Royler comments on Eddie Bravo match

[Chris Herzog]

Here is an article published by OTM

http://www.onthemat.com/blogs-posts/...ht-eddie-bravo

Sat, 2011-06-04 21:59 — Royler Gracie



Here is the truth regarding my potential participation in an ADCC Super Fight.

I received a call from my cousin, Renzo, who told me that ADCC was interested in having me participate in their September event. I told him that it would be a pleasure for me to once again compete for the ADCC organization. Renzo said that ADCC Vice President Guy Nievens would contact me to negotiate the terms of my contract, including the purse for the match. The following day, the ADCC website reported the match and several media outlets contacted me. I stated that it would be great to once again train hard for a grappling match and that I was confident that we would be able to enter into a contract. At that point no details had been discussed nor had I even spoken with anyone from the ADCC organization regarding this match.

Guy Nievens called me several days later to negotiate the contract terms for the match. In my experience, these negotiations are always confidential. The very next day, I was shocked to learn that Mr. Nievens had disclosed certain details of our conversation to the public. Perhaps Mr. Nievens was attempting to trick me into entering into an unfair contract? Regardless of his motivation, it is deplorable that someone working for Sheik Tahnoon would, in my opinion, behave in such an unethical, unprofessional and disrespectful manner.

The Sheik is a distinguished man who has been instrumental in the growth of submission wrestling throughout the world. Mr. Nievens’ actions show, in my opinion, an inability to perform his duties as VP of ADCC and unworthiness to represent the Sheik.

Everyone knows that I am a fighter. I have never shied away from a challenge. Since I was 6 years old, I have fought hundreds of matches for free, just for the love of the sport. I have fought under sport jiu-jitsu rules, judo rules, submission wrestling rules, MMA rules and many times without any rules.

I have faced opponents sometimes twice my size. Cowardice is not a word in mine or my family’s vocabulary. Throughout my almost 40 year career, I achieved the pinnacle of my sport, including seven world titles.

When fighting in a professional event, after years of dedication, it is only fair and appropriate for me to ask for a reasonable purse that reflects my successful career in the ring and my unimpeachable conduct as a professional athlete.

Everyone who knows me understands that I will show up to any event well prepared. This entails me having to stop teaching classes and seminars for approximately two months with great financial cost to my family and me.

All I am asking is for the ADCC organization to cover these expenses.

I am still confident that the Abu Dhabi organization will treat me with the respect that I have earned and will come through with this match in the name of all our loyal fans and supporters.

Royler Gracie

[Chris Leavelle]

The letter makes it sound like his family is gona go hungry if he doesnt get paid 50k just to show up and another 25 if he wins...Sounds like the NFL lock out to me.

[AJ Camacho]

How would you feel if you went to buy a car and after trying to haggle the salesman down to a cheaper price, and the deal falling through, that he decided to run around town telling everybody what a cheap ass you were?

[AndyK5]

After reading this letter I changed my mind a little bit. Obviously it is written by a professional image maker of some sort but still there is a lot of truth in there. I would not imagine any gracie from being scared from any matchup even if it was %100 chance that they are going to lose. It is just that mentality that they are raised with, comes with a lot of self confidence and cockiness. Second I think Royler is accomplished and famous enough to want to cash in on his status using a match with Eddie or Godzilla for that matter. I still firmly believe that Eddie is more than enough take care of him, I just don't think he is shoving money to the face of the promoters so he does not have to fight.