10 Questions With Rener Gracie
Photography by: Blanca Marisa Garcia
Rener Gracie is a 3rd generation master in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. You know!… The family art that has been on the lips of just about every single inspired mixed martial artist since the beginnings of the UFC? This is as it should be as Rorian (Rener’s father) actually came up with the idea of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® on 1993. Rener and his brother Ryron have the monumental and exciting challenge to spread Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to students the world over through the Gracie Academy. (click the above image to visit the Academy website) Click – here – to visit their YouTube Channel.
(This interview took place Jan. 22nd, 2011 & conducted by Michael Joyce)
Click PLAY to listen to our full video.
Read Rener’s answer to our special “Bonus” Question, right here!
COMBATIVECORNER
“You’ve got 6 months to train… the money is on the table. Who would you personally like to “have a go” at?“
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RENERGRACIE– I would fight any giant, basically. For me, that’s the only special part. Find me a giant, who doesn’t believe in jiu-jitsu. How about that?
COMBATIVECORNER – So you would like to arm lock Andre the Giant?
RENERGRACIE – I want a giant that does not believe in jiu-jitsu. If I fight Brock Lesner, who is now the new favorite jiu-jitsu student of the world, it doesn’t have the same value as fighting Brock pre-jiu-jitsu. So, give me a giant… you know… someone that outweighs me by 80-100 lbs, who doesn’t believe in the effectiveness of jiu-jitsu and that would be my fight.
…What I could do with a fight like that is educate thousands of people, and they’ll say, “Wow! – he’s smaller, yet the technique and patience prevailed. I want to learn what he’s doing!” Does that make sense?
COMBATIVECORNER – Yes it does. And maybe there’s a giant listening to us now that is saying to himself, “Hey! I’m a giant and an unbeliever!”
RENERGRACIE – Send him to the Gracie Academy, Michael! Send him to GracieAcademy.Com. We’ll take it any day! That’s the Gracie Challenge. It’s been like that for about 85 years. …The reason we fight less now and because I’m not excited to fight professionally, is because I feel like I’m fighting my family. It’s like fighting my brother. And although I respect and admire the guys work ethic and incredible talent and dedication it take to be effective as a MMA fighter, it doesn’t excite me to overcome jiu-jitsu. Do you see what I’m saying? Or to be defeated by it. …But if I fight a giant that doesn’t believe in jiu-jitsu, it’s definitely a chance to show the people. Let’s make it happen! We don’t need money. We’ll do it for free.
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February 12, 2011 at 12:30 pm
[…] Something informative: Ten Questions with Rener Gracie, talking about Gracie Jiu Jitsu. […]
February 18, 2011 at 12:37 am
(by: Ari B- via Facebook)
Great interview Mike. I was introduced to them when my friend Randy brought me to the academy a couple years back. I LOVE their approach to the martial arts, self defense and Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Down to earth and solid people.
February 18, 2011 at 12:38 am
(by: Rener G- via Facebook)
What up Ari! It was your interview with Mike that told me this guy was legit:) Thanks for making it happen.