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Ralph Gracie, brother of MMA legend Renzo Gracie, pleads not guilty to alleged assault at jiu-jitsu tournament

A grand jury has indicted Ralph Gracie, the older brother of MMA legend Renzo Gracie, on one count of felony assault for allegedly attacking jiu-jitsu champion Flavio Almeida at the 2018 IBJJF World Championships.

Gracie, 39, today pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Orange County (Calif.) Superior Court, denying he assaulted Almeida during the competition on Dec. 15, 2018, Superior Court Public Information Officer Kimberly Edds told MMA Fighting.

The plea was Gracie’s second court appearance following a no-show that triggered his indictment. The judge extended a $50,000 bond and ordered Gracie to surrender his passport, Edds said.