RALEK OR ROGER: WHO IS THE BADDEST GRACIE ON THE PLANET?
There was once a time when saying the name Gracie was synonymous with mixed martial arts. Now the Gracie name can only be remembered for past glory, and the fighting family dynasty that once was, has faded into history. Recent UFC outings by Renzo and Rolles have only bruised their legacy and it would seem the final nails were in place for the Gracie coffin.
From competing in MMA at a high level perspective, the situation had gone from bad to worse. The Gracie's had fallen down to Earth and nobody caught them.
In May of 2010, things changed.
At Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery, undefeated light-heavyweight Roger Gracie, who is highly recognized as the best BJJ practitioner today, stepped into the cage against Kevin "The Monster" Randleman. The result of this contest; Randleman was choked unconscious in the second round. Remnants of the old Gracie days.
A few weeks later in Japan at Dream.14, an old nemesis to the Gracie clan was menacing to continue his supremacy over the family. Kazushi Sakuraba AKA "The Gracie Hunter" fought undefeated middleweight Ralek Gracie. The bout went the distance as Ralek earned a very impressive unanimous decision and became the first Gracie to never have a loss to Sakuraba.
Just as fast as the Gracie name was falling off the charts, Roger and Ralek have reinstated it.
Both Gracie's, who are second cousins, have identical records of 3-0, with five submissions between them. The quality in opponents they have been facing are increasing in stature and so far Ralek and Roger have been passing with flying colours.
Overall, Ralek is the better all round mixed martial artist of the two but is missing the 'Game Over' aspect right now, which Roger has. Although a bit sloppy in the stand up, Roger is lights out on the ground. When he continues to have more fights under his belt, Roger will only become more dangerous and efficient -- which is a scary thought.
Roger Gracie is the baddest Gracie on the planet right now but Ralek may prove to have the better MMA career in the long haul.
As Strikeforce and Dream continue with their 'talent exchanging' partnership, there should be enough solid competition for Roger and Ralek at light-heavyweight and middleweight for the next few years.
An eventual jump to the UFC is foreseeable for either Gracie. The Gracie name is still marketable and fans and media alike find it interesting to watch the different era's unfold.
Quite possibly the last two great fighters from the Gracie dynasty, Roger and Ralek are making sure their name won't vanished into the history books without a fight.
From competing in MMA at a high level perspective, the situation had gone from bad to worse. The Gracie's had fallen down to Earth and nobody caught them.
In May of 2010, things changed.
At Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery, undefeated light-heavyweight Roger Gracie, who is highly recognized as the best BJJ practitioner today, stepped into the cage against Kevin "The Monster" Randleman. The result of this contest; Randleman was choked unconscious in the second round. Remnants of the old Gracie days.
A few weeks later in Japan at Dream.14, an old nemesis to the Gracie clan was menacing to continue his supremacy over the family. Kazushi Sakuraba AKA "The Gracie Hunter" fought undefeated middleweight Ralek Gracie. The bout went the distance as Ralek earned a very impressive unanimous decision and became the first Gracie to never have a loss to Sakuraba.
Just as fast as the Gracie name was falling off the charts, Roger and Ralek have reinstated it.
Both Gracie's, who are second cousins, have identical records of 3-0, with five submissions between them. The quality in opponents they have been facing are increasing in stature and so far Ralek and Roger have been passing with flying colours.
Overall, Ralek is the better all round mixed martial artist of the two but is missing the 'Game Over' aspect right now, which Roger has. Although a bit sloppy in the stand up, Roger is lights out on the ground. When he continues to have more fights under his belt, Roger will only become more dangerous and efficient -- which is a scary thought.
Roger Gracie is the baddest Gracie on the planet right now but Ralek may prove to have the better MMA career in the long haul.
As Strikeforce and Dream continue with their 'talent exchanging' partnership, there should be enough solid competition for Roger and Ralek at light-heavyweight and middleweight for the next few years.
An eventual jump to the UFC is foreseeable for either Gracie. The Gracie name is still marketable and fans and media alike find it interesting to watch the different era's unfold.
Quite possibly the last two great fighters from the Gracie dynasty, Roger and Ralek are making sure their name won't vanished into the history books without a fight.
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