Hi guys, since I'm new to BJJ chances are that I will be asking allot of questions about it here on the forums (I hope nobody minds). So I was cruising around youtube watching videos on BJJ (Ufc, K1 etc.) I found down in the comments section (yes, i know youtube comments are poison) of fights that involved those of the Gracie family that allot of people were giving them flak saying that they are cheaters, scam artists and all round poor sportsmen. I don't know anything about BJJ politics. But didn't the Gracie family create BJJ in the first place?
yes/no/sort of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswaldo_Fadda http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_França The Gracies are certainly the best MARKETERS of BJJ, but the history even within teh family is contentious
Some of them are poorer examples, others are the best. It's a mixed bag. Pick a Gracie you like and start quoting him/her!
Pffft. I don't know about exact history, but I do know that if you make it big enough, there are always going to be people who jealously try to tear you down. Pretty much any MAist who gets to a certain level is going to have his/her detractors. Actually, pretty much ANYONE in ANY chosen field is going to have their detractors. The Gracie's developed an art that has had and incredible revolutionary effect on MA's. Worry about the quality of your school and if you enjoy it. Stay away from the politics. Let the quality of the art speak for itself and don't worry about the rest.
They are a huge family and within that family they have a range of personalities. Some of the things people accuse the Gracies of such as demanding loyalty and machismo tend to be Brazilian traits rather than traits specific to the Gracies. At least they are traits among Brazliain BJJ coaches I've noticed (generalising a bit but by and large my experience).
Well that I think is a seperate issue and tbh, as much as someone can be universally accepted, Guru Inosanto is as close as they come.
No, it isn't a separate issue. It is exactly the point I was making. I didn't specify where the criticism comes from. Often it is people trying to make a name for themselves by such criticisms. Jealous they aren't as big within or outside an organization. Even someone as highly regarded as Inosanto has his detractors. ANYONE who makes a big enough name will. Whether from within our without, it happens. And that is why I suggested to OP to focus on his school and style and if s/he finds value and enjoyment in the training and ignore the rest.
I don't think it's the Gracie's themselves as much as it is fanboys leeching off their fame to prove some kind of "toughness by association." Like any group, there's some good, some bad. But Gracie Barra in particular has been the source of the most obnoxious dicks I've enountered in BJJ.
The Gracie's are generally fairly good looking, fit, good at fighting, confident and outgoing. What's to like about them!?!?! I hate them just on principal.* *I don't.
I have found that too, but I also met some incredibly nice people from Gracie Barra. Very much a mixed bag.
If you have 15 minutes or so, here are some tales from Roy Harris. He was one of the first non-Brazilian black belts in BJJ and trained with the Gracies when they first came over to the US. Obviously this is just his side of the story, but as others have pointed out, some of the things he says seem to tally with other stories people have told about the Gracies. http://forums.sherdog.com/forums/f12/my-journey-through-bjj-roy-harris-344665/ Overall I personally think the Gracie family have made a huge and positive contribution to the martial arts world.
There will always be negatives when you get to a certain amount of notoriety. Also when you have such a large amount of family, not all are going to be nice and philosphical. Also got to remember, Brazilians are stereotypically a fiery culture. I regret not accepting an invite to train at the Gracie Academy in RdJ when I had friends living pretty much next to it.
