Rickson Gracie heads new 'old school' fight show in Brazil
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Jiu-jitsu legend and former vale tudo fighter Rickson Gracie has created an event that promises to astonish the fans.
‘Mestre do Combate’ debuts on November 22nd in Rio de Janeiro and has a format designed to leave viewers with no doubts about who has won the fights. Among the innovations is a weigh-in rule that has fighters hitting the scales on the day of the show, to eliminate big weight cuts.
In addition, the bell will not sound at the end of the round if it looks like a fighter is nearly about to be knocked out or submitted; the action will be allowed to run its course. Judges have also been eliminated - the winner will have to get the victory by KO/TKO or submission over two rounds, being the first of ten minutes duration and the second of five.
The rule is designed to give preference to martial arts ability rather than athletic ability. If there is no submission or stoppage, three votes will decide the winner - one vote from Rickson, other from the referee and the third of the public.
“We want to create a new paradigm and recover values from the fight that were lost over time. Today, MMA fighting means blood and money. We will honour the warrior spirit and the fighting art,” says Rickson.
Mestre do Combate also offers individual and team competitions. Inside the ring, the fighters go one-on-one but each of them will be part of a team that will represent a Brazilian city. One coach and five athletes (at heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight and lightweight) form the teams.
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Rickson Gracie heads new 'old school' fight show in Brazil - Fighters Only
* I really like the same weigh in ideas and the round not being stopped if it looks as though a finish is about to happen.
Not too sure about the votes for a winner, interesting concept but I can see issues arising.