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Rickson Gracie was offered to be in first ever ADCC Superfight Against Mario Sperry

Rickson Gracie was offered to be in first ever ADCC Superfight Against Mario Sperry

In the earliest days of the prestigious ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), a match-up that could have reshaped the history of competitive grappling was nearly set to take place: Mario Sperry vs. Rickson Gracie in the inaugural superfight. This fascinating piece of history came to light when Mario Sperry, the first ADCC Absolute Champion, shared details of the proposed bout in a candid interview.

The inaugural ADCC tournament, held in 1998, featured elite grapplers from around the world, with Sperry emerging victorious in both the under 99kg and absolute divisions. His dominant performance earned him the right to headline the next year’s superfight. As Sperry recalled, he was informed by the ADCC organizers of their intentions to set up a showdown between him and Rickson Gracie, a revered figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and the Gracie family legacy. When asked if he was willing to face Rickson, Sperry’s response was immediate: “Yes, of course. It would be an honor to fight him.”

Despite the potential spectacle, the matchup was derailed due to financial disagreements. Sperry revealed that Rickson’s demands for compensation were reportedly too high for ADCC’s budget at the time. “What I’ve heard is that he asked for some amount of money that they didn’t agree with,” Sperry explained, emphasizing that he had no direct involvement in the negotiations but was informed of the impasse.

Rickson Gracie’s history of financial demands was not limited to ADCC negotiations. In his autobiography, Rickson discussed a similar scenario when he was approached to represent the Gracie family in the first UFC event. Despite his legendary status and unmatched skills, Rickson was firm in his belief that the compensation should match the risk and value he brought to the sport. “I told them that I would be happy to fight for a million dollars,” Rickson recounted, ultimately leading to a breakdown in talks with UFC’s creators.

As negotiations with Rickson fell through, ADCC turned to another high-profile competitor, Enson Inoue, who had recently made waves by submitting Hidehiko Yoshida. While Inoue was a formidable opponent and a worthy replacement, the original plan of Rickson Gracie vs. Mario Sperry remained a tantalizing “what if” for fans of grappling. Sperry admitted he was surprised that financial issues played a role, given the prestige that ADCC was already building.

Reflecting on the near-miss, Sperry acknowledged the significance of the opportunity and the importance of matching champions of equal stature. “I was the first absolute champion, so who am I gonna fight? I need another absolute champion, right?” he pondered. While Enson Inoue provided a compelling matchup, it could never match the historical significance that a bout with Rickson Gracie would have carried.

For fans of BJJ and ADCC history, the missed chance at a Sperry vs. Gracie clash underscores the complex negotiations and high stakes involved in shaping major grappling events. While the match never took place, it remains a fascinating glimpse into the early days of ADCC and the negotiations that defined its future. Mario Sperry’s reflections remind us that behind the scenes, financial considerations often influence the fights we see—or don’t see—in competitive grappling.

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