Valdemar Santana (sometimes referred to as Adema Santa) was a Brazilian fighter, who trained in Capoeira under Mestre Bimba and also in Judo, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is famous for defeating his former master Hélio Gracie in 1955, in a record-breaking 3 hours, 45 minutes long match. Valdemar had fought for the Gracie academy for many years but had a falling out with Hélio Gracie. Gracie and Santana decided to settle their differences on a Vale-tudo (no holds barred) match. After nearly 4 hours of combat, Santana struck Gracie with a kick to the head. Gracie passed out from the blow and Santana was awarded victory by KO. After defeating Hélio, Santana was challenged by Carlson Gracie, Hélio's nephew. Carlson and Santana had four fights, with Carlson winning 2 and the other 2 being declared a draw. [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT] Kimura vs. Valdemar Santana Kimura went to Brazil again in 1959 to conduct his last Professional Judo/Wrestling tour. He was challenged by Valdemar Santana to a "real" (not choreographed) submission match. Santana was champion in Gracie Jiujitsu, Capoeira, and boxing. He was 27 years old, 6 feet tall, and weighed 205 lb. In 1958, Santana knocked out Hélio Gracie in a fight lasting 3 hours 45 minutes. Kimura threw Santana with seoinage, hanegoshi, and osotogari. He then applied his famous ude-garami (keylock), winning the match. Santana requested a rematch under vale tudo rules--the first fight was apparently grappling only--and this time, the result was a draw after 40 minutes in a bout in which both competitors reportedly drew blood. [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Arial, Helvetica] This content is protected [/FONT]
I think if youre looking for an even greater bad ass. Its Kimura, I mean they named a freaking hold after him
Kimura v Rickson might be worth seeing if it were possible. There is a good chance that Rickson was the greatest of all the Gracie clan, Helio & Carlson included.
I have a friend brown belt who studied under Jeff Joslin here in Ontario, the gym was originally spawned from Rolls Gracie, they cannot stop talking about this guy being better than Rickson.
Rolls was a total bad ass and a real innovator of BJJ as well. This is a great thread. This is the guy that is is responsible for starting the style that would eventually bring us Pele, Wanderlai Silva, Anderson Silva, Shogun Rua, etc. . .
Good read, he is one of Jigoro Kanos proteges sent to spread Judo. But this ****in guy is ripped for an old timer wow.
