Thursday, January 29, 2009
by Brian Knapp (bknapp@sherdog.com)
15977
Helio Gracie, the father of Gracie jiu-jitsu, is dead at the age of 95. Gracie passed in his sleep early Thursday in Itaipaiva, Rio de Janeiro, after he had been admitted to a local hospital a few days prior for stomach problems.
“He passed the way he always wanted to –- quick and fast,” said an immediate relative, who asked not to be identified. The relative said Gracie’s body would be buried on Thursday.
The youngest of Cesalina and Gastao Gracie’s eight children, he learned traditional jiu-jitsu by watching his brother, Carlos, teach it, but his small frame made it difficult for him to execute the moves. As a result, he adapted techniques to fit his limited physical ability and gave rise to modern-day Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Gracie was involved in two legendary fights. He lost to Masahiko Kimura -- a man who outweighed him by some 80 pounds -- in 1951 when Carlos threw in the towel after Kimura broke Gracie’s arm with the shoulder lock that now bears his name. Four years later, Gracie fought former student Valdemar Santana for nearly four hours before losing.
His impact on the sport of mixed martial arts was profound. His son, Rorion, was credited with developing the concept that became the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and another of his sons, Royce, won the first two UFC tournaments in 1993 and 1994. Two other sons, Rickson and Royler, also competed in MMA.
Gracie is survived by his wife Vera; his sons Rickson, Royler, Rolker, Royce, Relson, Robin and Rorion; his daughters Rerika and Ricci, as well as numerous siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
TJ DeSantis contributed to this report.
Editor’s Note: This story originally stated that Helio Gracie defeated Valdemar Santana. Gracie, in fact, lost to Santana. The correction was made at 1:23 p.m. ET.
RIP
RIP
RIP
The UG should maybe have a black border as a mark of respect.
holy shit!!! RIP
all of Teachers and Students of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu put on like any thing in your Gi Black to Respect of Legend Helio Gracie Thanks Master Helio Gracie to put this Sport where is Today.
TTT
RIP
1932: Submitted Antonio Portugal by armlock
1932: Draw with Takashi Namiki
1932: Draw with Fred Ebert
1934: Draw with Wladek Zbyszko
1934: Submitted Taro Miyake by choke
1935: Draw with Yassuiti Ono
1936: Draw with Takeo Yano
1936: Submitted Massagoichi by armlock
1936: Draw with Yassuiti Ono
1937: Submitted Erwin Klausner by armlock
1937: Submitted Espingarda
1950: Submitted Landulfo Caribe by choke
1950: Submitted Azevedo Maia by choke
1951: Draw with Kato
1951: Submitted Kato by choke
1951: Defeated by Masahiko Kimura by armlock
1955: Defeated Valdemar Santana by KO (fight duration 3h 45min)
1967: Submitted Valdomiro dos Santos Ferreira by choke
RIP