When Rickson talks, I always listen. Interesting thoughts on BJJ competition, new techniques and the evolution of the art:

http://bjjhacks.com/2011/07/rickson-gracie-interview/

I agree with everything he states, but his thoughts on modern MMA are way off.

I enjoyed this interview, and I agree with everything he had to say about recent changes in competition BJJ that focus on "sweep and stall" tactics, complicated gi-dependent positions that are vulnerable to strikes, &c. (I would, though, given that my coach teaches us that we should have the same game with or without the gi, and that we should always be working to get the back or top position, then finish).

That said — and conceding that Rickson has forgotten more about fighting generally and jiujitsu in particular than I will ever know — it seems to me he's off base when he talks about MMA fighters not being able to defeat other fighters who are 2-3 weight divisions larger. For example, it seems clear to me that BJ Penn would finish David Levicki or Bud Smith just as easily as Rickson did, but I don't think Rickson in his prime would be any more likely than Penn to finish Cain Velasquez. (All of which boils down to: the great little man can beat the merely good big man, but the great big man wins against the great little man).

Rickson does know more about BJJ than 99.9% of the world, but fighting? Fighting is more than BJJ. He doesn't know as much about fighting.

Oh them are fighting words mister. If I was a BJJ guy I'd lock you up real good

No one on this board could afford to fight Rickson!
Long live the Gracie challenge:
We will fight anyone, anywhere... as long as the money is good!

I'd fight Rickson. I don't think he could take me down..and I'm about the same age he is.

If I did go to the ground with Rickson...the mat would be an ocean, Rickson would be a shark and I'd be a guppy!

"When Rickson talks, I always listen."

I too listen.