Fernando Terere is one of the greatest legends of Jiu-Jitsu history. He won plethora of titles, including the two gold medals at the IBJJF World Championships… However, Tererê has also led a life of overcoming many difficulties.
He faced chemical dependency, which he managed to overcome and return to normality. In an interview with Mario Filho – from the “Oss Martial Artist” Youtube channel – Terere opened up about the biggest victory of his life so far.

TERERE OPENS UP

My biggest victory is being alive and, throughout my life, passing the good news to the kids who are coming. Many were unable to. I’m not alive just because I train Jiu-Jitsu. If I say ‘only Jiu-Jitsu saves’, no… What you learn well, you have to put it out there.

Two-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion, the beast Fernando Tererê marked a generation and always arouses attention when he puts on the gi and accepts a challenge. In his last appearances, he beat Raphael Abi-Rihan at Maracanãzinho at the Gracie Pro 2, in 2018, and was defeated by Delson Pé de Chumbo, in 2019, at the BJJ Stars.

Tererê, now 40 years old, accepted the “challenge” of Renzo Gracie (54 years old) on the Oss Artistas Marciais channel , run by journalist Mario Filho :

“If I had a match to do tomorrow with Renzo Gracie, I would do it. Renzo said he would like to fight me, that came in my ear. Give me three months, I fight him. But that the fight is for an audience that knows how to appreciate the fight. Favela Jiu-Jitsu against a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu would be cool,”

Tererê also made a point of praising Renzo and also the Gracie family:

“What I say, I do. I won’t be like Wallid (Ismail) sending a message, making fun of the Gracie family… The Gracie family taught me a lot. If it weren’t for them opening the doors, a lot of people would be nobody. Today, I see many boys from the favela speaking two, three languages ​​thanks to Jiu-Jitsu”, he said.

Watch the full interview with Terere here: