Rickson Gracie

He creates things to modify things to adapt for himself.

And that's why Jiu-Jitsu gets, once arrives in Brazil, this kind of special element of more techniques, or more softness, or more capabilities to adjust.

Especially fighting from the bottom, which my father could not ever fight from the top.

So he developed ways from the guard position, which he has an opponent between the legs, to be able to not only be comfortable against punches and also submit with triangle chokes, arm bars and strikes.

So he becomes very clever on that aspect of fighting.

So with this being said, my dad grew as a general, as a...

as a new modern view for Jiu-Jitsu and make not only his kids, but his nephews parts of a clan.

My uncle Carlos always been a very dedicated to create a clan.

And my father Elio was the guy who was the general

for the army, you know, he was more physical, he was more giving talents.

And my uncle has more the spiritual guidance, giving more nutrition values for the family, giving more sense of strategy for the accomplishment.

So he was the guy behind with his mind open for everything.

And my father was the guy who's really bringing the fight, bringing the techniques to the cousins and the family.

When I was born, my father was already in his 50s.

So I could not have the experience of him fighting.

I could not remember those elements.

I remember him more older, giving my brothers thanks for improving my jiu-jitsu or guidance to students or talking about the federation, talking about the politics behind.

So I get from him the impression was...

He's the guy who leads all of us to a better future, to a better representation, to grow the family.

Did he push you guys to be tough or anything?