When it comes to legendary figures in the world of Vale Tudo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there is one name that stands above all - Rickson Gracie.
Although he has a documented 11-0 NHB/MMA record, he is also famous for his purported 400-0 record from various Vale Tudo matches, street fights, and gym challenges. This is something of a debate in the community among fighters, fans, and even members of his own family. His father Helio expressed that Rickson may be inflating the number by including amateur and practice bouts, and that if he did that himself he would have over one million bouts.
In the following piece of rare footage, we see a young Rickson Gracie taking on a six-time Russian Judo champion who also had experience in boxing. On paper, this would seem like stylistic kryptonite for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist, but Rickson seemed to have no issue tackling the Judoka to the mat and taking the back. From there Rickson unleashes a volley of strikes to the back of the head before sinking in the rear-naked choke and getting the tap from his challenger.
Check out the full clip below.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu