Why hasn't Rickson ever fought big name guys?

[The Colonie Crusher]

Hey, Jay, if Rickson doesn't wanna fight because he is afraid of losing thus destroying the Gracie mystique, isn't that kind of weak. If that's the case, he isn't really a fighter. A true fighter fights all comers and puts his reputation on the line every time. Now if he is so concerned about the Gracie mystique staying put, he SHOULD fight all these guys, so in the case he DOES beat them, then the Gracies can make an undisputed claim that they have the baddest fighting system around. That's called put up or shut up. Now I have never seen Rickson fight (I've only seen clips of some of his fights), so I can't really say if he's better than these guys, but until he beats Kerr, Coleman, Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, and a few others, the claim that he is the best ever is hollow. And as for his record of 400-0 or whatever, anyone can have that record if they're fighting scrubs. I don't know if those opponents were scrubs, but if they were than that record is pointelss. That's just like when Mike Tyson made his way to the top, he was like 34-0 with 31 KO's before his decline. Yeah that's great and all, but he fought stiffs!!!! You can only determine a fighters greatness by his opposition. Remember that.

[Jay White]

Actually Bro I've seen some fights of Rickson when he was younger. He was a bad ass He fought some pretty heavy oppostion in Brazil. Rickson is great with a gi on but his standup game is weak in the take category. Me personally I feel that Renzo is doing more for jiu jitsu then any other gracie ever has. he puts it all on the line no matter what. So is Ryan. Ryan is confirmed to fight sak in pride on 12-23-00. I really dont know about the gracie mystique as far as I'm concerned its all crap. Helio said when Royce fought in the first UFC that there style was undeafeated. Thats bullshit if you ever researched it Helio was beat plenty. He was beaten by his own student Santana. And by I think It was Kimura not really sure. Not really up on my gracie history tonite. but anyway as far as there credablity there, is out the window that was hype to pump up Royce. As far as Rickson I don't really know I just have specualtions. No one will really know besides Rickson himself. As far as I concerned Renzo is a gracie legend himself and his academy as done more for jiu jitsu then anyone. I love training at Renzo's the game is always evolving and getting better and more technical. Martial artist's today have to cross train if they want to be sucessful there's no doubt about it.

[Ronin]

CC and Jay:

I am going to have to drive to Albany and meet you guys. I agree with pretty much everything you guys said, especially:

1) Judge a fighter by his opponents
2) Renzo is the best Gracie today

That pretty much sums up my feelings on the subject of the Gracies.

[Jay White]

Ronin, Where do you live. Would love to have you come up to Albany. Always looking to train with new people. Got to get used to different styles of fighting. If your ever in the area or thingking about it drop me a line subgrappler@aol.com You can also check out our school webpage http://www.geocities.com/renzograciealbanyacademy for schedules and directions. I just wrote the page it still needs some work but you can gave a look there. I'm actually going down to Renzo's this Saturday to train looking forward to it. I try to go every other saturday. Got to Roll with better people in order to get better. later

[Ronin]

Well, Jay, everyone I roll with helps me get better, because everyone I roll with is better than me! LOL.

I live in Oswego, and train in Rochester with Kyle Saunders.

You guys are only about three hours away, and like you said, it is always good to meet new people. When my work/study schedule clears up I would like to visit.

Drop me a line at hrao14@hotmail.com if you're ever over in the Syracuse/Rochester area.

[Jay White]

hey bro I was just up there at that tourny I watched Kyle fight. He fought Lenny sonia from tai kai lenny actuall started where I train. I train with nick Sanzo he fought bad brad that day. Kyle lost to lenny and went on to fight brian miller from Renzo's-- lenny lost by decision. kyle fought awesome. Real nice guy. But yea bro would love to have ya come down.

[The Colonie Crusher]

Hey Ronin, I'd hang with ya, just bring bail money! LOL! Seriously, we could train or just go out and harass women. Either one would be fun.

As far as "The Gracie Clan", I don't care what anyone on this board says, Royce would get beat by Renzo. Not killed, but beat. Renzo is the only Gracie I have seen fight (2-3 times BTW) that is open minded to all aspects of fighting (striking, body control, mount, etc.) He's not like some of these old-school faggott ass grapplers who think because they just know grappling they can beat every striker. Renzo knows better. Besides I honestly beleive Renzo is PHYSICALLY stronger than Royce. I can't say for Rickson, every NHB fan I've met has a hard-on for this man. Why I don't know. But all I can say is that Royce would lose to Renzo. I also have never seen Ryan fight but I hear is a badass who kicks ass on the street...I like him already!

[Sean]

Jay: You and Nick are going to Renzo's saturday? That means Nick will want me to teach for him that day. I will not be training tonight (tuesday) due to the fact that I am defending my dissertation tomorrow morning at 9 AM.

Therefore, do me a favor, bro, and assure Nick that I will teach saturday, k. If Ronin is comming down, let me know, since I need to have him sign the waiver in roder to train.

Sean

[Jay White]

Sean I'll tell Nick you will teach on Saturday as for Ronin I don't know when he's coming down. Jim About my uncle Billy teaching me Some stuff I boxed with for like 3 months at unlce Sams. It was cool I liked it alot. I never sparred though not it boxing anyway. I gotta jet I'll talk to you guys later.