LUTA LIVRE Freakie-Do

LUTA LIVRE

Freakie-Do

Luta Livre is the other side of the same combat coin in Brazil, like Brazilian jiujitsu, it was born in Rio de Janeiro more or less at the same time. The main difference is that the GI is not used, but the submissions are 95% the same. Luta Livre is a mix of catch wrestling and Judo.

Its founder was Euclydes "Tatu" Hatem who defeated Jorge Gracie (Brother of Helio and Carlos) in a fight in the 1940s with a Key lock or also known as an American.

During the time of the vale todo there was a lot of rivalry, although the rivalry was born from the 40s, 50's and 60's Until the 80s and 90's with the new generations is that "Ardio troya"

Who until today is the most recognized bearer of the free fighting flag and who gave form to the system is the great master Roberto Leitao, who is considered to be responsible for the evolution of free fighting. Leitao, being a mechanical engineer, became obsessed with art, giving it a twist and structure.

His grading system is Beginner (White, Yellow, and Orange belts). Intermediate (Blue belt) and Advanced (purple, brown and black belt)

It is said that one day Leitao and Carlson Gracie fought for around 24 minutes, which was a tremendously competitive fight, both guards were passed but there was no submission.

Another representative of the next generation was Eugenio Tadeu. Eugenio was a great anything goes fighter, who had a fight with Wallid Ismael. This was generated because Wallid said in an interview that Luta Livre was a cheap copy of jiujitsu, at that time Wallid was not well known because he was barely a brown belt, but a genius for self-promotion. After these comments several fighters got together and invaded a local jiujitsu tournament where Wallid would be participating. Carlson Gracie was the one who calmed things down and they agreed that he would fix himself inside the ring in an anything goes fight. Eugenio would be the one who would fight against Wallid. After a hard fight Wallid would be declared the winner.

Some time later the rivalry continued to grow and that was when Eugenio's match against Renzo Gracie was arranged. Fight that ended with a riot inside the gym where chairs were blown up.

At present, it can be said that the rivalry has ended, since many students train the two arts without any rivalry. Among the best known are Andre Pederneiras, leader of Nova Uniao (Carlson Gracie's black belt and Luta live under Roberto Leitao), Milton Vieira, Cara de Sapato, Jose Aldo himself from the UFC, among others.

It can be said that they are also sister arts as they fall within the submission grappling family.