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Another time.
He was at least very good because he was a BJJ blackbet at a time you didnt get one in your happy meal but sure he also ducked top competition in his time.
But still Rickson by armbar for the 599-0 record
Sadly, it's impossible to know what was Rickson's true ceiling. You don't beat Funaki without being legit, but he would also have a few losses if he had fought more.
His rookie fight was against Rei Zulu, a giant freak [LHW] (while Hickson was a WW in the 1st fight) who would take Hickson down as if it was nuthin´ (Hickson wasnt one to pull guard).
"Rickson weighed 79 or 80 kg (173.8 or 176 lbs.) depending on the report. Zulu weighed 91.8 kg (201.96 lbs.) "
Rei Zulu was already 33 yrs old when he fought against Hickson in 1980, and 37 the 2nd time..
Jus´b4 Hickson, in 1979 Rei Zulu fought against ATG Euclydes Pereira, who would always take pride in sayin´that he beat him a lil b4 Hickson did it, and that that was one of his HL (Rei Zulu was dominatin´the fight but got caught in a guillotine.)
Hickson kept denying in the 1990s that Rei Zulu was his toughest fight and that he was about to quit on his stool.
Then,a few years ago, in an interview, he finally acknowledged it.
Note: the Hickson fights had very special rules limitin´ his striking, especially in the transitions on the ground...
Those fights are obviously controversial for many reasons [special rules, pro-Gracie crowds & Ref [Zulu claimed he was helpin´ Hickson during the fight], among other things...],
For a 1st fight, that was pretty serious, tho...
Obviously, legacy-wise, the real Superfight of the 1980s was the Huas one.
A Brazilian promotor was ready to pay Huas´purse & accepted Hickson´s price (accordin´to Huas), but Hickson ducked & flew to Japan...
The Japz had other interests: promote the local market & Japanese fighters, it iz what it iz.
By the time he fought Funaki & was about to face SAKU G., he was realistically past his physical prime.
In 1988, promoters tried to put together an anticipated fight between Rickson and luta livre exponent Marco Ruas. However, Hélio Gracie refused, demanding either that Rickson received a higher payment or that the bout happened inside the Gracie Academy, which were both rejected, so the fight didn't take place.[13] Later, Rickson himself challenged Ruas to an impromptu match during a meeting with luta livre fighters in the Clube Boqueirão do Passeio. The reasons why this second fight fell off too are disputed: Rickson claimed Ruas asked for time to train, while Ruas claimed Hélio shut down the idea claiming Ruas was not a true luta livre representative.[13] Other names like Eugenio Tadeu and Hugo Duarte were offered, but rejected.
In 1988, promoters tried to put together an anticipated fight between Rickson and luta livre exponent Marco Ruas. However, Hélio Gracie refused, demanding either that Rickson received a higher payment or that the bout happened inside the Gracie Academy, which were both rejected, so the fight didn't take place.[13] Later, Rickson himself challenged Ruas to an impromptu match during a meeting with luta livre fighters in the Clube Boqueirão do Passeio. The reasons why this second fight fell off too are disputed: Rickson claimed Ruas asked for time to train, while Ruas claimed Hélio shut down the idea claiming Ruas was not a true luta livre representative.[13] Other names like Eugenio Tadeu and Hugo Duarte were offered, but rejected.
Lol the gracies only wanted it their way or no way at all. Buncha punks imo. It’s sad that Vitor was so closely tied to the gracies through Carlson back in the day. Even my boy Ortega trains with
Sadly, it's impossible to know what was Rickson's true ceiling. You don't beat Funaki without being legit, but he would also have a few losses if he had fought more.
he was obviously very very good. however he clearly took inspiration from the bruce lee approach and focused more on creating his brand that actually fighting. probaably was a wise choice.
You gotta understand at the time fighting mma paid jack shit so it makes sense for fighters like him to make this decision. Frank shamrock only fought a handfull of times in the ufc before temporarily quitting as well.
Hickson kept denying in the 1990s that Rei Zulu was his toughest fight and that he was about to quit on his stool.
Then,a few years ago, in an interview, he finally acknowledged it.
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