ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie
"Become a Modern Samurai who fights for their own happiness."
Q: What about the possibility of producing a new mixed martial arts event?
Mixed Martial Arts is an extremely neutral stage where people who have learned different disciplines of martial arts come together to fight. I feel that it's very important to establish a place for that, and I wouldn't mind if that became one of my goals.
However, if the philosophy behind martial arts isn't included in a place like that it has no meaning.
Under the current conditions, I don't believe there are too many parents who would be pushing their children to train to enter mixed martial arts events.
When my family began to promote Vale Tudo in the United States for the world to see, it was a tournament to test and measure the most efficient style of martial arts.
Nowadays its not so much about the best martial art, but a competition to see who is the strongest person. And on the surface of all this we tend to see a clashing of strength rather than a technical battle between the opponents.
If I was able to present and spread the Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts I believe across the world, undertaking a project like that doesn't sound like a bad idea.
Q: Are there any current martial artists you have your eyes on?
I'm not going to bring up any specific names, but there are plenty of technical and talented fighters in Japan.
Unfortunately, the current state of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) with shorter rounds and time limits and clearly defined weight classes, the physical fighters are the ones making an impact.
Therefore there's no guarantee that the more technical fighter will end up on top.
This is what I mean by technique. Waiting for a chance to attack when your opponent makes a mistake without wasting any strength. When there is a time limit, that becomes impossible.
Therefore as long as the rules stay the same it will be rare to see a sequence of delicate and technical moves. For Japanese fighters I think that would be to their disadvantage.
Q: Speaking of Japanese fighters, it seems to this day there are many fans who would like to see you and Kazushi Sakuraba in the ring.
I have no inclination to fight anyone right now.
If I were to look back at the times before I was retired..... As long as the circumstances were right, it would have been right to settle the score with Sakuraba, a guy who had beaten many Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighters.
Up Next Part 4-E: "Regardless of age, sex, or occupation, everyone is fighting a daily battle of many problems, grief, or fears. I want them to win those battles."
Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9711?page=4
Translation by:
Eliot Kelly
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