wondermut
02-18-2004, 05:42 PM
http://news.adcombat.com/article.html?id=6128
Submitted by: Chad Beatty
Posted On 02/18/2004
Ricardo Almeida – “King of Pancrase”
Q: You are only in your mid 20’s and you fought in Pride, Pancrase, the UFC, Abu Dhabi and the Mundials. In addition, you have a loyal base of students and fans around the world that support you, what is it like to be so successful at such a young age?
A: I try not to think too much about the titles and medals…I measure my success day by day. I love teaching and my ultimate goal is to have a school that is a Mecca for anyone who wishes to learn martial arts and its philosophy. I have no desire to form a dominant MMA Team. I feel Jiu Jitsu is a complete art and I wish to pass on the essence of what has been whith me most of my life. Watching my students grow on and off the mat is my greatest gratification. I want it to be a safe place for kids, away from drugs and violence. A site where anyone that comes leaves with the feeling they can’t wait to come back.
Q: You seem like a different athlete today than you were 3 years ago. What has changed?
A: Well, on the mats…I have become a professional. When I first began fighting MMA I was an amateur among professionals. I now understand better what it takes to compete at such high level. Off the mats, I got married and had a son, this whole experience has completely changed the way I see things. I am much more focused on anything I set out to do. Plus my wife gives me unconditional support, I couldn’t do most of the things I do on my own.
Q: You are keeping a busy schedule; how do you balance your professional fighting career and your teaching at the academy?
A: It is challenging but I try to work my schedule around it. I make sure all team practices do not conflict with class schedule. When it is class time I want to be 110%, I have very dedicated students and I feel they deserve my best each minute of each class.
Q: I hear a lot of excitement around the possible opening of a new academy; can you give us the scoop on that?
A: Myself, together with Ally have decided for the Hamilton area, we feel it is somewhat centered in New Jersey and has access through major highways. We don’t want any place with difficult access since we have regular students who drive up to two hours to train with us. I would like to make it like a Disneyland of Jiu Jitsu where everyone can come and play…kids, couples and entire families.
Q: Are there any other big projects you are working on?
A:I feel the new school is my major project right now. I am already beginning to introduce grade levels within the belts and more structured classes than you usually find at BJJ schools. I have been brainstorming about better ways to teach, ethics inside the school many new things that are unprecedented in most BJJ schools. The students are loving it and we are already seeing results.
Q: Ten years ago a person was lucky if they could find a BJJ academy; today it seems like they are popping up in every town. What makes your academy/instruction stand out from the rest?
A: I think the unique aspect of my teaching style is I am the most curious student in class. I am always looking to learn new more efficient ways to teach…I have realized teaching is far from merely recounting techniques. Each time you teach a new technique to a different technique to another student it is like you are learning it all over again. He will learn it and apply it in his own pace at his own preference. With each new student it is as if we were together creating a new self-defense and development program.
Q: Tell us a about your start in Jiu-Jitsu. Who was it with, why did you start…
A: I first took a lesson when I was 15 years old at Gracie Barra in Brazil. I immediately fell in love with it. It was like my second family, for many people it was their only. I remember there were no formal rules of conduct or etiquette, however you just felt in the air and by others behavior how you should act. I remember I didn’t really have a conversation on the mat until I was a purple belt, and two-time national champion. There was something that most schools don’t have a very strong work ethic where the students knew they needed each other to get better but they didn’t compete to see who would look better in the eyes of the teacher. They all understood their place within the “family” and did not try to “force” their way up the ranks. Every one competed but it wasn’t the main goal. If you were from Gracie Barra you knew you would do well and the important thing was being there Monday thru Friday pushing each other to the limits. The competitions fostered discipline and kept kids away from drugs and trouble. It is that atmosphere I try to have at my school.
Q: I know most of your close students know the story, but where did the nickname the “Big Dog” come from?
A: Well to make it short, “Big Dog” was a character in a Brazilian soap opera when I was young; he was almost like Don Corleone. I used to always be at the head of what whatever was going on at this beach across the street from my house. Whether it was organizing barbecues, surfing contests or soccer games I was helping organize it. The lifeguards at this beach called me “Big Dog” as a joke. Some Jiu Jitsu peers came to the beach and learned the nickname and it has been with me since. if I had to pick my nickname “Big Dog” would not be the one. But it worked out alright look at the school logo.
Q: How do you handle your belt promotions; do you have set techniques or a minimum time frame for each belt?
A: The backbone of BJJ belt system is practical application, so essentially when a blue belt can wrestle with purple belts, be able to defend himself and mount some offense he is ready for next level. More recently I have adopted a more individual approach to each student. How to you grade a 50 year old student who is attending class regularly, has a super attitude in class, supports the school and students; against a 22 year old kid who is a great athlete, learns techniques very fast, probably can dominate the 50 year old guy in Randori (live training) but is always late for class and has little discipline towards training? I base the belt ranks on personal development and practical expertise.
My main goal is to introduce minimum requirements for advancement through belt system still this year. This will help students better access their development and instructors to better manage classes.
Q: What is your favorite type of competition to fight in and at what weight?
A: I think it has changed through the years, from sport BJJ into grappling and now MMA. As far as weight class I like open weight, unfortunately in MMA it might be somewhat dangerous to regularly compete outside your weight class.
I just love to compete. Competition to me is not a contest against the guy across the ring, it is like he isn’t even there. It is a contest against myself, when I get out there I already know everything I have to do and I do it. If I am not the victor…well props to my opponent, head up, analyze mistakes and lets go at it again. Competition is, like the belt system, about personal excellence. Most people are too attached to winning or not loosing. This is why most professional sports are a shame in our society.
Q: Submission grappling seems as though it continues to grow in popularity in the U.S. We have the NAGA, Grapplers Quest, the West Coast tournaments; what are your thoughts on the future of the sport?
A: I think the future may not be as bright as it can be, there will always be the competitions, but it may never be more than wrestling with submission holds. In my opinion, submission wrestling is following a path where it has no identity or structure, It doesn’t really stand for anything. The promoters have done a great job so far of building the sport now it is time to take it further. Build relationships with local schools, have refereeing seminars and workshops, create a standard uniform and code of conduct inside the schools that is congruent with expected behavior at tournaments. Make it more user friendly, more family oriented.
Q: You have put in some great performances in the ADCC in the past, can we expect to see you in the future?
A: I love ADCC. You get to compete against handpicked fighters who are the best at what they do. For as long as I am competitive at that level I will always go back.
Q: You named your son (Renzo) after Renzo Gracie. What has Renzo (Gracie) meant to you in life.
A: Renzo Gracie has become a very close friend and a mentor. When I moved to the USA from Brazil in 1997 I was only 20 years old. Initially our relationship was that of Teacher X Student. However we spent so much time together training, working out and teaching that in many ways we became peers. I have had the privilege to corner Renzo in most of his fights since then and it is a great honor to me that such a highly regarded BJJ and MMA community member would trust my humble advice over so many other available resources. Nonetheless, I will always see Renzo Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr from Gracie Barra as my teachers and admire them with utmost respect.
Q: One last item, you seem to be building a competitive and talented group of students. For people that aren’t very familiar with your school, tell us a little about some of your senior students that you have competing/training in the different styles: BJJ, Submission, Vale Tudo.
A: Although competition is not our main focus during classes we do have a very strong competition team and we have specific competition practices outside regular classes.
Competition is not for anyone, it can bring the best and worst in people, we are very careful and take an individual approach when encouraging students to compete. All competition sessions are open to students who wish to participate and support the team. I will not mention individual names because I would not be able to mention everyone that contributes, when we see myself and other guys fighting it is a team effort and I do not wish to place one student above another. We have a lot of potential in the training room and I feel it is time some students realize how good they have become. I wish to put together a team to go represent the school at the world championships in Brazil this coming July. It is a big project but I feel the students are ready and I trust most if not all of them will place very high.
Q: Thanks for your time Ricardo. Any final thoughts?
A: Remember the principles of Maximum Efficiency (through minimum effort) and Mutual Benefit. Allow these two principles to guide your martial arts training and your life outside the dojo. They were brought to us by Dr Jigoro Kano the founder of Judo over 100 years ago and are as contemporary as ever.
Thank you for your time and see you in class.
Submitted by: Chad Beatty
Posted On 02/18/2004
Ricardo Almeida – “King of Pancrase”
Q: You are only in your mid 20’s and you fought in Pride, Pancrase, the UFC, Abu Dhabi and the Mundials. In addition, you have a loyal base of students and fans around the world that support you, what is it like to be so successful at such a young age?
A: I try not to think too much about the titles and medals…I measure my success day by day. I love teaching and my ultimate goal is to have a school that is a Mecca for anyone who wishes to learn martial arts and its philosophy. I have no desire to form a dominant MMA Team. I feel Jiu Jitsu is a complete art and I wish to pass on the essence of what has been whith me most of my life. Watching my students grow on and off the mat is my greatest gratification. I want it to be a safe place for kids, away from drugs and violence. A site where anyone that comes leaves with the feeling they can’t wait to come back.
Q: You seem like a different athlete today than you were 3 years ago. What has changed?
A: Well, on the mats…I have become a professional. When I first began fighting MMA I was an amateur among professionals. I now understand better what it takes to compete at such high level. Off the mats, I got married and had a son, this whole experience has completely changed the way I see things. I am much more focused on anything I set out to do. Plus my wife gives me unconditional support, I couldn’t do most of the things I do on my own.
Q: You are keeping a busy schedule; how do you balance your professional fighting career and your teaching at the academy?
A: It is challenging but I try to work my schedule around it. I make sure all team practices do not conflict with class schedule. When it is class time I want to be 110%, I have very dedicated students and I feel they deserve my best each minute of each class.
Q: I hear a lot of excitement around the possible opening of a new academy; can you give us the scoop on that?
A: Myself, together with Ally have decided for the Hamilton area, we feel it is somewhat centered in New Jersey and has access through major highways. We don’t want any place with difficult access since we have regular students who drive up to two hours to train with us. I would like to make it like a Disneyland of Jiu Jitsu where everyone can come and play…kids, couples and entire families.
Q: Are there any other big projects you are working on?
A:I feel the new school is my major project right now. I am already beginning to introduce grade levels within the belts and more structured classes than you usually find at BJJ schools. I have been brainstorming about better ways to teach, ethics inside the school many new things that are unprecedented in most BJJ schools. The students are loving it and we are already seeing results.
Q: Ten years ago a person was lucky if they could find a BJJ academy; today it seems like they are popping up in every town. What makes your academy/instruction stand out from the rest?
A: I think the unique aspect of my teaching style is I am the most curious student in class. I am always looking to learn new more efficient ways to teach…I have realized teaching is far from merely recounting techniques. Each time you teach a new technique to a different technique to another student it is like you are learning it all over again. He will learn it and apply it in his own pace at his own preference. With each new student it is as if we were together creating a new self-defense and development program.
Q: Tell us a about your start in Jiu-Jitsu. Who was it with, why did you start…
A: I first took a lesson when I was 15 years old at Gracie Barra in Brazil. I immediately fell in love with it. It was like my second family, for many people it was their only. I remember there were no formal rules of conduct or etiquette, however you just felt in the air and by others behavior how you should act. I remember I didn’t really have a conversation on the mat until I was a purple belt, and two-time national champion. There was something that most schools don’t have a very strong work ethic where the students knew they needed each other to get better but they didn’t compete to see who would look better in the eyes of the teacher. They all understood their place within the “family” and did not try to “force” their way up the ranks. Every one competed but it wasn’t the main goal. If you were from Gracie Barra you knew you would do well and the important thing was being there Monday thru Friday pushing each other to the limits. The competitions fostered discipline and kept kids away from drugs and trouble. It is that atmosphere I try to have at my school.
Q: I know most of your close students know the story, but where did the nickname the “Big Dog” come from?
A: Well to make it short, “Big Dog” was a character in a Brazilian soap opera when I was young; he was almost like Don Corleone. I used to always be at the head of what whatever was going on at this beach across the street from my house. Whether it was organizing barbecues, surfing contests or soccer games I was helping organize it. The lifeguards at this beach called me “Big Dog” as a joke. Some Jiu Jitsu peers came to the beach and learned the nickname and it has been with me since. if I had to pick my nickname “Big Dog” would not be the one. But it worked out alright look at the school logo.
Q: How do you handle your belt promotions; do you have set techniques or a minimum time frame for each belt?
A: The backbone of BJJ belt system is practical application, so essentially when a blue belt can wrestle with purple belts, be able to defend himself and mount some offense he is ready for next level. More recently I have adopted a more individual approach to each student. How to you grade a 50 year old student who is attending class regularly, has a super attitude in class, supports the school and students; against a 22 year old kid who is a great athlete, learns techniques very fast, probably can dominate the 50 year old guy in Randori (live training) but is always late for class and has little discipline towards training? I base the belt ranks on personal development and practical expertise.
My main goal is to introduce minimum requirements for advancement through belt system still this year. This will help students better access their development and instructors to better manage classes.
Q: What is your favorite type of competition to fight in and at what weight?
A: I think it has changed through the years, from sport BJJ into grappling and now MMA. As far as weight class I like open weight, unfortunately in MMA it might be somewhat dangerous to regularly compete outside your weight class.
I just love to compete. Competition to me is not a contest against the guy across the ring, it is like he isn’t even there. It is a contest against myself, when I get out there I already know everything I have to do and I do it. If I am not the victor…well props to my opponent, head up, analyze mistakes and lets go at it again. Competition is, like the belt system, about personal excellence. Most people are too attached to winning or not loosing. This is why most professional sports are a shame in our society.
Q: Submission grappling seems as though it continues to grow in popularity in the U.S. We have the NAGA, Grapplers Quest, the West Coast tournaments; what are your thoughts on the future of the sport?
A: I think the future may not be as bright as it can be, there will always be the competitions, but it may never be more than wrestling with submission holds. In my opinion, submission wrestling is following a path where it has no identity or structure, It doesn’t really stand for anything. The promoters have done a great job so far of building the sport now it is time to take it further. Build relationships with local schools, have refereeing seminars and workshops, create a standard uniform and code of conduct inside the schools that is congruent with expected behavior at tournaments. Make it more user friendly, more family oriented.
Q: You have put in some great performances in the ADCC in the past, can we expect to see you in the future?
A: I love ADCC. You get to compete against handpicked fighters who are the best at what they do. For as long as I am competitive at that level I will always go back.
Q: You named your son (Renzo) after Renzo Gracie. What has Renzo (Gracie) meant to you in life.
A: Renzo Gracie has become a very close friend and a mentor. When I moved to the USA from Brazil in 1997 I was only 20 years old. Initially our relationship was that of Teacher X Student. However we spent so much time together training, working out and teaching that in many ways we became peers. I have had the privilege to corner Renzo in most of his fights since then and it is a great honor to me that such a highly regarded BJJ and MMA community member would trust my humble advice over so many other available resources. Nonetheless, I will always see Renzo Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr from Gracie Barra as my teachers and admire them with utmost respect.
Q: One last item, you seem to be building a competitive and talented group of students. For people that aren’t very familiar with your school, tell us a little about some of your senior students that you have competing/training in the different styles: BJJ, Submission, Vale Tudo.
A: Although competition is not our main focus during classes we do have a very strong competition team and we have specific competition practices outside regular classes.
Competition is not for anyone, it can bring the best and worst in people, we are very careful and take an individual approach when encouraging students to compete. All competition sessions are open to students who wish to participate and support the team. I will not mention individual names because I would not be able to mention everyone that contributes, when we see myself and other guys fighting it is a team effort and I do not wish to place one student above another. We have a lot of potential in the training room and I feel it is time some students realize how good they have become. I wish to put together a team to go represent the school at the world championships in Brazil this coming July. It is a big project but I feel the students are ready and I trust most if not all of them will place very high.
Q: Thanks for your time Ricardo. Any final thoughts?
A: Remember the principles of Maximum Efficiency (through minimum effort) and Mutual Benefit. Allow these two principles to guide your martial arts training and your life outside the dojo. They were brought to us by Dr Jigoro Kano the founder of Judo over 100 years ago and are as contemporary as ever.
Thank you for your time and see you in class.