Rickson Gracie film to be based on life story
One of the most well-known and beloved figures in mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history, Rickson Gracie, will have his life story turned into a feature film.
Filmmaker Adam Rifkin, Brad Wyman and Michael P.J. Gerstein’s FutureIII Entertainment have acquired the option rights to the Brazilian Mixed Martial artist’s memoir, Breathe: A Life in Flow.
Rickson Gracie is the son Brazilian jiu-jitsu co-creator Helio Gracie and was promoted to the rare rank of red belt seven years ago. In Brazilian jiu-jitsu the red belt is reserved “for those whose influence and fame takes them to the pinnacle of the art”. The red belt is awarded in lieu of a ninth- and tenth-degree black belt.
He earned his black belt in 1977 at the young age of 18.
At age 20, Gracie won his first victory against the famous 230-pound (104 kg) Brazilian brawler Rei Zulu (father of Zuluzinho). With this victory, Rickson gained immediate national acclaim. Five years later Zulu requested a rematch and lost to Rickson again, in Maracanazinho before an audience of 20,000 spectators.
Gracie retired from MMA competition 17 years ago with an undefeated record of 11-0.
