http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x5d2_rmcbaltimore_mma/video/xn1ce_rickson-gracie-vs-zulu-1984_extreme
Is it true that the rules were adpated in Ricksons favor? And as for Zulu he seems to have a somewat rather bloated legend. Is there much truth to it? And why was his son soooo fat!!!
Thanks for the link, I very rarely post however I have wanted to see an early Rickson fight for a long time ratehr than just brief clips, so thanks.
There are stories that the rules were adapted to limit the striking somehow - but in watching the fight that precedes this on the Gracie In Action volume 1 - Zulu is fighting a karate practitioner and they don't seem to be restricting themselves in any way. During Rickson's fight with Zulu - there don't seem to be any rules as Zulu attempts everything - even at one point trying to gouge Rickson's eyes to prevent the rear naked choke.
Back when I was training regularly, I actually tried on several occasions to get some information out of Relson Gracie about Rickson and his fights. Unfortunately, Relson doesn't talk much about his younger brothers unless it is to remind you that he has been doing jiujitsu since they (Rickson) were shitting their diapers (his words - not mine). What I do know is that this video is of the second fight between Zulu and Rickson. In thier first encounter - Rickson submitted Zulu fairly quickly in the same fashion. In this rematch, Zulu fought a more controlled fight in an effort to avoid submissions. This was Rickson's last MMA fight in Brazil. He had already defeated all of his jiujitsu contemporaries in jiujitsu tournaments and this victory over Zulu meant that he had defeated the best fighters that Brazil had to offer. With that he left for America - yet ironically never fought in an official match until he entered the Vale Tudo tournaments in Japan. Those tournaments served as the trial run of what would eventually blossom into Pride.
