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[Brutus]

Cesar Gracie Interview

MMAYOU.com

Cesar Gracie
MMAYOU.com: Thank you Cesar for talking to us at MMAYOU.COM.

MMAYOU.com: Would you like to rematch Frank Shamrock? If you did fight again, what would be your strategy?

Cesar: I think every fighter would want to get another crack at a fight he lost. Get it to the ground and don't strike with a striker.

MMAYOU.com: The Machado brothers were your BJJ teachers for a time. What influence did they have on your game?

Cesar: The Machados lived at my house for some time. I actually started them in the US and learned some good fundamentals from them. Later I also trained at Rickson's and that helped to influence what I teach today.

MMAYOU.com: If your student Jake Shields ends up fighting GSP, Matt Hughes, and BJ Penn one day, how do you see these fights going?

Cesar: Jake Shields has the skills to defeat any welterweight in the world. Obviously styles make fights but I believe he matches up well with the 3 fighters mentioned. Hughes is past his prime and Jake is at his prime. I don't see Matt making it through the 2nd round without being overwhelmed and submitted. BJ Penn would have to defeat Jake in the first or he would gas and be submitted. I think BJ is the more gifted fighter but Jake's pressure game and cardio would be the deciding factor. ST. Pierre would pose the toughest challenge. He has quicker hands and is the more explosive wrestler. On the ground St Pierre would be outmatched by Shields. Remember St Pierre was submitted by a guy that Shields later submitted in the same tournament. This would be a great fight.

MMAYOU.com: Who has had the biggest influence on you as a BJJ teacher and fighter?

Cesar: Rolls Gracie was a childhood hero. Later, Renzo's positive attitude and toughness was an inspiration to me.

MMAYOU.com: What strategy is needed to defeat Fedor?

Cesar: Fedor could be defeated by a wrestler that can take him down and pound him while having the grappling skills to avoid submissions. Watch the fight against Arona for a game plan.

MMAYOU.com: Many people in the Gracie family, such as yourself and Roger, take the Gracie last name although their fathers have different last names. Why is this?

Cesar: In Brazil it's common to also use your mothers maiden name. My parents were separated shortly after I was born and I was raised exclusively by the Gracie side of my family so it was also natural for me to only go by the Gracie name.

MMAYOU.com: Who are the top five all time no holds barred fighters in the Gracie family?

Cesar: Carlson, Renzo, Carlos, Rickson, Royce.

MMAYOU.com: Who was the creator of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Carlos or Helio?

Cesar: Carlos was the founder of Gracie Jiu-jitsu. He was Helio's teacher and mentor. In Brazil this is common knowledge. When Helio's son Rorion came to America he tried to re-invent history for his own agenda. What Gracie Jiu-jitsu is today is a result of many Gracies such as Rolls, Rickson, Renzo, myself, etc.. Carlos was always refining the techniques so we have followed in his footsteps.

MMAYOU.com: Is there anything you would like to add?

Cesar: Just to express my desire that jiu-jitsu should be enjoyed by people of all ages to appreciate the art and the friendships it helps to create and not to be misused by thugs and bullies.

Hughes may be past his prime but I still think he'd do well against Shields

[T]

Originally Posted by Brutus

Hughes may be past his prime but I still think he'd do well against Shields

Agreed. I think he's upset because Hughes beat the crap out of Royce.

[ArMnHC]

Cesar Gracie is living high on bias...and thats ok cuz Jake is his fighter and thats how he should be. but i feel he's not being very practical in his assumptions.

BJ would hand Shields his ass without question.

How long ago was that tournament when GSP was submitted and then Jake submitted him? and who was the fighter? obviously Jake has better JJ then GSP, but GSP is better everywhere else and would pound the crap out of Shields with nasty GnP. would be a challenging fight for GSP sure, but not one he'd lose.

and Hughes...i sure as hell dont like him, but i still say Shields best chance against Hughes is to catch him on the feet or in a submission. Hughes GnP is also better then Shields is and i think thats where the fight would be decided. this would be the closest fight between all three competitors.

until Jake Shields fights a top WW, im still not on the wagon like everyone else is. and you may all laugh, but he's gotta beat Fickett. im pulling for Drew and he should never be taken lightly. he's no push over.

Elite XC is doing nothing for a fighter like Shields...to the UFC with you Jake!

[Afro]

Originally Posted by ArMnHC

Cesar Gracie is living high on bias...and thats ok cuz Jake is his fighter and thats how he should be. but i feel he's not being very practical in his assumptions.

BJ would hand Shields his ass without question.

How long ago was that tournament when GSP was submitted and then Jake submitted him? and who was the fighter? obviously Jake has better JJ then GSP, but GSP is better everywhere else and would pound the crap out of Shields with nasty GnP. would be a challenging fight for GSP sure, but not one he'd lose.

and Hughes...i sure as hell dont like him, but i still say Shields best chance against Hughes is to catch him on the feet or in a submission. Hughes GnP is also better then Shields is and i think thats where the fight would be decided. this would be the closest fight between all three competitors.

until Jake Shields fights a top WW, im still not on the wagon like everyone else is. and you may all laugh, but he's gotta beat Fickett. im pulling for Drew and he should never be taken lightly. he's no push over.

Elite XC is doing nothing for a fighter like Shields...to the UFC with you Jake!

Jakes beaten Sakurai, Okami, Pyle, Condit, Charuto, and Kikuchi..

[atj-lucko]

Woulda Coulda Shoulda, its not going to happen so why is Cesar even talk about it...

[POINDEXTER]

Nice article, thanks.

[Palma]

Originally Posted by T

Agreed. I think he's upset because Hughes beat the crap out of Royce.

Congratulations, Dumbest statement of the year!

[smoogy]

A lot of welterweights could beat Matt Oohs

[neonatural45]

I disagree with what he said about Penn, didn't find anything wrong with saying Hughes could make it to 3 rounds with Jake. Hughes hasn't shown me anything besides LnP in the last year, and Jake has the advantage on the feet and on the ground.

[Noise Chopped]

Originally Posted by ArMnHC

until Jake Shields fights a top WW, im still not on the wagon like everyone else is.

What Afro said...

Originally Posted by Afro

Jakes beaten Sakurai, Okami, Pyle, Condit, Charuto, and Kikuchi..

My jury's still out on Shields. I'm not looking past him just because people will start calling his very credible resume a bandwaggon, but I'm not about to jump on board either. He's a serious contender, and has beaten top competition.

And he would beat Hughes. The sport has past him by. He struggled against Lytle, got decimated twice by St. Pierre - I just don't see him beating Shields, in any way.