Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 4-A

ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview(Part 4) with Legendary Martial Artist Rickson Gracie
"Become a 'Modern Samurai' that Fights for your own Joy"

Q: Are you ever going to step in the ring again?

Rickson Gracie (Pronounced Hick-son)

 Born: November, 21 1959.

Nationality: Brazil. Jiu-Jitsu Practitioner.

Known as Prodigal master of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

after leaving a mark in history though MMA.

Established the JJFJ (Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Japan)

 and serves as the President.

Photo by Takahiro Kohara

I don't have any intentions of being in any more professional fights.

My life as a Combat Martial Artist has come to an end, but my days are much more exciting then they have ever been. I also have plenty of goals and objectives in mind.

I plan on living another 50 years or so (laughs). So, I hope to be noticed from here on out as well.

Q: What do you mean by "days that are much more exciting?"

Let's just say that I live a life prioritizing what I love most.

First of all, that means seeing if there is something I can do to help others. Striving to be involved in an activity where I can be a good example to countless number of people.

It also means living my own lifestyle. I feel that it's important to create my own lifestyle to do good work and be a positive influence towards other people.

The focal point of that activity is "Jiu-Jitsu."

From now on, I also want to expand aspects of Jiu-Jitsu as a self-defence in addition to competition and sport Jiu-Jitsu.  I feel as though I am getting just as much joy and maybe even more from Jiu-Jitsu as I did when I was a competitor.

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9711

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 3-G

ARTICLE TRANSLATION:

400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview (Part 3) with Legendary Martial Artist: Rickson Gracie

"Reasons for Retirement"

Q: What's the main factor that brought you to victory in the fight?

When it comes down to it, visualization and the will to win is what really helped me.

I was very satisfied that I was able to accurately follow through not only mentally but also physically while maintaining the principles I believed in.

I continuously visualized a scene where I would take on heavy damage and somehow over come.  I would think up multiple scenarios and countless number of bad situations. However, there was no guarantee for that situation to take place, and I wouldn't know if that visualization would be helpful until the actual fight.

In the fight with Funaki, my visualization came to reality and proved the strength of my will. That fight just happened to be my last fight.

Q: Was this the toughest fight in your MMA career?

No, I don't think so. The Funaki fight was definitely a tough one and it had great significance in that it reaffirmed my ability to maintain a calm state of mind. The fight confirmed that even under such painful physical conditions, I could maintain an unflinching mind and spirit.

The most difficult fight of my career was, and I go into the details in my book, my debut fight as a Combat Martial Artist. The fight against Zulu, when I was 19 years old.

At the time I only weighed 72 kilo-grams (roughly 158 lbs), and my opponent had a much larger build of 98 kilo-grams (roughly 215 lbs). The weight difference was so great that I had no energy lift when I went back to my corner after the first round.

I didn't want to go back into the ring. But my father (Helio) forced me back into the ring and the fight continued. Surprisingly, I ended up winning.

That's where I realized that the fears and insecurities you carry with you is one of the main reasons why people are unable to give it 100%. I realized after all this that your enemy is for the most part you, yourself.

Q: Do you feel that visualizing is what set you apart from Funaki?

Is visualization important or technique important. Well, both are very important and without one the other doesn't really come to fruition.

Technique based on visualization, and visualization based on technique. The best would be to have both well balanced.

Funaki is an exceptional fighter, and I'm sure he was well prepared for the fight. It was an honor to be able to fight him. Although he retired once after his loss to me, I was glad to hear that he is actively back in the world of professional wrestling. I wish him the best of luck.

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9643?page=7

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 3-F

ARTICLE TRANSLATION:
400 Undefeated Fights! Special Interview (Part 3) with Legendary Martial Artist: Rickson Gracie
"Reasons for Retirement"
I calmly approached Funaki and he must have had tunnel vision. Or maybe he was just underestimating me. As a result, I was able to catch him off guard on my next attack.

How could someone, who looked like they were completely defeated, spring on an attack with all the confidence in the world?  That's why Funaki was caught off guard and I was able to win.

What's certain is that there was not a single ounce of doubt in my mind, I had no doubt that victory was a possibility, I simply wasn't going to give up.

Regardless of the fact that I was injured, I never thought to myself, "Oh no, I've got myself in trouble."

My unwavering will, my attitude towards winning, and my belief in my potential couldn't be damaged by anyone. The training I had been doing all my life was finally validated at that moment.

The Toughest Win of the 400 Streak
Q: Having said that, you were pretty cornered weren't you?

It was the first time in my life where I felt like there was close to nothing I could do while being on the mat. I had never experienced such serious damage, and never had to brace myself while thinking, "here comes another attack!"

However, I had the confidence to know that I would be prepared if that became a reality.

And I feel very happy the result was that I won the fight. I endured some heavy pressure and pain while instinctively doing what I had to do in a very critical circumstance. I am very satisfied with the steps I took to handle that situation.

Up Next (3G):
In the end, visualization and a strong will proved to be really helpful. 

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9643?page=6

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

Question about using a Gi

We had a question from one of our readers today...

I wanted to talk to you about the Gi. I was wondering what the benefits of having one are? I know there are certain things that we learn in class that have to do with the lapel and I can see what those benefits are. But I guess my question pertains more with wanting to know if I need to have a Gi or rather is the Gi required?

          - Diego

Hi Diego, 

    Great question. I recommend training with the gi just because it forces you to learn some of the essential techniques to escape from different holds and attacks. The gi really tightens things up and makes it much more difficult to muscle out of things or slip & slide your way out of a hold.
     You will also notice that using the gi gives you many more options to grip onto your partner. Consequently you can slow the pace down more than you could without using a gi. Having to slow the pace of a practice roll down forces you to practice your technique. Since we are here to improve our health & fitness while learning self-defense techniques, it only makes sense to force yourself to learn the technique. 

    I would like people who train at our school to learn both styles and feel comfortable doing both. I feel they should understand the benefits of both styles and not feel like one is better than the other. Having said all that, if you have no interest in training with the gi then don't. The important thing is that you are having fun and enjoying the workouts! 

www.edhbjj.com

Jiu-Jitsu health-style 

"What's the point if your not having fun?"

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 3-E

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

-- Absolutely Never Doubt or Give Up

Alright, here's where things got going. Once my vision recovered, I visualized a path to escape from my current position on my back. Funaki would step back a little when he would aim to kick my knees. That was a chance to stand up.

I'm sure Funaki thought I was staying on the mat because of the damage he had done to me, and that I was unable to get up. Even if I did get up, he probably thought I would need some time to gather my composure.

However, as soon as I regained my vision and got back to my feet, I went forward with full throttle. There's no way Funaki had the slightest clue that I was buying some time while I was on my back, waiting for my eye to recover.

I jumped on Funaki, as though the bell had just rung to signal the start of the fight, and that really caught Funaki off guard. I'm sure he was thinking I would stand up looking lost and perplexed. I attacked with so much vigor it even surprised me, but there was no hesitation.

As soon as I could see what I wanted to, I began a relentless attack, and we were locked together in the center of the mat. Funaki tried to push back, but I would't allow it, tucked my head it, and made him put his hands on the mat.

After grabbing the initiative, I took took the top position, punched him, and got the choke.

-- And even though you looked cornered, you won!

I found out afterwards that Funaki was really surprised to see me get up.

Had he anticipated that I would become offensive and begin attacking with confidence, my window of opportunity to attack would have been much smaller and he wouldn't have been caught off guard. However, Funaki was thinking the fight was as good as over and he couldn't keep up with the sudden shift that followed.

Up Next (3F):
Out of 400 Undefeated Fights, My Most Difficult Fight

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9643?page=5

Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Learn, Share, Train, Adapt"

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"