Author Topic: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95  (Read 1103 times)

MindSpin

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Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
by Dann Stupp on Jan 29, 2009 at 12:45 pm ET
Helio Gracie, the Gracie family patriarch and instrumental figure in the rise of early mixed martial arts, has passed away at the age of 95.

With his older brother Carlos, Helio, who died early Thursday is Rio de Janiero, helped create what we know today as Brazilian jiu jitsu.

With a slight build and weighing no more than 150 pounds, Gracie adapted traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu principles so that leverage and position could make up size differences between opponents.

Called Gracie jiu jitsu, which son Rorion used to help launch the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, the fighting style would soon prove dominant. Another one of Helio's nine sons, UFC hall-of-famer Royce, successfully implemented the strategies in early UFC events despite facing significantly larger opponents.

Royce's and the fighting style's success sparked the explosion of modern jiu jitsu among the martial-arts world.

The discipline, now better known as Brazilian jiu jitsu, remains a key foundation in any MMA education.

Helio, himself, also fought, oftentimes to prove jiu jitsu's dominance over disciplines such as boxing, wrestling and judo. Many of the fights took place in front of remarkably large crowds as Helio became one of Brazil's biggest sports stars.

In one of martial arts' first super fights, nearly 20,000 people watched Helio fight Masahiko Kimura in 1951. Kimura, who outweighed his opponent by nearly 80 pounds, eventually won the fight with a submission that now bears his name.

Four years later, in his final match, Helio fought former student Valdemar Santana in a nearly four-hour Vale Tudo ("no holds barred") match. Santana won the fight after Helio tired, but his nephew Carlos eventually avenged the loss, a common occurrence for a clan committed to the family's honor.

Helio remained a fixture in MMA circles as the family continued his legacy in recent decades. He was oftentimes seen ringside as Gracie members flourished in top MMA organizations around the world.
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Thin Lizzy

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Re: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2009, 12:41:58 PM »
Rest in Peace, Grandmaster


luvvsuNOT

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Re: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2009, 07:09:53 PM »
Rest in Peace, Grandmaster



A great man. Backed down from no one. When he fought Santana he was already in his fifties. A true old school bad azz and warrior.

RIP great one. You made your mark.

Dreadlord

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Re: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2009, 08:56:22 PM »
A trailblazer in the sport. I'm glad he lived long enough to see the fruits of his labor.

Eternal peace

gracie bjj

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Re: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2009, 11:41:19 PM »
to be honest im sad over this,i knew he wasnt gonna live forever but it seemed helio was gonna live to around 110 cause of the shape he was in.he lived a great life imo,like dreadlord said,he got to see the fruits of his labor,that alone is priceless and im sure he felt satisfied. he did and had everything a man could ever ask for,a great family who loved him,he got to be a great great grandfather,and he lived a healthy life and did the things in life on a daily basis he enjoyed most,one of those was gracie jiu jitsu.

roll in peace helio
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GRACIE JIU-JITSU

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Re: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2009, 08:02:59 AM »
 He died of leukemia.
Gracie Rules

pellius

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Re: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2009, 01:36:04 PM »
Helio, in his eighties, rolling with his son, Rickson. Quite a legacy the grand master left.

RIP


americanbulldog

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Re: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2009, 02:05:16 PM »
True pioneer.  I hope the UFC makes mention of him.  Changed, no created a new combat sport along with his brother Carlos. 

In Xande's University of Jiu-jitsu, he talks about rolling with Helio at age 90, and not being able to sub him.  What a stud. 

onlyme

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Re: Helio Gracie, the father of BJJ and Gracie family patriarch, dead at 95
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2009, 10:24:55 AM »
Well Chuck Norris and visited the Gracies in Brazil back i the late 80's and he grappled with Helio who got him so tied up he couldn't move.  Chuck was so impressed with the entire Gracie regime and training practices that he started (and paid for them) to come be special guests at his annual convention in Vegas for his organization.  I met Helio once way back at Rorian's house but didn't do anything but shake his hand once.  Never talked to him or saw him again.  Back then I didn't realize exactly how important they all were.  Even though I was the person who set up there first major exposure in America.