One of the most controversial names in the world of fighting and a member of the legendary Gracie family, Ralph Gracie participated in the podcast “ Pura Connection ”, where he commented on moments lived in his career and recalled the episode in which he was convicted and arrested for assaulting Flávio Cachorrinho in 2018, during the Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Worlds, in California (USA). Ralph was asked if he regretted what he had done, and he answered without hesitation.
“I would do it all over again, that’s the real truth. I learned that jail is not so bad, but the principles are the same, I’m not going to change my mind, I did it because it was supposed to be done. Even when I did that, like 50 people called me. ‘Face***! You’re my idol, I’ve been wanting to punch him for a while’, but people don’t have the courage, they’re afraid of what might happen”, revealed Ralph Gracie.
What happened
Convicted of assaulting Flávio “Cachorrinho” Almeida, from Gracie Barra, during the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, in December 2018, Ralph Gracie was sentenced, in 2021, to six months in prison in the United States, in addition to three years on probation and a fine of US$50,000. In a video released on the internet, during the confusion, it is possible to see the Gracie hitting “Cachorrinho” with an elbow in the face, while the two watched a fight that was taking place at the event.
At the time, Gracie Barra claimed that the “feud” between the two was older and that Ralph would have “threatened” Flávio to “not open gyms in his territory” in the United States. In the aggression, Flávio suffered a seizure and lost some teeth, having even released a photo later without his incisors. In addition to the conviction, Ralph Gracie also suffered sanctions in the sporting field, being prohibited from competing, acting as a coach and entering events of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).
The post Ralph Gracie Opens Up about Flavio Almeida Incident: ‘I’d Do it all Over Again’ appeared first on Bjj Eastern Europe.