Rickson Gracie

Rickson Gracie (pronounced “Hickson”) is Helio's third son and grew up surrounded by Jiu-Jitsu. He started competing at age six and began teaching at fifteen. His breakthrough came at twenty, when he defeated the much larger Brazilian fighter Zulu in a Vale Tudo match — Zulu was undefeated in 140 fights at the time. Five years later Zulu asked for a rematch and, in front of 20,000 spectators, had to tap out once again.

From that moment on, Rickson was seen as the leading figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a 7th degree black belt within the Gracie family and his techniques are considered among the best in the world. His talent and dedication resulted in an undefeated record of over 400 fights across Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, freestyle wrestling, Sambo and Vale Tudo. He is a two-time national freestyle wrestling champion, holds a gold medal in Sambo, and has never lost a fight since earning his black belt.

In Japan his name still echoes: he is the man who brought Vale Tudo to the country, and the Japanese public gave him the highest recognition possible — possessing the spirit of the samurai.