Rickson's BJJ and MMA prowess, for all its greatness, is, to me, overshadowed by his arrogance and unwillingness to bring such simple yet great
pleasure to those who consider themselves fortunate to just meet him.
It's disappointing for me to hear about your experience with Rickson. When I knew him he was always joking around and laughing. No matter how serious the discussion got with us, and we had plenty during my private lessons with him, he'd always end it with some joke to lighten mood. He would tell these lame and corny jokes that were funny only because of the way he would tell it and act it out.
I remember once telling him that in America a tough guy would say to someone, "I can take you with one arm tied behind my back." I told him that I've been training practically everyday now for three years and I can tap all the blues and most of the purples. "You think you can tap me with "one arm tied behind your back?"
He looked at me and smiled and then walked out into the middle of the mat and I followed. He started to put his left hand under his belt and then stopped, smiled, took it out and put his right hand under his belt. Then he looked at me, kind of rolled his eyes, and put his other hand under his belt so that both hands were tied up.
I then smiled and said "That is very generous of you and I will return the favor and allow us to start inside your guard." So he lies down and as I am about to get in his guard he says, "Pellius, I even give you the mount."
I just shook my head and laughed and said, "Say good-bye to your undefeated record." So I mount him, my knees and hips pinning his hands to his body and say, "OK, on the count of three."
Now, in my mind, I was going to cheat not because I wanted to beat him but because I just wanted to save him some embarrassment and give him an excuse as to why he lost. We both realized it was all in good fun but still he would have to tap to me. So told him we'll start at the count of three. My plan was that as soon as I said "one" I would attack. My favorite attack from the mount was a modified cross choke. I would snake my right arm behind his neck, grab the sleeve of my left hand which would be across his neck and squeeze for dear life. I like this choke better than the tradition cross choke because I could generate much more power and also by having my right arm behind his neck I could hold him in close and tight and just lock it in. With the cross choke I find it much harder to hold him in tight and close.
Anyway, I say, "One..." and then just pounce and try to snap it in.
With just pure hip movement he escapes the mount, and since I knew I was in trouble I start to back out and stand hoping I can pass his guard and get side control. He just uses his feet to hook me behind my knees, I swear his legs had the same mobility as his arms, and pulls me back in and snaps a triangle on me.
I just shook my head in disbelief.
