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With Ralph Gracie Staying Put in Brazil, Police Arrest Co-Assailant in Flavio Almeida Assault Case

With Ralph Gracie Staying Put in Brazil, Police Arrest Co-Assailant in Flavio Almeida Assault Case

Ralph Gracie thought he dodged a bullet in December when he and Lincoln Pereira assaulted Flavio Almeida in public at the Nogi worlds.

The assault was widely reported.

 

As you can see the two appear to be amicable at first but things quickly go south.

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.

Gracie Barra’s Marcio Feitosa responded on instagram . Feitosa said that the Police are involved and are investigating:

“Thank you for your concern. As you may know, while coaching at the World No-Gi Championships, Flavio was viciously attacked by Ralph Gracie and one of Ralph’s students. The attack was completely by surprise, was unprovoked and did not allow Flavio a chance to protect himself. It was clear that the attack was meant to hurt Flavio personally, and also to intimidate Gracie Barra. The police are involved and are investigating. Flavio’s doctors have advised him to take time to rest with this family and recover from his injuries under their care, and to resume work when he is able. We very much appreciate your concern. We will address this situation further when the time is right.”

A formal complaint followed against Gracie and Pereira, which states that the pair are wanted for felony assault with intent to produce great bodily injury. The filing suggests bail be set at $50,000 for each defendant.

“We feel that this, along with the civil suit that has been served, sends a strong and clear message that this old school mentality and despicable behavior will no longer be tolerated in our martial art that changes lives to all who practice it, regardless of team or affiliation,” Dave Weber, Head of School Development and Support for Gracie Barra, told “The Gracie Barra Organization is pleased and grateful to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for pursuing justice stemming from the assault on Professor Flávio Almeida by Ralph Gracie and Lincoln Ferreira.”

Ralph Gracie has been staying put in Brazil, so his co-assailant Lincoln Pereira was arrested on June 21, according to court documents. The warrant is still out on Ralph Gracie’s arrest.