The rivalry between the two main lineages of the Gracie family always marked the big jiu-jitsu competitions in the 80s and 90s in Rio de Janeiro. After avenging his uncle Helio by beating Waldemar Santana in a historic vale tudo bout in 1956, Carlos Gracie’s eldest son Carlson became the main representative of the family in the rings. Interestingly, however, when he retired in 1970, Carlson left the Gracie headquarters and opened his own academy, where he started to produce champions to beat the Gracie disciples in jiu-jitsu competition.
After 20 years of success in the rings, Carlson’s upstart team threatened to surpass the “original.