Ralph Gracie was hoping to keep his incident under wraps – as per the statement he released against the advice of his attorneys.
Ralph Gracie’s Attorney James Cook contacted BJJEE and released the following statement:
I am the attorney who intends to represent Ralph Gracie in the event there are subsequent legal disputes. I reviewed the video and I had an opportunity to discuss the incident with Ralph Gracie. Ralph would like to tell his side of the story about events leading up to the altercation. However, I strongly advised him to say nothing.
I cannot disclose too many details about Ralph’s side of the story given attorney-client considerations. However, I can say that the video does not capture the full spectrum of words and actions leading up to the incident. To view the video within the full context, it is easy to conclude that altercation should be characterized as mutual combat.
It’s worth noting that the incident took place at a combat sporting event, where the spectators are usually competitors. As such, the line between regulated competition and real-life competition is often blurred. Frequently, emotions run high and the contest continues off the mats and after the buzzer. Flavio Almeia and Ralph Gracie are iconic competitors and instructors for our sport. They are not strangers to off-the-mat confrontations. I believe that any further dispute can and should be resolved quickly and without court intervention.
According to latest reports Gracie is actually under investigations and cops are involved. MMA fighting confirmed:
Ralph Gracie, a longtime MMA fighter, jiu-jitsu practitioner and coach, is under investigation for felony battery stemming from an incident involving fellow coach Flavio Almeida at the World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship in Anaheim, Calif., last weekend, according to Anaheim Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Daron Wyatt.
A report was taken and the investigation is ongoing, Wyatt stated. The situation, which took place at Anaheim Convention Center, has not yet been presented to the district attorney for any filing of criminal charges, he said.
This is following a Ralph Gracie statement that strongly indicates the brawl will be resolved without police interference.
Gracie Barra’s statement:
Bruno Malfacine Is The Greatest BJJ Competitor Ever To Step On The Mat & For The First Time Ever – The Only 10x Weight Class Black Belt World Champion In History – Wants To Show You How He Wrecks The Big Guys .
