Pankronicles Episode 4: Rickson Gracie Teaches Puroresu a Lesson

The fourth episode of our Luke Thomas narrated series, Pankronicles – The Secret History of MMA, is now posted. For this installment we take a look at not only the infamous Rickson Gracie–Yoji Anjo private match, but also the deep connections and intertwined history of professional wrestling, MMA, and even Gracie Jiu-jitsu.

Many MMA fans seem uncomfortable with the idea that professional wrestling and mixed martial arts share so much history, as if any link with the theatrical sport would taint it. The Gracie family too has been resistant to this idea. For years the history they told excluded Carlos Gracie’s mentor Mitsuyo Maeda’s participation in worked wrestling matches; the fact that Gastao Gracie’s (father of Helio and Caros) worked as a professional wrestling promoter; wrote out their own brother, George’s forays in to the squared circle.

Other installments of Pankronicles:

1. Pankronicles 1 – Fighting Traditions meet at UFC 1: Gracie vs Shamrock
2. Pankronicles 2 – The Orphan vs The Dynasty
3. Pankronicles 3 – The Gracie’s Champion

As much as some would like to dismiss this connection, any serious attempt to chronicle MMA’s history can’t ignore them. Parts of this story has been told before here on Bloody Elbow, in Kid Nate’s MMA History series and John S. Nash’s Martial Chronicles, Even more in-depth explorations can be found in Jonathan Snowden’s Shooters and Total MMA, Mark S. Hewitt’s Catch Wrestling and Catch Wrestling, Round Two, and Luiz Otavio Laydner’s With the Back on the Ground.

And, of course, in future episodes of Pankronicles.