Fightland’s Eugene Robinson recently interviewed Ralph Gracie at his academy in California.
They discussed some of the rumors/stories of his past street fights and more importantly if he wanted to avenge some of his losses, notably against Takanori Gomi:
“You and a friend were playing video games and you started losing and the ‘rumor’ the way we heard it was that you started shooting him. With a BB gun.”
“Um. Yeah, yeah. That sounds like something I would do.”
“All the way out of your place. And down the street.”
“Could be, yes.”
“Then we heard when you and Renzo [Gracie] trained and he’d get you that you’d never tap out. That he had to choke you out. Choke you out and then LEAVE the school since when you regained consciousness you’d immediately begin attacking him again.”
“I told you how we grew up. So all of this comes from that and being very passionate about jiu jitsu.”
“So it’s true.”
“Probably.”
“And then the time you were fighting after some traffic thing?”
“Which time?”
“Well the time that made the newspaper.”
“Look, you know, some guys want to get tough and then they want to sue and it gets publicity. Fehhhh…”
And the talk continues along until eventually the acknowledgment that he’s got some “unfinished business”, thinks he could avenge his one loss against a Gomi who just lost to Myles Jury at UFC Fight Night: Hunt v. Nelson and just in general makes it clear that whatever fire he had that got him there in the first place, is still there.
There and burning, in the name and the mantle of the family legacy that he wears like to the manor born, is still the need/urge/desire to make manifest his will and a desire to get to the table with the first and fullest plate. And like he just did it before, it seems like he’s poised to pull the trigger on doing it again.
“Let me put it this way: there are a lot of guys I’d like to fight who are still fighting, who I don’t see being able to beat me at all.” Leading to a conclusion that if someone asked he’d be ready to answer.
“If this is in your blood and you love to do it, like we do, you’re always ready.”
Watch Ralph Grcaie roll with Budo Jake:
