Legendary Grand Master Helio Gracie Passes Away
by Nick Thomas on Jan 29, 2009 9:59 AM EST
in News
43 comments
Unfortunately this is true, very sad news.
We still don't have many details, but Helio Gracie passed away and his burial will be today around 5:00pm in Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro.
From itgcrew on the UG.
UPDATE by Kid Nate: If you're unfamiliar with Helio's legacy and importance to the sport, be sure and read the post I wrote for his 95th birthday last year. Here's a quote from Helio that sums up his bad-ass outlook on life:
Why fear death? I don’t need anything, I don’t have anything, I don’t want anything. I think it’s silly for somebody to be scared of dying. One should be afraid of being born. I have already told my children when I die I want a party, with no alcohol, no hell raising [general laughter]. But I want a party with music, food… I don’t know if you guys believe in reincarnation, but we all go and come back until the day we no longer have to return. My brother [Carlos Gracie, already deceased] used to say the fellow only stops returning to Earth when he mingles with the Whole. Even when you’re thinking just a little bit wrongly, you come back to continue evolving. Hell, my friends, is right here on Earth.
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A great loss but a Great life
It feels like I just lost my Uncle and I never even met him. He is truly someone who has made a great impact on many peoples lives from all over the world. Not a lot of people can say that. I am a proud student of his style and thank him for his impact on my life. Living a long life and leaving a huge impact is a good way to be remembered. RIP
by son of miss the mark on Jan 29, 2009 10:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Without him
I’d never have gotten a chance to get my stylish red and black belt
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Jan 29, 2009 10:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Much respect
To a badass old man. Now you can get that rematch with Kimura.
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Jan 29, 2009 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Well said.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 29, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone better toast this man on Saturday before the main event. Without him, it’s arguable none of this would have been possible. RIP, Grand Master.
by Luke Thomas on Jan 29, 2009 10:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
i subonciously kinda felt he'd live forever
and it really sucks to see him go. I started in a gracie family gym, and there was such admiration for him.
RIP
im not impressed with your performance
by troy145 on Jan 29, 2009 10:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
A visionary, a great Martial Artists, and by all accounts, a great man
Goodnight Master Gracie. Sleep Well.
by Cmad77 on Jan 29, 2009 11:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Best wishes to the family. Helio lived a great life and will be remembered for many generations to come.
by adamdd on Jan 29, 2009 11:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sad day to end many great years.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
by BJJDenver on Jan 29, 2009 11:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
And I hope they have a moment of silence in his honor this weekend.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
by BJJDenver on Jan 29, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If all they have
Is some little moment of silence they are straight wrong. I wouldn’t expect it at 94 but they should fly out the major Gracies in MMA history for a real tribute at 96.
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Jan 29, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would love to see a huge Gracie ceremony conducted by the UFC at 100. I think it would be timely and fitting.
Amazing news at my school. Royler (Helio’s son) is scheduled to do a seminar this Saturday. I foolishly assumed it would be postponed or canceled. This is what my Professore/owner had to say on our website:
A sad day for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. (Royler Seminar is on as scheduled) – Jan 29, 2009 – 11:20am
Master Helio Gracie passed away this morning in his mountain home in Rio De Janeiro. Master helio, one of the main founders of Gracie, also known as Brazilian Jiu-jitsu was a fearless fighter and a man who practiced what he preached. He created the art that started the UFC, and effected millions of lives throughout the world in a positive way. I dont beleive anyone could hope for a fuller or more eventfull life. He leaves behind not only a family of teachers and fighters but a legacy.
Master Helio, you will be greatly missed,
Rest in peace.
Following in his tradition Royler will be conducting the seminar as planned. Helio was known as unflapable and determined and would not want it any other way. I just got off the phone with Royler and as he put it “my father spent his life practicing and preaching Jiu-jitsu, and would have wanted me on the mat spreading the positive message of Gracie Jiu-jitsu, so warm those necks up!”
See you on the mat saturday!!!
Amal Easton
This is the kind of dedicated, unflinching legacy that Helio has left behind. A great role model for us to follow and try to get the most out of every minute of life.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
by BJJDenver on Jan 29, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There has to be a tribute at UFC 94
And I’ll be the first to bitch if there isn’t. Thank you, Helio.
by subo on Jan 29, 2009 11:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would actually prefer they not mention it
at all and then do some massive production at a later show.
The only way I want them to address it at 94 is if it’s by way of saying “And oh yeah, we’ve got one HELL of a party lined up for UFC __ to honor his legacy.”
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
by misterjonez on Jan 30, 2009 8:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"When you fall asleep, I'm going to come over there and punch you in the face."--Brennan the Dragon
Everyone wears robes in heaven. Except for the Gi’s of Helio and Carlos.
by bubbafat on Jan 29, 2009 12:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dude.....
He seemed like such a gentle person. I watched UFC 1 the other day and he was in there making a speech after Royce won the tournement. He said the the UFC was the ultimate test he was looking for to challenge his jiujitsu. RIP.
by Bandaka on Jan 29, 2009 12:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
ha! One thing Helio Gracie was not was a gentle person.
The dude was COMBATIVE.
He learned to control himself, largely through jiu jitsu, but he was not by temperment a gentle person. His many many feuds back in the old days testify to that.
by Kid Nate on Jan 29, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and the attitudes of his sons reflect that
they arent necessarily hostile, as that give the connotation that they cant be social, but the gracie family has never been shy of a fight
im not impressed with your performance
by troy145 on Jan 29, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The news is already up on UFC.com. So Subo doesn’t have to shoot himself.
by bubbafat on Jan 29, 2009 12:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I normally direct my bullets towards others if I’m pissed.
by subo on Jan 29, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We must be twins separated at birth…
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
by misterjonez on Jan 30, 2009 8:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, great quote
Gave me goosebumps.
RIP
by xFenixKnightx on Jan 29, 2009 12:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
A tribute, yes!
Ok, everyone, write a little note to the UFC and ask them to include a tribute to Helio this Saturday. If the news is up on UFC.com I have a feeling they will but lets not leave it to chance.
by Reciprocity on Jan 29, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
RIP
He made my life more enjoyable and I’m pretty sure it was one-way. So I would just like to say thank you.
by katolotus on Jan 29, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I always figured the grim reaper was a bit too scared of him to try to take him.
Thanks for everything, Helio.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by themachiavellian on Jan 29, 2009 1:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Stephan Bonnar is fighting on Saturday, he is a loyal Carlos Gracie student. I’m sure, he’ll say something. He did when Carlos died.
by bubbafat on Jan 29, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Carlson, ,
Bonnar was a student of Carlson Gracie — Helio’s nephew and the son of Carlos Gracie, Helio’s older brother.
by Kid Nate on Jan 29, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Carlson..
minor point of correction but it’s Carlson. Who was a wonderful guy for me to have known albeit for only a brief time
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 29, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
RIP
All of us who live this sport are forever indebted to this man and his legacy.
by klown on Jan 29, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
RIP
Grandmaster.
http://mma4real.net/
by Tha Realness on Jan 29, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
my mistake. He’s still a loyal Gracie student
by bubbafat on Jan 29, 2009 9:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Im glad to hear he went peacefully in his sleep. We had a good talk about his legacy at the academy today… imagine if none of this existed. BJJ is what gave MMA a chance to be seen by the uneducated public without cringing at the brutality of some purebrawling and slams.
im proud to be a student of the gracie system
RIP
by beersnbroads on Jan 29, 2009 10:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I completely agree with his outlook and I’m relieved that others share this outlook. Death is not a bad thing, it’s just the continuing passage. Never thought about fearing birth though, but it makes sense! haha.
God speed Master Gracie.
by Dooda on Jan 30, 2009 1:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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