Ralek Gracie in California. Photo: Personal Files
Ralek, one of Rorion Gracie’s ten children, has some solid MMA performances under his belt from his days fighting in Japan, where he made his debut at 21 years of age and collected three triumphs in three fight—including a memorable unanimous decision over Kazushi Sakuraba.
Now 26, Ralek wants to do even more for Jiu-Jitsu. In spearheading the campaign to promote Metamoris Pro, a star-studded tournament coming up October 14 in San Diego, the black belt addressed his motivation in launching the event, explained how you can watch it live at the venue or at home, and described the criteria for picking the competitors. (Check out the matchups on the card here.)
“I wanted to create something that I would compete in. Something where the guy who beats me needs to submit me, not just win with a sweep,” the Gracie explained.
GRACIEMAG: According to the event rules, official match duration is 20 minutes, without points or advantages. The winner is the one who gets the tapout. Those are surely good rules for the fans. Are they good rules for Jiu-Jitsu as a whole as well?
The objective is to show the most pure form of Jiu-Jitsu without any reservation. Today the top competitors need to adjust their style to win in the highly competitive points game.
What was your aim in creating this event?
I wanted to create something that I would compete in. Something where the guy who beats me needs to submit me, not just win with a sweep. This way we can understand who is the best. But that’s not the end of it, because in the process of finding the best individual athlete you also find the most beauty in the art. Jiu-Jitsu is an art, and I want to give them as many colors as possible on a blank canvas to show their artistic ability. Picasso would not want it any other way.
What was the hardest part about putting together an event of this scale?
The most difficult thing believe it or not is understanding what top caliber athletes need and deserve. Since I am a black belt and professional fighter, I know what it’s like to get the right treatment and the wrong treatment. Every difficult task is overcome with the desire to give to those guys what I would want for myself, then it becomes easy.
What’s the venue like?
The first event will be held at the Viejas Arena in San Diego on the San Diego State University (SDSU) campus. Very nice place that can seat 12,000 people. We plan to use a giant curtain to create the stage and seating for 7,500 and if need be open it up for 12,000.
Will there be an internet broadcast?
The event will be live streaming at www.Metamoris.com. We are putting a lot of resources into making the PPV a black belt production so that people really feel like they are there live. You can visit www.Metamoris.com for a Ticket Master link [for tickets], and the stream will be for sale in the coming weeks.
What was your criteria in picking the fighters?
Only the best.
