Many consider Rickson one of the greatest BJJ practitioners of all time, he’s certainly one of the most respected across the board. Son of Grand Master Helio Gracie proved his value through several Vale-Tudo bouts in Brazil and Japan. He competed for years in hundreds of matches in several different disciplines.
In spite of being involved in the birth of MMA, he’s always considered himself a jiu-jitsu player. Countless legends surround every mention of him.Click here to see him demonstrate his infamous concept of invisible jiu-jitsu.
Here’s what he had to say on the subject of defining lines between belts:
“In white belt you do not have much idea. there you get to create your reflexes and your understanding of the game. To become blue belt, you need to know all of the sport. You already know how to ride, throttle, arm locks and escape the grip. Have you ever felt the pressure from opponents, can last more in training and know how to breathe properly. Have you become a creature of Jiu-Jitsu, “
It is Rickson Gracie’s opinion that an athlete becomes fit to wear the blue belt with the knowledge of facts. At that point, one has everything within his scope and he just has to perfect all of those aspects to achieve the black belt. It becomes a game of perseverance in order to hone in your technique.
“What is missing to the athlete after the blue belt is the practice and reflexes. It has everything you need to black belt, you just need to keep up the consistency, ” said Rickson.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.