Grand Master Helio Gracie (Oct 1 1913 – Jan 29 2009) was known as the father of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu BJJ. He was the father of the world-renowned fighters Rickson Gracie, Royler Gracie, Royce Gracie, Relson Gracie and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) founder Rorion Gracie In this video, a documentary, Phil and Ricardo Migliarese,... more »
Sebastiaan “Bas” Rutten (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɑs ˈrʏtən]; born February 24, 1965) is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He was the UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak (21 wins, 1 draw). Rutten has beaten many MMA champions... more »
A flying knee (known as hanuman thayarn in Muay Thai, and sometimes called a jumping knee) is a knee strike very similar to a front knee, except that it is performed in stand-up fighting by jumping, and often by rushing towards the opponent. A more reckless application of the flying knee strike can be... more »
Gogoplata (shin choke) is a type of chokehold that is used in grappling and was popularised by practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The gogoplata is executed from a guard, commonly from a “rubber guard”, where the legs are held very high against the opponent’s upper back. The fighter then slips one foot in front of... more »
Ground-and-pound is a ground fighting tactic consisting of taking an opponent to the ground using a takedown or throw, obtaining a top, or dominant position, and then striking the opponent, primarily with fists and elbows. Ground-and-pound is also used as a precursor to attempting submission holds. This style is used by wrestlers or other... more »
Hélio Gracie (Portuguese (October 1, 1913 – January 29, 2009) was a Brazilian martial artist who, together with his brother Carlos Gracie, founded the martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, known internationally as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Until his death, Gracie was the only living 10th degree grand master of that system, and is widely considered... more »
Karapet (Karo) Parisyan (Armenian, born August 28, 1982) is an Armenian-American mixed martial artist. His fighting style is primarily Judo but has been modified to fight without the use of a judogi (sometimes called no-gi style). Karo currently competes for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Karo’s family migrated to America when he was six years... more »
Luta Livre esportiva was created in the mid-20th century in Rio de Janeiro by Euclydes “Tatu” Hatem who fought and defeated George Gracie in the 40s. The system focused on Ground fighting and submissions due to their importance in Vale tudo matches. In the 1970’s Luta Livre was strongly influenced by father and son duo... more »
Lyoto Carvalho Machida (born May 30, 1978) is a Japanese-Brazilian mixed martial artist from Belém, Brazil who fights as a Light Heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and holds notables wins over former UFC champions Rich Franklin, B.J. Penn, Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans, Randy Couture,... more »
Marco Antônio de Lima Ruas (born January 23, 1961) is a retired mixed martial arts fighter and instructor. Most notably, he was the UFC 7 Tournament Champion and is considered one of the earliest examples of the complete mixed martial artist, highly skilled in both striking and grappling. Ruas is famous for being the... more »
Matt Hughes was born on October 13, 1973 in Hillboro, Illinois. He is the two-time UFC welterweight champion and an icon in the sport of mixed martial arts. Until 2007, he fought for the Pat Militech team, but recently formed Team Hughes and started his own gym along with a couple other fighters. Hughes... more »
Randy Duane Couture (born June 22, 1963) is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion and a two-time light-heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Couture is the first fighter to hold two UFC championship titles in two different divisions (heavyweight and light heavyweight). Couture has competed... more »
Royce Gracie (born December 12, 1966) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, a UFC Hall of Famer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, he is widely considered to be the most influential figure in the history of modern MMA. Gracie gained fame for his... more »
The twister (a similar move in wrestling is known as a guillotine) is a sideways body bend and neck crank, which involves forcing the head towards the shoulder while controlling the body, hence causing lateral hyperflexion of the cervical spine. The technique involves tension in several bodyparts, and depending on the flexibility of the... more »
Vale tudo (meaning “anything goes” or “No rules”) are full-contact unarmed combat events, with a limited number of rules, that became popular in Brazil during the 20th century. This form of wrestling has been considered a combat sport by some observers. Vale tudo has been made famous by fighters such as Marco Ruas and... more »