Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues is a BJJ black belt under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. from Gracie Barra. A few years ago, Lagarto overcame cancer, and returned to world class BJJ competition and opened his own academy in London.
Lagarto will be competing vs TBA in the upcoming Toukon Challenge on November 23 in London.
The Toukon Challenge is an elite, invitation only grappling event; Featuring exciting competitors from around the world. It is the first of its kind to appear in Europe, with an experienced team to execute a highly professional event. Viewers will have the chance to either attend the event or watch the live PPV on toukonchallenge.com.
In an interview with Gracie Barra caught up with “Lagarto” talked abiout his battle with cancer, about training and competing and his philosophy of life.
A few years ago, you successfully overcame cancer and returned to training and competition.
Can you tell us about that experience and what it taught you about your life?
That cancer just knocked on the wrong door ;))
I didn’t change anything in the lifestyle Carlos Gracie Jr taught me. I looked at it as a challenge I had to overcome.
It’s funny to say it, but it was a very good experience, I learned things I would not have learned in any other circumstances.
Appreciate every second as your last in every little detail, life becomes so beautiful.
During my treatment. All my friends came to my house to spend time with me, when my friend Daniel Amaral hugged me and he said “I love you so much my dear friend”. I just realized that the must important thing of my life is our real love and friendship. I don’t know how you are feeling right now or how is your life, but that is what we really take from this world.
You made the decision to move from Brazil to the U.K to teach bjj.
Can you tell us about your U.K academy and how the life is different in U.K compared to Brasil?
Yes, that was very hard decision, U.K is a completely different way of life, weather, people, language, habits…
Today it’s ok but it took me a long time. But on the other hand the security, everything works, the health care, the transportation, and the respect of human beings. I learned a lot in U.K.and I believe I turned into a more civilized person.
You are still an active competitor. Can you share with the Gracie Barra readers how you are preparing for your next event?
Who are your main training partners?
Yes I do, I just turned 34 years old and am still fighting as a adult.
I like the challenge and that helps to keep me remain motivated to train hard and to help my students. My next fight will be on 23rd of November in London.
It’s a new event calls Toukon challenge. By the way you guys can support me by watching online on: http://toukonchallenge.com. I was supposed to fight against Jackson Souza but he had a leg infection, so now I am waiting for a new opponent.
About my main parters, I have my students to help me.
Can you talk about your philosophy of brazilian jiu-jitsu – training and life?
My philosophy is simple: every day learn a new thing. Not just in Jiu Jitsu but in life.
Listen to people with your heart, and share experiences, read, eat healthy, and always talk positively and respectfully. And always forgive, we are all just normal human beings.
It’s priceless to have someone looking after us, like our professors, listen to them and put your energy into executing the right technique, not to “win.” It’s important to “fail”; that shows us that something is not right.”
Can you tell us something interesting about yourself that most readers would not know?
A funny one yes: before my fights I have a voice speaking with me, very clearly: “Lagarto let’s go BICHO, concentrate… Now it’s time go!!…” And just few years a go I realized that voice was the voice of Carlinhos when he use to tell me those same things.
