Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

by Kid Nate on Apr 18, 2008 9:59 AM EDT in MMA News

Word is that Roger Gracie has turned down matches with both Josh Barnett and Jeff Monson. Hand-picking opponents is after all one of the Gracie family's longest-standing traditions.

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Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

Roger Gracie only has one MMA fight. He shouldn't be fighting Barnett or Monson. If he turned down a grappling match with one of them I'd be upset, but I don't see anything remotely wrong with this.

by FRANKIE on Apr 18, 2008 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

I agree with this man.

by MikeyPatriot on Apr 18, 2008 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

If Gracie wants to hit the hustings and build his career slowly with 2nd and 3rd tier opponents -- and I agree that that's a good plan for him, he should do what non-royal family MMA fighters do -- go to the smaller promotions and do it. Sengoku is trying to be a top-tier MMA organization, IMO there's no place in such an org for newbies who are hesitant to get their feet wet. He should sign up with DEEP or Cage Force or any number of Brazilian promotions if he wants to start slow.

by Kid Nate on Apr 18, 2008 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

How do you feel about Kimbo Slice? Its not like Roger Gracie turned down a fight with Tank. Also, I know Sengoku is TRYING to be big time, but they have only had one show. They have to fill the card with names people know, like Gracie. It doesn't matter if he fights a bum.

by szucconi on Apr 18, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

Ha! I knew someone would bust me on that contradiction. Kimbo is obviously a singular sports phenomenon and every step must be taken to protect and develop the golden egg laying goose. :P

by Kid Nate on Apr 18, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

If WVR is willing to sign him, why shouldn't he fight there?

by MikeyPatriot on Apr 18, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

The question to me is this -- is the Gracie name so valuable to WVR that it justifies allowing him to handpick opponents? Gracie vs Barnett or Monson are fights that IMO would have some drawing power at the top of a card for WVR. Does Gracie against TBA really improve at all over the Cro-Cop vs Can fight that caused the first DREAM to stiff so badly? The two new Japanese promotions don't seem to be in a position to coddle their headlining fighters. Just like UFC threw Lesnar in at the deep end against Mir, the WVR will likely be forced to do the same against Gracie unless they can come up with someone who is both a draw and not very dangerous. That's why Ken Shamrock's loss was so bad for EliteXC. Ken vs Kimbo was perfect because it was potentially a big draw without putting Kimbo in too much jeopardy. Now they're putting Kimbo in against James Thompson -- a guy who got crushed on their last Showtime card.

by Kid Nate on Apr 18, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

Gotta agree, give him a few fights. Same goes for Kimbo.

I just can't understand this mentality in mma. Using boxing for an example, fighters usually have 20-25 fights before even stepping up to top competition.

Now I don't like comparing the 2 sports, but percentage wise, that is 1/3 to 1/2 of their career fights against lower tier fighters.

Now i know this may vary depending on prior experience such as olympic boxing, all-american wrestling, world class bjj and undefeated youtube fights. However, I think we should reserve judgements like this until they have 6-12 mid level mma fights.

And I will again express my thought that the UFC should have signed Roger. He is a HW in a weak division and has a name recognizable to more casual fans.

by BJJDenver on Apr 18, 2008 11:44 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

Fuck you. Show some respect for a great fighting family.
Whats up with your family? Obesity, heart attacks, potato chips and bon-bons?

Leg Locks Rule!

by jjdnb on Apr 18, 2008 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

Looks like you touched a nerve.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Apr 18, 2008 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

Fuck you. Just for opening with that kinda bullshit. Plus the family insults to a man you don't know? grow up. he wasn't insulting your family, was he?

It's this kind of fan-nuthuggery that's the problem.

Yeah, the Gracie's are a great fighting family, but you have to take that point with a grain of salt, as that 'greatness' has been established by dodging risky fights. Full props to them for opening everyone's eyes to the single most dominant style, in a world where people only have one style. But the world of martial arts is now populated by people with mastery over multiple facets of fighting. And if the Gracies want to continue being in the forefront of fighting families, they have to take on all offers (see the name Nogueira).

Besides, the Gracies didn't invent jiu-jitsu. They modified it a little bit. Almost all submissions in BJJ were developed in Japan, and taught to the gracies in the early 1900's. Let them be fan-boy adored when they have at least one and a half centuries of domination over everyone they don't hand-pick. Till then, take their BS with a grain of salt.

by aej on Apr 18, 2008 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Roger Gracie Carrying on a Family Tradition

Didn't mean to disrespect anyone. Just stating a fact, the Gracies have been notorious for carefully picking their opponents for years. Personally I think its smart, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to call you out for it.

by Kid Nate on Apr 19, 2008 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions