Rickson elects his toughest roll ever

The other day at Rickson Academy, a jiu-jitsu student seized the opportunity during an "ask me anything" session to clear up one of the most persistent questions about Rickson's career.

Who had been, in Rickson's own opinion, the toughest guy he had ever trained with? Before answering the question posed by our friend Sergio, Rickson displayed a slight smile, perhaps nostalgic, and said: "I felt the roll was going to be a nightmare from the first instant."

The man elected by Rickson as one of his most memorable opponents may be a surprise. After all, we're talking over 50 years of training, and the name does not belong to a jiu-jitsu teacher. Rather, it's an Olympic champion, record holder and UFC veteran.

"I've had many training sessions and valiant opponents, many guys that I consider tough, of course. But if I have to choose one here from memory, I point to the Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz."

Mark Schultz is an American legend, a champion at the 1982 Olympics (freestyle wrestling, 82kg), who fought in the UFC and whose life became a movie.

The historic roll between Rickson and Schultz took place in 1993, when Rickson was in Utah and visited Brigham Young University, where Schultz was head coach.

"Mark Schultz wasn't familiar with jiu-jitsu techniques, but soon I saw that the roll was going to be a nightmare from the first instant," Rickson said. "It was a really tough roll. I knew he was a guy with a huge heart, very tough. And even when I was able to execute some of my jiu-jitsu moves against him, even so I felt that my life was hanging by a thread. To this day I have lots of respect for him. It was an extremely tough roll, but in the end jiu-jitsu prevailed."

How about you? What did you learn from the toughest roll of your life? Let us know.

[kuwyjitsu]

I was fortunate enough to take a seminar from Mark Schultz in high school in 2008. Mark said he held Rickson in a cradle for a long time, but eventually Rickson escaped and put him in a triangle. Mark is one of the greatest grapplers of all time. Would have been amazing to see that roll.

[MrStrongBro]

I heard about this on Chael Sonnen’s podcast. The feeling is mutual on Mark’s side. Apparently he held Rickson in a cradle for 30 minutes, Rickson stayed calm and eventually escaped and immediately submitted him. Wish I could see it on video!

[kylieminou]

oh, I read about this fight in Mark Schultz book!, it's the book behind the movie "Foxcatcher", the book is really good, but sad, because Mark talks about his brother, who was murdered. Mark was coaching in Utah and someone told him if he wanted to fight Rickson, and Mark said, yes I'll fight him, at the moment he was only aware that BJJ "was more or less like judo, and the only thing he knew about judo was to tuck his elbows, as he had done some sparring with the olympic judo team at some point", Mark said he saw some wrestlers laughing in the bleachers, so he was prepared to go and kick some ass, but his head was "foggy from the lack of oxygen to his brain after so many chokes by Rickson!", so he said "I want to learn this", ♥♥♥awesome athletes!

[DannyAmerican]

I almost shit myself when he said Mark Hunt😂

[samuelfrausto]

I thought he was going to say me during a seminar back in 1992 in Chicago since I was the last one he spared that day. Then I remembered I was the last one to get chocked by Master Rickson with a lapel choke.😂🤣😂

[criticalbill]

That is one roll I would have love to witness. Two masters of their respected styles going at it

[VinchenzoC]

That's an honest assessment. Mark said he's proud to have impressed Rickson that much.

[ryanlynch]

Mark said Rickson is the best grappler of all time, maybe to this day, and he copied his style for MMA. Mad respect to both of those guys, two animals.
RIP Dave Shultz.

[davidcarik]

It's pretty awesome for Rickson to say this about Mark Schultz. If you think about it, both Mark and Rickson trained and competed for years and years before their meeting. Both guys, through the process of training and competition, fought their way to the TOP of their respective disciplines. It only makes sense that when these two grappled, they both felt each others skill, power, technique and pressure. On paper, BOTH were (and some say are) the BEST of their sports. It was proven through the crucible of competition and pressure situations. Over and over. For years. It would have been so awesome to see either one of these guys compete more in Modern MMA. If only.

[tortillasarenotbiceps]

Mark Shultz fought Gary Goodridge with no notice and beat the brakes off him. That goes beyond tough. That right there is insanity. That Gracie was able to tap Shultz out is outright terrifying.

[jamiealaniz]

Listening to rickson and his teaching method this a man who can be called master!

[cengizkaplan]

What a humble human beeing Rickson Gracie is. Rolemodel in sport and in life.

[highsoflyify]

A fight against Alexander Karelin would be a totally different beast to roll with

[rippersubmissionwrestling]

Love your respect 🙏 Master Rickson! Much love from England!

[ipisouthafrica]

Hello Rikson. Thank-you for your book. It was good to hear your story

[classicgiraffe]

Wow I never would have guessed, I was thinking Mark Kerr right away but thats pretty awesome. Talk about two masters going at it.

[giampieroparma]

E SEMPRE UN ONORE E UN GRANDE GRAZIE PER LA SUA DISPONIBILITA
TANTI AUGURONI DI BUONE FESTE
E DI BUON ANNO NUOVO E SEMPRE UN SALUTO CON RISPETTO GRAN MASTER

[Laruwufer]

This came up in suggestions and I was skeptical about being Rick rolld and its good to know I didn't get got.

[markschultz]

Rickson is Awesome! I modeled my style after him. Nothing but the highest respect.

[stephen_north]

I have a freestyle wrestling background and am now training Gracie juijitsu. And I love it!