UFC veteran Oleg Taktarov recently recalled that Rorion Gracie requested $30 for him to train at the Gracie Academy in the United States.

The podcast hosts asked him about the experience, stating:

You come to the United States, and the story we’re being told is that you go to Rorion Gracie’s academy.

He doesn’t allow you to roll with him – he makes you roll with his students.
While rolling with the students, you qualify for the team, but you have to pay a fee in order to continue rolling with them as well as with him.

Is that correct?

Taktarov confirmed the story:

Rorion asked me for thirty dollars to train, and at that time, I had no money, (I was) completely broke.

I don’t remember exactly what I told him, but I tried to say: “Hey, you help me with the moves, I help you with some moves you guys don’t know.”

Basically, I meant leg locks, some zombie technique.
Of course, he looked at me like I was just bragging, like I was a nobody.

Despite his financial situation, Taktarov was allowed to train with the academy’s black belts.
However, he later learned that Rorion’s assessment of him behind closed doors was far from flattering.

While he was showering after the training session, Rorion reportedly visited UFC co-founder Art Davie to discuss him.
Years later, Taktarov found out that rather than recommending him, Rorion had advised against signing him:

He let me roll with the guys. They were all black belts, but they were nothing special.
After that, he went straight to Art Davie’s office while I was taking a shower.

I thought he was telling Art how good I was.
I thought he was saying: “Hey Art, you should sign this guy, he’s good. He rolled with my top black belts and completely dominated them.”

Instead, Art Davie told me years later that Rorion had actually said: “Don’t sign this guy. He’s a nobody. Nothing special.”

Adding an even more surprising twist, Taktarov revealed that he wasn’t the only fighter that Rorion had attempted to keep out of the UFC:

I was the third guy Rorion told them not to bring into the UFC.
The other two? Alexander Karelin, the Olympic wrestler, and Mike Tyson.

Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: The Ultimate Guide for Calmly Beating Bigger, Younger Opponents

💥 What if slowing down was the fastest way to win? 💭 Tired of Getting Smashed by Younger, Stronger Grapplers? It’s not your age. It’s your strategy. If you’re a passionate grappler over 35 who’s sick of getting outpaced, outmuscled, or out-cardio’d by opponents half your age — this 120 page e-book was made for you. 🔓 Unlock the Power of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu:

Build Sustainable Strength—Without Wrecking Your Joints, Energy, or Jiu-Jitsu

Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting? Sloth Strength is a proven blueprint for grapplers over 35 who want to get stronger—without the pain, burnout, or injuries.

Developed from 25 years on the mats, this no-burnout approach is made specifically for BJJ athletes in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.