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rorion’s a lot bigger than benny
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Thanks for posting.
I did not know this happened.
Good to learn/hear.
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Cool stuff, love the old school stories of NHB.
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Benny had replied back then:
Dear Mr Gracie,
Imagine my surprise and disappointment to find that you had “challenged” me once again. I accepted your so-called challenge in good faith a few years ago. I thought you were serious at that time and began training with grappling master Gene Le Bell and former Kickboxing World Champion, Bill “Superfoot” Wallance, who was also a former collegiate wrestler.
However, you backed out. You weren’t serious then, and you aren’t now. Once again, you are trying to gain fame and add prestige to your show by riding on my name.
You’ve never had any real intention of fighting me. First, you placed your “challenge” (advertisement) in a paper that is geared to entertainment news, not Martial Arts news, in the hope that I wouldn’t see it. Second, I was out of the country at the time and did not return until two weeks after your ad ran. Apparently it didn’t matter to you, as you were only seeking the publicity. Third, and most significant, you timed your “challenge” after I had officially retired from the ring. my retirement bout was aired on “Showtime” in December of 1993.
Your title of “ultimate fighting champion” is rather amusing. You act as if it were a legitimately sanctioned title, and not just the name that was made up for your exhibition. You’ll have to do more than compete in a tough man contest to prove yourself.
My first paid competition was in a tough manx contest. I was crowned champion only after two days of competition and almost one hundred competitors in the field. However, I knew that if I really wanted to be a world champion, I would have to do more than glorified street fighting…
For twenty years I have held Kickboxing wold titles. I have proven myself in my sport throughout the world. My record of 58-0, with 49 knockouts, speaks for itself. Everyone whom I have fought were champion kick boxers. We did not insult each other with talk. We fought like men.
There is nothing that I have to prove to you, or anyone in my sport. If you want to be a true champion and be thought of with respect, you have everything to prove.
Sincerely,
- Benny Urquidez
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Brazilian machismo on both sides
How can you tell when a Gracie is lying? His lips are moving.
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It would have been interesting to see Gene Le Bell go with someone his age in a pure grappling match. I think Gene was 20 years older than Rorian.
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Do you guys remember Gene’s response where he said that he would fight Helio since Helio is closer to his age ? I believe I have that correct.
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What did he say? Love to know.
I remember this.
It was in black belt magazine.
Helio said it wouldn’t be a fair fight since he was 95lbs but a younger lighter Gracie would fight gene.
The Gracie are a joke and gene would have leg locked them to death.
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Helio agreed to grapple with Gene if he had lost weight.
The match never materialized.
Pathetic excuse by helio.
Gracie’s were claiming that Gracie JJ, it didn’t matter what weight you were and technique would win.
What they did in 90s was distasteful and low class. It was only a matter of time till everyone caught up and they would look foolish.
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Unless you actually fight, it’s just talking shit.
Like Rickson?
What?