Firstly let me say I am not making excuses for him, he fought Matt Hughes and lost but I just think the back story is incredible.
His last fight against Frank Shamrock was on Feb 10 2007. After that fight, for almost 3 years, Renzo did not train a single day. When I say not train a single day, I mean he did not roll on the mats once, not do one takedown, not go to the gym, not jog even once. He ate food, drunk beer, got fat, and built up his academies.
Then on November 10th 2010 a 210 lb Renzo Gracie got a call from Dana White offering him a fight in the UFC 6 months later. The next day he went to the gym. He not only had to get his 42 year old body back into shape, but he had to do it without getting injured. For anyone who has tried to get back into shape in their forties, this is no easy feat.
In order to make sure he did not get injured, he went slowly and only started training wresting 2 months ago as this is where he has often picked up injuries.
He then stepped into the ring with one of the most dominant wrestlers in UFC history. He had hoped that Hughes would initiate the ground fight, as Renzo's wrestling was so rusty. Hughes, wisely, chose to keep the fight standing which gave him a much better shot at winning but denied the fans the fight they wanted.
Renzo had tried to do the impossible and failed. Maybe he should have asked for more time to prepare, or an easy warm up fight, but then as Renzo said after the fight "what kind of fighter would that make me".
Looked like a love-fest, not a fight.
6 months is accurate
jiujitsu100 -
His last fight against Frank Shamrock was on Feb 10 2007. After that fight, for almost 3 years, Renzo did not train a single day. When I say not train a single day, I mean he did not roll on the mats once, not do one takedown, not go to the gym, not jog even once. He ate food, drunk beer, got fat, and built up his academies.
Why?
he did not roll on the mats once, not do one takedown, not go to the gym, not jog even once
doesnt he teach at his school?
Your "perspective" make Renzo sound worse.
on November 10th 2010 Renzo Gracie got a call from Dana White
You're fucking tripping if you think Renzo didn't roll for 3 years.
Shit is probably like breathing for Gracies.
Hes 43 fucking years old - he hasnt had a fight in 3 years and that fight didnt last long - hes 43 years old, you get old and you slow down - hes not top level mma anymore.
This coming from a HUGE Renzo fan
He got boxed up, leg kicked to death, and KO'd standing by Matt fucking Hughes.
Renzo is a legend, but I'm not sure there is a WW in the UFC he can beat.
I am not sure these "Gracie" characters have ever really been any good @ this "MMA" thing...
I'm sure Hughes is losing sleep over the thought.
They were good when they were doing the old Vale Tudo matches back in brazil - I persoanlly love the way they did/do things as a family - given its getting convuluted now.
They were good when no one knew what they were doing and are responsible for the mma revolution on the groun - that being said they are being passed now by athletes training mma from an early age.