Anyone happen to catch this on Spike after the TUF debut last night? It was a pretty cool show which documented the history of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu from it's origins through the first 5 UFC events. Most of the fights are obviously common knowledge, but there were some interesting interviews and behind the scenes stuff that was cool to see. I don't think I knew before that Royce was specifically chosen by the Gracie klan to be their representative in the first UFC event because he was the smallest of the family. They didn't want 200+ pound Rickson to fight because people might think it was size rather than their technique that helped. Amazing that that single choice made Royce one of the most recognized fighters in MMA history. If the family simply sent their best fighter, Rickson would undoubtedly be considered in the same light, likely to an even greater degree.
Yeah, it's cool why Royce was selected. Common knowledge, but still cool. Those were the days. It's sad to see what tue UFC has become.
You like the cheesy toughman era of UFC but don't like the more evolved version we have now? What is wrong with you? ::
Yes man! Because, to me, it's still cheesy as hell. Especially from a production stand point. It's sports for kids. But back then? It was so raw. I recently rewatched UFC 1-10. Feels like I do it every couple of years. It was just so much fun, so corny, but they knew it.
It's funny but rewatching highlights of the first 5 UFC events last night got me thinking about RJJ's thread about street fighting. Those early UFC events with "no rules" were about as close as you get. The UFC is a far better promotion now. The game has evolved so quickly. Fighters have to be well-rounded. There is no misconception anymore that a fighter trained in one discipline has any chance. It also shows you how popular MMA has become. 17 years ago armbars, triangles, RNC's, etc shocked and amazed viewers. Now those things are as common in fan's vernacular as the term jab is to boxing fans.
Absolutely. That was one on ine street fighting. It didn't actually determine which technique was best because the only displine that was represented by an elite fighter was Jiu-Jitsu. But still, it was great.
I won't lie, I like the old UFC's too, and watch them every once in a while just for fun. To me they are far more cheesy than any of today's MMA shows. It's like a toughman contest and most of these guys could not fight a lick. ::
They couldn't fight at all. :: Ok here's a hypothetical I always think about when I see UFC 1. What if 1993 Holyfield was on the opposite side of the bracket to Gracie in UFC 1? How awesome would that have been? And who wins?
Holy knocks him out. I think Holy would be too strong and Royce's striking has always been horrible. That would have been awesome for sure. Sure beats Art Jimmerson. ::
That doc is contrary to initially was said about Royce. Initially it was suppose to be Rickson, but because Rickson was starting his own school away from the family, that they picked royce instead. And family were never as close after that.
This is what I have heard as well and I got my info from a brown belt out the Gracie family. I have to agree with Z on Holyfield. Royce can't take my son down. The only thing in my mind that rings out is how no one knew anything about BJJ and would Holy have realized what was happening before it was too late?
Royce would manage to pull guard and get Holyfield down. Royce was great at being like velcro once he got hold of you. Holyfield wouldn't last much longer than Jimmerson. People just didn't know enough about Jiu-Jitsu.
So I'm watching it now... one point so far. It's pretty funny that almost twenty years later, the UFC is STILL trying to tell everyone that Art Jimmerson was a legitimate boxer. ::
You guys know exactly what I'm talking about. They say Art was a good, highly rated boxer. They are still lying about Jimmerson.
VERY Entertaining Piece... & INFORMATIVE, for an MMA Fan like REED, who's Only Been Watching the Sport for a Handful of Years Now...The Name "Royce Gracie" was in REED's Concious, but REED Didn't Know the DETAILS of why he was Sooooo Respected..."Ultimate Gracie" Detailed it Expertly... That "Gracie Train" Thing Makes for a COOL Ass Ring Entrance... REED:mj:
That was REED's ONLY "Problem" w/the Piece...REED had NEVER EVER Heard of "Art Jimmerson" UNTIL "Ultimate Gracie", yet they Portrayed this Guy as an ELITE Level Boxer???... NOT!!... REED:nono:
Yep...Even Whipping Out a Pic of Jimmerson & Thomas Hearns Together, as if that PROVES Something... REED:hammert:
But the 1st UFC Event Alleged that they Recruited "The BEST Guys from Each Style of Fighting"...Let's NOT Pretend that Jimmerson EVER Fit into that Description... REED:shit:
Jimmerson was NEVER an ELITE Level Boxer Though, so to Bring him to an MMA Tournament & ADVERTISE Him as "The Best of the Best that Boxing Offers" is MISleading, if Not a Straight Up LIE.... Andrew DID NOT "Misspeak"... REED:kidcool:
Most of U Guys Trumping Up Art Jimmerson NEVER Even Heard of the Guy UNTIL the Gracie Program the Other Night::... Anyways, here's Jimmerson's BOXING Record... http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=2044&cat=boxer As U Can CLEARLY See, he Lost to EVERY SINGLE "Name" Opponent that he Fought, & MORE Times than Not, it was by KO...Sorry, but it's a STRETCH To Call this Guy a "Legit" Boxer... REED:shit:
Wrong. Its not a stretch to call him Legit in the least. He was a boxer. There is no disputing this word. Was he any good? Seems like he wasnt. But he was also a last minute replacement. As for being legit, again. This is not up for debate.
