Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 3-D

ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
400 Undefeated Fights: Special Interview (Part 3) with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie
"Decision for Retirement"

Since your aortic optic nerve is connected to both eyes, there are times when both eyes loses focus even if only one eye is hurt. My vision had gone completely blurry and all I could do was lay there on the ground.

My brother was yelling at me from the corner, "C'mon! Stand up!"

However, I began thinking while I was in that position. As I heard the instructions from my corner, and the crowd of forty thousand roaring with excitement every time Funaki kicked me, I just said to myself.

"Crap, I can't see. I can't stand up like this!"

Q: It looked like you didn't move for quite a while. 

As the crowd kept roaring, Funaki kept on kicking me. I couldn't let him know that I had taken some damage to my eye. So I intentionally didn't favor it. But I couldn't see. All I could do was wait patiently.

After some time I went back to watch the video of that fight and realized I didn't do anything for about 40 seconds.

I looked like at cat getting kicked around the place. My brother was confused. "What's wrong Rickson? Stand up!" But, I couldn't have told my brother that I was injured. I just had to wait.

I'm sure Funaki was attacking me and thinking at the same time. I'm sure he was thinking things like; "He's confused,"and "he's scared of me," or "he's in pain," and maybe even "this fight is all mine."

Funaki just kept kicking. Meanwhile, I need to buy some time so I didn't even think about changing positions. I just kept gritting my teeth and kept waiting. After about 40 seconds, I still couldn't see out of my one eye, but my aortic optic nerve had recovered and my other eye was starting to focus again.

Up Next Part 3-E:
Never give up, never doubt

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9643?page=4

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 3-C

ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview(Part 3) with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie
"Reasons for Retirement"

Until about 2007, I had every intention of stepping into the ring had something been able to be negotiated. Eventually, the decision was made that the likelihood of me fighting again was very little.

"I resolved to retire from a world that no longer fit me."
Photo by Takahiro Kohara

The world of Martial Arts had completely changed, and as multiple martial artists stepped up to take fights, the number of promotions had diminished. As a result, the possibility of working out another fight for me was getting smaller and smaller.

I decided it was time to retire from a world that was no longer appropriate for me.

I was undefeated and had become famous. However, I had passed up my last big opportunity to  take a fight that could have led to an enormous payday.

That fight could have completely changed my life.

But, just because you have money doesn't give you the ability to fly, so you just have to accept the situation you are in. I regained my footing and set up a new plan. Being reborn as the new me, I decided to start walking on my new path.

Life just keeps going on.

The effectiveness of "Visualization" confirmed by the Funaki fight

Q: I heard you realized the value of "Visualization" from what ended up being your last fight against Funaki Masakatsu.

Visualization is an essential tool for athletes. Obviously I use it for special events, but I would also visualize before regular matches.  Even if the fight ended in a different way, I would imagine every fight as though I was dreaming, ending every visualization with my hand being raised.

However, in my visualization I included getting dizzy or taking a heavy punch. I would have to guard myself and patiently wait until I recovered from being dizzy.
I always felt these type of visualization exercises were beneficial, and eventually an event took place that would confirm its effectiveness.

Q: And that was the battle against Funaki?

That's right. The fight against Funaki was sold out, and over forty thousand people packed Tokyo Dome. An estimated twenty million people viewed the televised fight.

Immediately following the beginning of the fight, both of us went down to the ground and Funaki started throwing heavy punches.

Funaki just kept dashing out punches without being in a really good position. He was wearing MMA gloves with his thumbs exposed, and some part of the leather that was sticking out hit my eye. You wouldn't really say those were accurate punches, but my eye began to feel compressed and I was unable to see anything out of my eye.

Up Next (Part 3-D):
"Crap, I can't see. I can't stand up like this!"

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9643?page=3

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

How Wrestlers struggle in MMA (UFC 130)

     Some of the most incredible MMA fights we've seen have involved guys with strong wrestling backgrounds. To name a few of them; Randy Couture, Urijah Faber, Dan Henderson, Mark Munoz, Mo Lawal, the list goes on. These guys have been able to control their opponents by taking them down to the mat and dominating each position. At the same time, I have seen a few fights where some of these great wresters have been neutralized. In UFC 130 Rampage vs Hamill, we saw how that happens. Hamill, a three time D3 NCAA Champion, kept trying to attack for a takedown, but Rampage was able to neutralize his attacks and kept the fight on the feet. It became very clear that Hamill was very frustrated after his takedown attempts were blocked time and time again.
     Here is why I think sometimes wrestlers struggle to take people down in MMA. At an elite level of wrestling, takedowns are successful not because they have an awesome takedown, but because they have perfected the SET UP to the takedown. It's very rare to see elite level wrestlers getting taken down from leg attacks that have no set ups. Hand fighting, pushing and pulling, snapping and faking leads to setting up a takedown. However, this is not an element in MMA. As a matter of fact, doing this in MMA would get you knocked out....  Instead, you have to use your striking as a set up, and therefore there is little contact going on that could be described as hand fighting. Therefore, we see some of the most successful takedowns in MMA from the Over-Under Clench Position.  From this position, you can use the push-pull action to set up your opponent for a throw, body-lock, trip, or takedown.
     Going back to the Rampage vs Hamill fight in UFC 130, almost every attack Hamill made came from an open position where Rampage could see the takedown attempt and strike or sink his hips back with plenty of time to get an under-hook or get his body between the leg attack. Had Hamill been able to set Rampage up to walk into his takedowns, the outcome might have been much different. Needless to say, thanks to both fighters for an exciting display of guts and strategy!

Eliot Kelly 

El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 

"Successful ATTACKS are a result of Successful SET UPS"

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 3-B

ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
400 Undefeated Fights! A Special Interview (Part 3) with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie 
"On why he stopped fighting"

-- Retirement was decided because "there was nothing left to prove."

Q: Spending time with your family was more of a priority than your fights, right?

Even if devoting myself in training would have been the best way to overcome my grief, I couldn't allow myself to only be thinking about me, or to not be face to face with my family.

"Unfortunately, there were no longer any fights I
thought I would like to do."
Photo by Takahiro Kohara

I passed up an opportunity that was never again, and the fighter that I was supposed to take on at one of the most premiere promotions, lost in another fight that took place shortly after. Having lowered his popularity, the charm in having me fight him was lowered. Meanwhile, two years passed while I waited for another opportunity, and I gradually began to close myself off.

My hormone levels had gone down, and my testosterone levels had significantly declined.

While my family and I were regaining our footing, my golden ages had slowly rolled on by.  By the time I looked up, they had completely disappeared.

Q: Is that around the time you decided to retire?

No, even then I was still waiting for the next opportunity. I was thinking it wouldn't have mattered even if the terms behind the fight were not as good as the one before.

However, I didn't want to stand in the ring for the sake of just pleasing the promoters or fans.

I wanted to take on a fight that was appropriate for me. However, unfortunately, there were no longer any fights I thought I would like to do. The only thing I heard from people were about talks of marketing related strategies or business expansion.

Q: So, Rickson Gracie won't stand in the ring again?

Ya, I don't have any intention of taking another professional fight.

Right now for me, there is nothing I have to prove to myself. The fact that a right offer at the right time didn't come along is one reason, but there's also the fact that it's harder to maintain my best physical condition because of my age and the intense training I've put myself through.

Up Next Part 3-C:
I realized the effectiveness of "Visualization" from the Funaki fight

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9643?page=2

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills BJJ

"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt."

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 3-A

Article Translation:
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview(3) with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie. "The reason for retirement"

Rickson Gracie
Born: November,  21. 1959
From: Brazil
Jiu-Jitsu Practitioner
Photo by Takahiro Kohara

Q: Rickson, could you tell us how you started thinking about retirement?

Rickson: In February of 2006, eight months after my fight in Tokyo Dome against Funaki, my first born son passed away. 

Within three weeks of my son's passing, I was offered another fight. Had this fight taken place, it certainly would have been the best fight of my career, since the proposed terms of the fight were unmatched.

However, those talks took place too soon after the passing of my son. I couldn't accept anything offer no matter how good it was.

I certainly could have "dedicate the win to Rockson," and justified my actions. Doing so probably would added fuel to my desire to get stronger.

However, if I was always prepping for my fight by "going to go train" or "going for a swim," for the 8 months leading up to my fight, I would have grown distant from my family. For example, I wouldn't have had the time to be close to my family to talk while dropping and picking everyone one up from school.

How much we wanted to see Rockson. If Rockson was in heaven, how happy he was up there. I would have lost the opportunity to have those conversations, to look back and be reminiscent of the many little memories we shared. 

Coming Next:

Part (3-b) The reason I decided to retire was because  "I had nothing left to prove."

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9643

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills BJJ
"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 2-E

Article Translation:
400 Undefeated Fights! Interview (Part 2) with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie

- " To Survive" rather than "To Win" -
Q: What were you always thinking, when you had your fights?

Rickson: I always gladly accepted challenges without questioning the time limit, terms of the fight, or my opponents physique. In those situations, I would always make sure to prioritize "don't beat down the opponent." I would emphasize that there was no way I would get beat up.

I would always make use of an opportunity to end a fight, but that's not to say ending the fight was my utmost priority.

I took on a fight with hungry eyes, while never forgetting my own weak points. I went into a fight while being mindful of the dangers. At the same time, I wouldn't let a single opportunity escape, pouncing on every opening.

Q: "Winning" wasn't the most important thing?

Rickson: I never prioritized winning. Above all, the most important thing was to survive.

No matter what I do I protect myself. You need to remain calm even if you fall into the worst situation imaginable.

Allow time to pass while staying calm, protecting your safety and just wait for the chance to come. If your attacker keeps attacking and attacking over and over again to finally say, "Dang it! This is going nowhere!" And gives up, then that's quite impressive.

Obviously, it would be in your favor if the person attacking you slipped up and you could counterattack, but at the very least, being able to get home without being hurt is the most important thing. If you can live without getting dragged into any trouble, that would be the best.

Being able to avoid trouble is a very important skill. I would even say that for many people, the ability to know how to avoid trouble is the most useful of the skills learned.

I have focused on teaching Jiu-Jitsu to as many people as possible since I made the decision to retire. In addition to being a sport, Jiu-Jitsu is something that has a positive influence on society. That's what Jiu-Jitsu is.

Coming Next:
 Part 3: "The reasons behind not fighting anymore"

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9562?page=5

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills BJJ 

"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

May Word of the Month: CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE is the word of the month for May.

      In our daily lives, with work, school, relationships, or even jiu-jitsu, it's not uncommon to see people allowing each day to slip through without a challenge. This month I would like for you to challenge yourself on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. What do I mean by this?
     Have something you can do on a daily basis; picking up trash you see on the road, jumping rope for 5min. every morning, or something as simple as drinking 5 glasses of water. Have something you can do on a weekly basis; Read for 1 hr. three times a week, go for a 30min. walk three times a week, or eat out only two times a week. Have something you can do on a monthly basis; Enter a 5k or 10k race, go to every jiu-jitsu practice, or take someone out on a date.
     A challenge doesn't always have to be difficult. The important thing about a challenge is that you make a conscious effort to do something to improve yourself or the community around you. Having a challenge should motivate you to become better and do better. Living a life without challenge is like living the same day over and over again. You need to challenge yourself if you want to have a sense of accomplishment or victory at the end of the day!

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills, CA

"A challenge you take on and accomplish today, is no longer as challenging the next day!"

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 2-D

Article Translation:
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview (Part 2) Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie

- This may be a difficult question, but if you were to explain "Jiu-Jitsu" in a few words what would it be?

Rickson: If I were to explain Jiu-Jitsu, I would have to say Jiu-Jitsu is a simple method of understanding yourself, basically it's the art of becoming a person that doesn't lose.

I guarantee that the people I teach Jiu-Jitsu to can become invincible. I promise that they will become individuals that absolutely will not lose. You have my word, 100 Percent.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to beat the person in front of you. That's a different story. However, if you know you can't lose, the only other option is to draw or win.

Try imagining that you are going into a fight that you know you won't lose.

- That's a pretty good situation (smile).

Rickson: Right? For example, a situation where some bad guy attacks you. Someone 15 years younger than you and 80 pounds heavier is coming at you with the intention of hurting you.

You hold that person there for an hour and eventually the cops show up, arrest the person and you escaped a near death experience. Things went well. This would be the same as a substantial victory, and at the very least you would have saved your life.

If the terms were more evenly matched you probably would have won. If you were around the same age, similar physique, and other things were the same then there's no doubt you would have thrashed that person for trying to attack you.

Coming Next: (part 2-e)
"Surviving" rather than "Winning" is what's important

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9562?page=4

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills BJJ
"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 2-C

Article Translation:

400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview (part 2) with Legendary Martial Artist: Rickson Gracie 

"What Present Day Martial Arts has Lost."


- How do you see the world of Martial Arts expanding in the future?  What is the stance of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu on all this?

Rickson: Unfortunately this trend will continue for a while. Hundreds and thousands of people are thinking they want to watch two men slug it out, so there is no reason for things not to become popular. As a result, the money moving behind the sport will continue to grow.

"I would like people to learn Jiu-Jitsu, just as
they would learn the piano or the violin."
Photo by Takahiro Kohara

I have always fought for the sake of showing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the Gracie Technique. I have never adapted other types of Martial Arts into my training to win fights.

If one day my son Kron decides to participate in one of these events I would like for him to fight as a representative of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

It wouldn't be to entertain the audience anticipating to see a flutter of jumps, punches, or kicks. I am positive that Kron would enter the ring to use the power of jiu-jitsu he has acquired to neutralize an opponent influenced by another form of martial arts.

Jiu-Jitsu is the "art of becoming a person that won't lose."

- There isn't a chance for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to be swallowed up by Mixed Martial Arts?

Rickson: At this moment, there is no mistake in saying that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is at the center of martial arts, and is the most practical form of martial arts. I am sure Gracie Jiu-Jitsu will continue to be what it is, and will it's style and purpose will continue to be a great aid to many fighters.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has spread all over the globe, but I personally don't feel mesmerized at all by the present state of Mixed Martial Arts.

My Goal is to strengthen Jiu-Jitsu and bring it back to the forefront. I would like to respond to our society's greater needs with the power of Jiu-Jitsu.

Jiu-Jitsu has the ability to change your life and expand an individual's ability. Confidence, self-esteem, and a tranquil spirit is born as a result of Jiu-Jitsu. Traditional elements of martial arts such as respect, honor, and discipline are acquired. These are all things I would like to show and teach to little children.

Rather than seeing people learn Jiu-Jitsu to beat other martial artists, I would be happier to see children doing Jiu-Jitsu and improving their self-confidence while living a better balanced life.

That's why I would like people to learn Jiu-Jitsu, just as they would learn the piano or the violin.

Up Next (Part 2-D):
I guarantee those I teach Jiu-Jitsu to will become invincible.

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9562?page=3

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu
"Read, Share, Train, Adapt"