BJJ Co-Founder Helio Gracie, 95, Passes Away in Rio
(Rest in peace.)
Sad, sad news for students and fans of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From IntheGuard.tv:
According to Tatame, the funeral may be postponed, as Helio's sons Rickson, Royler, and Rorion were out of the country when he died. In addition to those three, Helio is survived by his wife Vera, his sons Relson, Rolker, Royce, and Robin, his daughters Rherica and Ricci, and an army of grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. According to GracieMag, Helio's last words were "I created a flag from the sport’s dignity. I oversee the name of my family with affection and nerves of blood." Wow.
Born October 1st, 1913, Helio and his older brother Carlos developed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu circa 1929-1930, refining the techniques of their judo instructor Otávio Mitsuyo Maeda so that smaller fighters would be able to overcome larger ones through leverage. In 1932, Helio began competing in challenge matches, in which the Gracies would take on fighters of all styles to prove that their jiu-jitsu was the most superior method of ending a fight. These "vale tudo" (everything allowed) contests were popularized in the U.S. decades later when Helio's son Rorion co-founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship, selecting his brother Royce as the representative of their art. Today, knowledge of BJJ is generally thought of as a requirement for competing as a mixed martial artist. A moment of silence for one of the sport's true godfathers...
Related: The Top Ten Gracies of All Time
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Comments
Reel Sandman Says:
RIP.
fedor a million ankles Says:
RIP
Perdew Says:
RIP
Artigale Says:
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was truly lucky, he lived both a long and good life.
SJBJJ Says:
Truely a sad day for anyone who practices BJJ. RIP
Anonymous Says:
Rest in peace friend, thank you for everything you have done for the sport.
PingPong Says:
RIP
Vrax Says:
Not only is a Godfather and legend of the sports of BJJ and MMA, he was a man who brought the entire world to a new level of consciousness regarding the martial arts as well the martial sciences.
Helio, like Bruce Lee, raised the standard by which all arts must be judged. Through his dedication and ferocity as a competitor he forced the world to either survive against his art, or Go Home.
What a life.
Crap Factory Says:
RIP Helio. Your legacy will live forever.
WANG CHUNG FIGHTER Says:
Those are some powerful last words. He will be missed.
Noah Says:
Hest in peace
i love the calm before the storm it reminds me of beethoven Says:
the ufc would not even be here if not for him nor cage potato rip
asian fart Says:
RIP master helio.you're creativity through bjj has made me a better and stronger person.
Bootylam! Says:
Fine, I'll do it first: He couldn't escape from Death's rear naked choke. Truly though, he lived a long [ shit, extra long] full, successful life filled with family and friends and made it doing what he loved. Nobody could ask for better. Celebrate his memory with love in your heart and a smile on your face. Even if it is a sad smile. Also, the man was 95! I mean DAMN...SHIT! Really, if you know anybody that old you know what I mean. RIP and all love to your family.
Sodak Says:
Helio is a legend and an inspiration. I am thankful for the great art of BJJ, may he rest in peace.
Anonymous Says:
Didn't one of the Gracie's get caught jerking off in public?
Jay Smith Says:
One of the last true masters.................RIP
High Left Kick Says:
bout F'ing time.
he will surely be missed by every real bjj/mma fan for his creations.
May he Rest In Omoplata Heaven.
munk Says:
he revolutionized the sport and the art of martial arts. i had an honor to train with his son Rorion and his grandson Ryron. thank you for all you have given to martial arts :) r.i.p.
Canadian hoser Says:
I hope the ufc shows some respect to the gracie family during there next ufc event.
Jay Smith Says:
Anyone ever heard of Kwan Saihung?
manutdfan Says:
Thank you, Helio.
Jay Smith Says:
Didn't mean to end there sorry. He is one of the last, living, true Taoist Masters. Meditating in caves as a child in the mountains of China and all kinds of "movie like" shit. The Gracies come from that type of mystique. Almost ancient warrior fighting scenerios. I mean this stuff was already going on when Master Helio was born in 1913. That's deep yall.
Darkside Says:
Damn. Hell of a legacy to leave behind though. He'll be remembered forever. RIP
Bruce Says:
R.I.P.
Meohfumado Says:
R.I.P. Helio. I'm sure he's forcing vikings, mongol warriors, wing chun legends and samurai to tap-out in non-denominational Valhalla right now.
Erick757 Says:
OH WHO WILL COMFORT KYRA GRACIE DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME!
agentsmith Says:
"Nerves of blood"? Something's lost in translation there. Still a pretty badass parting statement though.
ValeTudo Says:
RIP Helio...
and just how does one even get a 10th Degree RED belt? he was a true badass!
dominicanmma Says:
thank you helio!
we appreciate everything you have done.
RIP helio gracie one of the greats of martial artist.
F'n Clownshoes Says:
R.I.P. and thank you
the man will be missed but the legend will live on...
Anonymous Says:
Didn't this guy once try to suck his own dick.
Sickos Says:
A sad day in the world of BJJ and Martial Arts in general.
R.I.P...Much respect to the Gracie family...as Helios hard work and dedication as well as the Gracie name... will live on for centuries to come.....
Anonymous Says:
Were it not for GM Helio, MMA as we know it would not exist. RIP Helio.
SoulMan Says:
Sad to hear, the granddaddy was a trip, a courageous man and a rolemodel. Without his legacy MMA would have been "halfdone". It is Sad that all the good ones got to go, my condolences to the entire Gracie family.
Que el abuelito descanse en páz.
//SoulMan
DutchMan Says:
RIP master Helio!