Comment to Exclusive: Jiu Jitsu Prince Renzo Gracie Tells 30 Ninjas About Demolishing Lies in the Octagon, an Epic Fight in Japan, and What Made Him a Better Man